mmM
5^ H! ••''»/ YiV'i'
■m
F
in
„CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
3 1924 088 998 046
Date
Due
-•-..JM4_^.'
I " V— I ,—
^hiV4 a
-"^^
iaijtijt:^»f>^
l>-Fr^-n ■? T 'nq
M-*-*'-*'^''
4r-ir-
i*«"iiUA<
l*'!*""'*??^
— ^^Z_^
^SS**
^.r./ni7 — TR-
TTTT " ^ ^i^
fe-48?l«iL.
-jagp e
■=4^^ n
•^^.^^ — ^
:^f3i g
nfiT
!l« ...Ml
l»^SBW^
^yjp^&flH^
university'
The original of this book is in
the Cornell University Library.
There are no known copyright restrictions in
the United States on the use of the text.
http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924088998046
t^^^^S"-*^
THE
Civil, Political, Professional and Ecclesiastical
HISTORY
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL RECORD
COUNTY OF KINGS
I
AND
THE CITY OF BROOKLYN, N- Y.
FROM 1683 TO 1884.
BY
HENRY R.'^TILES, A.M., M.D., Editor-in-Chief,
Formerly lAbrarian of the Long Islmid Historical Society ; Member of the N. Y. Genealogical and Biographical Society,
the American Ethnological Society, etc., etc.; Author of the "History of Brooklyn," "The Wallabout Prison
Ship Series," the "History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Conn.," and other Historical Works.
ASSISTED BY i -, ■
L. B. PROCTOR, Esq., »™^ L! P ' BROCKETT, A.M., M.D.,
Author of '-'Bench and Bar of the State of N. Y.," "iiues of the Author of ''Our Western Empire," "-Our Country's Wealth and Inftri-
State Chancellors of New Yorh," '^Lawyer and ClienU" "Life ence,'' " Geographix^al Historu of N. Y." and Geographical and
and Times of Thomas Addis Emmett," ''Lives of Statistical Editor of ""New American" and ^'Johnson's
Eminent American Statesmen,"' .Oyclopa^dla" and the "American Supplement to
etc., etc. Encyclopc&diu Britannica,^'' ete.^ etc.
WITH PORTRAITS, BIOGRAPHIES AND ILLUSTRATIONS.
VOLUME L
NEW YORK:
W. W. MUNSELL & CO.
PUBLISHERS.
UNIVERSITY
\ LIBRARY
Copyright, 1884.
^A'. W. MUNSELL & CO.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Editor's Pebfacb ......
Outline Histoey of ti-ib State of New York .
General History of Long Island ....
General History of Kings County ....
History of the Town of Flatlands
History of the Town of Brooklyn ....
As A Village, 1817-1834 ... . .
The First City of Brooklyn, 1834^1854
History of the Town of Gratesend ....
History of Coney Island . . . •
History of the Town of Flatbush . . . .
History of the Town of New Utrecht
History of the Town of Bushwick ....
History of the Town of Williamsburgh .
History of the Town of New Lots ....
The Ecclesiastical History of Kings County, 1628-1800
The Bench and Bar of Kings County, 1668-1832
List of County Officials .....
LBGiSLATnrB Officers prom Kings County
The History of the Board of Supervisors of Kings County
The History of Education in Kings County, 1644-1822
Travel and Transit in Kings County . . . .
Stages and Eailroads .....
Brooklyn Ferries and Ferry Rights ...
The New York and East River Bridge
The History op the Superintendents of the Poor .
History of the Commissioners of Charities
Annals of the Consolidated City of Brooklyn, 1855-1883
The Brooklyn of To-Day, 1883 .....
The Municipal History of the City op Brooklyn, 1834-1884
Department op Police and Excise
Department of Health . . . . .
Department op Fire and Buildings ....
Department op City "Works ....
Department of Parks . . . . .
(Cemeteries) ......
Department op Public Education ....
Banking (By The Editor), and Insurance
By Rev. Anson Dubois, D. D.
. By The Editor.
By liev. A. P. Stockioell.
. By Wm. H. Stillwell, Esq.
By Reo. R. G. Strong.
. By. Hon. T. G. Bergen.
. By The Editor.
a J J. M. Stearns, Esq.
By C Warren Hamilton, Esq.
By The Editor.
. By L. B. Proctor, Esq.
By L. B. Proctor, Esq.
. By The Editor.
By L. P. Brookett, M. D.
. . By The Editor.
. By B. B. Proctor, Esq.
By B. B. Proctor, Esq.
. By The Editor.
By B. P. Brochett, M. B.
By B. B. Proctor, Esq.
. By The Editor.
" 569,
By Van Brunt Bergen, Esq.
By The Editor.
By Hon. T. Q. Bergen.
By O. H. Butcher, Esq.
Page.
vi., vii.
18
43
64
80
139
145
156
189
212
255
270
293
306
327
338
366
372
377
409
419
419
435
447
463
494''
484
522
528
557
563
580
584
595
602
609
619
LIST OF PORTRAITS.
PAGE.
Ammerman, Albert 511*
Bauer, Paul 198
Broach, John 304
Beekman, A. J 626
Bergen, Hon. Tennis G- 268
Boerum, Henry 290
Bowne, Samuel 439
Campbell, Hon. Felix 415^
Conselyea, "William 290
Delmar, John 370
Driggs, Edmund 512*
Elliott, Charles B 371
Engeman, William A 206
Fisher, Francis B 519
Freeman, Rev. Bernardus 334
Gaylor, William H 580
Hazzard, William H 591
Howell, James 513
Hunter, John W 511
Humphreys, A. W 515°
James, Hon. Darwin R 416*
Kalbfleisch, Martin 504
Kiernan, Hon. John J 418"
Kingsley, William C 463"
Low, Seth 513"
Low, Hon. Seth 517
Lowe, Rev. Peter 336
McKane, John Y 209
PAGE.
Miller, Francis D., M. D 323
Murphy, Henry C 364
Murtha, Hon. William H 562
Patchen, Jacob 115
Peck, Edgar F., M. D 40*
Pierrepont, H. B 129
Perry, Joseph A 606
Pierrepont, Henry E 443
Polhemus, H. D 632
Powell, S. S 514
Ridley, Edward 210
Roebling, John A 458
Roebling, Washington A 458
Schroeder, Frederick A 512
Schenck, Isaac , 324
Sheldon, Henry 514*
Sprague, William E 579
Stranahan, James S. T 598
Stegman, Lewis R 369
Suydam, A. M 291
Tanner, James 521
Thomas, William M 582
Tuttle, Sylvester 305
Vanderveer, Stephen L 321
Vanderveer, Charles B ; 322
Van Sinderen, Rev. TJlpianus 336
Wallace, James P 507
Williams, John , 625
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE.
Map of Battle of Brooklyn 51
Battle Pass (Prospect Park) 53
Old Jersey Prison-Ship 57
Map of Wallabout Bay, 1776-83 57
Tomb of the Prison-Ship Martyrs 60
Plan of Brooklyn Fortifications, 1814 60
Autograph — Wolfert Garretse Van Cowenhoven . 66
" Elbert Elbertse Stoothoff 67
" Roelof Martense Schenck 67
" Pieter Claesen Wyokoff 67
" Steven Koers Vorhees 67
Map of Brooklyn Settlements, 1646 81
Map of the Bennett and Bentyn Patent 82
The De Hart, or Bergen House 83
The Vechte-Cortelyou House 83
The Schermerhorn House 84
Autograph — Cornells Cornelisen Cool 84
" Frederick Lubbertse 85
" Joris Jans Rappelye 87
PAGE.
Autograph — Catalyntie (Trico) Rappelye 87
" Hans Hansen Bergen 87
" Adam Brouwer 87
" Tennis Gysbertse Bogaert 89
" Michael Hansen 91
" Jacob Hans Bergen 91
" Claes Barentse Blom 91
View of Brookland, 1766-7 93
Cornell-Pierrepont Mansion (river front) 94
Map of Old Ferry, 1766-7 95
British Fort in Brooklyn, 1776 ' 97
British Camp Hut, 1776 93
View of Bedford Corners, 1776 99
View of Brooklyn, 1798 iq2
Map of Old Ferry District, 1816 109
Middagh House and Barn m
Guy's Brooklyn Snow Scene \i^
" Key to the same n^
Old Ferry Road between Prospect and Sands ... 115
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.— Continued.
TAOE.
Cornell-Pierrejjont Mansion (rear view) 129
The Fleet Mansion 133
Map of Old Brooklyn and Jamaica Turnpike. . . . 134
Map of Bedford-Corners, 1766-7 136
Map of Yellow Fever District, 1822 141
Map of Burned District, 1848 151
Autograph — Henry Moody 158
" Anthony Jansen (Van Salee) 158
Ancient Plot of the town of Gravesend, 1645 . . . 161
Autograph — George Baxter 164
" James Hubbard 164
John Tilton 164
" Mattenoah (Indian) 187
" Gutta Quoah (Indian) ; . _ 187
The Still well House, Gravesend 187
The Stryker House, Gravesend 188
The Johnson House, Gravesend 188
Residence of Rev. A. P. Stockwell 188
Fac-simile of old map of Gravesend and Coney
Island 190
Sea-Side Home for Children, Coney Island 197
Paul Bauer's West Brighton Hotel, Coney Island 198
Feltman's Oriental Pavilion, Coney Island 199
Mrs.Vanderveer's Bathing Pavilion, Coney Island 201
Depot P. P. & C. I. R. R J02
Observatory at West Brighton, Coney Island. . . 202
Sea Beach Palace Hotel, Coney Island 203
Bay Ridge Landing — Sea Beach R. R 203
Brighton Pier, Coney Island 204
Ocean Pier, Coney Island 204
Hotel Brighton, Coney Island 205
Brighton Beach Bathing Pavilion, Coney Island. 205
Bathing Pavilion, Coney Island 207
The Manhattan Beach Hotel, Coney Island 208
The Oriental Hotel, Coney Island 208
Residence of Edward Ridley, Gravesend 212
Old Ridley Mansion, Gravesend 212
Autograph — Hendry ck Reycke 217
" Cornells Janse Yanderveer 217
" Jans Strycker 217
" Leffert Pietersen 217
" Adrian Reyerse 218
" Peter Lott 218
" Adrian Hegeman 220
" Willem Jacobse Yan Boerum ...... 220
" Jans Sueberingh 220
" Jan Snedicor 220
" Jans Aertse Yan der Bilt 222
" Aucke Jans Yan Nuyse 222
" DirckJans 223
" Michael Hainelle 224
« Jacob Stryker 225
Melrose'Hall, Flatbush, 1883 228
Platbush Church, 1842 242
Erasmus Hall Academy, 1 850 251
« « " 1883 252
PAGB.
Autograph — Cornells Barentse Van Wyck 254
" Jacques Cortelyou 257
" Nicasius De Sille 258
Residence of Nicasius De Sille 259
The Miller Homestead 272
Autograph — Boudwyn Manout 276
Map of " Het Dorp," Bushwick 282
Old Bushwick Graveyard 283
The Devoe Houses 284
The Boerum House 286
Autograph — Johannes Schenck ; Private and
Official Seals of ; Silver Marks of 324-325
Autograph of Johannes Schenck, Jr 325
Schenck Family Arms 325
Autograph and Seal of Rev. Henricus Selyns. . . 331
The Second Brooklyn Church, 1766 332
Autograph of Rev. Y. Antonides 335
The Old Bushwick Church 337
The Third County Court-house, Flatbush. 341
Autograph — Carel De Bevoise 409
Old Ferry House, 1746 429
First Steam Ferryboat 434
Fulton Ferry, 1865 438
Atlantic Street or South Ferry House 440
The Hamilton Avenue Ferry House 441
The Montague Street Ferry House 441
The Old Grand Street Ferry, Williamsburgh. . . . 445
The First Brooklyn Ferry Master 446
Sectional View of East River Bridge 453
Elevation of Bridge 454
Plan of New York Approach to the Bridge 454
Plan of Brooklyn Approach to the Bridge 454
The Bridge as seen from the Brooklyn side 457
The Brooldyn Eagle Office and Bridge Tower. . . 459
View in Remsen Street, looking Westward 462
Kings County Hospital 467
" " Penitentiary 476
" " Almshouse 477
" " Lunatic Asylum 485"
Soldiers' Medal 502
" " (Reverse) 502
Sailors' Medal 502
" " (Reverse) 502
Lincoln Monument, Prospect Park 508
City Seal of Brooklyn 564*
Brooklyn's First Fire Engine 568
Fireman's Monument in Greenwood Cemetery. . . 578
Modern Steam Fire Engine 583
Northern Entrance to Greenwood Cemetery 602
Entrance to Greenwood Cemetery, 1845 603
Gardener's Lodge, Battle Hill, Greenwood 603
Western Entrance to Greenwood Cemetery 605
The Canda Monument, Greenwood Cemetery. . . . 605
Williamsburgh Savings Bank 621
Kings County Savings Institution 623
Continental Insurance Building 630
EDITOR^S PREFACE.
TN presenting to the public this HlSTORY OF KlNGS COUNTY AND THE CiTY OF BROOKLYN,
^ a few words of explanation and acknowledgment are due. The preparation of so large a mass
of historical, biographical and statistical ijtformation as is contained in these pages {equivalent to
nearly 4,000 pages octavo) was undertaken by the publisher in a spirit of enterprise and liberality,
before unequalled in works of this character. By myself, the charge of its editing was accepted
in a spirit of loyalty to the best interests of a city in which, for many years, I was a resident,
and of which f had formerly been the historian. My long familiarity with the ground, atid my
acquaintance with its leading citizens, encouraged me to believe that such a work would be most
acceptable to them, and would secure their general interest and personal co-operation. The result
has more than justified my anticipations.
From the moment of my entrance Upon the ivork, I have been cheered by a renewal of the
same generous response to my requests for information, and by the same personal encouragement from
all classes of citizens, which attended my former efforts in behalf of the History of Brooklyn.
The co-operative plan of authorship, as exhibited in the present volume, has this undoubted
merit : that it secures, in each special department, the services and knowledge of those who are, or
are naturally supposed to be, best qualified, by their peculiar aptitude in, or acquaintance with it,
to present it in its fullest and best light. Thus we have, in this volume, the important subject
of The Bench and the Bar, both of the County of Kings and of the City of Brooklyn; the
History of the Boards of COUNTY SUPERVISORS, the SUPERINTENDENTS OF THK Poor, and the
Commissioners of Charities, as zvell as the complicated details of Brooklyn's Municipal organiza-
tion, traced with careful exactitude by the legally qualified mind and pen of L. B. PrOCTOR, Esq.,
the accomplished historian of the New York State Bar. The immense, but greatly underrated
{and, by the U. S. Census authorities, greatly misrepresented) MANUFACTURING and INDUSTRIAL
interests; the COMMERCE; the vast Real Estate and BUILDING interests of Brooklyn and Kings
County, have here their first elaborate and honest setting forth, by Dr. L. P- Brockett, whose high
reputation as a statistician and economist writer is widely recognized. The wonderful develop-
ment of the Drama, Music and Art, zvith their associate interests, are for the first time dis-
played in these pages, zvith true artistic enthusiasm, by GABRIEL HARRISON, ESQ., the well-known
dramatist, author and artist. And so in other departments of our History — such as the PRESS,
the Medical Profession, the Parks, Water Supply, etc, etc., of Brooklyn, and in the histories
of the several CoUNTY ToWNS — the reader will find that we have enlisted' the aid of the best
informed minds in our midst. To all these gentlemen — and to that still larger number whose
names do not appear on our pages, but who have cordially assisted us in every way — are due not
only our thanks, but those of the reading public ; thanks, indeed, which must assume a deeper
meaning as Time adds value to the work which they have helped to make.
There have been but two disadvantages, or difficulties, in the completion of this history. One
{and which, indeed, affects the Editor mostly) is due to the fact that to each writer his SPECIAL
topic is apt to shut out all else from his view; he writes as if, and, indeed, is apt to think, his
own subject is THE most important in all the book. Like the private soldier in battle, engaged
in a hand-to-hand struggle, he can only see what is in his own immediate vicinity; all else being
shut out of viezv by cloud and smoke. But the general in command, from, some eminence, surveys
the whole field, and comprehends at a glance the relative movements and positions of his different
divisions, and the results of his preconceived combinations. So the Editor, constantly bearing- in
mind the general scope of the zvork, and the relations of its, several parts to each other, must bend
his energies to maintain those relations and . to secure that harmony of detail zvhich are so necessary
to the unity of the completed whole.
It IS in this spirit that the Editor-in-Chief has endeavored to conduct this History to its com-
pletion , and if, here and there, he has been obliged to contract in one part, or change sometvhat
in another, he has the satisfaction of feeling that his associates have, as a rule, yielded cheerfully
to his wishes. He esteems himself particularly fortunate that, from the inception of the wprk to
its close, the whole staff — both of ivriters and of those connected zvith other departments of the en-
terprise— have seconded his every effort with the greatest alacrity, and have undertaken their sev-
eral parts with a genuine enthusiasm and esprit du corps which has subordinated all personal
feeling in one common purpose to secure the success of the History.
The other, and, in fact, the greatest difficulty under which the Editor and his associates have
labored, has been the impossibility of keeping abreast of the growth of both County and City.
Within the thirteen years which have elapsed since the History of Brooklyn was published, the
grozvth in all departments of material interest has been at a rate almost unexampled by that of
any other American city; and, during the progress of this work through the press, it has been almost
beyond our power — even vuith the facilities and the large force of workers at our disposal — to record
the improvements, changes and unforeseen developments which are daily occurring in this community .
At this rate, the next History of Kings County will have to be dictated and writteTi by elec-
tricity.
It only remains to say, in this connection, that the originally well-digested plan and arrange-
ment of this History has suffered someivhat during its progress through the press. This has been
occasioned, not only by the unexpected amount of material, but by the equally unforeseen develop-
ment of certain industries and interests which called for far more space than had been allowed ;
and which could, in some cases, only be accommodated by recourse to certain expedients known to
book-makers. Among these ivas the use of inserted pages, lettered as well as folioed. Of these
there are no less than 70 pages, which may be considered as so much additional gain to the sub-
scribers. The work is also especially rich in biographies, containing a mass of personal and family
history which sheds an inestimable light upon that of the County and of the City for over two hun-
dred years. The portraits (embracing representatives from various departments of governmental, pro-
fessional and industrial interests") with which these pages are embellished, coming as they do from
the burins of the most eminent engravers of the day, will commend themselves to all who see
them, not only as admirable likenesses, but as choice vuorks of art ; and the illustrations plentifully
scattered through the volum-e possess the highest antiquarian, historical and artistic merit. Finally,
to the Printing, Messrs. C. A. CoFFIN & Rogers, of 85 and 87 John street, New York, and to the Bind-
ing, Messrs. A. S. Barnes & Co., Liberty, corner of Nassau street, Brooklyn, have given that care-
ful attention which bespeaks their love for the City and County in which they are honored residents.
And now — over three years' labor ended — the Editor, conscious that this, in a measure, falls
short of the IDEAL history which he had proposed to himself, may well say, as did valiant Capt.
John Mason, in his introduction to his History of the Pequot War : " I wish [this task\ had
fallen into some better hands, that might have performed it to the life. I shall only drazv the
curtain, and open my little casement, that so others, of larger hearts and abilities, may let in
a bigger light."
OUTLINE HISTORY
OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.
CHAPTER I.
DISCOVERT OF NEW YORK THE INDIANS OF THE FIVE
NATIONS.
IN 1524 John de Verazzano, a Florentine navigator
in the service of Francis the First of France, made
a voyage to the North American coast, and, as is
believed from the account which he gave, entered the
harbor of New York. No colonies were planted, and
no results followed ; and the voyage was almost for-
gotten.
Though discoveries were made by the French north
from this point, and colonies planted by the English
farther to the south, it is not known that New York was
again visited by Europeans till 1609, when the Dutch
East India Company sent Hendrick Hudson, an English-
man by birth, on a voyage of discovery in a vessel called
the " Half Moon." He reached the coast of Maine,
sailed thence to Cape Cod, then southwesterly to the
mouth of Chesapeake Bay, then, coasting northward, he
entered Delaware Bay on the 28th of August. From
thence he proceeded northward, and on the 3d of Sep-
tember, 1609, anchored in New York Bay. On the 12th
he entered the river that bears his name, and proceeded
slowly up to a point just above the present site of the
City of Hudson ; thence he sent a boat's crew to explore
farther up, and they passed above Albany. September
23d he set sail down the river, and immediately returned
to Europe.
In 1607 Samuel Champlain, a French navigator,
sailed up the St. Lawrence, explored its tributaries, and
on the 4th of July in that year discovered the lake
which bears his name.
At the time of the discovery of New York by the
whites, the southern and eastern portions were inhabited
by the Mahican or Mohegan Indians ; while that por-
tion west from the Hudson River was occupied by five
confederate tribes, afterwards named by the English the
Five Nations, and by the French the Iroquois, and by
themselves called Hodenosaunee — people of the Long
House. The long house formed by this confederacy ex-
tended east and west through the State, having at its
eastern portal the Mohawks, and at its western the
Senecas ; while between them dwelt the Oneidas, Onon-
dagas, and Cayugas ; and, after 1714, a sixth nation, the
Tuscaroras, southeast from Oneida Lake. Of these
Indians, Parkman says that at the commencement of the
seventeenth century, " in the region now forming the
State of New York, a power was rising to a ferocious
vitality, which, but for the presence of Europeans, would
probably have subjected, absorbed or exterminated every
other Indian community east of the Mississippi and
north of the Ohio."
" The Iroquois was the Indian of Indians. A thorough
savage, yet a finished and developed savage, he is, per-
haps, an example of the highest elevation which man
can reach without emerging from his primitive condition
of the hunter. A geographical position commanding on
the one hand the portal of the great lakes, and on the
other the sources of the streams flowing both to the
Atlantic and the Mississippi, gave the ambitious and ag-
gressive confederates advantages which they perfectly
understood and by which they profited to the utmost.
Patient and politic as they were ferocious, they were
not only the conquerors of their own race, but the pow-
erful allies and the dreaded foes of the French and
English colonies, flattered and caressed by both, yet too
sagacious to give themselves without reserve to either.
Their organization and their history evince their intrin-
sic superiority. Even their traditionary lore, amid its
wild puerilities, shows at times the stamp of an energy
and force in striking contrast with the flimsy creations
of Algonquin fancy. That the Iroquois, left under their
own institutions, would ever have developed a civiliza-
tion of their own, I do not believe."
These institutions were not only characteristic and
curious, but almost unique. Without sharing Morgan's
10
OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
almost fanatical admiration for them, or echoing the
praises which Parkman lavishes on them, it may be
truly said that their wonderful and cohesive confedera-
tion furnished a model worthy to be copied by many
civilized nations ; while, so long as they were uncontam-
inated by the vices of civilization, they possessed, with
all their savagery, many noble traits of character, which
would adorn any people in their public, social or domes-
tic relations.
They made themselves the dreaded masters of all their
neighbors east of the Mississippi, and carried their vic-
torious arms far to the north, the south, and the east.
Their dominance is thus eloquently pictured in Street's
" Frontenac " :
" The fierce Adirondacs had fled from their wrath,
The Hurons been swept from their merciless path ;
Around, the Ottawas, lilse leaves, had been strewn,
And the lake of the Eries struck silent and lone.
The Lenape, lords once of valley and hill.
Made women, bent low at their conqueror's will.
By the far Mississippi thelUinl shrank
When the trail of the Tortoise was seen on the bank ;
On the hills of New England the Pequod turned pale
When the howl of the Wolf swelled at night on the gale;
And the Cherokee shook in his green, smiling bowers,
When the foot of the Bear stamped his carpet of flowers."
It will hereafter be seen that the Iroquois acted an
important part in the early history of the State.
Space will not permit a description of their league, or
confederation, a sketch of their tribal relations, and
their religious, social and domestic customs, or a history
of their warlike achievements.
Only an allusion can here be made to the many dim
and shadowy records of a pre-existing people of whom
even a faint tradition scarce remains. These records con-
sist of stone, or bone weapons, terra cotta implements
or ornaments, that are occasionally discovered, and of
the remains of defensive works found here and there
through the State. Many of these works have been
levelled by the jjlough, and those that remain are slowly
crumbling and passing to oblivion. Some of them,
though they would not be regarded as models of mili-
tary engineering at the present day, give evidence of an
adaptation to the circumstances probably existing at
the time of their building, and of skill in construction,
which are not discreditable to their builders.
CHAPTER II.
NEW YORK UNDER THE DUTCII-
TO 1765.
-ENGLISH GOVERNORS
IN 1610 another vessel was sent from Holland to
trade with the natives, and in 1612 two more, soon
after followed by others ; and a small fort and
a few rude buildings were erected at the
southern extremity of Manhattan Island, and the place
was named New Amsterdam. In 1G14 the States Gen-
eral of Holland granted a charter to the merchants
engaged in these expeditions, giving exclusive privileges
of trade for four years. The Hudson River had been
ascended by Hendrick Christiansen, and a fort and trad-
ing house erected near the present site of Albany, which
was named Fort Orange.
In 1621 the Dutch West India Company was char-
tered, and in 1623 settlers were sent thither. In 1626
Peter Minuit, as director-general or governor of the
province, arrived with other settlers, and purchased the
island of Manhattan from the Indians for trinkets of the
value of about $24. In 1629 the company offered grants
to patroons who should found settlements in the province
(which had been named New Netherlands) of fifty or
more adults, and several availed themselves of this offer.
In 1633 Minuit was recalled and Wouter Van Twiller
appointed in his place. During his administration the
controversey concerning jurisdiction was commenced
between the Dutch and the English, who claimed the
country on the ground of prior discovery by Cabot and
the grant of James I. covering the territory.
In 1638 Van Twiller was succeeded in the gov-
ernment of the colony by William Kieft. By rea-
son of hostilities which occurred with the In-
dians on Long Island in 1643-44, for which Kieft
was censured, he was recalled, and succeeded by Peter
Stuyvesant in 1647. The controversey concerning jur-
isdiction continued during his administration, till, in
1664, Charles II. of England, regardless of the claims
of the Dutch to New Netherlands, granted to his brother,
the Duke of York and Albany, afterwards James II., the
whole country from the Connecticut to the Delaware,
including the entire Dutch possessions. A fleet was
sent under Colonel Richard Nicolls by the duke to en-
force bis claim, and on the 3d of September, 1664, the
province was surrendered without bloodshed, and the
government of the^colony passed into the hands of the
English.
Colonel Nicolls at once assumed the functions of gov-
ernor ; the name New Amsterdam was changed to New
York, and Fort Orange to Albany, laws for the govern-
ment of the province were prescribed, and courts for
the administration of these laws established. In 1668
Governor Nicolls resigned, and was succeeded by Col-
onel Francis Lovelace. England, at about this time,
became involved in a war with Holland, which govern-
ment sent a squadron to repossess its province in
America. This squadron arrived July 30th, 1673, and
the fort at New York was surrendered without resist-
ance by Captain John Manning, who was in command.
Captain Anthony Colve became governor; but his reign
was short, for on the conclusion of peace between the
two powers, February 9th, 1674, the province reverted
to the English. A new patent was issued, confirming
the first, and Sir Edmund Andros was commissioned
governor. The despotic agent of a despotic ruler, he was
unpopular with the people, and became involved in dif-
ficulties with the neighboring colonies. He was recalled
NEW YORK UNDER ENGLISH GOVERNORS.
11
and his successor, Thomas Dongan, arrived on the 22d
of August, 1683. In the autumn of the same year the
first Colonial Assembly was convened, many needed re-
forms were instituted, and better times than the colo-
nists had ever known appeared to have dawned. The
most important act of this Assembly was the adoption
of a charter of liberties and privileges, or bill of rights.
The hopes thus raised were soon disappointed. On the
accession of James II. to the English throne he refused
his confirmation of the privileges which had been
granted while he was. Duke of York, prohibited the
Assembly, forbade the establishment of a printing press
in the colony, and filled the principal offices in the prov-
ince with Roman Catholics.
In 1687 a war broke out between the Iroquois and
the French. The country of the former was invaded
by the French, under De la Barre and M. de Nonville
successively ; and, in retaliation, the Iroquois, twelve
hundred strong, fell upon the French on the south side
of the island of Montreal, " burnt their houses, sacked
their plantations, and put to the sword all the men,
women and children without the skirts of the town. A
thousand French were slain in this invasion, and twenty-
six were carried into captivity and burnt alive."
Shortly afterward, in another attack, the lower part
of the town was destroyed, and in all this the assailants
lost only three.
In 1688 New York and the Jerseys were annexed to
the jurisdiction of New England, and Sir Edmund An-
dres was made governor of all. Governor Dongan was
removed, and Francis Nicolson succeeded him. The
government was vested in a governor and council, who
were appointed by the king without the consent of the
people.
In 1689 William and Mary ascended the English
throne. Sir Edmund Andros was seized at Boston, and
Jacob Leisler seized the fort at New York, under the
pretence of holding it for the new sovereigns. During
the two years of Leisler's usurpation the French and
Indians made a descent on Schenectady, February 8th,
1690, and massacred about sixty of the inhabitants.
The danger by which they were threatened induced
the people, — who, though favorably disposed toward
William and Mary, were opposed to Leisler-^to submit
to his authority for the time. On the arrival, in March,
1691, of Colonel Sloughter, who had been commissioned
governor in 1689, Leisler at first refused to surrender
the government to him. For this he was tried by a
special commission, and sentenced to death. The
governor, who refused to sign his death warrant, was
persuaded, while intoxicated, to do so, and he was exe-
cuted before the governor had recovered from his in-
toxication. Governor Sloughter died in July, 1691,
after a weak administration of only a few months.
The colonial Assembly was again established during
this year, and the oppressive laws which had been im-
posed on the colony repealed. In the interim between
the death of Sloughter and the arrival of his successor
the chief command was committed to Richard Ingolds-
by. In August, 1692, Benjamin Fletcher arrived with
a commission as governor. He was narrow, violent,
avaricious and bigoted, and his administration was a
continual exhibition of these qualities.
In 1693 the French and Indians under Count Fron-
tenac invaded the country of the Iroquois, killed some,
and took three hundred prisoners. In 1696 he made
another incursion, and ravaged a portion of the coun-
try. The Indians retaliated by hostile incursions
among their enemies, but the peace of Ryswick, be-
tween France and England, terminated these hostilities.
Governor Fletcher was succeeded in 1698 by Richard,
Earl of Bellemont, who died in 1701, and John Nanfan,
the lieutenant-governor, succeeded him till the arrival
of the next governor. Lord Cornbury, in 1702. The
administration of this governor was chiefly distin-
guished for religious intolerance; and he received the
unenviable distinction of being the worst governor un-
der the English regime. He was succeeded, December
18th, 1708, by Lord Lovelace, who died on the 5th of
the following May. Under Lieutenant-Governor In-
goldsby, who administered the government after his
death, an unsuccessful expedition against Canada was
undertaken. Gerardus Beekman succeeded him as
governor ^ro tern., till June 14th, 1710, when the next
governor, Robert Hunter, arrived. In 1711 another
disastrous expedition against Canada was made, but in
1713 the treaty of Utrecht terminated the war between
England and France, and put an end to Indian hostili-
ties. In 1719 Hunter returned to England, and Peter
Schuyler was governor, ad interim, till the arrival of
William Burnet in 1720. On the accession to the
throne of George II. Burnet was transferred to the
government of Massachusetts, and succeeded, April
15th, 1728, by John Montgomery, who died July 1st,
1731. Rip Van Dam, by virtue of seniority in the
council, was his successor till the arrival of William
Cosby, the next governor, finished his administration
and began one rendered memorable for its arbitrary
proceedings and tumult, rather than for striking or
important events. Cosby died March 10th, 1736, and
was succeeded by George Clark, senior counselor after
Van Dam, whom Cosby had caused to be suspended.
Clark was commissioned lieutenant-governor in the
following October. An antagonism had been growing
during some time between the democratic and the aris-
tocratic parties in the colonies. Clark at first sought
to conciliate both, but in the end had the confidence of
neither, and his retirement, on the arrival of his suc-
cessor. Admiral George Clinton, September 23d, 1743,
was but little regretted. The administration of Gover-
nor Clinton was characterized by a continual conflict
with the people, represented in the provincial Assembly.
Unable by repeated prorogations and dissolutions to
coerce them into submission, he resigned after an ad-
12
OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
ministration of ten years, and was succeeded, October
10th, 1753, by Sir Danvers Osborne. He was charged
with still more stringent instructions than his predeces-
sors, and met with still firmer resistance from the
people. After an administration of a few days he
committed suicide by hanging, probably because of the
embarrassment by which he was surrounded, and grief
for the death of his wife. He was succeeded by
Lieutenant-Governor James De Lancey till the arrival,
in September, 1755, of Sir Charles Hardy, who, though
nominally governor, surrendered the duties of the of-
fice into the hands of De Lancey. Governor Hardy
resigned in 1757 and De Lancey became governor. He
died on the 30th of July, 1760, and Cadwallader Golden,
president of the council, took charge of the government.
He was commissioned lieutenant-governor in August,
1761, and in October of the same year General Robert
Moulton, who had been appointed governor, assumed
the gubernatorial functions; but on the 13th of the fol-
lowing month he left the administration of affairs in
the hands of Golden, and went on an expedition against
Martinique. Golden's administration continued till
1765.
CHAPTER HI.
WAK WITH FRANCE AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE
REVOLUTION.
AS early as 1722 a trading post was established at
Oswego by Governor Burnet, with the view of
establishing others farther west on the lakes,
and securing the trade of the western Indians.
To intercept this, and secure this trade for themselves,
the French established a post and erected a fort at
Niagara, with the design of extending a chain of mili-
tary posts to the Ohio River, and thus limiting the
English trade.
In March, 1744, war was declared between France
and England, in which the colonies of New York and
New England participated. During its continuance
the country north from Albany was frequently ravaged
by parties of French and Indians. Saratoga was burned,
and nearly all the inhabitants either killed or made
prisoners, and the village of Hoosic taken.
In 1746 an unsuccessful expedition against Canada
was undertaken, for which the colony of New York
furnished sixteen hundred men. Peace was concluded
at Aix La Chapelle in 1748, and a period of nominal
tranquility followed, though the frontier was desolated
by savage parties, encouraged by the French.
In 1755, with the view of checking their encroach-
ments, four expeditions were sent against them, two of
which were in the colony of New York. One of them,
that against Niagara, was unsuccessful, but the other.
against Crown Point, achieved a success, which was
not, however, followed up.
It was not till 1756 that the English ministry aroused
from its imbecility and formally declared war. In the
campaign of 1756 the English and colonial forces met
with no success, but the two forts at Oswego were lost,
with 1,600 prisoners and much war material. The
campaign of 1757 was equally unsuccessful and disas-
trous. Fort William Henry, on Lake George, with
3,000, men, fell into the hands of the French under
Montcalm.
On the accession of William Pitt to the head of the
British ministry in 1*758 new energy was infused into
their measures, and a fresh impulse given to the colon-
ies. Success soon turned in favor of the English, and,
with few exceptions, continued till Canada was sub-
dued. Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Niagara and Quebec
fell in 1758, and Montreal, Detroit, Michilimackinac
and all other Canadian posts in 1760. A great obstacle
to the prosperity of New York was removed by the
conquest of Canada, which prevented further hostile
incursions of French and Indians into its territory.
In 1763 a controversy arose between the colonies of
New York and New Hampshire concerning the juris-
diction over the territory between Lake Champlain and
the Coimecticut river, now comprising the State of
Vermont. Proclamations and counter proclamations
were issued, but the matter was finally referred to and
settled for the time by the crown.
During many years the government of Great Britain
bad attempted to make encroachments on what the
colonists regarded as their rights, but without success.
The taxation of the people without their consent was
sought to be accomplished in some insidious manner,
and was steadfastly and watchfully guarded against by
the colonists through their representatives in the col-
onial Assembly. In 1764 the notorious stamp act was
passed and its enforcement in the city of New York
attempted. It was resisted by the populace ; the efligy
of Governor Colden, who was charged with its execu-
tion, was hanged and burned in the streets, and finally
a quantity of the stamped paper was seized and con-
sumed in a bonfire.
Through the influence of London merchants, whose
colonial trade suffered by reason of the act, the odious
law was repealed in 1766 ; but its repeal was followed
by a declaration by Parliament of the right " to tax
the colonies in all cases whatsoever." Troops were
quartered in New York city, really for the purpose of
enforcing the laws that Parliament might enact. Col-
lisions occurred between these troops and the people,
and the Assembly refused appropriations for their sup-
port. Parliament declared the legislative powers of
the Assembly annulled till compliance was had with
the demands of the government. In June, 1767 a bill
was enacted by Parliament imposing duties on certain
articles imported into the colonies. This was followed
REVOL UTIOJSTAB Y EVERTS IJST JSTEW YORK.
13
by a revival of the non-importation agreement that had
previously been entered into by the colonists, and again
the influence of the English merchants procured the
repeal of all these duties, except that on tea, which was
retained by reason of a determination to assert and
maintain the right of taxation.
Sir Henry Moore succeeded Governor Colden in
I'zes, and his administration continued till his death, in
1769, when the government again devolved on Cadwal-
lader Colden. Between the soldiers and those colon-
ists who were known as the Sons of Liberty, animosities
continued to exist, and finally, on the 1 8th of January,
1770, five years previous to the battle of Lexington, a
collision occurred at Golden Hill, in New York city, in
which several of the citizens were wounded.
In October, 1770, Lord Dunmore superseded Colden
in the government of New York, and in 1771 he was
transferred to the government of Virginia and suc-
ceeded in New York by William Tryon, who was ren-
dered independent of the people by a royal decree that
his salary should be paid from the revenue.
The non-importation agreement was continued so far
as related to tea, and the E^st India Company suf-
fered severely in consequence. Doggedly determined to
maintain the assumed right of taxation, the British gov-
ernment abolished the export duty on such tea as was
shipped to the colonies, thus enabling the company to
sell it there cheaper than in England, and appointed
consignees in the colonial ports for its sale. Regardless
of this appeal to their cupidity, the people made such
demonstrations of resistance that the consignees in New
York resigned, and when an attempt was made to land a
quantity of tea clandestinely, it was thrown overboard
by the vigilance committee, and the vessel sent out of
the harbor.
It is hardly necessary to say that in the other colonies
the oppressive acts of the King and Parliament met
with as firm resistance as in New York. The battle of
Lexington was the signal for a general rush to arms
throughout the colonies.
In New York city the arms in the arsenals were seized
and distributed among the people, and a provisional
government for the city was organized. Ticonderoga
was seized on the 10th of May, 1775, by Connecticut
patriots under Colonel Ethan Allen, and two days later
Crown Point, both without resistance, and thus the
command of Lake Champlain was secured.
The Continental Congress assembled on the 10th of
May, and on the 22d of the same month a Provincial
Congress assembled in New York.
In August an attack was made by the British ship of
war " Asia " on a party who were engaged in removing
some cannon from the battery in New York, and con-
siderable damage was done to the buildings in the
vicinity, but the guns were removed. In the autumn an
armament was collected by General Schuyler at Ticon-
deroga, and an expedition went against Canada. The
forts at Chambly, St. Johns and Montreal were taken,
and Quebec was assaulted, but the colonial force was
here repulsed and driven out of Canada.
CHAPTER IV.
EEVOLUTIONAEY EVENTS IN NEW YOEK THE STATE
GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED.
EARLY in 1776 General Lee, with a force of twelve
hundred men, occupied the city of New York.
General Schuyler, with a small force, had dis-
armed the tories of the Mohawk valley, and a like
service had been rendered on Long Island by the New
Jersey militia. About the first of July General Howe,
who had previously evacuated Boston and sailed for
Halifax, appeared off Sandy Hook with his army, where
he was soon afterward joined by his brother, Admiral
Howe, with a force of British regulars and Hessians,
and Clinton and Parker, on their return from an unsuc-
cessful attack on Charleston, making an aggregate force
of about 30,000 men.
The Provincial Congress of New York adjourned to
"White Plains, where it convened on the 9th of July,
and ratified the Declaration of Independence by the
Continental Congress.
On the 22d of August a British force landed on
Long Island, and on the 27th a battle was fought,
resulting in the defeat of the Americans, who, on the
night of the 29th, favored by a thick fog, retreated to
New York. The plan had been formed to capture New
York, ascend the Hudson, effect a junction with a force
from Canada under General Carlton, and thus cut off
communication between the patriots of New England
and those of the middle and southern colonies; but the
precautions of Washington and the failure of Carlton
frustrated the plan.
On the 15th of September General Howe took posses-
sion of New York, and the Americans retreated to Har-
lem Heights. General Howe sought to gain their rear,
but Washington's movements frustrated his designs.
Opposed to General Carlton at the north was General
Gates, who abandoned Crown Point and concentrated
his forces at Ticonderoga. A small squadron was
formed and placed on Lake Champlain under command
of Arnold in August. An action took place in October
between this squadron and the fleet which Carlton had
prepared at St. Johns, in which the Americans were
defeated and fell back on Ticonderoga. Not deeming
it prudent to attack them there, General Carlton with-
drew to Canada.
On the 21st of April, 1777, a State constitution was
adopted, and under it George Clinton was elected gov-
ernor, and he assumed the duties of the ofiice on the Slst
of the following July.
14
OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
The principal object of the British in the campaign
of 1777 was to carry out the cherished design of separat-
ing the eastern from the southern colonies by controlling
the Hudson River and Lake Champlain. Lieutenant-
General Burgoyne, who had superseded General Carlton,
was to force Ms way from Canada, and meet Sir Henry
Clinton at Albany, while Colonel St. Leger was to
ascend the St. Lawrence, and, with a force of loyalists
and Indians, sweep through the Mohawk valley from
Oswego and Rome, and join them at Albany.
In June Burgoyne moved on Ticonderoga, which the
American commander, General St. Clair, evacuated. As
the American army retreated some fighting took place,
without decisive results, till at Bennington the Ameri-
cans, under General Stark, achieved a victory over a
detachment of the enemy under Colonel Baum, who
was slain.
Colonel St. Leger advanced and invested Fort Schuy-
ler, otherwise called Fort Stanwix, now Rome. The
battle of Oriskany was fought, soon after which St.
Leger abandoned his undertaking and returned to
Canada.
General Burgoyne advanced to Saratoga, where he
was surrounded, and on the 17th of October was com-
pelled to surrender.
While operations were in progress in the vicinity of
Saratoga Sir Henry Clinton sought to make a diversion
in favor of Burgoyne. He proceeded up the Hudson,
captured Forts Montgomery and Clinton, devastated the
settlements along the banks of the river, burnt Kingston,
and, on learning of the surrender of Burgoyne, returned
to New York.
In the campaigns of 1778 and 1779 no very important
operations were carried on in New York. The Indians
of the Six Nations (except the Oneidas and a few others)
were induced to carry on against the Americans their
savage and cruel warfare, and devastation, slaughter and
massacres were the result. To arrest these depredations
General Sullivan, in the summer of 1779, with an army
of 3,000 men, ascended the Susquehanna to Tioga Point,
where he was joined by General Clinton with a thousand
men. With these forces they penetrated the country of
the savages, destroyed their towns, and laid waste their
cornfields and orchards. Though not subdued by this
punishment, they were so crippled that their inroads
were less frequent and destructive afterward.
During the years 1780 and 1781 the Mohawk valley
was the scene of devastation by the savages of the Six
Nations, particularly the Mohawks, under their cele-
brated chief Brant; but, aside from these. New York
was not the scene of important hostile operations. The,
year 1780 was made memorable by the treason of
Arnold. This gallant officer had, for some irregularities
in Philadelphia in 1778, been court-martialed and sen-
tenced to be reprimande<l by the commander-in-chief.
He apparently acquiesced in the sentence, but his pride
was deeply wounded, and he thirsted after revenge. He
solicited and obtained command of West Point, and
entered into negotiations with Sir Henry Clinton for
the delivery of that fortress into the hands of the British.
In the course of these negotiations Major Andre, of the
British army, met General Arnold on the banks of the
Hudson. In attempting to return he was captured,
about thirty miles from New York, by three militiamen
named Paulding, Williams and Van Wert, who refused
his offered bribes, and delivered him to their commander.
He was tried, condemned and executed as a spy.
The Revolutionary war virtually closed with the sur-
render of Cornwallis and his army at Yorktown on the
19th of October, 1781. A treaty of peace was entered
into on the 3d of September, 1783, and on the 25th of
November in the same year the British troops evacuated
New York.
After the United States had achieved their independ-
dence, it was early perceived that the confederation,
which had been established for a particular purpose,
lacked that cohesive force which was requisite for an
effectual national government. Measures were accord-
ingly instituted, first for a revision of the Articles of
Confederation, but finally the formation of a national
constitution was determined on; and such constitution
was formed by the convention in Philadelphia in 1787.
After its adoption by the requisite number of States, it
was ratified in convention by the State of New York, by
a close vote, on the 26th of July, 1788, but with the
recommendation of several amendments, which, however,
were not adopted.
The difficulties arising out of the conflicting claims of
New York and New Hampshire to the territory now
comprising Vermont, which had been held in partial
abeyance during the Revolutionary struggle, were
finally settled by the admission of the disputed territory
into the Union as a State, in 1790, under the name of
Vermont.
By reason of indefiniteness and confusion in the
original grants, Massachusetts claimed a portion of the
territory of New York. This claim was settled by the
cession to Massachusetts of all rights, except that of
political sovereignty, over about one-fourth of the State.
The largest tract of these lands, embracing what has
been known as the Genesee country, was sold by Massa-
chusetts for the sum of one million dollars.
CHAPTER V.
THE WAR OF 1812 BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND
GEEAT BEITAIN.
AT the commencement of the present century difli-
culties arose between this country and Great
Britain concerning the rights of neutrals on the
seas, and the aggressions of .the British became
a subject of bitter animosity. In addition to other en-
THE WAR OF 1819.— THE CIVIL BEBELLIOK
16
croaohments, the English government claimed the right
to search American vessels and impress into their service
such of their crews as they chose to regard as British
subjects. Outrages were committed in the enforcement
of this pretended right, and for the suppression of the
practice, and the vindication of the national honor, war
became necessary; and it was declared on the 19th of
June, 1812. To this measure there was a strong opposi-
tion, both in New England and New York, and this
opposition embarrassed the government to some extent
in the prosecution of the war. An invasion of Canada
was determined on, and for that purpose forces were
collected in the vicinity of Plattsburg, on Lake Cham-
plain, under General Dearborn, and at Lewiston, on the
Niagara River, under General Van Rensselaer. A naval
force was fitted up on the lakes, and Commodore Chaun-
eey was placed in command of it. Unsuccessful attempts
were made by the British fleet on Sackett's Harbor and
Ogdensburg, while, on the other hand, the British vessel
" Caledonia " was captured at the foot of Lake Erie.
An attack was made on the heights at Queenston, on
the Canadian bank of the Niagara, and though at first
the Americans were successful, they were finally com-
pelled to surrender. Nothing beyond slight skirmishing
occurred in this quarter during the remainder of the
year.
Early in the spring of 1813, a successful expedition
to Canada was made from Ogdensburg, and in retalia-
tion an attack was made on that place, some stores
taken, several vessels destroyed and the property of
citizens injured. In April a successful expedition was
sent by General Dearborn against York, now Toronto.
In May the British were driven from Fort George, on
the Niagara River, near Lake Ontario, and the enemy's
post on that frontier evacuated. Sackett's Harbor was
attacked by the British, who were repulsed, and an
unsuccessful attack was also made by them on the
village of Black Rock.
The brilliant victory of Commodore Perry, on Lake
Erie, was achieved on the 10th of September in this
year, but the operations on Lake Ontario were less
decisive. Late in the autumn an unsuccessful attempt
was made to invade Canada under General Wilkinson.
The American generals Izard and Hampton were
repulsed near the border of Franklin county. In De-
cember the British took Fort Niagara, and massacred a
large part of the garrison and even hospital patients.
Lewiston was burned, and the villages of Youngstown,
Manchester, Schlosser and the Indian village of Tus-
carora were devastated by the enemy. The village of
Black Rock and Buffalo were also burned, and thus the
desolation of the Niagara frontier was completed.
Early in 1814 an attempt was made by the British to
capture some military stores at Oswego Falls, but with-
out success. On the 3d of July, 1814, Fort Erie was
taken by the Americans, and on the 25th a battle was
fought at Lundy's Lane. In August Port Erie was
besieged by the British, who were compelled to retire
about the middle of September.
The plan of a dismemberment of the Union, by pos-
sessing Lake Champlain and the Hudson River from
the north, and capturing New York, was again formed,
and it was hojjcd that discontent and opposition to the
war in New England, and possibly in New York, might
lead to the conclusion of a separate peace with these
States. The people, however, were fully aroused, and
the defenses of New York were strengthened and
strongly garrisoned. An invasion was undertaken from
Canada, and a descent was made on Plattsburg by an
army of 11,000 men under Sir George Prevost, but
after a severe engagement on the 11th of September
this army was compelled to retire with great loss. The
British fleet, under Commodore Downie, was on the
same day captured on Lake Champlain by Commodore
Macdonough. No further invasion of this frontier
took place. On the 24th of December a treaty of peace
was concluded at Ghent.
No other interruption of the peaceful relations
between this country and England has occurred. Some
infractions of the neutrality laws have been attempted
by people on the Canadian frontier, the chief of which
took place during the Canadian rebellion, commonly
known as the "Patriot war,'' in 1837-38.
What were known as the " anti-rent disturbances "
commenced as early as 1839, and were not terminated
till 1846. Laws were enacted to modify the process of
collecting rents and to extend the time for " re-entry "
on lands where rents were in arrears. Participators in
outrages were pardoned, and quiet was finally restored.
The annexation of Texas to the United States led to
hostilities between Mexico and this nation, and on the
11th of May, 1846, Congress declared that, by the acts
of the Mexicans, war existed between the two nations.
The Americans were victorious in all important engage-
ments with the Mexican army, and the part taken by
the troops from the State of New York was conspicuous
and highly creditable to their valor.
From time to time the Legislature enacted laws con-
cerning slavery, down to the year 1819. A law passed
in 1799 provided for the gradual extinction of slavery
in the State. " In 1817 a further act was passed decree-
ing that there should be no slavery in the State after
the 4th of July, 1827. Ten thousand slaves were set
free by this act.''
The recognition of slavery in the territories of the
United States was earnestly resisted during many years,
and the controversy finally resulted in a gigantic civil
war. On the election of Abraham Lincoln to the presi-
dency, in 1860, on the platform of avowed hostility to
the extension of slavery, and the failure to effect a com-
promise by which the institution should be recognized
or tolerated in any of the territories, the southern
States determined to secede from the Union and estab-
lish a separate government. The attack by the Con-
16
OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF JVEW YORK.
federates, as these States styled themselves, on Fort
Sumter, was tlie first overt act of the Kebellion, and
its occurrence, in April, 1861, was the commencement
of active hostilities. Before the close of that year the
State of New York had placed in the field one hundred
and fifteen regiments.
In July, 1863, during the execution of a draft ordered
by Congress, an alarming riot occurred in the city of
New York. The police were unable to check its pro-
gress, and during several days the city was convulsed
with lawlessness, rapine and murder. The outbreak
was finally quelled by military force, but not until a
large amount of property had been destroyed and many
lives sacrificed. The war was prolonged till the spring
of 1865, when it terminated with the complete success
of the Union arms, and peace has since prevailed.
CHAPTER VI.
INTEENAL IMPROVEMENTS COKSTITTJTIONAL AMEND-
MENTS SCHOOLS STATISTICS.
IN 1791 the Legislature ordered an exploration and
survey to ascertain the most eligible method of
removing obstructions from the Mohawk and
Hudson rivers, with a view to improve their navi-
gation by the construction of canals. The following
year two companies were incorporated, styled the
Northern and Western Inland Lock Navigation Com-
panies, for the purpose of facilitating navigation by
connecting Lake Ontario with the Mohawk and Lake
Champlain with the Hudson by canals.
In 1810 a provision was made by the Legislature " for
exploring the route of an inland navigation from Hud-
son's River to Lake Ontario and Lake Erie." It was at
first proposed to solicit aid from the general government
to carry out this work, but in 1812 a commission re-
ported to the Legislature that sound policy demanded
that this should be done by the State. War with Great
Britain interrupted the project.
On the termination of the war the project was revived ;
and notwithstanding the formidable character of the
undertaking, and the difiiculties in its way, through the
untiring energy and perseverance of De Witt Clinton,
an act prepared by him was passed in April, 1817,
authorizing the construction of the work. This — ^the
Erie Canal, as it is called — was commenced on the 4th
of July in that year, and on the 26th of October, 1825,
the first flotilla of boats left Buffalo for New York. The
departure of the flotilla was communicated to New York
in one hour and twenty minutes, by the discharge of
cannon stationed within hearing of each other. This
was then regarded as a rapid transmission of intelli-
gence.
The first railroad in the State, that between Albany
and Schenectady, was chartered in 1826 and completed
in 1831. Other roads through the central portion of
the State were soon constructed, and railroad connection
between the great lakes and Hudson River established.
In 1851 these different roads were consolidated into the
present immense New York Central Railroad ; and, sub-
sequently, connection was established, through the Hud-
son River Railroad, with the city of New York. In
1833 the New York and Erie Railway was commenced,
but it was not completed till 1852. The enlargement
of the Erie Canal to its present capacity was commenced
in 1835 and completed in 1862. These constitute the
main avenues of travel and transportation through the
State, between its eastern and western extremities ; but
connecting routes in every direction have come into
existence, and the facilities for transportation and travel
in this State are not excelled by those of any other. It
is hardly necessary to call attention to the telegraph
lines that ramify through all parts of the State.
It has already been stated that a State constitution
was adopted in 1777. Several amendments to this con-
stitution were adopted in a convention held for that
purpose, and the new constitution was adopted early in
1822, at a popular election held for that purpose, by a
majority of more than 33,000 in a total vote of 116,919.
On the 1st of June, 1846, another constitutional
convention met at Albany, and it continued in session
more than four months. The amendments to the con-
stitution adopted by that body were ratified by the
people in the following November by a majority of
more than 20,000 votes.
In 1867 another constitutional convention assembled,
on the 4th of June, and continued its session, except
during an adjournment of two months, several weeks
into 1868. The amended constitution framed by this
convention was submitted to the people in November,
1869, and resulted in its rejection, except the article
making changes in the judiciary, by a majority of more
than 66,000. The judiciary article was accepted by a
small majority.
In 1872 a commission of thirty-two persons was
appointed to propose to the Legislature amendments to
the constitution. In 1873 several important amend-
ments were recommended, and ratified at the election
in 1874. It is a notable fact that, as changes have been
made in the constitution of the State, the right of the
elective franchise has been extended ; till now complete
manhood suffrage is established.
In 1787 a law was enacted incorporating the Regents
of the University of New York, and in their report for
1793 they called attention to the importance of insti-
tuting a common school system. At different times,
from 1787 to 1795, Governor Clinton called the attention
of the Legislature to the same subject, and in that year
an act was passed appropriating $50,000 annually for
five years for the encouragement of schools. In 1805,
after attention had repeatedly been called to the subject
by the different governors, the Legislature passed an
G 0 VERWORS OF NEW TORK—POPULA TION.
17
act laying the foundation of the present common school
fund. In 1812 the first common school system was adopt-
ed, comprising substantially the features of the system
as it existed up to 1840. Changes in this system have
from time to time been made, till now the free school
system of this State is believed to be, with scarcely an
exception, the most nearly perfect of any in existence.
The State Agricultural Society, which has been pro-
ductive of such great benefit, was organized at a con-
vention in Albany in 1832. It was reorganized in 1841,
and measures were adopted for raising funds and hold-
ing annual fairs.
In 1836 the Legislature ordered a scientific survey of
the State for the purpose of developing a knowledge of
its geology, mineralogy and natural history. The pub-
lished reports of this survey are qf very great value.
The following list of the governors, lieutenant-gov-
ernors and presidents of the council who have admin-
istered the government of the Colony and of the State
of New York from 1629 to the present time, will be
found convenient for reference.
Undbe the Dutch Regime — Directors General. —
Adriaen Joris, 1623 ; Cornells Jacobsen, May, 1624 ;
Willem Verhulst, 1625 ; Peter Minuit, 1626 ; The
Council, 1632; Wouter Van Twiller, 1633; William
Kieft, 1638 ; Peter Stuyvesant, 1647.
Undbk the English Regime — Colonial Governors,
etc., 1664-73 — Richard Nicolls, 1664; Col. Francis Love-
lace, 1667.
Under the Dutch again, 1673. — Cornells Evertse,
Jr., Jacob Benckes, and Council of War, August 19;
Anthony Colve, Sept. 19, 1673.
Undee the English Regime — Colonial Governors,
eta. — Maj. Edmund Andros, 1674 ; Anthony Brock-
holies (Commander-in-Chief), 1677 ; Sir Edmund An-
dros, 1678 ; Anthony BrockhoUes, 1681 ; Col. Thomas
Dongan, 1682 ; Sir Edmund Andros, August 11, 1685 ;
Francis Mcholson (Lt. Gov.), October 9, 1688 ; Jacob
Leisler, 1689 ; Col. Henry Sloughter, March 19, 1691 ;
Major Richard Ingoldsby, July 26, 1691 ; Col. Benj.
Fletcher (Commander-in-Chief), 1692 ; Richard, Earl
of Bellemont, 1698 ; John Nanfan, (Lt. Gov.) 1699 ;
Earl of Bellemont, 1700 ; William Smith (eldest Coun-
cillor), 1701 ; John iSTanfan (Lt. Gov.) 1701 ; Lord
Combury, 1702 ; John, Lord Lovelace, 1708 ; Peter
Schuyler (Pres.), May 6, Richard Ingoldsby (Lt. Gov.),
May 9, and Peter Schuyler, May 25, and Richard In-
goldsby (Lt. Gov.), June 1, 1709 ; Gerardus Beeokman,
April 10 ; Brigadier Robert Hunter, June 14, 1710 ;
Peter Schuyler (Pres.), 1719 ; William Burnet, 1720 ;
John Montgomerie, 1728 ; Rip Van Dam (Pres.), 1731 ;
Col. Wm. Cosby, 1732 ; Geo. Clarke (Pres.), 1736 ;
Admiral Geo. Clinton, 1743 ; Sir Danvers Osborne,
October 10, and James De Lancey (Lt. Gov.), October
12, 1753 ; Sir Charles Hardy, 1755 ; James De Lancey,
(Lt. Gov.), 1757 ; Cadwallader Colden (Pres.), 1760 ;
Major-General Robert Monckton, October 26, and Cad-
wallader Colden (Lt. Gov.),-November 18, 1761 ; Major-
General Robert Monckton, 1762 ; Cadwallader Colden,
1763 ; Sir Henry Moore, 1765 ; Cadwallader Colden,
1769; John, Earl of Dunmore, 1770; William Tryon,
1771 ; Cadwallader Colden (Lt. Gov.), 1774 ; WUliam
Tryon, 1775 ; James Robertson, 1780 ; Andrew Elliott
(Lt. Gov.), 1783.
Governors of the State : George Clinton, 1777 ; John
Jay, 1795 ; George Clinton, 1801 ; Morgan Lewis,
1804 ; Daniel D. Tompkins, 1807 ; De Witt Clinton,
1817 ; Joseph C. Yates, 1822 ; De Witt Clinton, 1824 ;
Martin Van Buren, 1828 ; Enos T. Throop, 1830 ; Wil-
liam L. Marcy, 1832 ; William H. Seward, 1838 ; Wil-
liam C. Bouck, 1842 ; Silas Wright, 1844 ; John Young,
1846 ; Hamilton Fish, 1848 ; Washington Hunt, 1850 ;
Horatio Seymour, 1852 ; Myron H. Clark, 1854 ; John
A. King, 1856 ; Edwin D. Morgan, 1858 ; Horatio Sey-
mour, 1862 ; Reuben E. Fenton, 1864 ; John T. Hoff-
man, 1868 ; John A. Dix, 1872 ; Samuel J. Tilden,
1874 ; Lucius Robinson, 1876 ; A. B. Cornell, 1880 ;
Grover Cleveland, 1883.
The population of the colony and State of New York
wasinl698, 18,067 ; 1703,20,665; 1723,40,564; 1731,
50,824 ; 1737, 60,437 ; 1746, 61,589 ; 1749, 73,348 ;
1756, 96,790; 1771, 163,337; 1790, 340,120; 1800,
586,756 ; 1810, 959,049 ; 1820, 1,372,812 ; 1830,
1,918,608 ; 1840, 2,428,921 ; 1850, 3,097,394 ;
1860, 3,880,735 ; 1870, 4,382,759 ; 1880, 5,083,173.
Of the total population there were in 1790, 21,324
slaves ; in 1800, 33,343 ; 1810, 15,017 ; 1820, 10,088 ;
1830, 75 ; 1840, 4.
GENERAL HISTORY
OF
LONG ISLAND
CHAPTER I.
A SKETCH OF THE TOPOGEAPHT, GEOLOGY AND NATURAL
HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.
THE time has long since gone by when a belief in
the sudden creation of the earth in its present
form was generally prevalent. Once it was con-
sidered not only heterodox but almost blasphe-
mous for a man to avow his conviction that he saw, on
the surface of the earth, indications of changes that
occurred at a period previous to about six thousand
years since. That continents, or even islands, should
rise from the sea, become submerged, and emerge again
in the lapse of immense time, was not deemed possible.
Within the limits of historic time no record was given
of more than slight changes ; and men had not learned
to read the record which is written in the strata beneath
the surface, and which science has made legible on the
edges of those strata where they are visible. The man
who ventured to assert that Long Island was once sub-
merged, and that its emergence was of comparatively
recent date, would have been regarded by some as im-
pious and by others as mad. That period of ignorance
has passed, and people have come to recognize the fact
that, as far as the records of the past can be deciphered,
the earth has been steadily changing, in the midst of its
changing environments, and that, as far as science is
able to peer into the future, changes will continue to
succeed each other.
An inspection of the map of Long Island shows that
it, as well as the coast south from it, had its birth from
the sea, in what, geologically speaking, may be termed
modern times ; and there are evidences of vertical oscil-
lations of the surface here which may have caused a
succession of partial or complete submergences and
emergences.
The island extends from east to west about one hun-
dred and twenty miles, and has an average width of
about fifteen miles. Along the northern coast an aver-
age elevation of about one hundred feet is found, though
there are places where the hills are much higher. On
this coast numerous " necks " of land and inlets or estu-
aries of the Sound are seen ; and the water along this
shore is deeper than on the southern coast. Between
the heights along the Sound shore and the irregular
range of hills which extend lengthwise through the
island near the middle, for most of its length, and which
are termed the backbone, the surface is in many places
much broken. Harbor Hill, in North Hempstead, one
of the highest points on the island, was found by actual
measurement to be three hundred and eighty-four feet
in height.
The northern coast of the island is indented by eight
principal bays, or fiords, which extend inland from three
to six miles and have a width of from half a mile to a
mile and a half. In some places in these the water has
a depth of from thirty to fifty feet, and the average
depth is about twenty feet. South from this central
range the surface slopes to the coast gradually, and so
evenly as to have the appearance of a level plain.
Along the south shore are numerous shallow bays and
inlets, especially toward the western extremity of the
island. Along this shore also is a narrow sand beach,
which incloses a bay, or rather a succession of narrow
bays, for most of the length of the coast. This beach
is crossed at different points by inlets, formerly called
" guts " (Dutch " gat," or gate), which connect these
bays with the ocean, and divide the beach into a suc-
cession of long narrow beaches ; as narrow necks of
land connect these beaches with the mainland and di-
vide the long narrow bay into a succession of bays, some
of which do not communicate vsdth the ocean. Outside
these long narrow beaches is a shifting sand bar, and
inside the bays are extensive salt marshes, or mea-
dows. About forty miles of the eastern end of the
island is divided by a succession of bays into two penin-
sulas, each having an average width of about five miles
GEOLOGICAL STRUG TXTRE OF LONG ISLAND.
19
and the southern extending some twenty miles further
east than the northern, though the last seems to be con-
tinued to about the same distance by a succession of
islands.
When the geological survey of the State was made —
nearly forty years since — ^it was believed that the forma-
tion of the island was due to the action of opposite and
resultant currents, and probably its foundation on the
primary rock which underlies it was thus laid, in a pre-
glacial period. The Gulf Stream from the south, as it
is believed to have flowed ; the Arctic current from the
north, and the action of the tides in the Atlantic, all
combined to bring hither and deposit the materials of
which this foundation consists.
It is believed by geologists that the strata of rooks
here were formerly from three hundred to one thousand
feet lower than they now are. Then the southeastern
shore of the United States was farther inland, and the
Gulf Stream swept from the south parallel with and
nearer to the base of the primary Atlantic chain of
mountains than at present. Along the course of this
stream, from Georgia to Maryland, extended a broad
belt of primary rocks. These rocks, which were various
in their character, were remarkably prone to disinte-
gration, and the results of their wearing down were ex-
tremely various.
These debrita were borne northward beneath the sur-
face by the equatorial current, and deposited, as in its
course northward this current became less rapid ; hence
the deposits of various kinds that are found in Virginia,
Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. At this period
the basin of the St. Lawrence and Pludson valleys was
occupied by an inland sea, through which came the
Arctic current, bringing its freight of debrita to be de-
posited when circumstances favored its subsidence. The
effect of the oblique meeting of those currents
in the region of Long Island, when the force of both
was partially spent, was to arrest their northward and
southward flow, and to produce a gentle resultant cur-
rent toward the east, with eddies that were influenced
by the form of the sea bottom where the currents met,
by storms that swept over the surface here, and by other
storms at the north or south, which temporarily deflected,
retarded or accelerated these currents. Thus, it was be-
lieved, were the materials of the strata which under-
lie Long Island, brought hither ; and thus in the result-
ant comparatively still water and eddies were they de-
posited; hence the lignite and the bones of marine and
terrestrial animals that are found at great depths when
wells are sunk and excavations made.
After the process of piling the foundation of the island
on the sea bottom had gone on, in the way indicated,
during indefinite time, the upheaval took place. Pre-
vious to the adoption of the glacial theory it was be-
lieved that icebergs floated hither, bringing the bould-
ers, etc., that they had torn from their beds in the north,
and dropped them, one by one, as they slowly melted
while circulating in the eddies here ; and that at a later
period they became stranded or ran aground in shallow
water, and there melted, leaving their entire cargoes to
constitute the hills on the island as the surface was fur-
ther upheaved. The researches of modern geologists
seem to show that subsequent to the period spoken of,
but in pre-glacial times, an upheaval occurred which
carried the surface here from three hundred to four
hundred feet higher than it now is, and that it remained
thus elevated during the glacial period.
It is believed that during this time of elevation the
Hudson River had its mouth eighty miles further to the
southeast than at present, and that its course and the
former littoral plain through which it ran, as well as the
old coast lines, are traceable by soundings. During
the time of elevation the ice period occurred, and it is
thought that the terminal moraine of the glacier extended
lengthwise through the island and far to the east along
the New England coast, as well as west across New
Jersey ; and that the drift material of the Island was
brought by this agency from the regions to the north
and west, where it existed in place. Thus were brought
the deposits of clay, sand and gravel which are found
especially on the north half of the island, and which
often vary so greatly in their character, though sepa-
rated only by short distances. Thus, too, were brought
hither the boulders, some of which are of immense size.
Kidd's Rock and Millstone Rock in the town of North
Hempstead, Queens county, may be mentioned as ex-
amples.
The primary rock which underlies the Island comes
to the surface at Hell Gate and Hallett's Cove, on its
northwestern extremity, and here the drift deposit lies
directly on this rock. Elsewhere it is superposed on
older deposits.
It is certain that since the glacial period a subsidence
of the surface has taken place, and it is not considered
impossible that several vertical oscillations have oc-
curred. Mr. Lewis says: " If a depression of two hun-
dred feet should take place, all of Long Island that
would remain above the water would be a broken range
of hills. With an elevation of two hundred feet Long
Island Sound would be converted to dry land. The
Connecticut and Hudson Rivers would roll along deeper
channels, and discharge their waters many miles sea-
ward ; while Brooklyn and New York would be inland
cities." It is believed, as before stated, that the verti-
cal oscillations in past time have carried the surface of
the land here more than two hundred feet higher as well
as lower than its present elevation. At present the sur-
face is subsiding, though at the rate of only a few
inches in a century. Evidences of this subsidence are
found in abundance where excavations or borings are
made, and in some instances where the bottom of the
sea at some distance from the coast is explored. The
stumps of submerged or buried forests are thus found,
as well as other products of the former surface. Evi-
20
GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.
dences of a former subsidence, much greater than at
present, are found in the occurrence of marine deposits
at points in the higher parts of the island.
It is helieved that every rood of the space from the
central range of hills " has been the shore line of, first an
invading, afterward of a receding ocean, and the scene
of those great coast changes which waves produce."
These changes, which occur from time to time now as
the results of storm and ocean currents, it is hardly nec-
essary to detail. As the swell rolls obUquely from the
eastward along the coast the beach is modified by the
deposit or the washing away of the san"d ; inlets to the bays
are choked up and obliterated, and others break out at
other points ; sand pits and beaches form, and southerly
winds drift the sands on the island, to be again washed
away by the waves.
Along the northern coast changes have taken place,
and they are still going on, by shore erosion and the
transportation of the detritus by storms and tidal cur-
rents. Portions of the main island have been thus cut
off and have become islands, and the material washed
away has been deposited, sometimes at considerable dis-
tance, to form shoals, beaches, or necks connecting what
had thus been made islands with the shore again.
Beaches have thus been formed and obliterated, inlets
and channels have been excavated and again filled up,
islands have been cut off and joined again to the island,
or washed away, and changes, many of which are now
difficult to trace and doubtless others that cannot now
be traced, have in the lapse of time occurred. Some of
the more recent of these may, however, be easily dis-
cerned, and people whose lives have been spent here
have been able to note many that have gradually oc-
curred, or to remember others that were effected by vio-
lent storms.
The species of animals which were found on Long
Island when it was first discovered did not differ from
those on the main land. Of course its insular condition
prevented the annual or occasional migrations which oc-
curred elsewhere by reason of climatic changes or other
causes, and the complete extinction here of many of
those species took place earlier by reason of that condi-
tion. With the long stretch of sea coast which the
island has, of course it was the habitat of all those species
of aquatic birds which are found in this latitude. The
island was annually visited, also, by those migratory land
birds that frequent regions in this latitude ; and at the
present time it is the annual resort of many species that
attract hither sportsmen during each season. The mu-
seum of the Long Island Historical Society has speci-
mens of many of these species of animals and birds,
and in this department it is proposed to make it quite
complete.
By reason of the prevailing character of the soil, the
botany of the island does not embrace as wide a range
of species as are sometimes found on equal areas in the
same latitude. Of the trees formerly covering large
portions of the island, the oak, pine and chestnut were
the most abundant and valuable ; and it is said that the
quality of this timber was far superior to that of the
same species found elsewhere. Among the most valu-
able species of timber growing on the island at present
the locust occupies a prominent position. It it thought
that Captain John Sands, who came to Sands Point
about 1695, introduced this tree, from Virginia, about
the year 1 700. Since that time it has spread extensively
here. The quaUty of this timber grown here is greatly
superior to that of the same species in the region whence
it was brought. A few gigantic specimens of this tree
are standing on the lawn at the residences of Mr. Bogart,
of Roslyn, and of the late Elwood Valentine, at Glen
Cove. Says Lewis : " It is believed that those on Mr.
Bogart's ground, several now or recently at Sand's Point,
and two in the dooryard of the old Thome mansion, at
Little Neck, now occupied by Eugene Thorpe, Esq., are
of the first imported and planted on Long Island."
About eighty species of forest trees — indigenous and
those that have become acclimated — are growing with-
out cultivation on the island. Specimens of many of
these species are now in the Historical Society's museum,
in which a competent and energetic member of the so-
ciety proposes to place a complete set of specimens of
the flora and fauna of the island. An interesting article
on the forest trees of Long Island will be found.in the
Brooklyn Advance, May, 1883, from the pen of EUas
Lewis, Esq.
CHAPTER IL
THE INDIANS OF LONG ISLAND TBRBITOET, CHAKAC-
TBEISTICS AND RELATIONS WITH THE WHITES.
By the late Alden J. Spooner, Esq.
BEFORE the settlement by the Dutch were the
dark ages of island history. The wampum or
wampum belts give no record of the red men's
origin, migrations, wars or loves. Immense
heaps of the broken shells of the quahog, or periwinkle,
are their only monuments.
Every locality where one or more families were lo-
cated had a name which gave designation to a tribe.
The authorities on this subject have recognized thirteen
tribes, as follows :
The Canaesie tribe claimed the whole of Kings
County and a part of the town of Jamaica. They in-
cluded the Marechawicks at Brooklyn, the Nyacks at
New Utrecht, and the Jamecos at Jamaica. Their prin-
cipal settlement was at the place called Canarsie, which
is still a famous place for fishing and fowling, and was
doubtless the residence of the sachem and a great por-
tion of the tribe. In 1643 the name of the sachem was
Penhawitz. In 1670 the deed of that part of the city
THE LONG ISLAND INDIANS— THEIR LANGUAGE.
21
of Brooklyn constituting Bedford was signed by Peter,
Elmoliar, Job, Makagiquas, and Shamese, sachems. In
1656 the deed of Newtown was signed by Roworoesteo
and Pomwaukon, sachems, supposed to have been of
Canarsie. A confirmatory deed of land at Gravesend,
in 1684, was signed by Cakewasco, Areunapoech, Arma-
nat and Muskhesk, sachems, who called the Indian name
of the place Makeopaca.
The RocKAWAT tribe was scattered over the southern
part of the town of Hempstead, which with a part of
Jamaica and the whole of Newtown constituted their
claim. The greater part of the tribe was at Near Rock-
away. Part lived at the head of Maspeth Creek, in
Newtown, and deeds for land there were executed by
the Rockaway sachem. This tribe had also a settlement
of several hundred acres on Hog Island in Rockaway
Bay. The first Rockaway sachem known to the Dutch
was Chegonoe. Nowedinah was sacliem in 1648, Esk-
moppas in 16V0, Paman in 1685, and Quaquasho or " the
Hunter" in 1691.
The MoNTAUK tribe had jurisdiction over all the re-
maining lands to Montauk, probably including Gardi-
ner's Island ; and there seems to be evidence that to the
sachem of this tribe was conceded the title and func-
tions of grand sachem of Paumanake, or Long Island.
The Meeeick, Meroke, or Merikoke tribe claimed all
the territory south of the middle of the island from
Near Rockaway to the west line of Oyster Bay, and was
in all probability at some former period a part of the
Marsapequa or Marsapeague tribe. A part of the land
in the town of Hempstead was bought from this tribe.
They had a large settlement on Hick's Neck, and occu-
pied the other necks between that and their principal
site, where the village of Merrick now stands. Their
sachem in 164V was Wantagh.
The Maesapequa or Marsapeague tribe had its prin-
cipal settlement at Fort Neck, in South Oyster Bay, and
thence extended eastward to the bounds of Islip and
north to the middle of the island. Here were two In-
dian forts, the larger of which was stormed by Captain
John Underbill, in the service of the Dutch, in 1653,
with great slaughter of the Indians. The remains of
the fort have been encroached upon and covered by
the waters of the Great South Bay. Tackapousha was
sachem of this tribe in 1656 ; also chief sachem of the
western chieftaincies of the island, after the division
between the Dutch and the English.
The Matinecock tribe claimed jurisdiction of the
lands east of Newtown, as far as the west line of Smith-
town and probably to the Nissaquag River. This was
a numerous tribe, and had large settlements at Flushing,
Glen Cove, Cold Spring, Huntington and Cow Harbor.
A portion of the tribe took part in the war of 1643, un-
der Gunwarrowe ; but their sachem at that time
remained friendly to the Dutch, and through his diplo-
macy succeeded in establishing peace. Whiteneymen
(one-eyed) was sachem in 1643, and Assiapam in 1653. |
The Nbsaquake or Missaquogue tribe possessed the
country from the river named after them to Stony Brook
and from the sound to the middle of the island. The
extensive shell banks near the village of Nissaquag show
that it was the site of a considerable settlement, and it
was probably the residence of the sachem. Coginiquant
was sachem in 1656.
The Setaloat or Setauket tribe claimed from Stony
Brook to the Wading River and was one of the most
powerful. Its members inhabited Strong's Neck and
the banks of the different creeks, coves and harbors.
Warrawaken was sachem in 1655, and Gil in 1675.
The CoECiiAUG tribe owned the territory from the
AVading River to Oyster Ponds, and was spread along
the north shore of Peconic Bay and over the necks ad-
joining the sound. It probably claimed Robin's Island
also. There is reason to believe that it was a numerous
and powerful tribe. Momometon was sachem in 1648.
The Manhasset tribe peopled Shelter Island and
probably Hog Island. This tribe, although confined to
about 10,000 acres, could, if tradition is reliable, bring
into the field at one time more than 500 warriors. Pog-
gattatuck, brother of Wyandanch, was sachem in 1648,
and Tokee or Youghco in 1651. His residence was on
Sachem's Neck.
The Secatogde tribe adjoined the Marsapequas on
the west and claimed the country as far east as Patch-
ogue. The farm of the Willets at Islip is called Secca-
togue Neck, and here is supposed to have been the prin-
cipal settlement and probably the residence of the
sachem, who in 1683 was Winnequaheag.
The Patchogub tribe extended its jurisdiction east
from Patchogue to Westhampton, and as some think to
Canoe Place. The main settlements were at Patchogue,
Fire Place, Mastic, Moriches and Westhampton. To-
bacus was sachem in 1666.
The Shinnecock tribe claimed the territory from
Canoe Place to Easthampton, including Sag Harbor and
the whole south shore of Peconic Bay.
The Indians of Long Island were designated on the
Dutch maps Mohegans, and have been so called by his-
torians. This is but a sub-title under the general term
Algonquins, covering a great race of savages scattered
over Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware and other
States.
The Indians of the island were tall and straight,
muscular and agile, with straight hair and reddish-
brown complexion. Their language was the Algonquin,
the highly descriptive tongue in which the apostle Eliot
wrote the Indian Bible, and which was used by other
missionaries. It was the language that greeted the col-
onists at Roanoke, and the Pilgrims at Plymouth. It
was spoken through twenty degrees of latitude and sixty
degrees of longitude. Strange that a language which
a century ago was spoken so widely and freely between
the aborigines and the settlers should have so perished
that it is doubted whether a man is living who can speak
22
GENERAL MlSTOHY OE ZOJSTG ISLAND.
it, or read the Indian Bible, so laboriously prepared by
the apostolic John Eliot.
The Indian names of Long Island are said to be
Sewanhacky, Wamponomon and Paumanake. These
names, or at least the first two, seem to have arisen from
the abundance of the quahog or hard clam, the shell of
which furnished the wampum or sewant, which in the
earlier times was the money of the country, as well as
the material for the embroidery and the record symbols
of the Indian belts. Matouwacs is the name given the
island on the earliest Dutch maps. The deed to the
settlers at Easthampton styles it Paumanake. Rev.
William Hubbard, of Ipswich, in his history of New
England, called it Mattamwake. In books and deeds it
bears other names, as Meitowax, Metoac, etc. Sewan-
hacky and Wamponomon both signify " the island, or
place, of shells." Of Mattanwake, Judge Furman says :
" In the Narragansett language mattan was a term used
to signify anything fine or good, and duke or alee meant
land or earth ; thus the whole word meant ' the good or
pleasant land,' which was certainly highly characteristic
of Long Island, even at that period of its early settle-
ment."
The religious notions of the Long Island Indians are
described in a communication from the Rev. Samson
Occum, published in the collections of the Massachusetts
Historical Society. His words are : " They believe in
a plurality of gods, and in one great and good being,
who controls all the rest. They likewise believe in an
evil spirit, and have their conjurors or paw-waws." The
ceremony performed by these characters was so odious,
in the opinion of the whole people, that the Duke's Laws
of 1665 enacted that " no Indian shall be permitted to
paw-waw or perform worship to the devil in any town
within this government." It is evident, however, that
they still kept up their devil-worship at the visit of the
Labadists in 1679-80. They also had divinities in the
winds and waters. It is surprising how few tokens are
found, in the shape of idols, or carvings of any kind, to
signify a reverence for their gods. The only thing
which has attracted particular attention is " the foot-
prints of the evil spirit " — the impression of a foot on a
boulder, now in the possession of the Long Island His-
torical Society, which had lain upon Montauk Point
from the earliest English knowledge, and probably for
centuries before, and which was always an object of
Indian veneration.
The lodges or wigwams of the Long Island Indians
were fifteen or twenty feet wide, having a frame of two
rows of poles bent together and covered with rushes,
except along the ridge, where an opening was left for
smoke to escape. This frame of poles was interlaced
with the bark of trees, and continued to a length of 180
feet or more, as the families conjointly occupying the
wigwam might require. Fires were built along the
floor, each family having its own for cooking and for
comfort in cold weather. The principal household
utensils were earthen pots and gourds for holding
water.
The original fur and feather clothing of these savages
gave place to cloth after the advent of Europeans. At
first a blanket about the shoulders and a cloth hanging
from a belt about the waist composed their costume, but
they afterwards imitated the dress of the whites. All
were fond of decoration. In early deeds from them
there is a peculiar reservation of " the trees in what
eagles do build their nests," doubtless in order to secure
to them the feathers of the royal bird, which were
among their valued adornments.
Their canoes were of different sizes, from the light
shallop to those of sixty feet in length. They were
wrought out of logs with stone axes, with the help of
fire. Their pottery, of which specimens are found in
the shell heaps, is of clay, mixed with water, hollowed
out by the hand and baked. Most of the specimens are
very inferior. Private collections abound in arrow-
heads, stone axes, and the pestles and mortars which
served them for mills. The Long Island Historical So-
ciety has a collection of Indian relics, in which the only
metallic instrument is an ax of native copper, unearthed
a few years ago at Rockaway, together with a few
stone axes and a quantity of spear heads, apparently
buried for preservation.
Long Island was the great source of the supply of
wampum or sewant — the Indian shell money, as well as
the beads which they wore as ornaments or fastened to
their clothing. Along the shores of the island immense
deposits of shells once existed (some of which yet re-
main), from which the blue portion forming the eye was
carefully removed for making blue beads ; these were
worth three times as much as the white, which were
made from the inner pillars of the conch shell or peri-
winkle.
Long Island will always be a monumental point in
history as the place to which Hudson and his mariners
first came as the key to open a world in commerce and
civilization, to which the discoveries of Columbus were
but the vestibule. The earliest account of the Indians
of the island is that given by Hudson in the narrative
of his voyage in 1609. On the 4th of September of that
year he came to anchor in Gravesend Bay. He says the
Canarsie Indians came on board his vessel without any
apprehension and seemed very glad of his coming. They
brought with them green tobacco and exchanged it for
knives and beads. They were clad in deer skins, well
dressed, and were " very civil." On a subsequent visit
some of them were dressed in " mantles of feathers " and
some in " skins of diver sorts of good furs. " Hudson
states that " they had yellow copper and red copper to-
bacco pipes, and ornaments of copper about their necks; "
also that they had currants and "great store of maize or
Indian corn, whereof they made good bread." They
also brought liim hemp. Some of his men landed where
is now the town of Gravesend and met many men wo-
WABS OF THE ISLAND INDIANS— THEIR SACHEMS.
23
men and children, who gave them tobacco. They
described the country to Hudson as " full of great tall
oaks,- and the lands as pleasant with grass and flowers
and goodly trees as they had ever seen."
Doubtless the natives presented their very best festal
appearance to the great captain of the " big canoe ; "
though when, seventy years after (in 16'79-80), they
were visited by the Labadist agents. Bankers and
Sluyter, after contact with the early settlers, they had
sadly degenerated ; and the best collection that has been
made of their utensils and adornments fails to show any
of the yellow copper ornaments.
The Dutch and English found the river Indians and
the Long Island tribes greatly reduced by their conflicts
with the more warlike Iroquois or Five Nations, who
had laid them, under tribute. The powerful Pequots of
Connecticut did the same before their own extermina-
tion. After the coming of the Dutch, under a promise
of protection by them, the Canarsies neglected to pay
their tribute to the Mohawks, representing the Five Na-
tions, and in 1655 the latter made a descent on Staten
Island, where they killed 67 of the natives, and going
thence to Gravesend, Canarsie and other places made a
thorough butchery. A bare remnant of the Canarsies
escaped to Beeren Island, and Mrs. Abraham Remsen
left the statement that she made a shroud for the last
individual of them. The consistory of the Dutch church
at Albany, thereafter, for many years acted as agent for
the Indians down the Hudson in the payment of their
tribute to the conquerors.
The settlers at the east end of the island found
Wyandanch, the grand sachem, at war with Ninigret,
the sachem of the Narragansetts of Rhode Island.
There had been retaliatory massacres on both sides.
Ninigret struck the finishing blow on the occasion of
the marriage of a daughter of Wyandanch to a young
chieftain of his tribe, at Fort Pond, on Montauk.
Knowing that all precaution would be overlooked in
the revelry of the festive occasion, Ninigret came down
in force upon his unprepared enemy ; slaughtered half
the tribe, including the bridegroom, and bore away the
bride as his captive to the mainland. This blow broke
the power and the spirit of Wyandanch, who then, by
a cession of Montauk, came under the government and
protection of Easthampton.
Hereby hangs a romance which can not be done away
with by any captious objectors, like those who have
sought to resolve the story of Pocohontas into a myth.
It is secured by deed. On a square bit of paper, written
plainly in the old English character, framed and placed
in the noble building of the Long Island Historical
Society, is a conveyance to Lion Gardiner, then lord of
the Isle of Wight or Gardiner's Island, of the great
part of Smithtown, as a consideration for his services
in regaining from Ninigret the captive daughter of
Wyandanch ; the last named signed the deed, as also
did his son Wyancombone, and the latter's wife.
Thompson ascribes the war between the Montauks
and the Narragansetts to the refusal of the Montauk
monarch to join in the plot for exterminating the
Europeans. Roger Williams traced the war to the
pride of the contending sachems. The Long Island
chief, he said, was " proud and foolish ;" Ninigret,
" proud and fierce."
Lion Gardiner, in his notes on Easthampton, says
the Block Island Indians, acting as allies of the Narra-
gansetts, attacked the Montauks during King Philip's
war and punished them severely. The engagement
took place on Block Island, whither the Montauks went
in their canoes, and the latter on landing fell into an
ambuscade. He says : " The Montauk Indians were
nearly all killed ; a few were protected by the Engligh
and brought away ; the sachem was taken and carried
to Narragansett. He was made to walk on a large flat
rock that was heated by building fires on it, and walked
several times over it, singing his death song ; but his
feet being burned to the bones he fell, and they finished
the tragical scene as usual for savages."
T'he Long Island Indians joined the neighboring
mainland tribes in the hostilities between them and the
Dutch, which grew out of the murder of an Indian at
New York in 1641. In 164.3 some Dutch farmers on
the island ventured tp seize and carry off two wagon
loads of corn belonging to the Indians ; the owners
attempiting to defend their property, two of them were
killed.
The Long Island and Hudson River Indians burning
to avenge such outrages, more than two thousand of
them rose in open war and made the greatest possible
destruction of the property and lives of the settlers. A
transient peace was patched up, the Canarsie chief
Penhawitz being one of an embassy to New Amsterdam
for that purpose. In a few months war broke out
again, this time, it is said, on account of Governor
Kief t's embezzling the presents for the natives by which
the treaty should have been ratified. The savages,
crossing to the island from Westchester county, de-
stroyed the settlement of Mespat, now Newtown ; also
the first house built in Brooklyn, that of William
Adriance Bennett, near Gowanus. They then fell upon
the settlement of Lady Moody at Gravesend, but were
beaten off by a company of forty men, who had been
recruited and disciplined by Nicholas Stillwell, and
who were concealed in Lady Moody's log house. From
the neighboring villages more than a hundred families
flocked to New Amsterdam for protection. From these
was raised a company of fifty men, who, under the
famous John Underbill, participated in the massacre of
over five hundred of the Indians in March, 1644, at
Strickland's Plain, on Horse Neck, near Greenwich,
Conn. As one of the results of this decisive blow,
several of the Long Island chiefs went to New Amster-
dam and made a treaty of peace.
In 1655 Hendrick Van Dyke, the late " schout fiscal "
24
GENERAL HISTORY OF LOITG ISZAJSTD.
of New Amsterdam, shot and killed a squaw who was
stealing peaches from his garden. He was soon killed
by the Indians in revenge. At the same time they per-
petrated terrible massacres on Staten Island and in
Kew Jersey, and spread terror on Long Island, though
doing no damage there. Governor Stuyvesant ordered
all persons living in secluded places to gather and
" form villages after the fashion of our neighbors of
New England," but little attention was paid to his
command.
On the division of the island in 1650 between the
English and the Dutch, the English taking the eastern,
and the Dutch the western part, the jurisdiction of
Grand Sachem Wyandanch was nominally divided,
Tackapousha being elected sachem of the chieftaincies
in possession of the Dutch, namely, those of the
Marsapequas, Merricks, Canarsies, Secatogues, Rook-
aways and Matinecocks. In the winter of 1658
the smallpox destroyed more than half the Montauks ;
while Wyandanch lost his life by poison. The remain-
der of the tribe, to escape the fatal malady and the
danger of invasion in their weakened state, fled in a
body to their white neighbors, who entertained them
for a considerable period.
Wyancombone succeeded his father in the sachem-
ship, and, being a minor, divided the government with
his mother, who was styled the squaw sachem. Lion
Gardiner and his son David acted as guardians to the
young chief by request of his father. At Port Pond-
called by the Indians Konkhongank— are the remains
of the burial ground of the chieftancy, and here once
stood the citadel of the monarch Wyandanch.
From the numerous array of tribes mentioned on a
preceding page it is evident that the island was in the
earlier periods of its history thickly settled by the
Indians, who found support and delight in its ample
resources of hunting, fishing and fowling ; but their
position exposed them to invasion, and their stores of
wampum tempted the fierce tribes of the mainland.
They were evidently in constant fear of aggression,
and at two points— Port Neck, at Oyster Bay, and Port
Pond, Montauk— forts were built, capable of sheltering
five hundred men. Governor Winthrop in 1633, refer-
ring t\) Long Island, which had just been reconnoitred
by his bark, the "Blessing," says, doubtless upon mere
report : " The Indians there are very treacherous, and
have many canoes so great as will carry eighty men."
But the natives soon dwindled in numbers and power
upon contact with the whites. The Dutch at the west-
ern end of the island, coveting their corn lands, soon
found means to purchase and appropriate them ; while
at the east end the Narragansetts drove the tribes into
the arms of the English. All over the island their lands
were bought at a nominal price from the too easy
owners.
Their inordinate fondness for "fire-water" had a
large share in their ruin. Rev. Azariah Horton was a
missionary to the Long Island Indians in 1741-44. He
states that in 1741 there were at the east end two small
towns of them, and lesser companies settled at a few
miles distance from each other through the island. Up
to the close of 1743 he had baptized 35 adults and 44
children. He took pains to teach them to read, and
some of them made considerable progress ; but, not-
withstanding all this, Mr. Horton in 1744 complained*
of a great defection by a relapse into their darling vice
of drunkenness, to which Indians are everywhere so
greatly addicted that no human power can prevent it.
In 1761 the Indians had so diminished on Long Island
as in some places to have entirely disappeared ; and the
once powerful Montauks could muster but 192 souls.
This number was reduced by the withdrawal of many
who went to Brotherton with Rev. Samson Occum.
This celebrated Indian preacher went, about 1755, to
Montauk, where he preached and taught some ten
years. He went to England and raised £1,000 for
establishing schools among the Indians.
Rev. Paul Cuffee was another Indian preacher on the
island. He was buried about a mile west of Canoe
Place, where the Indian meeting-house then stood, and
a neat marble slab has been erected to his memory by
the Missionary Society of New York, which employed
him. The writer has conversed with persons who gave
testimony to his piety and the fervor of his eloquence.
The Indian kings at Montauk have, for a century and
more, borne the name of Pharoah or Pharo. This was
doubtless conferred upon them by the first missionaries,
who are also responsible for Solomons, Tituses and
other Christian and classic names. A squaw who died
recently at Easthampton, at a very advanced age, was
named Hannali Hannibal. One of the Montauk Pha-
roahs died about three years ago and his brother suc-
ceeded him. He bore the traits of pure blood in the
sallow complexion and long straight hair of his race.
With the advance of settlements on the island the
Montauks have faded away, till but a remnant of
scarcely a dozen pure bloods remains on the reserved
''Indian fields " on the promontory of Montauk. Sub-
ject to their reservations the whole promontory was
recently sold in partition sale of the property to Arthur
W. Benson, of Brooklyn, for $161,000.
The influence of their friends at Easthampton kept
these Indians from taking part in King Philip's and
other wars, and from being violently blotted out like
most of their brethren. Elsewhere many of them have
succeeded in whaling enterprises, and they have been
ingenious in basket making. Some of those remaining
around Montauk are useful sailors or domestics.
The Sliinnecock tribe, much modified by negro inter-
marriages, still cluster about Southampton to the
number of about 200. They are in general a worthy
and industrious people, with a good school and much
pride of character. Many will recollect the mourning
which went abroad on the loss, in the wreck of the
DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT.
25
" Circassia," of that fine corps of sailors of the Shin-
necock tribe, whose courage and manhness were of a
high heroic type.
CHAPTER III.
DISCOVBEY AND SETTLEMENT OE LONG ISLAND-
OF COLONIAL TIMES.
-HISTORY
THE names by which Long Island was called by the
Indians were various. Among them were Mat-
tanwake, Meitowax, Sewanhacky (Island of
Shells), Paumanake, etc. By reason of its form
the early settlers applied to the island its present name.
The Colonial Legislature in 1693 changed it to Nassau,
in honor of William of Nassau, Prince of Orange, and
required that all legal instruments should- recognize
that name. It never acquired more than a partial use,
and though the act is unrepealed the name is obsolete.
It has been thought that this island was visited by
John de Verazzano, in 1524, and from some of his
descriptions it is surmised by some that he entered
the harbor of New York, while others insist that his
journal gives no foundation for such a belief. The first
absolute discovery of Long Island by Europeans was
made early in September, 1609, by Henry Hudson, an
Englishman in the employ of the Dutch East India
Company. He had sailed in the " Half Moon," from
Amsterdam, on the 25th of the preceding March, in
search of a northwest passage to India. After touch-
ing at various j)oints on the coast north he sailed south
to the mouth of Chesapeake Bay ; then, passing north,
entered Delaware Bay, from which he again sailed
northward and entered New York Bay on the 3d of
September. During the week that he remained there
a boat's crew, engaged in making explorations, , landed
at Coney Island — the first portion of Long Island
pressed by the foot of a white man. On the 6th, John
Colman, of a party that was sent up the river to sound
and explore, was killed and two others were wounded
by a party of twenty-six savagCs in two canoes. The
next day Colman's body was buried on the shore,
and the place of his interment was named Colman's
Point. By some this is believed to have been Sandy
Hook ; by others, Coney Island. After the discovery
of the island by Hudson the region was visited by pri-
vate adventurers to trade, but in 1614 a decree of the
States General forbade this and gave to the East India
Company monopoly of this trade. In that year Adrian
Block and Hendrick Christiance visited this region
under the East India Company and built a fort and
some dwellings on the island of Manhattan or Man-
hattoes, as it was called by the Indians. Captain Block
passed with his vessel through Hell Gate and sailed
through the sound, and first discovered the insular con-
dition of Long Island. Block Island, which was called
by the Indians Manissees, was named in honor of him.
It is said that his vessel was accidentally burned, and
that he built another on or near Manhattan in the sum-
mer of 1614. If so, it was the first vessel built in the
United States.
When English settlements were made in New Eng-
land a rivalry at once sprang up between the English
and the Dutch, each power striving to strengthen its
authority by extending its settlements. Under these
cu'cumstances the settlement of the western end of the
island by the Dutch commenced. It is not known who
was the first actual settler on Long Island. Settlements
were made in Flatlands, Kings county, as early as 1636,
possibly earlier. It is not probable that any settlement
was made at the Wallabout prior to 1636. The name
of this bay is corrupted from "Wahle Bocht" or " Waale
Boght," which, according to the late Hon. Teunis G.
Bergen, means " the Beach or Shore of the Cove ;" Sam-
uel Ogden renders it " the Bend of the Inner Harbor."
Settlers came and located as caprice or circumstance
seemed to dictate, without any provision for local gov-
ernment. At nearly the same time permanent settle-
ments were made on the west of the island by the
Dutch, and on the east by the English. Both pur-
chased their lands from the Indians ; the English di-
rectly, and the Dutch through their governors, who first
extinguished the Indian title, then parceled out the land
to individuals in various ways, or gave permits to pur-
chase from the Indians.
On the west end of the island the Dutch in 1636 set-
tled Brooklyn, first named Breuckelen after a town of
that name in the province of Utrecht, in Holland; Plat-
lands, first New Amersfort, after a place of the same
name in Holland, also in 1636; Flushing, or in Dutch
Vlissingen, also after a place of the same name in Hol-
land, 1645; Flatbush, originally Midwout, after Mid-
wout in Holland, 1651; New Utrecht in 1657, and Bush-
wick, or Woodtown in 1660.
English immigrants were permitted to settle on terri-
tory claimed by the Dutch on taking the oath of alle-
giance to the Dutch government. Of the English towns
under the jurisdiction of the Dutch, Hempstead was set-
tled in 1643; Gravesend in 1645; Jamaica, originally
Rusdorp, in 1655, and Newtown, first called Middlebury,
in 1656. The jurisdiction of Oyster Bay, which was
settled m 1653, was not during many years determined,
but it finally came under Connecticut.
The Dutch towns appear to have been wholly under
the control of the governor, whose will in all matters —
general and individual, civil and ecclesiastical — was ab-
solute. The English towns under Dutch jurisdiction
were allowed to choose their own ofiicers, subject to the
approval of the governor, to hold their town meetings,
and manage their own matters as nearly like the eastern
towns as circumstances would permit.
It was hardly to be expected that, in the exercise of
power so nearly absolute, the representatives of their
26
GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISZAND.
High Mightinesses, as the States General was termed,
should not at times yield to their caprices, their sympa-
thies or antipathies, and do arbitrary and oppressive
acts. In the case of Governor Stuyvesant, his tyrannical
disregard of the people's rights led to the assembling
(1653) of delegates from N. Amsterdam, Brooklyn, Flat-
bush, Flatlands, Gravesend, Ne^vtown, Flushing and
Hempstead, and the adoption of an address to the gov-
ernor and council and States General, setting forth their
grievances, and asking that they be redressed. To this
no reply was given, though a protest was entered on
theii- minutes against the meeting. When, in the same
year, a second meeting assembled, the governor ordered
them " to disperse and not to assemble again on such
business."
A line had, in 1650, been established between the
Dutch towns on the west and the English on the eastern
end of the island, by four commissioners — two from the
Dutch government and two from the united colonies of
New England, although the New England colonists had
at that time no jurisdiction on the island. This line
ran southward across the island from the " westernmost
part of Oyster Bay." Notwithstanding this arrange-
ment, the Dutch governor continued to claim jurisdic-
tion over Oyster Bay.
The people at about this time were sorely troubled
by what were known as " land pirates " or outlaws, who
had been banished from New England, and against
these the Dutch governor failed to afford them protec-
tion.
It may here be remarked that the administration of
Governor Stuyvesant, from about 1656 to the conquest
in 1664, was disgraced by a degree of religious intoler-
ance, and especially by persecution of the Quakers, which
rivaled, but which did not equal, that of the Puritans of
New England, of whom it may truly be said that the
principle of religious liberty never dawned on their
minds. For this persecution he was rebuked by the
authorities in Holland. These persecutions were re-
newed about the commencement of the eighteenth cen-
tury under the administration of Lord Cornbury, who
in religious intolerance was fully equal to Peter Stuy-
vesant.
In 1662 a new charter was granted to Connecticut,
and this charter was interpreted to include the whole of
Long Island. The eastern towns gladly availed them-
selves of this interpretation, and in 1663 the English
towns under Dutch jurisdiction resolved to withdraw
from it and place themselves under that of Con-
necticut. Soon afterward two commissioners were
appointed by Connecticut to organize the government
of that colony in these towns ; but it does not appear
from history that they fulfilled their mission, and this
unsatisfactory condition of things continued till the con-
quest in 1664.
As has been stated, the settlements of the Dutch
were limited to the western end of the island, and their
jurisdiction to a comparatively small portion of that
end. The eastern end was settled by English immi-
grants, under different auspices, and its settlement com-
menced a few years later.
In 1620 King James I. of England granted to the
Plymouth Company a charter for all the land between
the 40th and 48th degrees of north latitude, extending
from " sea to sea," which territory was termed New
England. In 1636, at the request of King Charles I.,
the Plymouth Company conveyed by patent to William
Alexander, Earl of Stirling, the whole of Long Island,
and the adjacent islands. Earl Stirling appointed
James Farret his attorney for the sale of his real estate,
and authorized him to select for himself twelve thous-
and acres of the territory. Farret selected Shelter
Island and Robbin's Island in Peconic Bay, and in 1641
sold these to Stephen Goodyear, of New Haven. Soon
after the death of Earl Stirling and his son in 1640, the
heir of the latter, grandson of the earl, for a considera-
tion of three hundred pounds, surrendered to the crown
the grant from the Plymouth Company, and it was em-
bodied in the grant to the Duke of York, April 2d,
1664, which thus described it: "And also all that
island or islands commonly called by the several name
or names of Meitowacks, or Long Island, situate, lying
and being toward the west of Cape Cod and the narrow
Higansetts, abutting upon the mainland between the
two rivers, there called or known by the several names
of Connecticut and Hudson's River."
In 1662 the Connecticut colony claimed Long Island
under that clause in their charter of that year which in-
cluded the "islands adjacent," and in 1664 sent a com-
mission to the island to assert jurisdiction. The con-
quest in that year put an end to their proceedings.
With this exception no claim was made by any power
to the eastern portion of the island between the years
1640 and 1644.
The eastern towns were settled by the English as
follows : Gardiner's Island (annexed in 1680 to East-
hampton) in 1639. It was purchased in that year by
Lion Gardiner from the attorney-of Lord Stirling. Mr.
Gardiner had previously purchased it from the Indians.
This was the first English settlement, and Mr. Gardiner
was one of the first English settlers in the State of New
York. Southampton and Southold were settled in 1640,
Easthampton in 1648, Shelter Island in 1652, Hunting-
ton and Oyster Bay in 1653, though the latter was
claimed by the Dutch, Brookhaven in 1656, and Smith-
town in 1663.
Most of the settlers in these towns were previous im-
migrants in New England, who crossed the Sound in
larger or smaller companies and established independent
settlements; which, as their numbers increased, came to
be little republics, completely independent of all other
powers. Although there were differences in the details,
there was a general similarity among the goverments
of the different towns. Each had its legislative exec-
TTNDER TSE DUKE OF YORK.
27
iitive, and judicial department. The people, assembled
in town meeting, constituted the legislative department,
and, in important cases, the judicial also. In that case
the assembly was sometimes termed the General Court
of the town. Two or three magistrates, a clerk, and a
constable, constituted usually the ordinary judicial and
executive functionaries of the town. Of course the
people required no bill of rights or constitution to pro-
tect them from oppression by their rulers, for they were
their own rulers. They organized companies of citi-
zen soldiers, erected and garrisoned forts when neces-
sary, enacted and enforced laws to regulate, not only
civil, but also social and religious, matters ; and, to guard
against threatened vices, as well as to restrain existing
evils, churches were erected, schools were established,
and ministers and teachers were supported, by taxes on
the property of the citizens, imposed by the people
themselves in their legislative character.
It is hardly necessary to say that these original set-
tlers were Puritans, and that, although they were not
guUty of such manifestations of bigotry and intolerance
as disgraced the Puritans of New England, they jeal-
ously guarded against the introduction among them of
innovations which would exert what they deemed a
deleterious influence. They required of those who pro-
posed to settle among them a probation of from three
to six months, and if at the end of that time they were
not satisfactory to the people they were notified to
leave within a specified time. They were thus able to
prevent undesirable people from coming among them,
and to maintain their religious faith free from contami-
nation by those holding heterodox opinions. To guard
against the evils of intemperance, the sale of intoxicat-
ing liquors was restricted under heavy penalties. The
profanation of the Sabbath, lying, profane cursing and
slander, were penal offences in most of the towns, and
the whipping post, the stocks, pillory, etc., were in com-
mon use. Thus, each town managed its own affairs,
without any combination with neighboring towns, till
the island came to be a part of New York in 1664.
In view of their exposed situation, and the difficulty
of defending themselves against hostile attacks by the
Indians or invasions by the Dutch, these towns, one by
one, placed themselves under the protection of the New
England colonies, without, however, subjecting them-
selves to taxation by those colonies, or relinquishing to
the slightest extent their self-government. Southampton
did this in 1644, Easthampton in 1657, Brookhaven in
1659, and Huntington in 1660. These came under the
protection of Connecticut. Southold and Shelter Island
assumed the same relation to New Haven in 1648. Con-
necticut and New Haven became united under a new
charter in 1662, and these towns became a part of the
new colony of Connecticut, sent representatives to the
Colonial Assembly, and contributed toward the expense
of the government. In the same year Oyster Bay also
assumed this relation.
The oppression to which the people in the towns
under the jurisdiction of the Dutch were subjected
has been spoken of. The inhabitants of both the Dutch
and English towns had submitted to the tyranny of their
rulers because they saw no way of escape. In Novem-
ber of 1663 the people of the English towns held amass
meeting at Jamaica to consider their condition and de-
vise means for their relief ; but, although no attempt
to disperse them was made, no results were accomplished.
They were therefore ready to welcome anything which
promised relief.
Early in 1664 Charles the Second of England granted
to his brother James, Duke of York, territory which
included New Amsterdam and all of Long Island. An
expedition was at once fitted out and sent under Colonel
Richard Nicolls, who was commissioned deputy gov-
ernor, to take possession of the colony. On his arrival
at New York in August of that year he demanded of
Governor Stuyvesant the surrender of his possessions,
which was refused. Colonel Nicolls and the commis-
sioners, Robert Carr, George Cartwright and Samuel
Maverick, who had been sent with him to assist in the
government of the colony, landed at Gravesend; and, at
at a meeting held for that purpose, consulted with the
people, and with Governor Winthrop, of Connecticut,
and exhibited to them the royal grant to the Duke
of York. He also issued a proclamation promising pro-
tection and all the privileges of English subjects, and
sent officers for volunteers in the western towns of the
island. After consultation with his burgomasters and
the people. Governor Stuyvesant, finding that the cur-
rent of popular opinion set strongly in that direction,
reluctantly consented to a surrender, and thus, without
bloodshed, the government passed to the English.
The people of the towns on the west end of the island
acquiesced in the change, relying on the promise of
Governor Nicolls and the commissioners that they should
enjoy all the privileges of English subjects — a promise
which was not fulfilled. The eastern towns, however,
which had been independent, and which were then a
part 'of Connecticut, were not willing to sever their polit-
ical relations with that colony and become subject to the
Duke of York, and Connecticut at first maintained her
claim to them. Governor Winthrop, who had been one
of the commissioners to arrange the terms of surrender,
" informed the English on Long Island that Connecticut
had no longer any claim to the island ; that what they
had done for them was for the welfare, peace and quiet
settlement of his Majesty's subjects, they being the
nearest organized government to them under his
Majesty. But, now that his Majesty's pleasure was fully
signified by his letters patent, their jurisdiction had
ceased and become null."
In March, 1665, a convention of delegates from the
towns assembled at Hempstead, in accordance with a
proclamation of Governor Nicolls, " to settle good and
known laws within this government for the future, and
28
GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAKB.
receive yo"" best advice and information at a gen^'''
meeting." At this convention the boundaries and rela-
tions of the towns were settled and determined, and
some other matters adjusted. New patents were re-
quired to be taken by those who had received their
patents from the Dutch authorities, and it was required
that patents should be taken by those who had never
received any, as was the case with the eastern towns.
These required a quit-rent — a relic of feudal customs —
which was the source of much trouble, and the subject
of abuse afterward. A code of laws for the government
of the pr<)vince was also promulgated. These, which
had been compiled at the dictation of the governor, were
termed the Duke's Laws. They contained many of the
provisions which had been adopted by the eastern towns,
and many of the enactments would be looked on at the
present day as curiosities. With some modifications
they were continued in force till 1683, when the first
Provincial Assembly held its session. Th ompson says :
" In addition to other matters which occupied the con-
vention at Hempstead in 1665, Long Island and Staten
Island (and probably Westchester) were erected into a
shire, called, after that in England, Yorkshire, which was
in like manner divided into separate districts, denomi-
nated ridings : the towns now included in Suffolk county
constituted the East 'Riding;' Kings county, Staten
Island, and the town of Newtown, the West ' Riding,'
and the remainder of Queens county the North 'Riding,'
of Yorkshire upon Long Island." The word " riding "
thus used is a corruption of " trithing" — a third. The
original names of some of the towns were changed to
the present ones at this meeting, it is supposed. So
highly pleased were the delegates at this convention
with the prospect before them, under the assurances of
the governor, that they adopted and signed an address
to the king, pledging loyalty and submission in terms
that were not pleasing to the people and that were criti-
cised with such severity that the Court of Assize issued
an edict forbidding further censure of these deputies,
under penalty of being brought before the court " to
answer for the slander."
Under the Duke's Laws the justices — one in each town
— were appointed by the governor, as was also the high
sheriff of the shire, and a deputy sheriff for each riding.
Each town elected at first eight and afterwards four
overseers and a constable, who constituted a Town Court,
with jurisdiction limited to cases of £5 or less. They
also assessed taxes and regulated miaor matters. Each
riding had a Court of Sessions consisting of the justices,
with whom the high sheriff, members of the council and
secretary of the colony, were entitled to sit. It had
criminal jurisdiction, and in civil cases its judgments
were final m cases less than £20. The Court of Assize,
which consisted of the governor, council, and an indefi-
nite number of magistrates, had appellate jurisdiction
in cases from inferior courts, and original jurisdiction
in suits for demands above £20.
No provision was made for a legislature ; and, while
this Court of Assize was nominally the head of the gov-
ernment, the governor, who appointed the members of it,
and who could remove most of them at his pleasure,
really possessed unlimited legislative, executive and
judicial authority. Thompson says : " In this court the
governor united the character of both judge and legis-
lator. He interpreted his own acts, and not only pro-
nounced what the law was, but what it should be."
Although the people on the western end of the island
became aware that the government under the Duke of
York was framed on no better model than that under
the Dutch governor, and those in the English towns
that they were shorn of all their former privileges.
Governor Nicolls exercised his powers so carefully and
judiciously as to allay their discontent.
He relinquished the reins of government in legV and
was succeeded by Francis Lovelace, who during his
administration acquired the almost unanimous ill-will of
the people. When, in 1670, a levy was made on the
towns to raise money for repairing the fort at New
York, nearly all of the English towns, by vote, refused
to obey the order for the contribution or levy unless
" they might have the privileges that other of his
Majesty's subjects have and do enjoy." Thompson says:
" The English colonists on Long Island brought with
them the doctrine that taxes could only be imposed with
the consent of the people by their representatives in a
general assembly." It is not known that this tax was
ever collected in those towns. This was the first open
manifestation in this country of a spirit of resistance to
the invasion of this right — a resistance which led, a cen-
tury later, to the American Revolution.
The resolutions of refusal were laid before the gov-
ernor and council, and were by them ordered to be pub-
licly burned before the town house of the city. It is
said of Governor Lovelace, that in 1668 he wrote to
Sir Robert Carr in New Jersey, that to keep people sub-
missive the best method was " to lay such taxes upon
them as may not give them liberty to entertain any
other thoughts but how they shall discharge them."
Had not the administration of Governor Lovelace
come to an end by a sudden and unexpected event, he
would probably have suffered the full consequences of
the popular indignation which his disregard of the peo-
ple's rights aroused. " The country, which had now
been nine years governed by the Duke of York's depu-
ties, and experienced in very full measure the ill effects
of ignorance and indiscretion in the conduct of its rulers,
came once more under the government of their ancient
masters, the Dutch."
Between 1672 and 1674 the English and Dutch were
at war, and in the latter part of July, 1673,a small Dutch
squadron entered New York harbor, and Captain Man-
ning, the commandant of the fort, surrendered it with-
out resistance. For this act he was afterward sentenced
to haye his sword broken over his head.
PRIMITIVE CUSTOMS.— CAPTAIN KIDD.
29
Captain Anthony Colve was, by the commanders of
the squadron, appointed governor of the colony, and he
at once set about the re-establishment of the authority
of the Dutch government. In the towns that had be-
fore been under the Dutch regime submission was
readily made, but in the towns of the East riding his task
was more difficult. Huntington and Brookhaven yielded
after a time on certain conditions, but Southold, South-
ampton, and Easthampton, rejected all overtures, and
petitioned for admission to the colony of Connecticut.
They were accepted, and when Governor Colve at-
tempted to reduce these towns to submission by force,
Connecticut sent troops to their assistance, and the
Dutch were repulsed. In November, 1673, the New
England colonies declared war against the Dutch, and
made preparations for active hostilities. The conclu-
sion of peace, early in 1674, between the English and
Dutch, of course arrested their proceedings. On the
restoration of the duke's government, these towns were
unwilling to become subject again to a rule under which
they had been oppressed. Resistance was unavailing,
however, and they were compelled to submit to a repe-
tition of the former despotic sway of the duke's gov-
ernors.
Sir Edmund Andros became governor on the restor-
ation of the duke's authority, and his administration,
which continued till 1681, was even more despotic than
that of Governor Lovelace. Colonel Thom.as Dongan
succeeded Governor Andros. On his arrival, in 1682,
he at once issued orders for summoning a general
assembly. This was the result of a petition to the duke
by the grand jury of the Court of Assize in 1681.
At the first session of this Colonial Assembly, in 1683,
they " adopted a bill of rights, established courts of jus-
tice, repealed some of the most obnoxious of the duke's
laws, altered and amended others, and passed such new
laws as they judged that the circumstances of the colony
required." At this session the " ridings " were abolished,
and the counties of Kings, Queens, and Suffolk, organ-
ized. Another session was held in 1684, at which,
among other acts, the court of assize was abolished, and
another Assembly was summoned to convene in the fol-
lowing year.
"Charles II. died February 6th, 1685, and the Duke
of York succeeded him by the title of James II. ; as he
determined to have as little to do with parliaments as
possible, so it is probable that he revoked the power
which he had given to his governors to call assemblies,
and determined that they should rule the colony by his
instructions alone, without admitting the people to any
participation in the public councils." Under the gov-
ernment of James no other session of the Legislature
was ever held.
On the occurrence of the revolution in England which
placed William and Mary on the throne, a party of sym-
pathizers with that revolution, led by Jacob Leisler,
seized the government of the colony, and during two
years matters here were in an unsettled condition. Long
Island gave only a partial support to Leisler; and when,
in 1690, he summoned a general assembly, no members
from Suffolk attended and one from Queens refused to
serve. It appears that Leisler attempted to use force
against some portions of Long Island, which he declared
to be in a state of rebellion, but that his efforts proved
entirely unsuccessful.
The fate of Leisler is briefly recounted in the outline
history of the State on preceding pages, together with
the succession of Colonial governors who followed him.
After the revolution of 1689-90, the Colonial govern-
ment settled down on a basis, which continued, with but
few changes, till the American Revolution. It is thus
stated by Wood :
" The executive power was vested in the Governor, and
the legislative power in the Governor, Council and Assem-
bly, subject to the revision of the Bang, to whom all laws
were to be sent within three months after their passage.
"The Council at first consisted of seven members (which
number was afterwards increased to twelve), who were
appointed by the King.
"The Assembly was composed of delegates from each
county, chosen by the freeholders. Their number was regu-
lated by law. The term of service was indefinite till 1743,
when it was limited to seven years.
" The Governor could suspend members of the Council and
appoint others, subject to the King's approbation. He had a
negative on the acts passed by the Assembly and Council.
He had power to summon, prorogue, or dissolve the Assem-
bly, to appoint all public officers, and, with the consent of
the Council, to establish courts of justice, to dispose of the
public lands, and to disburse the public moneys raised for
the support of the government."
It will be seen, at a glance, that this system of gov-
ernment offered an open door for great abuse of power.
The land sales, fees for new patents, and quit-rents,
afforded revenues on which many of the governors grew
rich ; and the absolute negative possessed by the Gov-
ernor and the Crown rendered the Assembly almost
powerless for the adoption of any measure not pleasing
to them. The abuses of power, and the oppressions of
the people which led to the American Revolution, are
portions of the history of the whole country that it is
not necessary to repeat here.
CHAPTER IV.
PRIMITIVE CUSTOMS, INSTITUTIONS AND INDUSTBIES
CAPTAIN KIDD.
THE customs of the early Dutch settlers on the west
end of Long Island differed, in many respects,
from those of the people who settled its eastern
portions. Those of the former will be more par-
ticularly spoken of in our general history of Kings
County, which was distinctively Dutch in all its charac-
teristics. The customs of the latter (Queens and Suffolk
30
GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.
Counties), modified by the changes which two centuries
have brought, and by the increasing cosmopolitanism of
the American people, are yet, to a great degree, in vogue
among their descendants, and still sufficiently indicate
their Yankee origin. We touch then, in this brief chap-
ter, only upon those features of social life, etc., which
were in some measure common to the whole island ;
premising that the peculiar circumstances by which
these settlers were environed led to the adoption of
some customs which have quite passed away, as these
surroundings have given place to others.
Since very early times the species of gambling that is
designated as turf sports has been very prevalent on
Long Island, and files of old newspapers abound with
notices of races that were to take place, or accounts of
those that had occurred. Lotteries, also, were not only
tolerated, but were often instituted to raise 'money for
erecting churches, or founding religious or benevolent
associations. The latter form of gambling is now pro-
hibited by law, but whether or not the moral sense of
the people will ever frown down the former is an
unsolved question.
During many years whaling was an important indus-
try on the southeastern coast of the island, and, at inter-
vals along the shore, whaleboats were kept for launching
whenever whales were sighted. Fueman, in describ-
ing a tour around Long Island in old times, says that
there might be seen "occasionally, at long intervals,
small thatched huts, or wigwams, on the highest eleva-
tions, with a staif projecting from the top. These huts
were occupied, at certain seasons, by men on the watch
for whales, and, when they saw them blowing, a signal
was hoisted on this staff. Immediately the people would
be seen coming from all directions with their whaling
boats upon wagon-wheels, drawn by horses or oxen ;
launch them from the beach, and be off in pursuit of
the great fish. You would see all through this region
these whaling boats turned upside down, lying upon a
frame under the shade of some trees by the roadside,
this being the only way in which they could keep them,
having no harbors ; four or five families would club
together in owning one of these boats and in manning
them." So much a standard industry was this that
shares in the results of the fisheries were sometimes
made portions of the salaries or perquisites of clergy-
men. In July, 1699, it was said "Twelve or thirteen
whales have been taken on the east end of the island."
In IVII, it was reported that four whales were taken at
Montauk, eight at Southampton, two at Moriches, two
and a calf at Brookhaven, two at Islip, and one drift
whale that yielded twenty barrels of oil. In 1V21, it
was said that forty whales had been taken on Long
Island; but, in 1V22, onlyfourwere reported. In 1741,
they were reported as being more abundant. The whales
that formerly frequented this coast have long since
been exterminated or driven away, though occasionally
stragglers have been seen in comparatively recent times.
The New York Times, of Feb. 21, 1858, published the
following from a correspondent in Southampton : "At
noon to-day the horn sounded through the streets, which
is the signal to look out for a whale. In a few minutes
tough old whalemen enough had mustered on the beach
to man several boats and push out into the surf in chase
of three whales which were leisurely spouting in the
offing. After an exciting but brief chase the lance
touched the life of one of the three, who spouted claret
and turned up dead. He was towed to the shore and
will make — the judges say — forty barrels of oil."
The taking of shell-fish in the bays and on the coast
has been an important and increasing industry ; and the
capture of fish for the expression of oil and the manu-
facture of fertilizers has come to be a business of some
importance.
It was the custom of the Indians on this island,
before its settlement by the whites, to annually burn the
herbage on large portions of it, which were thus kept
free from trees and underbrush. This enabled the early
settlers to enter at once on the cultivation of the land,
and to convert large tracts into common pastures. The
arrest of the annual fires permitted underbrush to spring
up in such profusion that the male inhabitants of the
towns, between the ages of sixteen and sixty, were called
out by the Court of Assize during four days of each
year to cut away this growth. On the wooded portions
of the island the timber was cut and converted into
staves so rapidly by the early settlers that, Adthin
the first twenty years, the towns instituted rules regulat-
ing or prohibiting the cutting of trees.
At first the scarcity of circulating medium compelled
people to make exchanges in various kinds of produce,
and this method necessitated the fixing of the value of
produce, either by custom or law. The Indian sewant,
or wampum, was very much used in place of money,
and both it and produce were used not only in business
transactions but in the payment of taxes, fines, etc. By
reason of the facility with which the material could be
procured, the manufacture of wampum was sometimes
engaged in by the whites, within the memory of some
now living. John Jacob Astor employed men to man-
ufacture it here, that he might send it to the northwest
and exchange it with the Indians there for furs. The
following schedule of the value of produce in the mid-
dle and latter part of the seventeenth century, when
this custom prevailed, is taken from Wood: "Pork per
lb., 3 pence; beef, 2; tallow, 6; butter, 6; dry hides, 4;
green hides, 2; lard, 6; winter wheat, 4s. to 5s. per
bush.; summer wheat, 3s. 6d. per bush.; rye, 2s. 6d. to
38. 6d. per bush.; Indian corn, 2s. 3d. to 2s. 6d. per
bush.; oats, 2s. per bush." Stock in 1665 was legally
valued as follows: " Colts, one to two years, £3 each;
two to three, £4 each; three to four, £8; horses four
years or more of age, £12; bullocks, bulls or cows four
years or upward, £6 each; steers and heifers, one to two
years, each £1 10s.; two to three, £2 10s.; three to four
BEQIN-JSriNG OF TBE REVOLTTTION.
31
£4; goats, one year, 8s.; sheep, one year, 6s. 8d.; hogs,
one year, £1. These were the prices fixed for the guid-
ance of the town authorities in receiving produce, etc.,
in payment of taxes. Produce in place of a circulating
medium continued in use till about 1700, when money
had become sufiiciently abundant for the require-
ments of trade. Board was 5s. per week; meals,
6d. each; lodgings, 2d. per night; beer, 2d. per
mug; pasture per day and night. Is.; labor per day,
2s. 6d.
Previous to 1V93 no post office was established on the
island and no mail was carried on it. A Scotchman
nam.ed Dunbar rode a voluntary post as early as about
lYVS. This was in violation of the law, but the neces-
sity of the case caused the offense to be winked at. The
people on the west end of the island were supposed to
receive their letters from the post-ofiice in New York,
and those on the east end from New London. Even as
late as 1835, Fukman says, the mail stage left Brooklyn
for Easthampton no oftener than once a week, and mail
packages were often left and taken at designated places,
such as a particular rock or a box nailed to a tree.
Hotels were few then, and the hospitaUties of the peo-
ple living along the route through the island were
always readily extended to the few travelers who passed
over it.
During the last decade of the seventeenth century,
the seas of the Indies were infested with pirates, who
preyed upon the commerce of all nations. In 1695, the
celebrated Captain William Kidd, an Englishman, was
commissioned by the King of England, and furnished
by an association in that country with a ship and crew,
to go in quest of the pirates. He sailed in 1696, and
came to the coast of America, where for a time he did
good service. At New York he took an addition to his
crew, sailed to the East Indies and turned pirate. After
ravaging the eastern seas he returned to the coast of
South America, and pursued his piratical course to the
West Indies ; and thence, after a career of robbery and
piracy, came to the shores of Long Island. In 1699 he
landed at Gardiner's Island (Easthampton), and in
the presence of the owner, John Gardiner, under
injunctions of secrecy, buried a . large amount
of treasure, which was afterward recovered by the
commissioners of the Earl of Bellemont, one of
the association, who sent Kidd forth. The freebooter
was apprehended, sent to England, tried, convicted
of murder, and hung in chains at Execution
Dock.
His career has been the subject of much romance
and more superstition. It was believed that he
buried much treasure besides that which was recovered;
and the shores of Long Island have, again and
again, been thoroughly searched and excavated by
curious people, often with absurdly ridiculous cere-
monies, but no treasure was ever known to reward their
labors.
CHAPTER V.
BEGINNING OF THE EEVOLUTION POLITICAL ATTITUDE
OF THE THREE LONG ISLAND COUNTIES.
IT was on Long Island that the first protest against
taxation without representation was made. In
1691 the first permanent Assembly of representa-
tives of the people was established, and this was
the first step in the direction of a free government in
the colony of New York. The Colonial governors had
possessed very large — almost absolute — power, and that
power had sometimes been arbitrarily exercised. The
people's money had been used at the discretion of the
governors, and, it was believed, had often been misap-
plied and embezzled. On application, in 1706, to Queen
Anne, the Assembly was authorized to appoint a treas-
urer to receive and disburse all money which was raised
under its authority, and it accordingly " assumed general
control of all the finances by making specific appropri-
ations." In 1711 the Assembly denied the right of the
Council (which was claimed) to alter revenue bills,
asserting that the power of the Council flowed from the
pleasure of the prince, personified by the commission of
the governor ; but that the power of the Assembly, in
relation to taxes, flowed from the choice of the people,
who could not be divested of their money without their
consent.
From this time forward there was almost constant
struggle between the crown, through its representatives
the governors, on one side, and the people, •through
their representatives the Assembly, upon the other.
The governors sought to vex and coerce the Assembly
into compliance with their demands, or to punish what
they considered contumacy and contempt by frequent
prorogations and dissolutions. Under the absurd pre-
text that the colony had been planted and sustained in
its infancy by the mother country, the right of almost
absolute control over it afterward was claimed. The
conflict continued, with the result of constantly calling
the attention of the people to the subject, and leading
them to investigate the principles which lie at the foun-
dation of just government, and the sources whence the
powers of so-called rulers are derived. Thus they came
to know and appreciate the value of their rights, and
thus was nurtured and developed the spirit of resist-
ance to the exercise of a power which they had come to
believe had no just foundation. This conflict, between
the spirit of liberty and the encroachments of arbitrary
power, culminated in the resistance, on the part of -the
colonies, to the oppressive acts of the Crown and Parlia-
ment of Great Britain that inaugurated the Revolution.
It must be remembered that, during all this conflict
the inhabitants of Long Island constituted a large pro-
portion of the colony ; and, even in 1787, more than one-
fifth of the tax of the State was assessed to the counties
32
QJENERAL HISTORY Of LONG ISLAND.
^
of Kings, Queens and Suffolk. The people of Long
Island were as strongly opposed to the encroachments
of the Crown as were those of other portions of the
Colony ; but, by the force of circumstances, many were,
or pretended to be, loyalists during the revolutionary
struggle. Some, through fear of personal hardship, or
loss of property, were induced either to remain inactive
or to join the British cause. Others, and in no incon-
siderable number, found, in their assumed loyalty, the
opportunity of despoiling their neighbors and of bene-
fitting themselves. The part taken by each of the three
counties was singularly characteristic of the national
traits and affiliations of those by whom they were respect-
ively settled. The Suffolk County people, descendants
of the original Puritans, in whom resistance to oppres-
sion was an instinct, promptly presented a rebellious
front to the invader. Says Field: "Out of its whole
population of freeholders and adult male inhabitants,
numbering 2,834 between the ages of sixteen and sixty,
only 236 were reckoned as being of loyalist proclivities.
The enrolled militia of the county exceeded 2,000, of
whom 303 officers and privates were in the ranks of
Colonel Smith's regiment, the best disciplined and armed
on the island. It was the only one which could be con-
sidered in any form to have survived the shock of the
27th of August, and only a small part even of this body
ever did service after that fatal day." In Queens
Coimty, with its mixed Dutch and English population,
the loyal sentiment was always largely in the ascendant ;
though there is but little doubt that the rebel feeling
would have become dominant had circumstances favored.
" The whole force of the Whigs which could be mustered
under arms was insufficient to overawe their loyalist
neighbors. Seventeen hundred and seventy able-bodied
men among her citizens were enrolled on the roster of
her militia, while only 379 were by the most stringent
measures induced to appear in arms." Meetings were
held in the different towns and districts, at which reso-
lutions were adopted expressive of sympathy with the
popular cause ; and committees of correspondence, as
they were termed, were appointed to represent them
in county conventions and to devise such measures
as the welfare of the country seemed to demand. After
the Declaration of Independence by the Continental
Congress and the approval of this action by the Provin-
cial Congress, the enthusiasm of the Whigs in this part
of the island rose to a high pitch. Public demonstra-
tions were made ; and, in one instance at least, the effigy
of George HI. was publicly hanged and burned.
But the Dutch population of Kings County were
very averse to engaging in the rebellion, which, from
the first, promised to entail upon them serious conse-
quences and probable ultimate failure. At a meeting
of committees from the several towns of the county,
held at Flatbush, in April, 1775, for the purpose of
appointing delegates to a General Provincial Conven-
tion, the town of Flatlands desired to " remain neutral ;"
and the subsequent attendance of the delegates of some
of these Kings County towns was so irregular, and
their zeal so lukewarm, that the Convention felt obliged
to request their more regular attendance.
CHAPTER VI.
THE BRITISH OCCUPATION OF LONG ISLAND-
THB MAINLAND SMUGGLING SEEVICBS
OF GENERAL WOODHULL.
-RAIDS FROM
AND DEATH
0'
N June 11th, 1776, the British army, which had a
short time previously evacuated Boston, where
it had been closely besieged by the Americans,
sailed from Halifax for New York harbor. The
strategic importance of this point had long been appa-
rent to the British commander, and it had been foreseen
by Washington that this would be the next point
attacked. The plan of the British campaign was to
possess New York and Long Island with an army of
about 35,000 men ; then to ascend the Hudson river
and effect a junction with an army of some 13,000 that
was to pass the lakes, penetrate to the Hudson and
descend that river. The eastern provinces were thus
to be divided from the middle and southern, and active
operations were at the same time to be carried on at the
south, and thus the rebellion was to be crushed in a
single campaign. The failure of the southern campaign
before the arrival of Howe at New York and the inter-
ruption of the Canadian army at the lakes, frustrated
the British commander's plan for the speedy subjuga-
tion of the rebellious colonies.
(A brief account of the Battle of Brooklyn, Aug. 27,
1776, may be found in the General History of Kings
County.)
The defeat of the American forces in this battle
removed the restraint which had kept in check the strong
feeling of loyalty in Kings and Queens counties, and in
the following autumn about fourteen hundred inhabi-
tants of the latter county signed a declaration of loyalty
and petition for protection. And when the people of
Kings County found the island — and especially that
portion of it which they occupied — abandoned by the
American forces, it was not strange that they eagerly
accepted the opportunity of withdrawing from a strug-
gle in which they had no heart, and of seeking the
mercy and protection of the now dominant power of
England.
Stiles says: "On the 7th November, 1776, a large number
of the freeholders and people of the county— availing them-
selves of Lord Howe's recent proclamation of security of
person and property to those who should remain peaceably
upon their farms — submitted a very humble and loyal address
to his Lordship, wherein they state that, ' reflecting with the
tenderest emotions of gratitude on this instance of His
Majesty's paternal goodness, and encouraged by the affec-
tionate manner iu which His Majesty's gracious purpose hath
been conveyed to us by your Excellencies, who have thereby
BRITISH OCCUPATION OF lOJSTG ISLAND.
33
evinced that humanity is inseparable from that true mag-
Qanimity and those enlarged sentiments which form the most
slaining characters,' they beg leave to represent that they
have all signed the oath of allegiance.
' ' The submission of the rank and file was soon followed by
that of a majority of the leaders ; and the militia of the
county, in January, 1777, further testified their ' loyalty to
their sovereign and zeal to the constitution' by voluntarily
contributing the sum of £310 8s. toward the expense of a new
battalion, at that time recruited by Colonel Fanning.
" After the evacuation of Brooklyn, the British, Hessians,
Tories and refugees had unlimited range over Long Island,
and were quickly joined by ' neutrals ' and ' fence gentry.'
Most of the Whigs were absent with the army ; their wives,
children and aged people alone remained at home, and their
dwelhngs became the prey of these vsrretches who robbed
friend and foe alike. The negroes, also, became their willing
aiders and abettors, and frequently guided them in their pre-
datory expeditions. The loyalists were all ordered to attend
at British headquarters, at Bedford, to be registered ; after
which they were directed to wear a red badge in their hats,
as a protection and token of loyalty. They obeyed with
ludicrous alacrity, and straightway the loyal badge flamed
from every hat and cap in the county. Many ladies wore
scarlet ribbons, while all the negroes, of course, were royalists
and bedecked their hats with scarlet rags : and females even
dispensed with their flannel petticoats to supply the unpre-
cedented demand for cloth of the requisite hue.
' 'The protection afforded to the people by the royal authori-
ties was paternal only in its severity. Long Island and the
vicinity of New York City were kept under the most rigorous
miUtary rule. Elections, except annual town meetings, were
not allowed; the civil courts were suspended; and their
functions arbitrarily dispensed either by a king's justice or a
military officer. A sort of police court was opened in New
York at the Mayor's office ; and, in 1780, a similar one at
Jamaica, for the greater convenience of the Long Island peo-
ple. The ferry at both the New York and Long Island side
was placed under military guards ; every market boat had to
have a yearly license from military headquarters ; and no
farmer or other person could transport any provisions or
goods to or from the city without a written pass either from
the Mayor's office or from the colonel in command at Flat-
bush. The prices of wood and of all commodities and farm
produce was regulated by proclamation ; and the farmers,
their wages and servants, were liable, at any time, to be im-
pressed into the King's service, at a stipulated price. Wood-
land and brushwood, and even fences, were remorselessly cut
down by the British to be used for fuel and the building of
fortifications ; and, when the wood was at length exhausted,
and the inhabitants began to be straitened for want of it,
the Hessians dug up the meadows for peat, despite the expos-
tulations of the astonished and indignant Dutch farmers,
who before long, however, had to admit that their unwelcome
guests had, in this respect, rendered them a great service.
The whole district occupied by the troops in Kings County
-was a common, and most of the land remained unf enced until
the British left the country. In the winter season every vil-
lage was filled with British soldiers, wagons, etc., billeted
most summarily in private houses or cantoned in temporary
huts."
Ondebdonk says concerning this: "Billeting of Soldiers.—
During the summer British troops were oft' the island
on active sei-vice : or, if a few remained here, they abode
under tents ; but in virinter they were hutted on the sunny
side of a hill, or else distributed in farmers' houses. A
British officer, accompanied by a justice of the peace.
or some prominent loyalist, as a guide, rode around the
country, and from actual inspection decided how many sol-
diers each house could receive, and this number was chalked
on the door. The only notification was : ' Madam, we have
come to take a billet on your house.' If a house had but one
fireplace it was passed by, as the soldiers were not intended
to form part of a family. A double house for the officers, or
single house with a kitchen for privates was just the thing.
The soldiers were quartered in the kitchen, and the inner
door nailed up so that the soldiers could not intrude on the
household. They, however, often became intimate with the
family and sometimes intermarried. The Hessians were more
sociable than the English soldiers, and often made little bas-
kets and other toys for the children, taught them German
and amused them in various ways ; sometimes corrupting
them by their vile language and raanners. Any misconduct
of the soldiers might be reported to their commanding offi-
cers, who usually did justice ; but some offences could not
be proven, such as night-stealing or damage done the house
or to other property. As the soldiers received their pay in
coin they were flush, and paid liberally for what they bought,
such as vegetables, milk, or what they could not draw with
their rations. These soldiers were a safeguard against rob-
bers and whaleboat men. Some had their vsdves with them,
who acted as washerwomen, and sometimes in meaner capa-
cities.
" From a perusal of the orderly book of General Delancey,
it appears that he used every means to protect the persons
and property of the inhabitants of Long Island from the out-
rages of British soldiers. They were not allowed to go more
than half a mile from camp at daytime (and for this purpose
roll was called several times during the day), nor leave it
under any pretext after sundown vidthout a pass ; but now
and then they would slip out and rob. On the 11th of June,
1788, Mr. John Willett, of Flushing, was assaulted at his own
house, at 11 o'clock at night, by persons unknown but sup-
posed to be soldiers from having bayonets and red clothes,
who threatened his life and to bum his house. The general
offered a reward of $10 to the person who should first make
the discovery to Major Waller ; and a like reward for the dis-
covery of the person who robbed Mr. Willett on the 9th of
June of two sheep, a calf and some poultry, as he was deter-
mined to inflict exemplary punishment and put a stop to
practices so dishonorable to the King's service. Again. March
9th, 1778, Mrs. Hazard, of Newtown, having complained that
the soldiers of the guard pulled down and burnt up her fence,
that was near the guardhouse, the general at once issued an
order to the officer that he should hold him answerable there-
after for any damage done the fences. So, too, if a soldier
milked the farmers' cows, he should be punished without
mercy ; nor should he go in the hayfleld and gather up new
mown grass to make his bed of. Generally the farmers were
honestly paid for whatever they sold. For instance, April
38d, 1778, they were notifled to call on Mr. Ochiltree, deputy
commissary of forage at Flushing, with proper certificates
and get payment for their hay."
In January, 1777, the American prisoners in New
York were paroled and billeted on the people in Kings
County. One of these. Colonel Geatdon, writes :
" The indulgence of arranging ourselves according to our
respective circles of acquaintances was granted us, and Lieu-
tenant Forrest and myself were billeted on Mr. Jacob Suy-
dam, whose house was pretty large, consisting of buildings
which appeared to have been erected at different times. The
front and better part was occupied by Mr. Theophilus Bache
and family from New York. Though we were generally
34
GENERAL mSTORT OF LONG ISLAND.
civilly enough received, it cannot be supposed we were very
welcome to our Low Dutch hosts, whose habits were very par-
simonious, and whose winter provision was barely sufficient
for themselves. They were, however, a people who seemed
thoroughly disposed to submit to any power that might be
imposed on them ; and whatever might have been their pro-
pensities at an earlier stage of the contest, they were now the
dutiful and loyal subjects of King George III. Their houses
and beds we found clean, but their living extremely poor.
A sorry wash made up of a sprinkling of bohea and the dark-
est sugar, on the verge of fluidity, with half-baked bread (fuel
being very scarce) and a little stale butter, constituted our
breakfast. At our first coming, a small piece of pickled beef
was occasionally boiled for dinner, but to the beef, which
was soon consumed, there succeeded clippers or clams ; and
our unvaried supper was suppaan or mush, sometimes with
skimmed mUk, but more generally with buttermilk blended
with molasses, which was kept for weeks in a churn, as swill
is saved for hogs. I found it, however, after a little use, very
eatable, and supper soon became my best meal. Their
reUgious, like their other habits, were unostentatious and
plain ; and a simple, silent grace before meat prevailed at
the table of Jacob Suydam. When we were all seated he
suddenly clapped his hands together, threw his head on one
side, closed his eyes, and remained mute and motionless for
about a minute. His niece and nephew followed his exam-
ple, but with such an eager solicitude that the copied attitude
should be prompt and simultaneous, as to give an air of
absurdity to what might otherwise have been very decent."
Officers and soldiers " lorded it" over the people ; and, as
a natural consequence, insubordination arose among the
slaves, who ran away or became less respectful to their mas-
ters whom they saw so humbled before the British officers.
When we add to this the carousing, gambling, profanity and
other camp vices which were introduced into the hitherto
quiet villages by the presence of large bodies of troops, we
can see that the people of Long Island were not to be envied.
It is true that farmers flourished on British gold, obtained
for such of their produce as had been spared them by
marauders ; but, with few opportunities for its investment,
they were obliged to keep it by them and were often robbed.'
The churches, also, except those of the established faith, were
freely occupied as prisons, hospitals, storehouses, and bar-
racks for troops ; some were even wantonly destroyed.
During the remainder of the Eevolution, in order to
insure the doubtful loyalty of a portion of the inhabi-
tants, British troops, whose ranks were increased
by enlistments from among the tories, wore sta-
tioned at different points on the island, and against the
lawlessness of these there was no protection. Robbery
was still carried on by marauding gangs under the guise
of Whig or tory partisanship ; and frequent raids were
made by parties of Continental troops from the Connec-
ticut shore of the Sound, although nothing occurred
which can justly be dignified by the name of a battle.
A few of these affairs may be mentioned bore. In
November, 17Y6, three or four hundred troops crossed
from New Haven to Setauket, where a sharp skirmish
was had with a detachment of General Howe's troops.
Eight or ten of the British troops were killed, and 23
prisoners and 75 muskets taken.
In April, 1Y77, an expedition was planned by General
Parsons, the object of Mrl,ich was to destroy a quantity
of forage and provisions that had been collected at Sag
Harbor. For that purpose a party of two hundred men,
under Colonel Meigs, crossed the Sound from New
Haven on the 23d of May, in whaleboats. They secreted
their boats about three miles from Sag Harbor, marched
to the village, arriving at 2 a. m. ; impressed guides, by
whom they were conducted to the quarters of the com-
manding officer, whom they captured; forced the out-
post by a bayonet charge and proceeded to the wharf
where in three-fourths of an hour, although under the
fire of an armed schooner, one hundred and fifty yards
away, they burned twelve brigs and sloops, one hun-
dred and twenty tons of hay, and a quantity of grain
and destroyed ten hogsheads of rum and a quantity
of merchandise. They also killed six of the enemy,
took ninety prisoners, and returned after an absence of
a little more than twenty-four hours without the loss-of
a man. For this service Congress presented a sword to
Colonel Meigs, and General Washington in a letter com-
plimented General Parsons.
In August, 1777, General Parsons organized an expe-
dition of about one hundred and fifty men to break up
a British outpost at Setauket, where a Presbyterian
church had been fortified by surrounding it with an
embankment six feet in height, and placing swivels in
four of the gallery windows. After an engagement of
two or three hours, with the loss of only four men. Gen-
eral Parsons withdrew, fearing his retreat might be cut
off by the capture of his sloop and boats. It is a nota-
ble fact that one of the volunteers in this expedition,
Zachariah Green, was twenty years after installed as
minister of this same church.
In the autumn of 1780, Major Benjamin Tallmadge
planned and successfully executed one of the most
audacious exploits accomplished on the island during
the war. At Smith's Point, Mastic, on the south side
of the island, an enclosure of several acres had been
made, triangular in foi-m, with strongly barricaded
houses at two of the angles, and a fort, ninety feet
square, protected by an abattis, at the other. The fort
was completed and garrisoned by about fifty men, and
in it two guns were mounted. On the 21st of
November Major Tallmadge embarked at Fairfield,
Conn., with eighty dismounted dragoons, and landed at
9 in the evening at Mount Sinai, where the boats were
secured. They attempted to cross the island, but a
ram storm drove them back to their boats and kept
them till 7 the next evening, when they again set out.
At 3 the next morning they arrived within two miles of
the fort (which was called Fort George), and arranged
to attack it simultaneously at three points, which was
done. A breach was made, the enclosure entered, and
the main fort carried at the point of the bayonet, with-
out the firing of a gun, the two other attacking parties
mounting the ramparts at the same time with shouts.
They were fired on from one of the houses, but they
foi-eibly entered it and threw some of their assailants
SER VICES AND DEATH OF GENERAL WOODHULL.
35
from the chamber windows. With none killed and
only a few slightly wounded, they destroyed the fort,
burned a vessel and took fifty-four prisoners and a quan-
tity of merchandise, with which they returned. A party
of ten or twelve, with Major Tallmadge, visited Coram
and burned some four hundred tons of hay. For this
exploit Major Tallmadge was commended in a letter by
General Washington.
A year later Major Tallmadge sent a party of 150
under Major Trescott to destroy Port Slongo, in the
northwestern part of Smithtown. The force crossed
from Saugjituck River in the night, attacked and de-
stroyed the fort, which was garrisoned by 140 men,
burned the blockhouse, destroyed two iron guns, killed
four and wounded two of the enemy, took twenty-one
prisoners, one brass field piece and seventy muskets,
and returned with none killed and but one seriously
wounded.
In 1778 a fort was erected on Lloyd's Neck by the
British for the protection of wood cutters and defense
against raiders from the mainland. An unsuccessful
attack was made on this fort on the 12th of July, 1781,
by a force of French under Count de Barras, assisted
by American volunteers. In this affair a few of the
assailants were wounded and one or two killed.
During the British occupation of Long Island, illicit
trade was carried on between the people and in Con-
necticut, by means of many ingeniously devised plans.
Previous to the separation of the colonies non-impor-
tation associations had existed, and the patriotic colo-
nists had accustomed themselves to drinking sage and
sassafras tea and wearing homespun. After the sepa-
ration no motive of patriotism stood in the way of in-
dulgence in the use of British goods, and with the facili-
ties which the long stretch of the north coast, with its
numerous estuaries, inlets and harbors, and the narrow
Sound beyond, afforded for smuggling, it is not surpris-
ing that Yankee shrewdness should elude the sleepy
vigilance of government olBcials, and the people of Con-
necticut come to be well supplied with goods that had
been brought from New York ostensibly to supply the
wants of loyal Long Islanders. All the ordinary devices
of smuggling were resorted to, and even collusions were
entered into with the so-called piratical whaleboat men,
and stores were robbed and the goods taken across the
Sound, the owners, of course, sharing the profits of the
adventure. In many cases government ofiicials winked
at this trade, because it supplied necessaries that were
difficult to procure otherwise. In some instances it was
believed they were secretly interested in the transac-
tions. By reason of the long Sound-coast of Suffolk
county, and the secret rebel sympathies of many of its
inhabitants, a large share of this trade was done through
that county.
The self-sacrificing patriotism, the meritorious ser-
vices, the pure, unselfish life and the tragic death of Gen-
real Nathaniel Woodhull, together with the fact that
events identified him with a^^the counties on Long Island,
render a brief sketch of him appropriate here. He was
born in 1729 at Mastic, in Brookhaven, received a sound
education and early displayed those mental traits that
qualified him for public usefulness. In 1753 he entered
the army, and in the French and Indian war of 1754-60,
held the position of Major. He was at Ticonderoga
under General Abercrombie, and was with General Brad-
street in the expedition against Fort Frontenac and the
reduction of that fortress. He did important service in the
exjDedition from Schenectady to the Oneida's carrying-
place in the same summer; and in 1760, having been
promoted to the rank of colonel, he went in command
of the 3d regiment of New York troops in the expedi-
tion against Canada. On the termination of hostilities
he was discharged with the troops of the province, and
returned to private life. In 1769 he was made a mem-
ber of the Colonial Assembly from Suffolk county, and
he continued a member of that body till the dissolution
of the Colonial government in 1775. He was chosen a
delegate to the Provincial Congress in May, 1775 ; and
in August of the same year was made president of the
Congress, and acted in that capacity till August 10th,
1776. He was, also, in August, 1775, appointed briga-
dier-general of the militia of Suffolk and Queens coun-
ties. On the 10th of August, 1776, he obtained leave
of absence from the Provincial Congress. On the 24th,
two days previous to the battle of Long Island, he was
ordered by the Convention to take command of a force
of militia and " use all possible diligence to prevent
the stock and other provisions from falling into the
hands of the enemy." Pie discharged this duty to the
best of his ability with his meager force, driving beyond
the reach of the enemy all the cattle that could be col-
lected, at the same time making known to the Conven-
tion his inability to maintain himself with the force at
his command. The unfortunate issue of the battle of
Long Island, and the impracticability of sending the
desired reinforcements, will be remembered. In the
hope of sending these, however, and in accordance with
his sense of honor and duty, he did not make a final
retreat ; but, on the 28th, ordered his troops to a point
four miles east of Jamaica, where, in the afternoon, he
attempted to join them. A thunder storm arrested
him some two miles from this town, at the tavern of
Increase Carpenter, and he was overtaken by a party
of dragoons and infantry, guided by some tories.
Wood says : " The general immediately gave up his
sword in token of surrender. The ruffian who first
approached him (said to be a Lieutenant Huzzy), as is
reported, ordered him to say ' God save the King.'
The general replied ' God save us all ' ; on which he
most cowardly and cruelly assailed the defenseless
general with his broadsword, and would have killed him
on the spot if he had not been prevented by the inter-
ference of an officer of more honor and humanity (said
to be Major De Lancey of the dragoons), who arrested
36
GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISEANB.
Ms savage violence." He was removed to Jamacia, his
wounds were dressed, and with other prisoners he was
confined till the next day in a stone church. He was
then sent to Gravesend, and confined with eighty others,
in a vessel that had been used for the transportation of
live stock, with no provision for comfort or health.
Thence he was removed to a house in New Utrecht.
Here it was found his injuries necessitated amputation
of his arm. Previous to the operation he sent for his
wife, and made arrangements for the alleviation of the
suffering of the American prisoners at his own expense.
Mortification soon succeeded the operation, and on the
20th of September he died. Wood says of him :
" With personal courage he possessed judgment, decision
and firmness of character, tempered with conciliating
manners, which commanded the respect and obedience
of his troops, and at the same time secured their
confidence and esteem."
CHAPTER Vn.
THE WAE OF 1812 NAVAL OPEEATIONS ABOUT LONG
ISLAND.
ON the 18th of June, 1812, a formal declaration of
war against Great Britain was made by the
"United States.
In the latter part of 1812 and early in 1813
British cruisers were stationed on the American coast.
From the files of a paper called War, which was pub-
lished in New York at the time, it appears that, on the
19th of January, 1813, a British 74, two frigates and a
gun brig were stationed off the entrance to New York
harbor, and on the 26th it was stated that this fleet had
been augmented, and several prizes taken. Commo-
dore Lewis, in command of the flotilla in New York
harbor, attempted to go down, but was prevented by
the ice. It was not till the 20th of March, 1813, that
the entire coast of the United States, with the ex-
ception of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New
Hampshire, was declared in a state of blockade.
In April of that year, it was stated that a Bi-itish 74
and several jjrivateers were cruising in Long Island
Sound, that they had captured a number of coasting
vessels, and that " the naval force now in this harbor is
sufiioient either to capture or di-ive them off, but for
some unaccountable reason the ' LTnited States' and
' Macedonian ' have been suffered to lie upward of
. three months at the navy yard entirely dismantled ;
our enemy when occasion requires can fit out a ship of
war in three weeks, or even less time."
In June, 1813, the daring privateer, " Governor
Tompkins," of New York, came through the Sound.
Off Fisher's Island she was chased by the enemy's
squadron cruising there, but escaped.
Peime relates, that " in June, 1813, while a British
squadron under Commodore Hardy lay in Gardiner's
Bay, a launch and two barges with 100 men attempted
to surprise Sag Harbor in the night. They landed on
the wharf, but, an alarm being quickly given, the guns
of a small fort were opened upon them with such effect
that they had only time to set fire to a single sloop, and
retreated with so much percipitation as to leave a large
quantity of guns, swords and other arms behind them.
The flames were speedily extinguished, and no other
injury sustained."
In September of the same year a flotilla of thirty gun-
boats, under Commodore Lewis, passed through Hell
Gate to Sands Point, in quest of some armed vessels of
the enemy that were cruising in the Sound. The weather
was not favorable for close action, and after a few shots
at long range the flotilla anchored; a frigate, which had
drawn away from its consorts returned, and the enemy's
ships retired eastward.
November 16th, 1813, Admiral Warren, commanding
the blockading squadron, issued a proclamation in which
he declared a blockade of " all that part of Long Island
Sound being the sea coast lying within Montauk Point,
or the eastern point of Long Island, and the point of
land opposite thereto, commonly called Plack Point,
situated on the sea coast of the main land; together with
all the ports, harbors, creeks, and entrances of the East
and North rivers of New York, as well as all the other
ports, creeks, and bays along the coast of Long Island
and the State of New York," etc.
In 1813, the "Amazon," Captain Conkling, of Hunt-
ington ; the " Sally," Captain Akerly, of Cow Harbor ;
and the " Arago " and " Juno," Captain Jones, of Brook-
haven, were captured in the sound by the British vessels
" Acasta " and "Atalanta." During the same year a
British fleet entered and remained some time in Gardi-
ner's Bay.
In May, 1814, the sloop " Amelia," bound for Rhode
Island, laden with rye, pork and flour, was made a prize
by a barge from the British ship of war " Bulwark."
One of the owners of this sloop was, with two or three
other men, suspected of treason. They were tried and
acquitted.
In August of the same year a small schooner was
chased on shore at Rockaway by the boats of the block-
ading squadron, and set on fire. The fire was extin-
guished, though those engaged in extinguishing it were
several times fired upon.
In 1814 the British vessels "Pomona "and "Dis-
patch," arriving off Setauket hai'bor, sent seven barges
into Drown Meadow Bay, where they captured the ves-
sels " Two Friends," " Hope," " Herald," and " Mercan-
tile," and burned the " Oneida," which were all anchored
in the bay.
Boat crews from the blockading squadron entered
through Rockaway Inlet, and committed depredations
on the inhabitants near the shores of Jamaica Bay; and
to protect against such attacks a block-house was erected
ROADS AND RAILROADS ON LONG ISLAND.
3^
at the inlet. In the General History of Kings County
an account is given of the erection of defensive works
in Brooklyn.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF WAGON EOADS AND RAILROADS ON
LONG ISLAND.
AT first, highways were established in the different
towns according to the apparent necessities of
the dwellers in those towns, without reference. to
the convenience of the people elsewhere. No
thoroughfares were projected till a long time afterward,
and the irregularity of the roads was such that guides
were necessary, in some places, to conduct strangers from
place to place. These roads were often facetiously
termed " cow-paths," because of their irregularity, which
is still a noticeable feature of the ordinary highways.
In view of the urgent necessity which had come to
be felt for better facilities for travel, the Legislature
in 1704 enacted a law, by which three commissioners in
each of the counties on the island were appointed to lay
out a road four rods in width, from Brooklyn ferry to
Easthampton. Twenty years later, by another act of
the Legislature, commissioners were appointed " for
better clearing and further laying out of the roads on the
island." By action of these commissioners the direct
road from Brooklyn to Easthampton was established.
This road ran through the center portion of the island,
and during many years it was the main thoroughfare
between New York and the " east end." As time went
on, parallel roads were opened, both north and south,
from this, and turnpikes were established between differ-
ent localities.
As late as 1764 the first post-route was established
through the island, and it was called " the circuit." The
mail was carried (on horseback) once in two weeks east-
ward through the north part of the island, returning
along the south shore.
About the year 1847 what has been termed the Plank
Road mania began to prevail through the country, and
it reached its height about 1850 or 1851. The level
surface of Long Island afforded better facilities for the
construction of these roads than existed in many
regions, and within three or four years after the first
was built they had greatly multiplied in all parts of the
island, and a new era of travel was thought by some to
have dawned. The impracticability of these roads,
however, soon became apj)arent, and here as elsewhere
the mania subsided almost as rapidly as it had arisen.
The projection of new roads ceased, and those which had
been constructed were abandoned or converted into
turnpikes and then into common highways. Of the
many that came into existence none remain as plank
roads.
Long Island has a railroad system that fully meets
the wants of its inhabitants and affords ample facilities
for pleasure seekers from abroad to visit the seaside
resorts along its southern shore. The sole reliance of
the roads on the island for support is on local patron-
age ; none of them are parts of thoroughfares that open
into regions beyond, though the Long Island Railroad
has established ferries to New London, Conn., to Block
Island and to Newport, connecting thus with Boston
and the Eastern States. These ferries have not proved
very profitable, as they could not be maintained in the
winter, and the route was liable to other serious objec-
tions.
The first railroad constructed on Long Island was
that from South ferry in Brooklyn to Jamaica. This
was opened for travel April 18th, 1836. In the same
year the Long Island company commenced the exten-
sion eastward of this road, and in 1837 it was in opera-
tion to Hicksville. In 1841 it reached Suffolk Station,
and on the 25th of July, 1844, the first train of cars
passed over it to Greenport, a total length of ninety-
five miles.
From Hicksville a branch was opened to Syosset in
1854, and an extension completed to Northport in 1868,
and thence a road was completed to Port Jefferson in
1872. Branches were also constructed from Mineola
to Hempstead and to Locust Point, and from Jamaica
to Far Rockaway.
In 1869 the Sag Harbor branch was built, diverging
from the main line at Manor Station, passing through
the Hamptons and terminating at Sag Harbor. The
road from Hunter's Point to Flushing was opened in
1854, and it was subsequently extended to Manhasset.
A road was also constructed from Hunter's Point to
Whitestone.
On the south side a road was opened from Jamaica
to Babylon in the autumn of 1867, and extended to
Patohogue in 1868. Branches of this road were also
built. A. T. Stewart constructed a road to Garden
City, and this was extended to Babylon. Other roads and
branches sprang into existence, and a competition arose
that was not conducive to the prosperity of the roads.
A consolidation of these roads under the control of
the Messrs. Poppenhusen by leases and otherwise was
effected. Lavish expenditures were made and much
business was done, but the management was not suc-
cessful, and in 1877 Thomas R. Sharp was appointed
receiver of the consolidated corporation.
In the latter part of 1880 a controlling interest in
the Long Island Railroad passed into the hands of
a syndicate of Boston and London capitalists, at the
head of which is Austin Corbin, under whose man-
agement the road has come.
Within a comparatively recent time several roads for
the conveyance of passengers to and from the summer
resorts on the south coast of Long Island have come
into existence.
38
aENERAL HISTORY OE LOJSTG ISLAISTD.
All of the roads before mentioned, as well as the
Brooklyn and Jamaica Railroad, the Long Beach Rail-
road, the Manhattan Beach Railroad, roads to Rook-
away Beach and to Woodhaven, and new branches or
extensions to Babylon, and to Montauk Point, where
an immense hotel is now in course of construction, to
connect with a line of very fast ocean steamers, in-
tended to make the European voyage in five days, are
now under the control of the Corbin Company. Some
of the branch roads have been discontinued and
others extended. The main track is laid with the best
steel rails, and the running time of the fast trains will
be about two and a quarter hours.
CHAPTER IX.
THE AGRICULTURAL CAPABILITIES AND DEVELOPMENT
OP LONG ISLAND.
WHATEVER may be the general impression of
the value and fertility of the lands of Long
Island, they do and will command a price
far in excess of soils equally fertile but which
are not situated near a great market. Easy, cheap and
uninterrupted water communication with a center of
trade aggregating a population of nearly two millions,
will always make Long Island a place of peculiar in-
terest to tillers of the soil. The vast and increasing
demand of the city of New York for vegetables and
fruits of a perishable nature, as well as the peculiar
adaptation of the soil for their culture, has already
made Kings and a large portion of Queens county one
immense garden. Previous histories of the island are
nearly silent upon this, the chief business of its in-
habitants.
The early settlers of Long Island, coming as they
did chiefly from the New England colonies, naturally
followed the same system of tillage and rotation of
crops to which they had been accustomed. Probably
the first settlers found sufiicient cleared land for their
purpose ; as, according to early traditions, there was
much cleared land, or land not covered with timber,
besides the great plains. They very soon discovered
that success depended upon the appHcation of manures.
As early as 1653 the first settlers, by the terms of the
patent from the Dutch governor for the lands they
occupied, were required to pay to the government one-
tenth of the revenue arising from the ground manured.
This tax for the town of Hempstead amounted in 1657
to one hundred schepels of wheat (the Dutch bushel of
three pecks). In 1651 Hempstead produced from the
proceeds of the servants' labor, corn, beef, pork, butter,
tobacco and staves, which were exchanged for liquor
and merchandise.
Cattle were imported for breeding as early as 1625,
and a cow in New York was worth £30. The abund-
ant grass on the plains doubtless turned the attention
of the early settlers to the raising of stock. But as
yet there were few or no fences ; so herdsmen were
hired by the town to take care of the cattle from the
11th of May till the 23d of October, when the Indian
harvest would be wholly taken in and housed. In 1667
the town of Hempstead hired Abraham Smith to keep
the cattle from destroying the corn planted in the plain
called " the field," and he was to have one and a half
bushels per acre paid him for this service. So import-
ant was this office deemed that the conditions of agree-
ment were entered at large on the town book. A half
hour after sunrise, at the blowing of a horn, the owners
of cattle drove them from their several pens into one
common herd, when they were taken under the care of
the cow-keeper and his dog, and driven on the plains.
He was to keep them from going astray, or wandering
in the woods, or getting on tilled land ; to water them
at some pond at reasonable hours ; to drive them
weekly to the south meadows, and then bring them
home half an hour before sunset, that they might be
milked. For this service (in 1658) the hire was twelve
shillings sterling per week in butter, corn and oats.
The calves were cared for by another keeper, who was
required to water them twice a day, drive them to the
salt meadows once in two weeks, and put them in an
inclosure at night to protect them from the wolves.
After a while cow-herds were dispensed with, and it ■
was found necessary to fence the pasture lands. Thus,
Cow Neck in 1669 was fenced from Hempstead Harbor
to Great Neck, as the turnpike now runs. Rockaway
had, in 1690, a fence running from the landing across
to Jamaica Bay. Each proprietor had the right to
put cattle in the pasture ground in proportion to the
length of fence he had made. At that time cattle
were sold to butchers in New York, and exported alive
to the West Indies. In 1658 cattle were bought on
the great plains to be shipped to the colony of Dela-
ware. In 1678 the city of New York consumed only
four hundred beeves.
Sheep were not introduced until a later date ; in 1643
there were not over sixteen in the whole colony of
New York. In 1670 sheep were pastured on the plains,
under the care of a shepherd, who had directions not to
let them go over half a mile in the woods, for fear of
their being lost or destroyed by wolves. Each pro-
prietor had an ear-mark for his own sheep, which was
recorded in the town book. In 1737 the New York
Gazette says : " Vast losses have been sustained in
this colony, and those adjacent, by the death of cattle
for the want of fodder, and many persons have been
almost ruined thereby. We hear from Long Island
that five thousand head of cattle have been lost this
winter, besides sheep and lambs innumerable."
Corn, wheat, rye, oats, flax, wood for fuel, fat cattle
and sheep were for nearly two hundred years, or until
the beginning of the nineteenth century, the staple pro-
CAPABILITIES AND DEVELOPMENT.
39a
ducts of the island, and the chief source of income.
During the Kevolutionary war, a tory advised the Brit-
tish ministry to land forces destined for the subjugation
of the colonies on Long Island; " for," said he, "it is
one hundred and thirty miles long, and is very fertile,
abounding in wheat and every other kind of grain, and
has innumerable black cattle, sheep, hogs, etc. ; so that
in this fertile island the army can subsist without any
succor from England. It has a fertile plain twenty-
four miles long, with a fertile country about it, and is
twenty miles from New York ; and from an encamp-
ment on this plain the British army can, in five or six
daySj invade any of the colonies at pleasure. The spot
I advise you to land at is Cow Bay. " The suggestion
was acted upon. The English army occupied Long
Island, with New York city as its headquarters, for
nearly seven years; and drew its supplies of fresh and
salt hay, oats, straw, wheat, rye, corn, buckwheat and
firewood from our island. Eor an encouragement to
farmers to raise plentiful supplies of fresh provisions,
vegetables and forage for the army, the British com-
mandant forbade all persons from trespassing, or
breaking down or destroying fences, or carrying away
produce from the owners. In 1780 the requisition on
Queens county was for four thousand five hundred
cords of wood.
Since the advent of the present century, and within
the memory of many now living, radical changes have
been made in the system of agriculture, in the crops
produced, fertilizers applied, machinery employed,
domestic manufactures and manner of living. There
are many localities in Suffolk and a few in Queens
county, in which, from their peculiarity of position,
primitive farming is still followed — that is, corn upon
old sod, followed by oats the second year, which is
succeeded in the fall by either wheat or rye, with which
clover and timothy seed are sown. Then good crops of
hay are cut for from three to five years; it is then pastured
one or two years, and the same routine repeated.
With the growth of New York and Brooklyn arose
the demand for vegetables, milk, hay, straw and such
articles of a perishable and bulky nature as cannot be
profitably transported long distances. Hence we see
that the area necessary for their production has ex-
tended, not only eastward, over nearly two counties,
but the country for miles around, every harbor which
indents the shores of Long Island, as well as near every
depot of its railroads, has been put under contribution
to supply the demand. Consequent upon this change,
the product of cereals is greatly reduced, and stock-
raising is mostly abandoned as a source of profit.
Nearly all the produce raised within twenty-five
miles of New York is carted in with teams by the
proprietors, in the night. The largest part is sold at
wholesale to dealers or middle-men, between midnight
and daylight, chiefly in the vicinity of Washington
market, which until recently was the center of the
retail as well as the wholesale trade. A few years ago,
in consequence of the great throng of market wagons,
which for years had greatly impeded business in the
lower part of the city, a market was established in the
vicinity of West Twelfth street and Tenth avenue.
Those who do not sell at wholesale remain until day-
light, when the retail trade begins. The grocers then
come for their daily supply. Produce sent by water or
rail is consigned to commission dealers.
Twenty-five years ago all the milk supplied by Long
Island was produced within so small a distance from
the city that it was taken in in wagons. Market gar-
dening becoming more profitable, the area of milk
production was gradually extended eastward along the
lines of railroad ; until, at the present time, it has
assumed immense proportions. Swill milk is still pro-
duced largely in the subiirbs of Brooklyn ; but that
industry is by common consent ruled out as an agri-
cultural pursuit.
The selling of hay was the first innovation upon the
old system of stock raising as a source of income. The
old theory that unless the hay and corn were fed upon
the land its fertility would be reduced, was soon ex-
ploded ; and the wisdom of the new enterprise was de-
monstrated by the fact that the returns from the sale
of hay were so much greater than from the sale
of stock, that the farmer could afford to buy stable
manure, street sweepings, lime and ashes from the city
to apply to his land. The benefits of liberal expendi-
tures for these fertilizers in market gardening are still
more apparent. Gaano and artificial or manufactured
fertilizers have been largely used with good results ;
but stable manure is the great staple maniire for mar-
ket gardeners, for they raise double crops each year, a
draft no land can endure without constant manuring.
On the margins of creeks along the south side of the
island are immense shell banks left by the Indians ;
these clam, or quahaug, shells have been burnt and the
lime used profitably. The fiah called menhaden, how-
ever, has been most largely employed. Thompsoit, in
his history of Long Island, published in 1839, estimated
that a hundred million were annually taken for that
purpose. He says : " The profusion of this species of
fish and the consequent cheapness of the article will
probably always insure its use in those parts of the
island where they abound." But the establishment of
factories for extracting oil from them has long since
precluded their use ; although the refuse is dried and
sold under the name of fish guano.
Montauk Point is about 20 miles long and contains
nine thousand acres. It has been owned in common by
about forty individuals in shares. It has never been
tilled or used for any purpose other than pasturage of
cattle, horses and sheep ; each owner being entitled to
place upon it seven cattle, or forty-nine sheep, per
share. About two years since the entire area was sold
to Arthur Benson, Esq., of Brooklyn.
40a
GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.
There are more ttan one hundred square miles, or
seTenty thousand acres, of salt meadows bordering the
bays and harbors of Long Island. From these marshes
immense quantities of hay are taken, which, with corn
stalks, is largely used for wintering young stock and
dry cattle. There are three kinds of grasses growing
upon them, distinguished by the names of sedge, salt
and black grass.
The scarcity and advance in the price of farm labor,
as well as the advantages attending their use, have
caused the introduction of the best farm implements
and agricultural machinery. Stones are used to some
extent as fencing material where they are available,
but by far the largest part of the island is entirely des-
titute of stones large enough for the purpose. Chest-
nut timber is abundant on all the rolling woodlands,
and furnishes the material for about all the farm
fences.
The cranberry has recently been introduced in many
parts of Suffolk county, with great success. The soil
and the conditions are favorable, and this industry pro-
mises, in a few years, to become an important one.
The Hempstead Plains, which, through a mistaken,
policy, have until recently been held as public domain,
are susceptible of remunerative cultivation. The soil
is a dark, rich vegetable mould or loam from one to
three feet in depth. The hollovts which cross the
tract at regular intervals appear to have been ancient
water-courses. There is another and still more exten-
sive tract extending eastward from the Plains, reach-
ing to the bead of Peconic Bay, which, like Hempstead
Plains, has hitherto suffered from an entirely unwar-
rantable and mistaken aspersion of the character of its
soil and consequent adaptation to cultivation.
As all previous histories of Long Island have*
wittingly or unwittingly perpetuated this erronous im-
pression, we take pleasure in presenting an ample refu-
tation of the same, in the form of an autobiographical
sketch of Dr. Edgak F. Peck, who speaks ex cathedra
on this subject, and who represents the enlightened
sentiment of the present day, as regarding these much-
abused Long Island lands.
The central and northern portions of the island have
a soil rich in the mineral elements and phosphates
essential to plant growth. In many places, particu-
larly at Brentwood and Central Islip, there is a fine
* We make but one exception, viz., that of Mr. James B. Coopeb's brief
History of the Town of Babylon, contained in the History of Suffolk County,
recently published by Munsell & Co., the publishers of this work, and
which is as follows ;
" With the exception of the sand dunes which border the Atlantic Ocean,
and a narrow ridge of hills known as the Half-way Hollow Hills, the surface
of the town is remarkably level." ■' The center portion, consisting of level
plains, up to forty years ago was covered with pine forests. Since railroads
have been operated through these pine-lands numerous fires have occurred,
mostly kindled by sparks from locomotives, causing great destruction to the
timber, and there are now only found thick tangled scrub oaks and stunted
pines. Only a smaU portion of this kind of land is under a good slate of
cultivation. The soil is mostly a sandy loam. The land is easily cleared,
and is adapted to the growing of grain and root crops, and probably in a
few years large tracts wUl be cleared and cultivated."
substratum of clay that holds the moisture and pre-
vents leaching, the rich yellow loam being almost
entirely destitute of sand. These clay deposits are fre-
quently of a quality not excelled by any in America for
building-brick; and abundant strata, fully equal to the
best grades of Europe for pottery, have recently been
discovered in Suffolk County. Hence wheat, potatoes,
cabbage and other strong growing crops are more
successfully grown than on the alluvial portions of
the island.
EDGAK FENN PECK, M.D.
Edgar Eenn Peck, M.D., was born September 20tb, 1806, in
the town of Amenia, Dutchess County, State of New York. His
father, Henry Peck, was a native of Milford, Conn., and son of
Michael Peck, a descendant of Joseph Peck, who came over witk
Davenport's colony to New Haven in 1638, and after residing
awhile at New Haven, settled in Milford about 1641. The house
he built and lived in in Milford stood two hundred years,
and was occupied by his descendants until it was taken down ;
his descendants are in Milford now, on the paternal land. The
mother of Dr. Edgar Fenn was Julania Chapman, daughter of
Zervia Strong and Nehemiah Chapman, of Sharon, Conn.,
and a direct descendant by his English wife of Elder John
Strong, of Northampton, Mass.
The parents of Dr. Edgar Fenn removed from Amenia, when he
was very young, to the northern part of the State of New York,
to "Washington County, and were there during the war of 1812,
and were in Salem in 1816, '17, and '18; and Edgar went
to school in the Washington Academy, one of the most distin-
guished academies in the State; he was in the English depart-
ment under T. N. Allen. George W. Bethune, the " Yorker
Boy," as he was called in school, was in the classical department
in the Washington Academy; he was also in the sabbath school
with John and Mary Williams, who became the wife of Dr.
Bethune. He attended the church and sabbath school of the
Eev. Dr. Alexander Proudfit, God bless his name and memory.
Early in 1818 the family returned to Sharon, Conn., near his
grandfather Chapman's, in the eastern part of the town .
I now propose to change the form of narrative, and to speak
and write in the first person. I was twelve years old when we
returned, and here among kindred and friends of great merit, of
religion, learning and good schools, which I attended in the win-
ter, and worked in the summer mostly upon the farm; and here
I acquired a most thorough knowledge of farming, for which I
had a great desire.
I always thought a farmer's life was the most useful and most
happy. The immortal Washington said that "Agriculture
" is the most healthful, the most useful, and the most noble
" employment of man." The first work of the Lord, after the
great creation, was to plant a garden, to the east ^of Eden. I
would have been a farmer, but I had no means to buy a farm,
and my kind father had none to give me; but I acquired great
skill for a youth upon the farm. I learned to plough and to
hoe, to plant and to sow, to reap and to mow; I learned to bud
and graft when fourteen years old; I learned to raise trees
from tree seed, acorns, hickory nuts, and keys from the great
sugar maple; I learned by observation and analogy when
a boy, by seeing or finding acorns and hickory nuts under
the trees, in the spring, sprouted, and seeing the young
tree-plants under the sugar maple, and the apple seeds,
sprouted under the apple trees ; it occurred to me if those nuts
and tree seeds were planted, they would grow ; I tried it, and
they did grow. I had never heard or read anything about plant-
ing tree seed ; the only thing I had ever read was that '' Tall
oaks from little acorns grow." There was nothing said about
planting them..
^Iff^\
^
CAPABILITIES AND DEVELOPMENT.
Ala
I had a very strong desire from my childhood for knowledge
and learning, a thirsting after knowledge, and I spent all my
time, when not at work, with my books and studies, and won-
dered if I would ever become a learned man, and be good and
useful. It was seldom that I ever spent any time in play and
pastimes ; I had no time to spare. I never played a game of
cards, or checkers or chess, never saw a game of billiards
played in my life, was never in a theatre but twice, and then not
to see the play through. I adopted total abstinence in 1824,
two years before Dr. Beecher preached his immortal sermons
against intemperance in Litchfield in 1826. I knew Dr. Beecher
well in my youth. There were two men then in Connecticut
who were my beau ideals as men and divines — Lyman Beecher,
of Litchfield, and the Eev. Joel Hawes, of Hartford. My pious
and excellent mother used to think that boys ought not to drink
cider after it had fermented, and in compliance with her wish I
abandoned it. I had never heard any temperance speech, or
read any temperance paper; I had read but one book on tem-
perance, the Bible; that I had learned from childhood by the
teaching of my mother. She had instructed me on the great sin
of drunkenness and its terrible punishments, declared by the
Lord.
In 1826 I commenced the study of medicine, in the office and
under the tuition of a relative, my cousin Dr. Clark Chap-
man, a man of learning and great skill as a physician.
Dr. Chapman is now living, at the age of eighty-six, in Groton,
Tompkins County, N. Y. I had a task before me, one that re-
quired great industry, prudence and self-denial, to pursue my
studies and to support myself, which I did by teaching school a
part of the time.
As a medical student, I took up the subject of intemperance,
and the effect of alcohol on the human system, as opened by Dr.
Beecher. I read everything that I could find on the subject, and
gave special attention to diseases directly resulting from strong
drink, particularly to delirium tremens, which was not then well
understood — nor its treatment. I soon had the reputation of
being very successful with hard cases of alcoholic disease in the
different medical offices I was in during my studentship, as I
was in more than one, and the hard cases were handed over to
me, particularly delirium tremens, "the trembling delirium," and
1 was very successful in treating it. My first medical lectures
were attended in the College oi Physicians and Surgeons. I was
licensed to practice, at Fairfield, January 30th, 1830 ; and I im-
mediately entered practice in my native County of Dutchess, at
Hyde Park, as a partner with the late Huntting Sherrill, M.D.,
then President of the Dutchess County Medical Society, and one
of the principal physicians and surgeons of the county. My
thorough study and under practice whilst a student had qualified
me for full practice. That able, eminent Professor, David
Hosack, M.D., whose country seat was at Hyde Park, showed me
great kindness by giving me access to his extensive medical
library, and instruction on any question I asked.
In 1831 I removed to New York, and took an office at No. 96
Duane street, near Broadway, so as to be between the Hospital
(then on Broadway, between Duane and what is now "Worth
street) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons, then in
Barclay street near Broadway, that I might have access to, and the
advantages of both of these great medical institutions. The situa-
tion or position, was central and most advantageous. I soon
found myself in practice, and made the acquaintance of the
leading medical men of the city, the President and professors of
the College, from whom I received great kindness and attention.
On the approach of the Asiatic cholera I revived my reading
on that terrible disease, to make myself thoroughly acquainted
with all that could be known about it. I had five years before
read all that could be found of its history in the foreign and
American medical journals, and as it came to New York conster-
nation and dismay fell upon the city; all business was suspended,
and multitudes fled to the country.
" Come when the blessed seals.
That close the pestilence are broke.
And crowded cities wail its stroke ;
Oome in consumption's ghastly form.
The earthquake shock, or ocean storm.
And thou, oh I Death, art terrible."
A special medical council was formed by the city authorities,
consisting of twelve of the most eminent physicians of the city,
with Dr. Alexander H. Stevens, the President of the College of
Physicians and Surgeons, at its head; and I received an appoint-
ment under this council to take charge of the medical stations in
the Twelfth Ward, and the hospital formed on Eighth street; and
I had the care of all the stations from the old almshouse, which
stood where the Worth monument now stands, to King's Bridge,
with the exception of the Bloomingdale station, which was under
the care of Dr. Williams.
I entered immediately upon the work assigned, and the ter-
rible scenes of suffering and death I cannot here describe. Those
at the Yorkville hospital on Eighty-sixth street were horrible.
It was filled with the dead and dying, equal to those scenes de-
scribed by old Defoe, in his history of the Great Plague in
London.
One day I had six dead bodies laid out in the hospital, as the
fear and dread upon the people was so great that no one could
be found to take away or remove the dead. These did not all
die in the hospital ; some were brought in dead, others speech-
less and dying. The records were, "name and age unknown."
I roomed in the hospital, and was there day and night.
On the death of Dr. Arnold, of Harlem, I left the Yorkville
hospital at the request of Dr. Stevens, and went to Harlem where
the cholera had been extremely fatal. Whole families were
swept away. The fate of the family of the Rev. Mr. Hinton, the
Episcopal clergyman, was terrible. They all died in one night
— father, mother and children. I believe there were two chil-
dren. They died in the house on the southerly side of One
Hundred and Twenty-seventh street, about one hundred and fifty
feet west of Third avenue. At evening they assembled at the sup-
per-table; when the morning came they were all dead and buried.
Dr. Arnold, the physician who owned the house, lived with
them, and he was smitten with the fell disease early the next
morning, and fled to a neighbor's house, where he died before 12
o'clock. He had been daily to the Yorkville hospital. He called
there the afternoon before his death, and I had a full talk with
him on the state of the pestilence in Harlem. He was greatly
excited and anxious. The next morning, when Dr. Stevens ar-
rived with me in Harlem, we found Dr. Arnold in a state of col-
lapse and speechless. He died in less than half an hour. I held
his hand when he breathed his last.
To show with what suddenness and fatality the fell disease
took its victims, on Dr. Stevens' return to the city he sent a
young physician. Dr. Heston, who was from Pennsylvania,
to take my place at the hospital. I remained in Harlem. About 1
o'clock in the morning, after I left the hospital, a messenger
came to me in great haste to go immediately to Yorkville — that Dr.
Heston was sick; and, as soon as a horse could be harnessed I drove
there, and as I arrived at the house of John G. Kip, on Third
avenue, near Eighty-sixth street, where I had taken my meals,
and where Dr. Heston was ; his dead body was being brought
down-stairs in a rough board box as a coflin. Consternation and
dismay fell upon all the people on that part of the island of New
York. The house of the dead where death had left not one,
"no, not one," was an object of fear and dread. No one dared
to open it, and after several days I went to the house with the
Eev. Dr. C. D. Westbrook, who was Health Warden of Harlem.
Dr. Westbrook standing at the gate, I opened the house
and went in alone and threw open the doors and windows. The
house was silent — the silence of death. What a picture ! Every-
thing in disorder ; table standing with dishes in confusion, un-
washed, as if left before the meal was finished; beds in con-
4:2a
GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.
fusion, ladies and children's hats and garments hanging on
chairs or on the floor, as if the inmates had suddenly fled
in fright.
I continued my medical labor on that part of the island for
more than two years, and at the request of the Mayor and prom-
inent citizens, I examined all that part of the island to Kings
Bridge. There were places of low and wet ground where ma-
larious diseases prevailed, and on these places and localities the
cholera was most fatal, and all these places I examined specially
with a view to their sanitary condition.
The Harlem flats had the reputation of being unhealthy, and
intermittent fevers were common, and fevers of a high and fatal
grade often prevailed. It was said by medical men that these
Harlem fevers more nearly resembled yellow fever than fevers
In any other locality around New York.
I attended the late Judge D. P. Ingraham through a very serious
illness of fever, a high grade of bilious fever with typhoid symp-
toms. I gave him the most prompt and constant attention, fori
was doubly interested in him, not only as my patient, but as my
friend. The late Dr. John C. Cheesman, of New York, said he
believed that my prompt and careful attention, under Providence,
saved Mr. Ingraham's life; because Dr. Cheesman knew the ob-
stinate and fatal character of those Harlem fevers. I was in
practice all this time under a license, which gave the full privi-
leges and power of the profession, and I had the most able ad-
visers, such as Dr. Alexander H. Stevens, President of the Col-
lege, and all the professors, Dr. Valentine Mott, Dr. John B.
Beek, Dr. Hosaok, and Dr. J. C. Cheesman. These eminent men
were always ready to render me any aid or advice in practice.
In the session of 1832-3, I graduated and received the degree
of Doctor of Medicine from the old Barclay street College of
Physicians and Surgeons of the City of New York. I also re-
ceived an honorary degree of M. D. from Rutgers College.
On the 2d December, 1834, I married Margaretta, daughter of
the Rev. John F. Jackson, of Harlem, N.Y., a lady of great per-
sonal beauty and merit. With her I lived forty-one years. I
was always a domestic man. My heart was in my wife and
children and in my home. We had two dearly beloved and
deeply lamented daughters. The youngest, Emma Louisa, died
young; the eldest, Julia Anna, a child of great promise, lived
until her seventeenth year. My blessed wife died in 1875, aged
sixty-six. I am childless and unmarried. " Nor wife nor chil-
dren more shall I behold."
In the spring of 1841, at a time of serious illness in my family,
I went to Long Island. One of my daughters had died and
the other was extremely low, and my wife's health greatly im-
paired. Medical friends advised this removal to the country as
the only chance for my daughter's recovery. My attention was
directed by friends to Long Island, and to the village of Smith-
town Branch, Suffolk County— forty-five miles from New York
City.
There I found a pleasant rural place, that had been occupied
by the Eev. Ithinar Pillsbury, a Presbyterian minister, as a par-
sonage. Mr. Pillsbury was a New England man, and had care-
fully cultivated the garden and grounds of four acres around
the house, and had filled the garden and orchard with choice
fruit and ornamental shrubbery. He was a man of great learn-
ing and ability as a divine. Eev. Dr. Prime, in his History of
Long Island, published in 1845, says of Mr. Pillsbury that, in
1834, " he, with a chosen company, formed in good old Puritan
style, emigrated and settled in the town of Andover, Illinois.
Mr. Pillsbury is deservedly regarded as the patriarch of this
new settlement, and a worthy example of future emigrants."
The Eev. Mr. Pillsbury founded a college at Andover, 111., and
was president of it during the remainder of his life. There, at
Smithtown, on this Old Parsonage Place, as it was called, we
found a pleasant and happy home. The society was exceUent,
and here I was induced to remain, as the health of my daughter
improved to recovery. I knew much generally of Long Island.
I knew it was the oldest settled part of the State, that it was
called the "Garden of America," and I supposed it was all
settled throughout; that all the lands on it that could be culti-
vated had been cultivated, I had never been any further east on
the Island than from Flushing across to Jamaica, and to Eook-
away. I had never heard of the great " barrens" of Hempstead
Plains. When I went to Smithtown to look at the place, I took
the oars of the Long Island Eailroad, then completed as far as
Hicksville, twenty-five miles from Brooklyn (it was a pleagant
day in March), and soon after passing Jamaica we opened
on to Hempstead Plains, a vast and beautiful country, which I
thought was the handsomest tract of land I had ever beheld.
That was my first impression of it then, and it is my
opinion of it now. It was covered with cattle and sheep as far
as the eye could see. Hempstead Plains is a great and beautiful
prairie, an upland meadow. The old historian, Denton, who
wrote in 1670, more than two hundred and ten years ago, whose
bookis called the "Gem of History," says : " Towards the middle
of the Island lieth a plain, sixteen miles long and four miles
broad, containing sixty-four square miles, or more than forty
thousand acres, upon which there is neither stick nor stone, and
it produces very fine grass which makes exceeding good hay,
which is no small benefit to the towns which own it."
The soil of Hempstead Plains is a fine, dark and perfect loam,
of an average depth of three feet over the centre surface of the
whole plains, and is of the most productive kind. It is in its
native and natural condition exactly such a soil as a lady would
seek to fill her flower-pots with.
A. T. Stewart, the merchant prince of New Y'ork, purchased
of the town of Hempstead, by which it was owned as common
land, on September 13th, 1869, 7,000 acres, at $55 an acre, and
paid in checks, one of $200,000, and two of $100,000 each, and
founded and laid out Garden City on Hempstead Plains, and put
under cultivation a farm of 2,500 acres, surrounding Garden City.
The work on this great farm was done by W. E. Hinsdale, o
farmer, and general superintendent of the Stewart property at
Garden City. Mr. Hinsdale is a highly intelligent agriculturist
and practical farmer. The land of Garden City, on Hempstead
Plains, is more than 100 feet high above tide water, an elevated
table-land, sloping to the south ; the climate is perfectly healthy
and the water of the purest kind, and inexhaustible. The turf
is so thick and strong on the Plains that it is necessary to use a
team of three horses to turn a furrow through it. This is the tract
of land so long stigmatized by Long Islanders, and by Hemp-
stead men in particular, as being barren and utterly worthless.
Omitting details of culture and cost of fertilizers used, I will
give the production of the farm of 2,500 acres for the year of
1880, from Mr. Hinsdale's report. All of these large crops were
raised at a profit :
Of corn, there were 450 acres, with an unusually heavy yield
of at least seventy bushels of shelled corn to the acre.
Of oats, 588 acres, thirty-five bushels per acre (this was a
better yield than on the old farms in the country).
Of rye, 495 acres.
Of meadow, or grass, 485 acres ; 100 acres of this was in
Hungarian grass, which yielded two tons and a half per acre.
The native grass of Hempstead Plains is the blue grass of Ken-
tucky.
Of buckwheat, 250 acres, 20 bushels per acre.
Of wheat, 30 acres, 20 bushels per acre.
Besides these, large crops of every kind of vegetables ever
raised.
The following table has been made of the total yield of several
crops for the year 1880 :
Oats 20,580 bushels.
Indian Corn 31,500 "
Buckwheat 5,000 "
Wheat 600 "
CAPABILITIES AND DEVELOPMENT.
4:3a
Mr. Hinsdale says the lands of Hempstead Plains are the finest
and most productive of any lands between here and San Fran-
cisco; and he knows, as he has been all over the country, in Ohio,
Illinois, the Hockhooking and the Soiota flats, and residecj in
California.
At Hicksville there was only a lonely station-house, the end of
the railroad route— twenty -five miles from Brooklyn. Here I took
the stage, from Hicksville to the north over the Plains to Jericho,
an old and most beautiful and highly cultivated settlement; then
turned eastward on the old country north-side road to Smith-
town, a distance of twenty miles, passing through a fine farming
region, which had been settled and cultivated for more than 200
years.
Arrived at Smithtown Branch, I found the village pleasant and
desirable, but I objected to the twenty miles' stage ride, and was
told that work was to be immediately resumed on the Long
Island Railroad, and cars would soon run to Smithtown.
On my return I went to the ofiBce in New York of the Long
Island Railroad Company, and saw the President, Mr. Fiske, and
he said that work on the railroad would be immediately re-
sumed, and the road would be completed through the Island as
soon as possible; that Boston men were to aid; that disasters on
Long Island Sound had recently been so great that it was desir-
able to get a more safe route, which he thought would be over
Long Island. I then determined to go to Long Island, and I
rented the Pillsbury Parsonage house, in Smithtown Branch, for
$100 a year, and which I afterwards purchased, with fifty acres of
land adjoining, which made my little farm there.
I removed my family there. Soon after I arrived I met an ac-
quaintance that I knew in New York, and he said he had a posse
of about 100 men at work on the railroad opposite Smithtown,
and wished I would go down and see them, as there were
several among them that needed medical aid, having received
accidental injuries. Up to this time, I had not heard of the
great Barren Plains, extending eastward from Hempstead Plains
to the head of Peconic Bay, so entirely composed of sand and
gravel as to be unsusceptible of cultivation by any process
known.
This is the black and false record made by "Thompson and
Pbime, the historians of Long Island," and which has held that
great part of the Island in wilderness.
The next day I started for the railroad, and I went down
through Hauphagues, and the last house before entering the
woods, I met a man at his wood pile ; I asked if he could direct
me to where the railroad men were at work ? He said I must keep
down the road into the woods and then turn to the right, on the
road to Islip. I soon struck into the dog path, completely over-
hung with trees and bushes, and so narrow that my wheels
would not run in the tracks (one of them had to go on the bank).
After a drive of about two miles I found the railroad camp, at
where Suffolk Station was afterwards made. The woods through
which I had gone were very dense.
There I found my friend and his men, shanties and cabins
scattered around, and the men were grading the railroad bed ;
they had cut through the woods about three rods wide, and
opening a long and beautiful vista, as far as the eye could see.
Tall and lofty trees, that stood on each side of the railroad bed,
as thick as they could stand, and there I found myself in the
midst of a vast, magnificent, primeval forest. I was astonished ;
and then I learned that this great forest and wilderness was forty
miles long and eight miles wide — four miles each side of the
railroad— extending from the east end of Queens County about
thirty-one miles, from Brooklyn to Riverhead seventy mUes ; the
trees were large and lofty, and so thick and dense that a horse
could not go through the woods. Along the line of the railroad,
the trees and the timber were mostly yellow pine — Finns Hgida
— of large and most thrifty growth, from eighteen inches to two
feet in diameter, many much larger, perfectly sound and solid ;
they would square up from twenty to thirty feet in length, and
the timber about equal to the best Georgia pines. A little
to the north of the railroad line, there were oaks in variety,
chestnuts, hickory and locust, all of large growth. These
woodlands extended four miles each side the railroad. I am
always impressed with wild woodlands, " when among the trees
and Wilds where sunshine, birds sing and flowers bloom."
There were no scrub oaks there then, in these woods ; thick
forests overshadowed them, and they die out or disappear, but
ready to come back again as soon as they can get possession of
the ground. The scrub oak, of which the Long Islanders have
such a dread and hatred, is the best friend of the Island; for,
when the wood and trees are all destroyed, this little fellow
comes in and takes possession of the lands, and protects them
from becoming a barren, by being dried up by the sun and the
elements. It is a shrub ; can never be a tree in any soil, no
more than a lilac bush. It is indigenous, i. e., a native, to the Is-
land, and grows all over the Island, from and in Brooklyn to
Montauk Point.
Judge Lefferts', of Bedford, famous Cripplebush farm, in
Brooklyn (and willed by him to his beloved daughter, Elizabeth
Dorothea, the wife of Mr. Brevoort), is " Scrub Oak Farm," for
Cripplebush means "scrub oak;" Cripplebush road is "Scrub
Oak road."
It is set down in books of science and natural history as the
nineteenth variety of the oak, as the " Querc-as Illieifolio.'' It is
called Bear oak, from the great abundance of acorns that it pro-
duces, upon which the bears feed.
I was very greatly surprised at the soil I found there. It was
three feet deep in the railroad cuttings, of the very finest yellow
loam, in every way suited to culture — not a particle of sand or
gravel or a stone in it. From that time I took a great interest
in the railroad, and in the uncultivated lands on its borders. I
was so weak and foolish as to think a railroad would be of great
benefit, and a very convenient and handy thing to have on Long
Island, and I did my uttermost to promote it. There was a very
strong opposition to it on the Island; the people opposed it with
the utmost violence ; they tore up the track and burned its
bridges; and yet the road went on by force of right and might,
until its completion, as it penetrated into the woods and wilder-
ness of Suffolk County. Then came the conflict of fire and de-
struction ; the people refused to do anything to protect those
woodlands from fire, and the railroad company could not, and
destruction and desolation of those woodlands were swift by fire
and the axe.
The woods were set on fire, and burned with great fury every
spring and faU. One of those fires, in 1848, burned for two
weeks night and day; " a pillar of fire by night, a cloud of smoke
by day." It burned over seventy-five square miles ; it broke
out in the woods, about a mile south of the railroad, a little to
the east of Connetquot River, or Liff Snedioor's Brook, and it
run fifteen miles east and five miles wide, extending, in some
places, to the water's edge of the Great South Bay. Buildings
were often burned by these fires, as they have been during the
past year. Great difficulty was experienced in keeping the villages
from being burned up. After the opening of the railroad, those
woodlands were made common plunder ground by cordwood
men and charcoal burners, and the wood and timbers destroyed
in the most wanton and wasteful manner. The revenue or chief
freight business of the railroad for years was in carrying off what
could be got off the land. Charcoal burners bought the wood,
or large tracts, at a mere nominal price, and turned an army of
men into their coal bush, and whole trees of the large pines were
brought to Brooklyn and driven in as spiles" all along the shore
and docks of Brooklyn.
James B. Cooper, Esq., a prominent citizen of Babylon, L. I.,
says the damages by fire in the woodlands of Suffolk County, in
the past forty years, are three millions of doUars.
On my return from my first visit to the wilderness on the
plains, I asked what was the reason that those lands were not
Ua
GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.
cultivated, and every man that I saw or met in Smithtown re-
plied that the land was worthless ; that nothing would grow on
it.
I said it Was covered with trees, and any land that will pro-
duce a large growth of trees has an element in the soil that will,
with a little variation, produce a hill of corn or a blade of wheat.
I asked if it had ever been tried ? No ; they said it was not worth
trying. Now, all this did not satisfy me, nor remove the impres-
sion that was so firmly fixed upon my mind from what I had
seen. I did not believe it possible that I could be mistaken; for
my knowledge of lands and soil was so full and complete by prac-
tical experience in my boyhood and youth (for I had had the
most thorough, practical farming • ' eddication " ever a youth
had), I did not believe I was or could be mistaken. I determined
to make inquisition as a matter of truth and general knowledge;
to examine the geology, soil and natural productions, for these
are what indicate a country suitable for civilization and xise. In
the summers of 1841, '42, and '43, I examined more than fifty
square miles of the plains with spade in hand, all the way from
Farmingdale to Konkonkama Lake, and also the lands from
East New York to and around Jamaica, that I might compare the
old settled land with the new. I had then no intention or
thought of purchasing or buying an acre of the woods, and my
first purchase at Suffolk Station was made at the earnest request
of Mr. Fiske, the president of the railroad.
I felt and believed that these vast woodlands could and ought
to be settled and cultivated, as a great public good, and as a
special benefit to the Long Island Railroad, to give it business.
Mr. Fiske, who was in fall accord with me, unfortunately lost
his health and left the railroad, and soon after died. The
railroad was made through the Island by him and his great en-
ergy.
Subsequently, at the request of the president and directors of
the railroad, I undertook the herculean task to bring into use,
and before the public, these lands for settlement— and by an
agreement in writing, a bargain with the officers, president and
directors of the road, defining what they should do and what I
should do. By this contract the company agreed to do all the
carrying trade and freight for the settlement, free of cost
or charge ; all freight, lumber and building material, manure
and fertilizers, and all products were to be carried free, for one
year, to each and every settler, and the head of the family to
have a free pass to and from the city for two years. This was to
encourage and promote settlement, and these privileges were to
be given to every actual settler, during the settlement of the ten
thousand acres. The settlement was to be an agricultural, or
farming, and garden settlement; no village lots were offered.
I purchased ten thousand acres of land of the NicoU Patent
(adjoining Eonkonkama Lake, and extending south more than
four miles, at from five to thirty dollars per acre), of William H.
Ludlow, and his wife Frances Louisa Nicoll, six thousand nine
hundred and fifty acres, in one tract, adjoining the railroad, at
five dollars an acre ; two hundred acres north of the railroad
and extending to the lake, thirty dollars per acre ; one hundred
acres next to this, twenty dollars an acre; and a thousand acres
next this, extending to the lake, at ten dollars an acre ; and of
William Nicoll, two thousand acres at five dollars an acre.
All these great tracts of laud were purchased on a cash
basis, cash and mortgage (the Death (Grip or) Gage), bearing six
per cent, interest. There was no trade or sham about it. It was
the largest price ever given for those lands. This tract was
selected as being the most advantageous and beautiful tract for
settlement, of good and excellent soil.
The situation and soil of the land were good in every particu-
lar for the settlement. I proposed to call it Lakeland, and
Governer King, of Jamaica, approved of it, for he said it was
"The Land of the Lake." The lake was not in sight of the rail-
road; the station there was first called Lakeroad Station. Gov.
John A. King was my friend, and rendered important assistance;
he obtained the establishment of a post-office there, and my ap-
pointment as postmaster ; and he took great interest in my
work for the settlement of the lands. I proceeded to erect
buildings and to cultivate the land ; I opened roads, laid out
and opened Ocean avenue— one hundred feet wide from the
lake for three miles south — cleared the lands by the plough
(without previous grubbing) ; obtained the best plough, made
by Ruggles, Nourse & Mason, of Worcester, Mass., made with a
locked cutter, and purchased three yoke of oxen, and ploughed
the ground, laid out a beautiful garden by a gardener from
Brooklyn, and raised the finest crops of wheat and corn and
garden products ever seen on the Island. My crop of Austral-
ian wheat was the admiration of every one that saw it.
The Boston Oaltivator of June 20fch, 1850, gave this account of
the place:
Laxeland as it was in 1850.
We call the attention of our readers and the public at large
to the following record and evidence of the successful cultivation,
more than thirty years ago, of the new and neglected lands of
Long Island.
The work of settlement and culture of the lands was broken
up by the unfortunate failure of the Long Island Railroad in
1851, by nothing else, and from no other cause, for the railroad
then passed into the hands of men who were bitterly opposed
and hostile to the lands.
We publish an account of a visit to Lakeland, from the Suffolk
Union, Riverhead, Suffolk County, Long Island, made by a party
of gentlemen from Brooklyn, New York and other places, showing
that the settlement was-then considered as prosperous and success-
ful. The settlement and culture of the lands in that vicinity were
then regarded as a complete success, and had the place fallen
into honest hands after Dr. Peck left it, there would have been
no trouble or difficulty whatever in making it one of the pleas-
antest inland places on the island, for everything at Lakeland
was then in a prosperous condition ; the buildings and fences
were new, complete, and in good order; the garden and grounds
under good culture, and everything had been done by Dr. Peck
to make the settlement and cultivation of the then hitherto
"Barrens of Long Island" successful. His titles were all good,
precisely what they were represented to be, as may be seen by
the records of the County Clerk's office at that time.
We subjoin from the New- Yorker an account of the visit to
Lakeland, which is not left to " speak for itself," being backed
by a host of such witnesses as are absolutely not to be found
again, as one might say. In justice to them, and particularly to
Dr. Peck, whose exertions would at length appear to have been
crowned with success the most perfect, we publish the following
account of an excursion to Ronkonkoma Lake and to Lakeland,
on the Long Island Railroad :
"Moses Maynard, Esq., of the Long Island Railroad Co., with
a party of gentlemen from New York and Brooklyn, took a trip
on Thursday over the Long Island Railroad to the new village
of Lakeland, and to Ronkonkoma Lake. The object was to
examine the road, to view the famous Lake Ronkonkoma and
the surrounding country, and also to see what progress had been
made in the settlement and cultivation of the wild or new lands
of the Island, through the midst of which the Long Island Railroad
runs. The day was extremely fine, and nothing could exceed
the rich and luxuriant fields of grain and grass to be seen on
each side of the road through the counties of Kings and Queens.
Arrived at Lakeland depot, the party examined the buildings
and gardens at this place, where are now to be" seen growing in
great perfection wheat and rye, garden vegetables, and fruits
and flowers of great variety. 'This is a new settlement in the very
midst of the great wilderness of the Island, a region hithertn
regarded by the Island people and others on their authority as
wholly unfit for cultivation ; but the crops now growing at that
place are equal to any others on the Island, and exhibit the
most incontestable evidence of the powers of these lands to pro-
duce. Indeed, nothing can be more completely successful than
have been the effijrts of Dr. Peck to cultivate these Island lands,
as may now be so fully seen at Lakeland, where a few years since
all was wild and desolate.
The party were highly surprised and gratified at the great
change made there by the hand of improvement ; all admitted
that the evidence of the fertility in the soil was complete, and
that there can be no doubt of the entire practicability of easily and
profitably cultivating all those lands on the borders of the Long
Island Railroad, and in this subject the directors and stockhold-
ers of the Long Island Railroad Company have a deep interest,
for the settlement and population of these lands on the im-
CAPABILITIES AND DEVELOPMENT.
45a
mediate line of this road will add greatly to the business of
the road.
From Lakeland the party proceeded, some on foot, through
the woods and fields, and some in carriages, to the famous Kon-
konkoma, of the Indian name and memory, one of the most
beautiful sheets of water that can be found anywhere. It was
the unanimous opinion of the whole party that they had never
seen any lake or sheet of water of its size more perfectly beauti-
ful. It- is a sort of miniature sea or ocean, being about three
miles in circuit, with a clear and pearly beach or shore, two or
three rods wide, formed of pure white silicious sand, inlaid with
beautiful white and variegated pebbles, the waters over which
glittered and sparkled like the fish -pools of Heshbon. The
shores and bottom are perfectly solid and hard. There is neither
rook or quicksand or miry places, no sudden deep places into
which a child at play in its tiny waves could by apy possibility
fall, but a gradual deepening of the water from the shore to the
center, which is about 80 feet deep. The land around the shore
of the Konkonkoma is beautifully diversified, and much of it
elevated and bold, and the cultivated farms and orchards give
to the whole scene a most delightful and pleasing effect. The
pure fragrant air that blows around the lake, and the cool and
delicious shades offered by the large and beautiful trees
that fringe its borders and line the surrounding fields, render
it a most delightful resort for summer. Keturning to the hotel
at Lakeland, a bountiful dinner was prepared in time to take
the cars on the return train to Brooklyn, where they arrived at
5 o'clock p. M.
Among the party were Moses Maynard, Esq., of the Long
Island B. E,. Co. ; Elihu Townsend, Esq., Dr. Brewer, R. L.
Allen, Hon. Henry Meigs, of the American Institute; Geo. S.
Eiggs, Esq., of Baltimore; D. J. Brown, Messrs. Saxton and
Blanchard, S. Holmes, Esq., and others, directors and stock-
holders of the L. I. E. E.; Alden J Spooner, Esq., EoUin Sand-
ford, Esq., G. A. Brett, Esq., Dr. E. F. Peck, and James B. Staf-
ford, Esq.
All expressed their highest gratification at the evidence of im-
provement which they saw at Lakeland and its vicinity, and
were unanimous in the opinion that the successful cultivation of
these new lands, on the borders of the railroad, will result in
great benefit to the road as well as to the Island, and, from all
they saw, were of opinion that the prospects of the Long Island
Eailroad for a good and profitable business were never better
than at present, and that a more desirable and pleasant retreat
for summer residence cannot be found within fifty miles of
New York, in any direction, than in the vicinity of Eonkon-
koma."
N. B. — The above described visit was made Ihe year before the
Long Island Mailroad Company failed, in 1851.
I had had full experience in cultivating the lands on what I
purchased at Suffolk Station, under the advice of Mr. George B.
Fiske, president of the railroad company. I there, in 1845,
held plough, and turned the first furrow ever ploughed on the
plains; I raised wheat and corn there on the despised lands,
with complete success.
The settlement was complete and prosperous ; sales of land
were making, and men of means and reputation were purchas-
ing and preparing to settle there. I advertised the lands ex-
tensively in this country and in Europe, as "farming and
garden lands," in Boston, in New York, Albany, and in
Eochester, in the London Times, and in the Mark Lane Express,
and in Holland; and people came in great numbers to view it.
At this juncture, in 1851, the Long Island Railroad Company
failed, suddenly and unexpectedly ; the failure came not only
with most disastrous and ruinous effect upon the railroad, but
upon everything connected with it. It stopped all my work
entirely; men who had purchased of me, and agreed to pur-
chase, abandoned their purchase and left the place, for it was
rumored and believed that the railroad was to be abandoned
and the rails taken up. The fate of the Catskill and Canajo-
harie Eailroad was held up as the fate of the Long Island
Eailroad (the Catskill and Canajoharie Eailroad was torn up, and
the rails, that cost $100,000, were sold as old iron for $4,000).
Emissaries were sent out all along the railroad, who reported that
the rails were to be taken up and the road abandoned. A suit
was brought against the railroad, and judgment entered, and it
was put into the hands of a receiver, Moses Maynard, who was
the treasurer of the Long Island Eailroad Company, and the
road was advertised to be sold at public auction — "all the right,
title, and interest of the Long Island Railroad, franchises, real
estate, rolling stock of every kind." Under this state of ruin
the stock of the company fell as low as seven dollars a share.
The plaintiff in this case was the Brooklyn and Jamaica Eailroad
Company, that owned twelve miles of railroad between Brook-
lyn and Jamaica. The Long Island Eailroad owned eighty -three
miles ; both companies had distinct organizations ; the Brooklyn
and Jamaica road was made first, and the Long Island Eailroad
Company foolishly leased for forty years, at a yearly rent of
$31,500 a year, in monthly payments. Whilst this state of con-
fusion and ruin was going on, the stock of the railroad was being
bought up from seven to ten dollars a share. I was in daily
attendance in Maynard's office, and saw and heard all that
passed. In comes a stockholder : " Well, Alderman, is the
road to be sold, and what will it bring?" "Oh, yes, it is to be
sold, and it will probably bring enough to pay some of the im-
mediate debts ; it may bring twenty-five per cent, of the
cost of the railroad— two millions.'' "Then it is a pretty
poor lookout for the stockholders?" "Yes."' "I have a little
stock, and can get a little something for it." " How much have
you?" "I have ten shares." " How much can you get for it ?"
"Ten dollars a share." " Then you had better sell it." So the
stockholder, whose money had built the railroad, goes out and
sells his stock. This is literally a true statement of what I saw
repeatedly; for I was anxiously waiting to know what my fate
would be, since they had repudiated the written agreement
made by the company with me, and on which depended the
value of my property of more than sixty thousand dollars
($60,000).
After these parties had obtained a majority of the stock suffi-
cient to control the road, they withdrew all proceedings
against it, and reinstated it; made William E. Morris, of Phila-
delphia, president, and turned Maynard out. Then a great fiour-
ish of trumpets was made over the resurrection of the Long Island
Railroad, and great things were promised, and the stock, that had
been trampled on and hawked at ten dollars a share, increased
marvellously. I then made every effort to have my contracts
with the road completed, but this they positively refused. I
felt wearied and discouraged, and sold the entire property. In
this I made a mistake; I could and ought to have held it, but I
thought I had done enough. I sold the property to Charles Wood
and his associates, of New York. Mr. Wood was recommended
as a fair and honest man by Moses Y. Beach, Alfred Beach,
and Moses S. Beach, owners and editors of the New York Sun,
and they sustained and aided him very greatly. I sold mostly
on credit, and I continued to do all I could to promote the set-
tlement of the lands, and have done so to the present day. Mr.
Wood went on to sell and improve, but ultimately got into diffi-
culty and failed. He was victimized by others, and Lakeland
never recovered from the failure, and is now blotted out; while
it is called Ronkonkoma Depot, by an act of gross injustice to
me, and to the settlement, the pioneer settlement, in the wil-
derness.
I have done with my journey in the wilderness, though I am
not out of it. I propose to introduce some of my witnesses.
I wrote to B. F. Thompson, of Hempstead, the author of the
History of Long Island, and quoted his strange libel upon the
lands eastward of Hempstead Plains (at page 29, vol. 1st), and
asked him to tell me upon what that passage was founded? if
any attempt had ever been made to cultivate the lands? if so,
by whom, when, and where? and wherein the soil differed from
the soils in other parts of the Island? if the soil had ever been
chemically examined ? He answered that when he wrote that
passage it was " the generally received opinion" on the Island
that the soil could not be cultivated; that he knew no facts,
and encouraged me to go on, and kindly offered to aid, and became
my friend as long as he lived. I wrote to the Eev. Mr. Pkime,
author of another History of Long Island, and sent him a copy
4:6a
GB WHEAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.
of my letter to Mr. Thompson (see Prime's description of the
lands, where he says, "About forty miles from the west end
[this is where Brentwood now stands] the sand approaches to
fluidity in fineness [for there is no soil].") Mr. Prime wrote me
a letter of four pages of special pleading to show that he was
right, and I was wrong. I have both of these letters yet.
Now, I am satisfied that all the miserable drivel about and
against these lands, which have been published in the past forty
years in every history, book or gazette, originated from Pbtmb
and Thompson, and from nobody else (for there is not a word
found in all the previous history of the Island of any barren
lands) ; and that monstrous wrong was inflicted upon Long
Island by these histories. I have never met with a man on
the Island who knew the first thing about the land or soil, no
matter how much he said against it. Cross-examine him, and
he utterly failed.
Now let us hear what men of great intelligence, learning, and
ability, men learned in agriculture and soils, who personally went
on to the lands with spade and ink-horn to record the result.
In 1847 a party of 170 of the most distinguished men in the city
and State went expressly to examine the soil as to its fitness for
culture. This was on the 22d of July, 1847. The party spent
two days there. Among them were the Hon. Messrs. Ogden
Edwards, John Lawrence, Professor Eenwick, of Columbia Col-
lege of New York, Hon. Henry Meigs, T. B. Wakeman, Gen.
Chandler, of the American Institute, &c. Every one of these
pronounced the soil to be good and perfect. Dr. TJnderhill,
of Croton Vineyard, declared it was in every way suited to
grape culture. They made an extended report in favor of these
lands of more than twenty-four pages : see Transactions of the
American Institute, vol. for the year 1847, page 678 ; also The New
York State Agricultural Society Transactions, published 1859 ; also
the address of Gov. John A. Dix, delivered at Saratoga before
the State Fair at Saratoga Springs ; also (in the same vol., 1859),
an exhaustive report on the Lands of Long Island, of 40 pages,
by Winslow C. Watson, of Port Kent, of Essex County, N. Y.
Mr. Watson is the State geologist for the northern counties of the
State, and is one of the most able and learned agriculturists of
the State. He came to Long Island twice, and made careful ex-
amination of the lands. This kind of evidence can be multiplied
to any extent, and no acre of the ground has failed to produce.
See the Suffolk County Almshouse farm, at Yaphank, on the
plains, where they cut last year two hundred tons of the finest
hay from 45 acres. See, also, the splendid stock farm of the
Hon. August Belmont, of 1,000 acres, two miles north of Baby-
lon, L. I. I propose, in conclusion, to give the figures of uncul-
tivated lands in Suffolk County, which is one hundred and ten
miles long by about ten miles wide, containing 640,000 acres.
These figures are from the United States census for 1845, and if
these lands were there then they are there now, for no thousands
of acres of these lands, as I have heard of, have been since culti-
vated.
The town of Huntington, 50,968 acres uncultivated. Hunt-
ington has lately been divided, and the town of Babylon set off.
Islip, 63,984 acres uncultivated; Smithtown, 27,960 acres un-
cultivated; Brookhaven, 117,360 acres uncultivated; Eiverhead,
25,000 acres uncultivated; Southold, 29,000 acres uncultivated;
Shelter Island, 6,000 acres uncultivated; Southampton, 68,395
acres uncultivated; Easthampton, 52,672 acres uncultivated,
making 447,953 acres of uncultivated lands in Suffolk County.
There are in Queens County 90,000 acres of uncultivated lands.
These figures include only good arable land, no marshy land.
I purchased in 1848. of P. M. A. Wicks, four hundred acres, at
two dollars and seventy-five cents an acre, without the wood,
which he retained, and this is the land on which the village of
Brentwood now stands. As I did not intend to keep this land,
or any part of it, I did not take the " deed for it," as I purchased
it for the express purpose of getting it into the hands of those who
would improve it; and I employed my friend, the late Samuel
Fleet, then the editor of the New York Artisan (not the paper by
that name now), and he negotiated the sale of it to Nathan
Stephens, Christopher Wray, TJel West, J. Agate, and others ;
and it was conveyed, on my order, under my contract with Mr.
Wicks, to these parties. Most of these purchasers intended to
improve the land, but were prevented by the stories that it was
worthless and unfit for culture.
Mr. Fleet, who was a worthy and intelligent man, had full con-
fidence and full faith in the productive quality of the land, and
he rendered important and valuable aid in bringing it before the
public ; and after these first purchasers had abandoned the idea
of improving the land, Mr. Fleet sold it to Stephen Pearl An-
drews, of New York, who laid out and made the settlement of
Brentwood upon it. My friends think, and say, if I had not pur-
chased the land and put it into the market, at great trouble and
considerable cost, it would have remained unsettled to the pres-
ent time, and no Brentwood there ; for all the surrounding
region that I did not put into the market is yet a wilderness — for
they know of nobody else who would have purchased it.
I bought and put into the market all the land that Mr. Wicks
sold east of his house— the old Thompson station.
I settled Mr. Kichardson, the nurseryman at Brentwood, about
twenty years ago ; he came from Massachusetts under my adver-
tisements in the Boston Cultivator, came to my house in Brook-
lyn, and I went with him to examine the lands; he did not buy
any land of me.
There are now ten new and prosperous villages and settle-
ments, made in the past thirty years, along the line of the Long
Island Railroad, and on what was thirty years ago a wilderness,
in a distance of thirty miles from Farmingdale to Yaphank, in-
cluding Farmingdale and Yaphank — viz.: Farmingdale, Deer
Park, Brentwood, Central Islip, Lakeland, Holbrook, Waverly,
Medford, Yaphank, Bohemiaville and Edenvale — the settlement
of William J. Spence.
Bohemiaville and Edenvale are not in sight of the railroad,
but between the railroad and the old south side country road,
not far north of Blue Point and Patchogue. Mr. Spence settled
there thirty years ago, in what was then the darkest part of the
Island. Men went to him from the old settlements and warned
him off, lest he might become a town charge ; he cleared and
cultivated the land, has lived there thirty years, supported him-
self and family from the land by farming, and has now a beauti-
ful farm. Go and see his farm. Mr. Spence is dead.
These new settlements have churches, schools, comfortable
homes, some splendid buildings, fields of wheat, corn,
clover, grass, and the finest fruit gardens and fruit or-
chards that can be found on the Island, and all produced
by ordinary culture, without extra cost or extra means ;
and these ten villages and settlements, with their fields and gar-
dens, over a space of thirty miles, settle the question of the pro-
ductive quality of the land so long despised, and put to shame
its traducers and maligners. It is rather a curious and interest-
ing fact, that six of these new settlements, Brentwood, Central
Islip, Lakeland, Holbrook, Bohemiaville and Edenvale, are on
the land brought into the market and sold by me — bought and
sold expressly for settlement and culture, and for no other pur-
pose— bought and sold, or rather given away, in most cases, for
less than the actual cost to me of titles and transfer.
I never purchased an acre of land on the Island for anything
that I expected to make on the land by a re-sale of it, but I ex-
pected and hoped to receive my reward by what I might be able
to retain when the settlements were made. I cast in my lot with
the settlements and settlers, having full faith in the intrinsic
value of the land and the country. It is the finest and most
productive garden land, with the best markets, the most healthy
and pleasant climate, in the State of New York.
October 14, 1879. e. F. Peck.
Mr. Slater's fine buildings at Central Islip are on land that I
bought of William Nicoll in 1848. e. F. Peck.
CAPABILITIES AND DEVELOPMENT.
ila
The City op Health. By Edgae F. Peck, M.D.
Dr. B. W. Richardson, of London, not long ago set forth the
admirable advantages which would accrue to a city founded on
strictly sanitary principles— a city which should comprehend in
full all the benefits which pertain to the best chosen situation
with regard to climate, soil, drainage, water supply, house con-
struction, food supplies, disposal of refuse, public buildings,
churches, schools, hospitals, places of amusement, factories,
fire-stations — all the appurtenances and avoidances necessary to
the promotion and maintenance of the highest standard of hu-
man health. But the great merchant prince of New York, A. T.
Stewart, even before the appearance of Dr. Eiohardson's paper,
had the sagacity to found a city— a "Garden City"— on a tract
of land which had remained utterly neglected from the first
settlement of this country by Europeans, on account of a singu-
lar belief or fatuity that it was barren or unfit for culture. Yet,
strange to say, this tract of land, on which Garden City is
situated, possesses all the natural advantages suited to Dr. Rich-
ardson's ideal "City of Health ; " and, with the required sanitary
skill in the construction of this new city. Long Island will ere
long exult in possessing the veritable City of Health so graphi-
cally though fancifully depicted by Dr. Richardson.
The great Hempstead Plains, which Mr. Stewart " took, held,
and possessed," is a remarkable tract of country. An old histo-
rian, who described it more than two hundred years ago, says :
" Toward the middle of the Island lyeth a plain, sixteen miles
long and four miles broad, upon which plain groweth very fine
grass that makes exceeding good hay, and is very good pasture
for sheep and other cattel."
There were about sixty thousand acres in this wonderful piece
of land ; it was, in fact, a prairie — a great and beautiful upland
meadow, producing "very fine grass that makes exceeding good
hay.'' I will try in a few words to describe the situation, surface,
soil and geological structure of this celebrated spot. The west-
erly part of the " Plains " is about fifteen miles from Brooklyn,
and can be seen from the spires and " high house-tops " of Bed-
ford. Starting from the South Ferry, where the rails of the old
L. I. R. R. were seven feet above tide-water ; and at Bedford,
two and a half miles, seventy-three feet ; at the watering-place
formerly called Howard's "Woods, on the high ground this side
of East New York, eighty-three feet ; thence descending to
Jamaica Depot, where the rails are forty feet above tide-water ;
thence easterly, the grade is uphill all the way to Hicksville,
twenty five miles from Brooklyn, or South Ferry, where
it is one hundred and fifty feet above tide-water. This is
the summit level of the L. I. R. R., and is near the north-
easterly border of Hempstead Plains, which extends north of
Hicksville to the southerly edge of the hills of Jericho. At
Hempstead Branch, or Mineola, about a mile north of Garden
City Hotel, the rails are 103 feet above tide-water. These dis-
tances or heights are given to show the situation or position of
this great tract. It is an elevated table-land with a southern
aspect, with a descent of about twenty feet to the mile. It is
bounded on the north by the high grounds or ridge of hills
running through the Island from west to east ; with this regular
and gentle descent to the southern shore of the Island, the under
drainage is most complete and perfect. Then the surface of the
" Plains," from west to east, is gently undulating, in long swells;
elevations and depressions, looking southwardly, have exactly
the appearance of the dried beds of streams; and following them
down towards the south borders of the Plains, streams of purest
water are found in many of them.
These rollings or undulations of the land present, in fact, three
drainage surfaces on each of them, one southerly of about twenty
feet to the mile, and one on each side, gently sloping to the west
and to the east from the center of these elevated sections, thereby
presenting a most wonderful natural drainage. The surface soil
is a dark loam from fifteen inches to two feet in depth. It looks
just what a lady would select to fill her flower-pots with, and is
highly productive, and which grew and grows the "very fine
grass that made exceeding good hay," according to the old
chronicler; and what is remarkable, this grass never runs out— it
is always fresh and green. And it may here be remarked that
the natural grasses of Hempstead Plains are the most nutritious
grasses that can be found in the Northern States.
The turf upon this upper and dark soil is so thick and strong
as to require a team of three horses with a strong plough to turn a
furrow through it. Under this layer of dark loam is a layer of
yellow loam, of about equal thickness, in many places a clay
loam or clay ; and under these, generally at a depth of about
two feet and a half or three feet, is the firm, compact gravel and
sand that everywhere form the main body of Long Island, for it
is literally a "child of the ocean."
These undersands and gravels are firm and compact (there are
no quicksands), and intermingled with fine silicious sands, com-
minuted, almost levigated, forming the most complete and per-
fect filter that can possibly be made; and the water found under
this whole region, and flowing out of it, is of the purest and
sweetest kind, and never fails. It has been claimed recently
that a great subterranean river flows under Hempstead Plains,
or such is the inference from the inexhaustible flow that is found
from twenty to thirty feet under the surface.
The climate is the finest in the State of New York, mostheaTlh-
ful and pleasant. There are no stagnant waters nor malarious
land within miles of this highly favored and most interesting
region.
There is no place like it for the foundation of a City of Health
— the great work has been done by nature. There are not men
and horses enough in this, the great Empire State, to form such
a foundation for a City of Health ; and if Mrs. Stewart will im-
prove these great natural advantages and found the first City of
Health in America, she will become a benefactress to her race,
and gain immortal honor. Edgab P. Peck.
I desire also to say something about the share which I have had
in the great discoveries in science and the arts of the age in
which I have lived, especially that most wondrous of all, the
uses of electricity. I only propose to say what I have seen and
known as a matter of science, and connected with my professional
study. I took a great interest in the study of electricity and mag-
netism, from the time of Professor Oerstadt's (of Copenhagen)
discovery of motion and electro-magnetism, which from that
time took a prominent place with scholars and men of science to
the present time. Omitting dates and particulars, I would say
that Professor Joseph Henry, of Albany, was the American pion-
eer in the science and use of electricity and magnetism, and it
became the pursuit of his lifetime. In 1831 he delivered a lec-
ture in Clinton Hall, before the New York Mercantile Library As-
sociation, on ' ' Electricity and Magnetism, " in which he showed
the great power of the magnet, when produced by a coil of wire,
charged with electricity, around the iron, and this produced
motion in the magnet.
At the conclusion of this lecture, in speaking of the velocity of
the electrical fluid, he said, if it was possible to put a wire around
the globe, twenty-four thousand miles, the electrical current
would make the circuit of 24,000 miles whilst a swallow, in its
ordinary flight, would make three dips of his wing. I was
present at the lecture.
The immediate result then sought from electro-magnetism
was moiion, that it might be applied to machinery; and this wag
discovered and obtained by Mr. Davenport, an unlearned black-
smith, of Brandon, Vt. He had seen for the first time, at the
Crown Point Iron Works, the separation of iron from the pulver-
ized iron ore by means of an electro-magnet. Going home, he
made an electro-magnetic machine, which turned a wheel with
great velocity. This was the first electro-magnetic machine ever
made. He obtained a patent for it, and associated with himself
Ransom Cook, an ingenious mechanic of Saratoga Springs, and
48«
GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.
they organized a, company, under the firm name of Cook &
Davenport ; they came to New York, and their invention was
brought extensively before the public, and attracted great atten-
tion. The late Edward Williams, author of Williams' Register,
became associated with them. He was a man of great intelli-
gence and enterprise, one of the founders of the American Insti-
tute, New York, and it was through him and for him that I un-
dertook to furnish material aid in this work. Mr. Williams soon
saw the difficulties in the way of a private company in bringing
out this great invention. He thought the company should have
a charter to define its legal rights and powers, and went to
Rhode Island (its Legislature being then in session), where he
had friends, and by the aid of two eminent citizens, E. J. Mallett
and Charles Jackson, he obtained » charter from the State of
Rhode Island for an Electro-Magneiic Company, whose object was
to develop the power and uses of electro-magnetism. Thus to
Rhode Island belongs the honor of granting the first charter ever
granted for that purpose, out of which came the telegraph which
now surrounds the world. A company was organized under this
charter, and opened an office and rooms at No. 58 Gold street,
New York, where it set up machinery moved by electro-magnet-
ism. A wheel was constructed five feet in diameter, which made
three hundred revolutions a minute and power sufficient for a
turning lathe. Large galvanic batteries were constructed, the
largest and most powerful, I believe, ever constructed in this
country. Large globules of electricity were produced by these
batteries — liquid fire — so much so, that the neighbors said "they
make lightning over there." Great publicity was given to this
work, and the rooms were visited by the most eminent scientific
men in the country: Professor Ren wick, of Columbia College,
New York; Professor Morse, the inventor of the telegraph, which
had not then been put in use or practice; Professor Silliman,
of Yale College, and Professor Hare, of Philadelphia. These dis-
tinguished men made several visits there, at all of which I was
present, for I found it necessary for me to take the supervision of
the work there, in order to protect my interest in it, having fur-
nished money to build the batteries and make most of the appar-
atus used there. Mr. Williams I had also furnished with money
for most of his personal expenses [to Rhode Island and to Albany,
where he also went. The learned professors, whose names I
have given, seemed to doubt if sufficient electricity could be pro-
duced by batteries to reach distant points — that it might waste
on the wires. I contended that it could be obtained in sufficient
quantity and force.
On one occasion, when these professors were present, an ear-
nest argument arose on the power of galvanic batteries, I con-
tending for my theory of its power, and they doubting. Mr.
Chilton, of New York, a manufacturer of electrical machines and
chemicals, was present, and he told one of my friends that he
considered it was very great impudence in Dr. Peck to dispute
with such men as Silliman and Hare on any matter of science.
There were some objections to the Rhode Island charter, as it
involved a personal liability ; and it was thought best to obtain
a charter from the State of New York. At the next session of
the Legislature, Mr. Williams made application for a charter,
which, by the aid of Professor Henry and others, was obtained.
Meanwhile, at the laboratory in Gold street, Professor Morse was
in almost daily attendance, and anxious to raise means to put
into practical operation his great invention. I, with Mr. Wil-
liams, negotiated with him for the purchase of one-half of his
patent for the United States. He was to have $50,000 in money, to
be paid in installments, and $500,000 in the stock of the Electro-
Magnetio Company. To this the machine men, who held patents
for electro-magnetic machinery, would not consent. At this
time it was thought by Professor Morse that his wires must be
laid under ground, and the wires be insulated by being wound
with cotton thread like suspender wires ; and Ezra Cornell, a
plough-maker in one of the towns of Central New York, and a
native of Westchester County, proposed to Professor Morse to |
make a plough to do this work. This plough was to have two
shares, one in front to open the furrow, in which the wires were
to be laid from a large spool of wire in the center between the
shares, and the rear share to turn the furrow back on the wires.
This project brought Professor Morse and Ezra Cornell together.
The affairs of the Electro-Magnetic Company did not prosper ;
the machine inventors differed among themselves, and about
1839 my interest in it ended with loss.
Truman Cook made these large galvanic batteries at No. 58
Gold street, which did so much to aid Professor Morse. Truman
Cook was the brother of Ransom Cook. They were men of
ability and great mechanical skill, and they did more than any
other men to develop and promote the success and the use of
electro-magnetism, out of which so great and wonderful results
have come. Justice has not been done to their names and
memory, as the pioneers of the great work and wonder of the
world — the telegraph— which has come from their labor. Ran-
som and Truman Cook were natives of Saratoga Springs, N. Y.
During my residence from 1841 to 1847, I was extensively en-
gaged in the practice of medicine, and earnestly in the cause
of temperance, and cultivated my little farm at Edgewood. I
left Smithtown in 1847, and went to the village of Jamaica, for
the purpose of giving my daughter the advantages of Miss
Adrain's school, in Union Hall. Then I took up a permanent
residence in 1849 in State street, Brooklyn, which has been my
home to the present time. I selected this place as being con-
venient to the railroad, as accessible to my property and business
on the Island, and to New York City, where I had large pro-
perty interests and was connected with various institutions. I am
one of the oldest members of the American Institute. I attended
the first Fair, in 1831, in the old Masonic Hall, on Broadway,
near Pearl street ; the Hon. Edward Everett delivered the
address in the evening in the Lutheran Church, in Walker street,
between Broadway and Elm street. I have attended every Fair
of the American Institute for fifty-two years, the first and
the last Pairs. I was one of the founders of the Farmers' Olvb,
of the American Institute, and a member of the Kings County
Medical Society, a member of the Long Island Historical Society,
and a life member of the New York Agricultural Society, and keep
up my interest in my life work. I am now engaged in many
other important improvements, which I trust will be of great use
and benefit. This — from the Signal, Babylon, L. I., February
16th, 1884 — I wish to put on record here :
A SHIP CHANNEL AROUND HELL GATE.
Millions of dollars have been spent in blasting out the rooks
of Hell Gate, and yet the work is only begun. It is somewhat
singular that it never occurred to any of our prominent engin-
eers to avoid this dangerous reef altogether by opening a new
cut. It has been left for Dr. Edgar F. Peck, of Brooklyn, to
make the suggestion, which he does in the following letter, and
it is to be hoped his ideas will be tested at an early day. It
would seem as though the'better policy would have been to open
a canal as proposed, and then obstruct the gate rather than seek
to open it, which would force the water through the canal, and
thus keep it open and navigable for the largest ships. Such a
work would make the Sound the safest as well as the shortest
outlet for the commerce of New York. The following is the
Doctor's letter :
" Opening oir Hell Gate bx a Ship Channel. — A great deal has
been said, but very little done, about removing the obstructions
to navigation in Hell Gate — that being about the burden of the
talk. Now, I propose to cut this Gordian knot by opening a
ship channel from Hallett's Cove to Pot Cove, from 500 to 800
feet wide and 40 feet deep. This would out off the elbow of
Hallett's Point, that causes all the whirls and tumult and dan-
gers in the roaring waters of Hell Gate. This ship channel
would have to be made only about a half a mile long, from 86th
street to 96th street, and will remove all obstructions to the full
and free navigation of Long Island Sound, and all ships and
vessels coming from the eastward would take the Long Island
Sound route to New York. The whole State of Connecticut is
deeply interested in this important work, as it would open for it
free and clear navigation into New York. I am greatly sur-
prised that it has not been done long ago — that the very door
CAPABILITIES AND DEVELOPMENT.
4:9a
and gate to the city have been left closed by the raging waters
and rocks of Hell Gate for more than two hundred years. The
island of Manhattan bears an Indian name which signifies
'roaring water,' and this term the Indians appplied to the
waters of Hell Gate, and afterwards to the island itself. Let Gen-
eral Newton stop his useless and costly work of digging under
the rooks to try to blow out the bottom of Hell Gate; let him
come out of his dark dens and work in the open day, by means
of coffer-dams around the rocks he wishes to remove. All that
work can be done by coffer-dams for less than half the cost now
made in his useless work, and he would leave a clean bottom,
not filled with broken and spioulated rooks, as he now leaves it.
So let us have the ship channel to avoid the dangers of Hell
Gate. Edgab F. Peck, M.D.
"Brooklyn, January 26th, 1884."
[From the Christian at Work, November 9i/i, 1882.]
THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE.
BY EDGAE F. PECK, M.D.
To the Ghrisiian at Work :
I beg to express to you my earnest thanks, in behalf of hu-
manity and Christianity, for your able and interesting article on
tobacco in your last week's paper. I have been for a long time
trying to rescue childhood and youth from the tobacco fiend,
and am now in the midst of the conflict against the two great
dragons, the most stupendous curses of mankind, rum and
tobacco. I have fought these enemies all my life, and now in my
old age am moved to enter the field once again, though I have
been out of active service for some time. Public attention seems
to be wakittg up to the evils of tobacco. I have been and am
now endeavoring to concentrate forces and efforts against it, and
I think some progress has been made. My view is, that if min-
isters of the Gospel and medical men would abandon the use of
tobacco, and use their influence against it, the evil could be
greatly abated, if not entirely abandoned.
Now as to strong drink. I differ with some of the temperance
men of the present day on their plan of action. I want you to
publish this plan, and I want some of your able writers to take
up the subject on a "new departure;" to put the axe to the root
of the great Upas tree; to stop making the infernal stuff by — pro-
hibition. I mean, to prohibit the making of the deadly thing.
I claim that our government is responsible for all the drunken-
ness in the land, because it allows all the drink of the drunkards
to be made. This is a plain truth, and cannot be denied. I
want some able speaker or writer to present this subj ect to the
people, and let the whole question be discussed on the merits of
the case from this standpoint. The government is represented
by Congress, headed by the President, and I charge that he and
they are the responsible parties, for their fiat or authority lights
all the lurid fires that blaze and flame in the ten thousand distil-
leries and breweries that burn perpetually night and day,
and pour out their streams of liquid death all over the land.
The government is the great manufacturer in this infamous
work; it seizes the lion's share of the plunder; it keeps an army
of men on guard to hunt " crooked whiskey." Those grim, fiend-
like creatures that went to Deacon Giles' distillery and offered to
do the work of the devil on the Lord's day are quartered in bat-
talions in every city, town, village and hamlet, and sixty mil-
lions of money is seized by them as revenue .' Sixty millions
from the blood and bones of the poor drunkard ! And in this
horrible and atrocious work more than a hundred millions of
bushels of golden grain a year — enough to feed and clothe the
naked nations of the earth — millions of loaves of bread, the staff
of life — are beaten, bruised, burned and transmuted into the
deadly curse— and all by government. And if this be not a na-
tional crime, I fail to see what can be. This money seized by
government is blood money, and it is a disgrace to a Christian
people to take it or to touch it. The cry of this blood money
goes up to heaven and calls aloud for vengeance. Let the whole
nation be aroused to the enormity of this crime; let all the
churches pour out their indignation against the great sin. It is a
great national crime. The capital of the nation is the great
Gibraltar of intemperance. Washington is the great golden
bowl from which the nation is made drunk. The White House
is a whited sepulchre; it is full of extortion and dead men's
bones. Let the temperance army march upon it with banners
and battle down its walls. I am not a reformed man. I began
my work in my youth. I adopted total abstinence in 1824, two
years before Dr. Beeoher preached his immortal sermons against
intemperance in Litchfield, in 1826. I knew Dr. Beecher. I
lived then a few miles from Litchfield. I entered the study of
medicine about that time, and I took up the whole subject, and
for nearly forty years did my utmost in the cause. I am much
like the aged prisoner released from the Bastile. The men
among whom I moved and worked two generations ago have
passed away and gone; they are nearly all dead. I can scarcely
recall the name of a single one living; and, without boasting,
perhaps there is no man living who has had a better opportunity
to thoroughly understand the whole history of the temperance
cause. I wish to do what I can to roll back the burning floods of
intemperance, but I feel that my earthly work is about done. I
feel humbled, humiliated, that I have done so little in propor-
tion to what I ought to have done for my Lord and Master's ser-
vice. My lease of life is out — the lease of the house I live in,
my body, is out— and I am only holding over, a tenant at will —
holding over on sufferance, liable to be ejected with or without
notice when the great Lord of the Manor calls for His posses-
sion, and all I have to do is to keej) myself and my house in
order for the coming of the King. May the Lord bless you and
your Christian work !
Beooklyn, N. Y.
I have always been a temperance man, often writing and
speaking for the cause. In politics I was one ot the earliest and
staunchest abolitionists. I voted for John Quincy Adams in
1828, and supported Fremont in 1856, warmly espousing the
Republican party and principles through the war. I joined the
Reformed Dutch Church in 1828, and for the past 30 years have
been a member of the Old Reformed Dutch Church, near the
City Hall. I have always been blessed with excellent health
of body and mind through my life-long, arduous labors.
[We have been kindly furnished by Mr. Elias Lewis, Jr., with
some notes on Long Island, which corroborate the foregoing
statement of Dr. Peck, and which we here present. — Editob.]
The general form of Long Island is indicated by its name. Its
extreme length is about 115 miles, and its average width scarcely
more than 12 miles. Almost its entire mass is a glacial deposit
or moraine, part of the vast deposit of similar material which
abounds at intervals from the Island of Nantucket westward and
northward to beyond the Mississippi River. This, geologically
considered, is known as the terminal moraine of the ice sheet
of the glacial age. In its structure. Long Island comprises the
material peculiar to such deposits — sand, gravel, clay, with
boulder in every condition of intermixture. The surface soil is
to a large extent a sandy loam, fertile and easy of oulti^ration.
It is especially adapted to the growth of grass, grains, and gar-
den products. Much of the western part of the Island is being
converted into a garden for the supply of the great cities near.
Agricultural industry is being rapidly developed, and nowhere
else is it more successful or profitable. The so-called sandy
tracts of Suffolk County, concerning which a great deal of
thoughtless and idle remark has been made, are found to yield
a profltable return for intelligent labor. Long Island is fairly
well wooded. Its forests are of oak, hickory, chestnut, locust,
with many other species of deciduous trees. The evergreens in-
digenous to the soil are almost entirely of the yellow or pitch
pine. Firms rigida. At an early period of its history, the forest
growth of the island was doubtless heavier than now. There
were oaks, chestnuts, tulip trees, and others of great age and of
immense size ; a few of these survive. The fox oaks at Flushing,
no longer existing, were historic trees and justly celebrated. A
white oak at Greenvale, near Glen Gove, is 21 feet in girth, and
is probably 500 years old; another nearly as old is at Manhassett,
in the Friends' meeting-house yard; others similar are at Smith-
town and vicinity. A tulip tree at Lakeville, on the elevated
grounds of S. B. M. Cornell, impaired by age and storms, is 26
feet in girth near the ground, and was a landmark from the
ocean more than a century ago. The famous black walnut at
Roslyn, on grounds of the late W. 0. Bryant, is probably the
largest tree on Long Island; it measures 29 feet in girth at the
ground, and 21 feet at the smallest part of the trunk, below the
spread of its enormous branches. Chestnut trees in the neigh-
borhood of Brookville and Norwich, in the town of Oyster Bay,
are 16, 18, and 22 feet in girth. The growth of hard-wood
trees on Long Island is rapid. The few large trees stand-
ing indicate what they may have been, or what they might be
if undisturbed. The evergreens grow with equal luxuriousness.
A century and a half ago pitch pines were abundant from 20
inches to 36 inches in diameter.
Nowhere on the coast does the locust flourish as it does on
Long Island ; nor can it be found elsewhere of equal quality.
50ii
GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.
Notwithstanding insect attacks, young forests quickly spring
up. (See page 20.) ,,,-,, , .^ , i
When the Island was first settled by white people, a great va-
riety of wild animals were common, which are now extinct.
Among these were the black bear, wolf, wild-cat, beaver, porcu-
pine, opossum and gray fox, also several species of smaller
quadrupeds. The deer was plenty, and is not uncommon now
m Suffolk County. It is probable that the moose and elk were
once found on the Island, as one of these species was found on
Fisher's Island, a part of the town of Southold, a century and a
half ago.
Of birds, Long Island is the habitat, or resting-place, of about
three hundred and twenty species. Of the species once com-
mon here, many no longer visit us, or have left this portion of the
coast altogether. A descriptive catalogue of the birds of Long
Island was published by Giraud, and a very complete catalogue
was issued by Geo. K. Lawrence, of New York, about ten years
since. The iishes of the coast are catalogued by Professor Theo-
dore A. Gill, formerly of Brooklyn, and included in a more
general catalogue of the fishes of the Atlantic border of
the United States. The species number about one hun-
dred and ninety. In the Museum Department of the Long
Island Historical Society, an effort is being made to pre-
sent a collection which shall represent the fauna and flora of the
Island, of both living and extinct species.
The physical aspects of the Island are of rare beauty. Hills,
plains, valleys and vast stretches of meadow occur throughout
its length, toward the west, and a ridge of hills, which rise
at Brooklyn to the height of 190 feet, extends eastward,
attaining at Boslyn a height of 384 feet. This is the
highest elevation on the Island, and commands a view which for
extent, rarity, and picturesque beauty is not surpassed on the
Atlantic border of the United States. Jane's Hill, one of the
West Hill group, is 383 feet high. Other hills in Suffolk County
are Kuland's, near Coram, 340 feet ; Osborn's, southwest of
Eiverhead, 293 feet ; Shinnecock Hill, 140 feet. Montauk Point
is 85 feet above tide. Throughout the western portion of this
lineof broken hills the unmodified glacial drift prevails at the sur-
face, makingasoil of rich, clayey loam. The " plains," which lie
southward of the hills extending from Fort Hamilton to Shinne-
cock, consist of what is known as "modified drift," a deposit
in which the great glacial moraine beds have been distributed
and assorted by moving water. A coarse gravel is frequent on
the north side of the Island, and some of the richest soils of the
Island lie upon a deep gravelly deposit.
Boulders of immense size occur on the north side of the Is-
land throughout its entire length, also along the central hills.
The largest one is in Manhassett, in the town of North Hemp-
stead. Its extreme length is 54 feet, width 45 feet, and the
thickness about 16 feet, a portion lying below the surface; others
at Wading River, in Suffolk County, are 100 feet in circumfer-
ence, and 15 feet high, 78 feet circumference and 25 feet high ;
and one lying 180 feet above tide measures 15 feet in height
above the surface of the ground, and 109 feet around.
These enormous boulders are of gneiss, as are nearly all the
very large ones found on the Island. Deposits of excellent
clay occur on many parts of the Island, and are profitably
worked. The most extensive workings are by the Messrs. Cross-
man and by the Messrs. Jones, on the east side of Cold Spring
harbor. These mines, worked or bored to a depth of 100 feet
or more, are practically inexhaustible. These outcrops of clay
are e,vidently part of a vast deposit, which can be traced from
the head of Little Neck Bay to beyond Port Jefferson, a distance
of fifty miles. Extensive excavations are at Glen Cove, the de-
posit being clay, kaolin and fire sand, extending apparently
beneath the elevated promontory on which the village of Sea
Cliff is built. What the geological age of the great clay beds
may be, is not determined. They are evidently pre-glacial, as
they are deeply covered by glacial drift. They may, therefore,
extend as a layer far beneath the Island. The deposits of clay
named are not to be confounded with others found in various
parts of the Island, which are merely local deposits. Many
occur upon the surface, as at Farmingdale, others underneath
deep beds of stratified gravels and sands, as at Barnum Island,
near Long Beach, in Queens County. At this place, 75 feet be-
low the surface, a bed of fine compact blue clay 48 feet thick was
passed through in an artesian boring in 1876.
The north side of the Island is penetrated by a series of fiord
valleys, eight in number, forming excellent harbors. In these
the water is of sufficient depth for coasting vessels, but is 40 feet
deep in some instances. These fiord valleys have their source
at the central hills.
There is evidence that the coast, of which Long Island is a
part, has not always maintained its present position, with re-
spect to the level of the ocean. During the glacial age, it has
been shown that the coast was 200 feet or more higher than
now ; the coast line was from 80 to 100 miles southward of the
present one, and the Hudson discharged its waters into the ocean
100 miles southeastward of Sandy Hook. The last vertical
movement appears to have been one of subsidence. Meadow
formations, several feet thick, with shells of the present period,
are found 50 feet below the surface of the waters at the Narrows,
near Fort Lafayette, and submerged swamps with stumps of
large trees occur at many points around the shore. The only
formations independent of the drift are the clay bed already
noticed and a narrow expanse of gneiss at Astoria and vicinity,
of the same general character as that of the main land op-
posite.
OHAPTEE X.
FORMATION AND GROWTH OF THE LONG ISLAND HIS-
TORICAL SOCIETY.
IHE first steps toward the formation of the Long
Island Historical Society were naturally taken
by a native Long Islander, Alden F. Spoonee,
who had atSnities by birth, marriage and residence,
with each of the three counties. He prepared and
caused to be widely distributed the following cir-
cular :
Ebooklin, February 14th, 1863.
Deab Sm: — The time has arrived when the city of Brooklyn
should found and foster institutions — religious, historical, liter-
ary, scientific, educational and humanitarian— beyond the scope
of former undertakings. As one of these, a historical society,
associated with our peculiar geographical position, naturally
suggests itself. We propose to establish
THE LONG ISLAND HISTOEICAL SOCIETY.
The threefold Indian, Dutch and English history of the Island
is full of interest, and there are doubtless concealed treasures in
each department, which will be developed by research and in-
quiry. By calling out the recollections of the living who will
soon pass away, drawing public records and private writings
from their concealment, having a fit place for the collection
and deposit of trophies, memorials and historical materials, and
also for conventions and lectures upon historic topics, it cannot
be doubted that much valuable knowledge will be saved and
communicated, which would otherwise be irretrievably lost.
It is proposed to establish, first, a library and repository of
books, documents and manuscripts, memorials, trophies and
pictures. For this purpose all persons are requested to favor us
with any appropriate material in their possession,"^^either by gift
or on deposit.
It is also proposed to encourage lectures upon historic and
kindred topics.
Without further developing our plans and objects in this cir-
cular, we invite your attendance at the rooms of th« Hamilton
Literary Association, Hamilton Building, corner of Court and
Joralemon streets, Brooklyn (the door nearest the corner), on
the evening of Tuesday, March 3d, 1863, at 8 o'clock, to take
measures to organize the society.
Henry C. Mubphy,
Alden J. Spoonee,
John Gkeenwood,
John Winslow,
Joshua M. Van Cott,
E. 0
Henby
1
Kings County.
1. McOOEMTOK, Je., I „ ^ ,
:y Ondeedonk, Je., f Q^ieens County.
HiENEY P. Hedges, Suffolk County.
THE LONG ISLAND SISTORIGAL SOCIETY.
41
This met with a prompt response from Brooklyn's
educated and progressive citizens. The society was
resolved upon; appropriate committees appointed to
prepare an act of incorporation under the general law,
and a constitution and by-laws, and to provide the
requisite rooms. The organization being effected, rooms
were secured in the Hamilton Building, on the corner
of Court and Joralemon streets.
The first election of ofiicers took place in these rooms
in May, 1863, the following full board being elected:
President, James C. Brevoort ; First Vice President,
John Greenwood; Second, Charles E. West; Foreign
Corresponding Secretary, Henry C. Murphy; Home
Corresponding Secretary, John Winslow; Recording
Secretary, A. Cooke Hull, M. D.; Treasurer, Charles
Congdon; Librarian, Henry R. Stiles.
DiEECTOES. Charles Congdon ; Roswell Graves ;
Thomas W. Field; A. C. Hull, M. D.; J. M. Van Cott;
Ethelbert S. Mills; R. S. Storrs, Jr., D.D.; Henry R.
Stiles, M. D.; A. N. Littlejohn, D. D.; Charles E. West ;
LL. D.; A. A. Low; George W. Parsons; Alden J.
Spooner; John Winslow; S. B. Chittenden; Hon. John
Greenwood; George A. Stephenson; Hon. Henry C. Mur-
phy; William Poole; Henry Sheldon; J. Carson Bre-
voort; W. I. Buddington, D. D.; Elias Lewis, Jr.; Theo-
dore L. Mason, M. D. ; Henry E. Pierrepont.
CoTTsrsBLLOES — Kings Coimty : Hon. John A. Lott;
Francis Vinton, D. D.; T. G. Bergen; F. A. Farley, D.
D.; Benjamin D. Silliman; Hon. James Humphrey.
Queens County: William Cullen Bryant; Hon. John A.
King; Richard C. MoCormick; John Harold; L. B.
Prince; Solomon D. To wnsend. Suffolk County: Hon.
Selah B. Strong; Hon. J. L. Smith ; William S. Pelletreau;
James H. Tuthill; Rev. E. Whitaker; Henry P. Hedges.
ExBCUTivB Committee. — R. S. Storrs, Jr., D. D.
(chairman); J. M. Van Cott; Alden J. Spooner; E. S.
Mills; George W. Parsons; Henry Sheldon; Simeon B.
Chittenden; Henry R. Stiles (secretary).
The first annual meeting (second year) was held May
5th, 1864, at which all the above officers were re-elected;
and the first annual report was presented, which exhibits
a beginning of great vigor and hopefulness. In this
report Dr. Henet R. Stiles, the librarian, says:
" The nucleus of a library, with which we commenced our
operations on the 4th of June last, comprised about 800 bound
volumes and 1,000 unbound volumes and pamphlets. This
collection, consisting chiefly of works relating to Long Island
and American local history, family genealogies and news-
papers, was contributed mainly by Messrs. J. C. Brevoort,
A. J. Spooner, E. B. Spooner, Henry Onderdonk, Jr., and
Henry R. Stiles. We then occupied two apartments, one
used as a lecture room ; the other and smaller of the two was
shelved as a library room, having, as we then modestly
thought, ample accommodations for the next two years. We
soon found, however, that we had quite under-estimated the
liberality of our friends ; for so large was their sympathy, so
active their co-operation, and so steady the influx of their
gifts— never intermitting for a single day, it might almost be
said for a single moment— that it soon became evident we
should need more book room. At this point in our history
(in September, 1863), the receipt of nearly 1,100 valuable vol-
umes from the trustees of the former City Library fairly over-
whelmed our slender accommodations, and obliged us to ex-
tend our borders by securing three large and commodious
apartments adjoining the library."
These claims for additional space made by the nat-
ural history and museum department, as well as the
library, soon compelled the occupation of the entire
third story of the large building fronting on Court and
Joralemon streets, comprising eight ample and conven-
ient rooms, there being one reading room especially for
ladies, with cosey alcoves for books and appropriate
spaces for a large collection of valuable pictures. In
these rooms the collections remained until removed to
the Society's own building. For the annual courses
of lectures, the large lecture room of the Packer Insti-
tute, and, at times, the Athenaeum on Atlantic avenue,
were used. For additional space for the lectures, the
Society for several years latterly has occupied the
Second Pres. Church, and the beautiful auditorium of
the First Baptist Church on Clinton street.
The Society having been greatly favored in the accu-
mulation of materials of history, a spirit sprang up, among
the members, of individual and mutual labor on works of
local history. The principal of these were :
A History of Brooklyn (in three volumes), by Henry E.
Stiles, M. D.
The Wallabout Series of Memoirs of the Prison Ships,
with annotations (in two volumes), by Henry R. Stiles, M. D.
Journal by two Labadists, Bankers and Sluyter, of a voy-
age to New Netherlands, from Holland, in 1670-80, by Henry
C. Murphy, Esq. (Vol. I. of the Society's Collections).
History of the Battle of Long Island, by Thomas W. Field,
Esq. (Vol. II. of the Society's Collections).
The Campaign of 1776 around New York and Brooklyn, in-
cluding particulars of the battle of Long Island, by H. P.
Johnson. (Vol. III. of the Society's Collections).
Sketch of the first settlement of Long Island, by Silas Wood;
reprinted with biography and annotations, by A. J. Spooner,
Esq.
History of Brooklyn, by Oabriel Furman; repriuted with
biography by A. J. Spooner, Esq., and notes by H. R. StUes,
M. D.
Revolutionary Incidents in Kings, Queens and Suffolk, by
Henry Onderdonk, Jr., of Jamaica.
Dr. Stiles, having resigned his office of librarian, was
succeeded by George Hannah, who has served since
July 1st, 1865.
The collections in books and objects of art and
curiosity increased so largely as to call imperatively
for a new building, and an active committee was ap-
pointed, which prosecuted the work with zeal and suc-
cess. In November, 1877, it was reported that $100,000
had been subscribed. Plans were solicited, and those
of George B. Post, a New York architect, were pre-
ferred. Under his care the edifice was completed;
and it was formally taken possession of with appropri-
ate ceremonies and speeches, Wednesday, January 22d,
1881, in the lecture room of the new building. Samuel
McLean was chairman of the building committee.
42
GEJSTEBAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.
The number of subscribers to the building fund was
exactly 300. The amount subscribed was $137,684.
The cost of the building was $121,250. The three lots
on which it stands cost, in 1867, $32,500, on which
$20,000 was then paid by subscribers, leaving a mortgage
of $14,500 ; this was paid off on the delivery of the
building, and a balance of $2,000 paid to the society.
The society, like the Academy of Music and the Mer-
cantile Library, has demonstrated the high-toned intel-
ligence and liberality of the " City of Churches " in
whatever concerns its religious, moral or social welfare.
Among the benefactors of the society (much too
numerous to permit of the mention of all, or even the
leading contributors) should be named Miss Caroline
and Miss Ellen Thurston, who gave $2,000 for a depart-
ment of the History of Egypt, the Holy Land and
Greece ; and the late Mrs. Maria Cary, who sub-
scribed $2,500 to found a department of American
Biography. An unknown giver donated $2,000 as the
mucleus of a permanent fund for increasing the library.
The principal addition to this fund has been Mr. Geo. I.
Seney's gift of $50,000 ; while he also gave $12,000 for
immediate expenditure in books, and $25,000 for binding
books. The late Hon. Henry C. Murphy, in 1881, pre-
sented 250 exceedingly valuable volumes relating to the
history of Holland ; which Mr. J. Carson Brevoort,
himself one of the most persistently generous donors to
the Society since its first inception, supplemented by
many rare and interesting and valuable works in the
same line. There are other invested funds for special
departments.
The Society is now established and fully equipped in
its new and superb building, Clinton and Pierrepont
streets, Brooklyn. The library now contains over 35,000
volumes, exclusive of pamphlets, many of which latter
will soon become books, through the simple process of
binding, with nearly an equal number of pamphlets.
To these there have been constant large additions of
rare and valuable books in every department, from the
funds subscribed for such purpose.
The establishment of a Museum of Local Natural
History and Ethnology, engaged the attention of the
society, as early as June, 1864 ; and in the following
year, through the enthusiastic and unwearied efforts of
Elias Lewis, Jr., and others, a "Department of the
Natural History of L. I." was founded ; regular special
meetings of those members who were interested in
Natural History studies were held in the Society's rooms;
and the rapid influx of contributions of value soon
assured the success of the project. Among the most
prominent in this department of labor were, Elias Lewis,
Jr., Charles Congdon ; J. Carson Brevoort ; Charles
E. West ; Henry E. Pierrepont ; Wm. Goold Leveson-
C. H. Baxter ; John Ackhurst ; Alfred Young, and
others, both in Brooklyn and throughout the island.
The especial object of establishing a Museum, local in
its scope and characteristic, has found its fullest devel-
opment in the Society's new building ; where the well
arranged collection illustrating the Natural History
and productions of Long Island ; the relics of its
aboriginal inhabitants ; and many unique and interest-
ing ethnological specimens from every part of the
world, are admirably displayed, and form a most
attractive feature of the society's operations.
For all the privileges of the library, museum and lec-
tures the fees are $5 for initiation and the same amount
annually ; life membership $100. There are over 1,300
annual and life members.
Officees, 1882-3. — Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D. D.,
LL. D., President; Hon. Henry C. Murphy, LL. D.,
First Vice-President ; Joshua M. Van Cott, Second
Vice-President ; Hon. Benjamin D. Silliman, Foreign
Corresponding Secretary ; Rev. Charles H. Hall, D. D.,
Home Corresponding Secretary ; Chaunoey L. Mitchell,
M. D., Recording Secretary / John S. Ward, Chairman
of the Executive Committee ; A. W. Humphreys, Treas-
urer ; George Hannah, librarian / Elias Lewis, Jr.,
Curator of the Museum.
DiEECTOEs. — Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D. D., LL. D.;
Hon. Henry C. Murphy, LL. D. ; Samuel McLean; Al-
fred S. Barnes; Rev. Charles IL Hall, D. D.; James R.
Taylor; Henry E. Pierrepont; Geo. L Seney; A. Abbot
Low; Alexander M. White; Henry Sheldon; Walter
T. Hatch; Hon. Simeon B. Chittenden; Hon. Benjamin
D. Silliman; J. Carson Brevoort, LL. D.; Joshua M.
Van Cott ; Alexander E. Orr ; Joseph C. Hutchison, M. D. ;
Rev. Alfred P. Putnam, D. D. ; Elias Lewis, Jr. ; John
S. Ward; A. W. Humphreys; Henry D. Polhemus;
Bryan H. Smith; Chauncey L. Mitchell, M. D.
CouNciLLOES. — Kings County. — Peter C. Cornell;
Rt. Rev. A. N. Littlejohn, D.D.; Hon. J. S. T. Strana-
han; Abraham R. Bay lis; David M. Stone; Thomas E.
Stillman; Hon. John Greenwood; Rev. Frederick A.
Farley, D.D.; Prof. Darwin G. Eaton; George L. Nich-
ols; Rev. N. H. Schenck, D.D.; Hon. Joseph Neilson.
Queens County. — Henry Onderdonk, Jr. ; WiUiam Floyd
Jones; John A. King; Benjamin D. Hicks. Suffolk
County. — James H. Tuthill; Hon. J. Lawrence Smith;
Rev. Epher Whittaker; William Nicol; Hon. John R.
Reed.
H ISTORY
OF
KINGS COUNTY
CHAPTER I.
FIRST LAND PURCHASES AND SETTLEMENTS THE PRIMI-
TIVE GOVERNMENT KINGS COUNTY.
THE territory now included in Kings county is
bounded on the north by the East River and
Queens county, on the east by Queens county,
on the south by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the
west by the East River and New York Bay. It in-
cludes Plum Island, Barren Island, Coney Island, and
all the other islands south from Gravesend. It scarcely
exceeds ten miles in extent in any direction, and has
only an area of about 76 square miles.
The first spot on Long Island pressed by the foot of
a white man is within the limits of this county. For,
even if the " most beautiful lake," said to have been
penetratedby Verazzano in 1524, and which he described
in glowing colors to his Royal Master the King of
France, was indeed the bay of New York, yet his visit,
according to his own account, was little else than a
traveller's hurried glimpse, totally unproductive of
results, either in respect to exploration or occupation.
Early in September, 1609, a boat's crew from the
" Half Moon " landed on Coney Island ; and when the
good ship came to anchor at the mouth of the " Great
River of the Mountains," then, undoubtedly, the eyes
of white men rested for the first time upon the Isle of
"Mannahata," the green shores of " Scheyichbi," or
New Jersey, and the forest-crowned "Ihpetonga," or
" Heights " of the present city of Brooklyn. During many
years subsequent to that time, while trade between the
Dutch and the natives was carried on, and while settle-
ments for the prosecution of this trade were made at
New York, Albany and elsewhere, no regular settlements
are known to have been made on the western end of
Long Island. Visits for the purpose of trade were
made by individuals ; and, without doubt, temporary
residences for this purpose were established. It is said,
by some historians, that a family of French Protestants
settled at the Wallabout in 1623 ; and that there the
first white child native on Long Island, Sarah Rapelje,
was born, on the 9th of June in that year. Later in-
vestigators have shown this tradition to be incorrect ;
that George Jans Rapelje could have made only a
brief temporary stay, if any, there at that time ; and
that his daughter Sarah was, in fact, born at Albany.
The earliest recorded grant of lands in this county
was made by the Indians to Jacob Van Corlaer, in
June, 1636. On the same day Andries Hudde and
Wolfert Gerritson purchased land contiguous to this ;
and, soon afterward, the director, Wouter Van Twiller,
also purchased adjoining lands. These purchases formed
the site of " New Amersfoort," now Flatlands. It is
believed that a settlement and improvements had been
made here prior to these purchases.
In the same year was made the Bennet and Bentyn
purchase, from the Indians, of 930 acres at Gowanus,
and the occupation and improvement of this land fol-
lowed close on its purchase. In 1637, Joris Jansen de
Rapalie bought, from the Indians, some 335 acres on
the Wallabout Bay. These purchases were the founda-
tion of the present City of Brooklyn.
The settlers here were emigrants from the low lands
in Holland, and their choice, of the flat untimbered lands
along the shore of the bay and river, was doubtless
directed by their acquaintance with the methods of
agriculture in similar regions in the Fatherland. From
this beginning the settlement of Kings county, as well
as of the rest of Long Island and the adjacent regions,
spread, though not with the rapidity of modern times.
All the towns in the county were originally settled
by the Dutch except Gravesend, which, as well as some
of the towns in Queens county, was settled by the
English, on condition of taking the oath of allegiance
to the States General and to the Dutch West India
Company.
The first purchases of land in this county were made
by the settlers from the Indians and afterward con-
44
HISTOBT OF KINGS COUNTY.
firmed by the Dutch .authorities ; but, in 1638 and 1639,
Director Kieft secured by purchase from the Indians the
title to nearly all the land in the counties of Kings and
Queens. The Director and Council of New ISTetherland
were directed to furnish every emigrant, according to
his condition and means, with as much land as he and
his family could properly cultivate ; a quit rent of a
tenth being reserved to the company, thus assuring
legal estates of inheritance to the grantees. Each
colonist availing himself of this privilege was required
to sign a pledge of obedience to the oiBcers of the
Company, acting in subordination to the States General,
and promising in all questions and differences, which
might arise, to abide by the decisions of the Colonial
courts. Free passage and other inducements were also
offered to respectable farmers who wished to emigrate
to the new country. Thus were the titles to the land
here originally acquired.
As nearly as can be ascertained, the towns in Kings
county were settled in the following order: Flatlands,
1624; Brooklyn, 1636; Geavesend, 1645; Flatbxish,
1651; New Utrecht, 1657; Bushwick, 1660. Under
the . Dutch regime there were no territorial divisions
corresponding with what are now counties. The
simple government of the towns was in part administered
by magistrates, nominated by the people and con-
firmed by the governor. Practically, however, the
power of the governor was almost absolute, and it appears
that the rights of the people were held to be quite sub-
ordinate to his personal preferences; for it is said that
he sported with these rights by wantonly rejecting such
magistrates as they had chosen, merely to gratify his
humor or caprice. Laws which were obsolete, and illy
adapted to the circumstances by which the people were
surrounded, were enforced among them, and were badly
executed; grants were witheld from actual settlers and
bestowed with a lavish hand on particular individuals;
magistrates were appointed without the consent of the
people, and the government of these towns exhibited at
the same time tyranny and imbecility on the part of
those entrusted with its administration. It is elsewhere
recorded that, in 1663, conventions were held, and re-
monstrances on the subject of the many grievances of the
people were addressed to the Governor and Council, with
no result except a peremptory order from the irritated
governor, to disperse and not to again assemble on such
business. Some of the towns in Kings county were rep-
resented in these conventions.
It will be remembered that several of the towns in
Queens county, though under the jurisdiction of the
Dutch, were settled by English immigrants. These
became anxious for a change; and the Dutch in the
towns of Kings county, who had become disgusted with
the government, were not averse to it. This was the
state of feeling here when, by the revolution of 1664,
the Colony of New Netherland was surrendered to Great
Britain.
One of the first important acts under the English
regime was the erection of Long Island, Staten Island,
and probably the town of Westchester, into a " shire,"
called Yorkshire; and the division of this into " ridings,"
of which Staten Island, the town of Newtown, and the
present county of Kings, constituted the West riding.
A deputy sheriff or high constable was appointed for
each riding, and a justice of the peace for each town.
This system of county governmentcontinued till 1683,
when, by an, act of the first colonial Legislature, the
counties were organized. Staten Island was detached
from the West riding in 1675 ; and, by the act of 1683,
Newtown was made a part of Queens county, leaving
Kings county with its present boundaries.
The expectations which had been entertained of im-
provement by a change of masters were disappointed.
The English governors were invested with powers as
nearly absolute as those possessed by the directors under
the Dutch regime. Governor Nicolls exercised these
powers with such caution as to excite but little alarm;
but the weaker Governor Lovelace, by his disregard of
the people's rights, aroused such a feeling among the
inhabitants of Kings county, that, although they were
less demonstrative in their indignation than, their
English neighbors, they were ready to welcome the
restoration of the authority of their countrymen in
1673. This, however, was of but short duration, for in
1674 the rule of the Dutch in the colony ceased forever.
CHAPTER II.
THE SYSTEM OF FAMILY NAMES AMONG THE DUTCH
SETTLERS.
THE following letter, descriptive of Dutch family
nomenclature, was written by the late Hon.
Henry C. Murphy during his residence as U. S.
Minister at the Hague. It is so replete with in-
formation concerning names and families in Brooklyn
and Kings County, that it cannot fail to be of interest :
' ' The gi-eat body of Netherlanders who settled permanently
in America belonged, without exception, to the industrial
classes. The most distinguished families, those whose ances-
tors filled the most important positions in the new settlement,
as well as others, were from the great body of burghers.
The only Governor who remained in the country, Peter Stuy-
vesant, was the son of a minister of Scherpenzed, in Fries-
land ; and the only patroon who settled upon his estates,
Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, was a merchant of Amsterdam.
Although the RepubUc confirmed no titles, it protected the
old nobUity in their estates, and they and their families were
content to leave the distant enterprises in the hands of the
other classes, and remain in the province.
' ' In the consideration of names, in order to show what
difficulties the peculiar systems adopted in Holland and con-
tinued by the settlers in their new home thi'ow in the way of
tracing genealogies, it is to be observed that the first of these,
in point of time, was the patronymic, as it is called, by which
a child took, besides his own baptismal name, that of his
FAMIL Y NAMES OF THE D UTGH SETTLERS.
45
father, with the addition of zoon or sen, meaning son. To
illustrate this : if a child were baptised Hendrick and the
baptismal name of his father were Jan, the child would be
called Hendrick Jansen. His son, if baptized Tunis, would
be called Tunis Hendricksen ; the son of the latter might be
Willem, and would have the name of Willem Tunissen. And
so we might have the succeeding generations called succes-
sively Garret Willemsen, Marten Garretsen, Adrian Marten-
sen, and so on, through the whole of the calendar of Chris-
tian names ; or, as more frequently happened, there would
be repetition in the second, third, or fourth generation, of
the name of the first ; and thus, as these names were com-
mon to the whole people, there were in every community dif-
ferent lineages of identically the same name. This custom,
which had prevailed in Holland for centuries, was in full
vogue at the time of the settlement of New Netherland. In
writing the termination sen it was frequently contracted into
se, or z, or s. Thus the name of William Barrentsen, who
commanded in the first three Arctic voyages of exploration,
in 1594, 1595, and 1596, is given in the old accounts of those
voyages, Barentsen, Barentse, Barentz, Barents, sometimes in
one way, sometimes another, indifferently. Or, to give an
example nearer home, both of the patronymic custom and of
the contraction of the name, the father of Garret Martense,
the founder of a family of that name in Flatbush, was Martin
Adriaense, and his father was Adriffi Ryerse, who came from
Amsterdam. The inconveniences of this practice, the confu-
sicm to which it gave rise, and the difficulty of tracing fami-
lies, led ultimately to its abandonment both in Holland and
in Our own country. In doing so the patronymic which the
person originating the name bore was adopted as the sur-
name. Most of the family names thus formed and existing
amongst us may be said to be of American origin, as they
were first fixed in America, though the same names were
adopted by others in Holland. Hence we have the names of
such families of Dutch descent amongst us as Jansen (angrZice,
Johnson), Garretsen, Cornelisen, Williamsen or Williamson,
Hendricksen or Hendrickson, Clasen, Simonsen or Simon-
son, Tysen (son of Mathias), Aresend (son of Arend), Hansen,
Lambertsen or Lambertson, Paulisen, Remsen (sou of Rem-
brandt, which was shortened into Rem), Ryersen, Martense,
Adriance, Rutgers, Everts, Phillips, Lefferts and others. To
trace connection between these families and persons in this
country, it is evident, would be impossible, for the reason
stated, vsdthout a regular record.
"Another mode of nomenclature, intended to obviate the
difficulty of an identity of names for the time being, but
which rendered the confusion worse confounded for the future
genealogist, was to add to the patronymic name the occupa-
tion or some other personal characteristic of the individual.
Thus Laurens Jansen, the inventor of the art of printing, as the
Dutcli claim, had affixed to his name that of Coster — that is
to say, sexton— sxx office of which he was in possession of the
emoluments. But the same addition was not transmitted to
the son ; and thus the son of Hendrick Jansen Coster might
be called Tunis Hendrickson Brouwer (brewer), and his
grandson might be William Tunissen Bleecker (bleacher).
Upon the abandonment of the old system of names, this
practice went with it ; but it often happened that, while one
brother took the father's patronymic as a family name,
another took that of his occupation or personal designation.
Thus originated such famihes as Coster, Brouwer, Bleecker,
Schoonmaker, Stryker, Schuyler, Cryger, Snediker, Hegeman,
Hofman, Dykman, Bleekman, Wortman and Tieman. Like
the others, they are not ancient family names, and are not
all to be traced to Holland as the place where they first became
fixed. Some of them were adopted in our own country.
" A third practice, evidently designed, like that referred to,
to obviate the confusions of the first, was to append the name
of the place where the person resided — not often of a large
city, but of a particular, limited locality, and frequently of a
particular farm or natural object. This custom is denoted
in all family names which have the prefix of Van Vander,
Ver (which is the contraction of Vander), and Ten — meaning,
respectively, of, of the, and at the. From towns in Holland
we have the families of Van Cleef , Van Wyck, Van Schaaok,
Van Bergen, and others ; from Guelderland, those of Van
Sinderen, Van Dyk, and Van Buren; from Utrecht, Van
Winkel ; from Friesland, Van Ness ; from Zeeland, Van
Duyne. Sometimes the Van has been dropped, as in the
name of Boerum, of the pi'ovince of Friesland ; of Covert, of
North Brabant ; of Westervelt, of Drenthe ; of Brevoort and
Wessels, in Guelderland. The prefixes, Vander or Ver and
Ten were adopted where the name was derived from a par-
ticular spot ; thus : Vanderveer (of the ferry); Vanderburg
(of the hill); Vanderbilt (of the bilt— i. e., certain elevations
of ground in Guelderland and New Utrecht), Vanderbeck (of
the brook), Vanderhoff (of the court), Verplanck (of the plank),
Verhultz (of the holly), Verkerk (of the church). Ten Eyck
(at the oak), Tenbroeck (at the marsh). Some were derived,
as we have observed, from particular farms ; thus : Van
Couwenhoven (also written Van Cowdenhoven — cold farms).
The founder of that family in America, Wolphert Gerritsen
Van Cowenhoven, came from Amersfoort, in the province of
Utrecht, and settled at what is now called Flatlands, in our
county, but what was called by him New Amersfoort. Some
names in the classification which I have attempted, have
undergone a slight change in their transfer to America.
Barculo is from Borculo, a town in Guelderland; Van Anden
is from Andel, in the province of Groningea; Snediker should
be Snediger; Bonton, if of Dutch origin, should be Bonten
(son of Bondwijn or Baldwin), otherwise it is French. Van
Cott was probably Van Catt, of South Holland. The Catti
were the original inhabitants of the country, and hence the
name. There is one family which has defied aU my etymo-
logical research. It is evidently Dutch, but has most likely
undergone some change, and that name is of Van Brunt.
There is no such name now existing in Holland. There are
a few names derived from relative situations to a place: thus
Voorhees is simply before or in front of Hess, a town in
Guelderland ; and Onderdonk is below Donh, which is in Bra-
bant. There are a few names more arbitrary— Middagh
(mid-day) ; Conrad (bold counsel) ; Hagedorn (hawthorn) ;
Bogaert (or hard), Blauvelt (blue field), Rosevelt (rose field),
Stuyvesant (quicksand), Wyckoff (parish court), Hooghland
(highland), Dorland (arid land), Opdyke (on the dyke), Has-
brook (hare's marsh) — these afford a more ready means of
identification of relationship. The names of Brinkerhoff
and Schenok, the latter of which is very common here, may
be either of Dutch or German origin. Martin Schenck was a
somewhat celebrated general in the war of independence.
Ditmars is derived from the Danish, and Bethune is from a
place in the Spanish Netherlands, near Lille. Lott is a Dutch
name though it has an English sound. There is a person of
that name, from Guelderland, residing in the Hague. Pieter
Lots was one of the schepens of Amersfoort in 1676, and I
infer from the patronymic form of his name that Lott is a
baptismal name and is derived from Lodewyck or Lewis,
and that Pieter Lots means Peter the son of Lodewyck or
Lot, as the former is often contracted. Some names are dis-
guised in a Latin dress. The practice prevailed, at the time
of the emigration to our country, of changing the names of
those who had gone through the University and received a
degree, from plain Dutch to sonorous Roman. The names of
46
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
all our early ministers are thus altered. Johannes or Jan
Mecklenburg became Johannes Megapolensis; Evert Wil-
lemse Bogaert became Everardus Bogardus; Jan Doris Pol-
heem became Johannes Theodoms Polhemius. The last was
the founder of the Polhemus family of Brooklyn. The records
here show that he was a minister at Meppel, in the province
of Drenthe, and in 1637 went as such to Brazil, under the
auspices of the West India Company, whence he went to
Long Island. Samuel Dries (who, by the way, was an
Englishman, but who graduated at Leyden) was named
Samuel Drisius. It may, therefore, be set down as a general
rule, that the names of Dutch families ending in us have been
thus latinized.
"Many persons who emigrated from Holland were of
Gallic extraction. When the bloody Duke of Alva came
into the Spanish Netherlands in 1567, clothed by the bigoted
Phillip II with despotic power over the provinces, more than
100,000 of the Protestants of the GaUic provinces fled to
England, under the protection of Queen Elizabeth, and to
their brethren in Zeeland and Holland. They retained their
language, that of the ancient Gauls, and were known in
England as Walloons, and in Holland as Waalen, from the
name of their provinces, called Gaulsche, or, as the word is
pronounced, Waalsche provinces. The number of fugitives
from religious persecution was increased by the flight of the
Protestants of France at the same time, and was further aug-
mented, five years later, by the memorable massacre of St.
Bartholomew. When the West India Company was incor-
porated, many of these persons and their descendants sought
further homes in New Netherland. Such were the founders of
the families of Rapelye, Cortelyou, Dubois, De Bevoise, Dur-
yea, Crommelin, Conselyea, Montague, Fountain, and
others. The Waalebocht, or Walloon's Bay, was so named
because some of them settled there.
"In regard to Dutch names proper, it cannot faU to have
been observed that they are of the simplest origin. They par-
take of the character of the people, which is eminently prac-
tical. The English, and, in fact, all the northern nations of
Europe, have exhibited this tendency, more or less, in the
origin of family designations, but none of them have earned
it to so great a degree as the Dutch. We have in America,
both in Dutch and English, the names of White (De Witt),
Black (Swart), and Brown (Broom) ; but not, according to my
recollection, the names of Blue, Yellow, and Red, which exist
in Holland."
CHAPTER III.
HOUSES AND FUENITUEE AMONG THE DUTCH PIONEERS.
THE domestic history of Kings county can hardly
be said to have commenced earlier than about
1636, when the first land was purchased from
the Indians. Between 1623, when the ship
" New Netherland " brought thirty families to Man-
hattan Island, and 1636, when the settlement of Kings
county was commenced, isolated families may have
established residences there, but no record of the fact
remains.
The earliest Dutch traders led an unsettled and
semi-savage life. The restraints of civilization did not
reach them. They found native concubines wherever
they w*nt, and these were changed with every temporary
change of location; while the children were left to be
reared by their savage mothers.
A different life was led by the pioneers who came
with their families. They had left the Fatherland and
crossed the ocean to make this their permanent home,
and they at once entered on the realities of the life
before them. Their first dwellings were of the rudest
kind. Some were constructed of saplings, covered with
bark; and some were cellars excavated in the sides of
hills, lined with bark and thatched with reeds. As
soon as improving circumstances permitted, better
dwellings were built. The earliest saw-mills furnished
the timber for these, which were small, one-story build-
ings, with straw-thatohed-roofs, stone fire-places, and
ovens, and chimneys of boards plastered inside with
mortar or mud. Each of these houses was protected
against the attack of Indians by a surrounding of pali-
sades. These dwellings were fitted with furniture of
the simplest form, and of domestic manufacture.
Rough shelves served instead of cupboards or pantries,
and " slaap bancks," sleeping benches, or bunks, were
used for bedsteads. Though unpretentious in appear-
ance, these houses were the abodes of comfort. After the
lapse of some years they were succeeded by larger and
more substantial edifices, modeled, of course, after the
houses in the Fatherland, with only such modifications
as the change of circumstances demanded. After the es-
tablishment of a brick-yard at N. Amsterdam, in 1666,
brick houses became the fashion with the few who
could afford the expense. But the best edifices of that
day were very cheap, rarely exceeding $800 in value;
while the cost of an ordinary house ranged from $200 to
$500 of our present currency, and rents varied from
$25 to $100.
Stiles says of the farm-houses of Long Island, which
succeeded the first rude cabins of the settlers on the
shores of the Waale-boght, and at " the Ferry," " that
they were generally constructed in a rough but substan-
tial manner of stone, lighted by narrow windows, con-
taining two small panes of glass — and protected against
the "overloopen" or escalading of any savage foe,
by strong well-pointed palisades ; snugness, economy,
safety, were the characteristics of these country
dwellings." But little change occurred in the style of
architecture here during many years, for the Dutch
were slow to adopt innovations.
An interesting description of the manner in which
the old farmers of Breuckelen lived, is given by the
Labadist travellers, who visited this country in 1679.
Among others, they visited Simon de Hart, whose old
house is yet standing near the Gowanus Cove, at the
foot of the present 38th street :
' ' He was very glad to see us, and so was his wife. He took
us into the house and entertained us exceedingly well. We
found a good flre, half-way up the chimney, of clear oak and
hickory, of which they made not the least scruple of burn-
INTERIOR OF THE DUTCH SETTLERS' HOUSES
4:1
ing profusely. We let it penetrate us thoroughly. There
had been already thrown upon it, to be roasted, a pail full of
Gowanus oysters, which are the best in the country. They
are fully as good as those of England, and better than those
we eat at Falmouth. I had to try some of them raw. They
are large and full, some of them not less than afoot long, and
they grow sometimes ten, twelve, and sixteen together, and
are then like a piece of rock. Others are young and small.
In consequence of the great quantities of them, everybody
keeps the shells for the purpose of burning them into lime.
They pickle the oysters in small casks, and send them to
Barbadoes and the other islands. We bad for supper a
roasted haunch of venison, which he had bought of the
Indians for three guilders and a half of seewant, that is fif-
teen stivers of Dutch money (15 cents), and which weighed
thirty pounds. The meat was exceedingly tender and good,
and also quite fat. It had a slight aromatic flavor. We
were also served with wild turkey, which was also fat and
of a good flavor, and a wild goose, but that was rather dryt
Every thing we had was the natural production of the
country. We saw here, lying in a heap, a whole hill of water-
melons, which were as large as piimpkins, and which Simon
was going to take to the city to sell. They were very good,
though there is a difference between them and those of the
Carribby islands ; but this may be owing to its being very
late in the season, and these were the last pulling. It was very
late at night when we went to rest in a Kermis bed, as it is
called, in the corner of the hearth, alongside of a good fire."
They also visited Jacques Cortelyou, in New Utrecht, who
had just built an excellent stone house, the best dwelling in
the place. "After supper," they say, " we went to sleep in
the bam upon some straw spread with sheepskins, in the
midst of the continuous grunting of hogs, squeaUng of pigs,
bleating and coughing of sheep, barking of dogs, crowing of
cocks, cackling of hens, and especially a goodly quantity of
fleas and vermin, of no small portion of which we were par-
ticipants, and all with an open bam-door, through which a
fresh north wind was blowing. * * We could not complain,
since we had the same quarters and kind of bed that their
own son usually had, who now, on our arrival, crept in the
straw behind us."
Stiles says {History of Brooklyn) that "most of the later
dwellings of the Dutch on Long Island were of wood,
shingled on the side, as well as the roof ; some few of brick ;
and, here and thei'e, a substantial stone house. These
were all one-story edifices, with either an ' overshot,' or
projecting roof, forming a piazza both on the front and
rear ; or the ' overshot ' in front, with the roof extending on
the rear until within a few feet of the ground. The low-browed
rooms were unceiled, showing overhead the broad, heavy
oak beams, upon which the upper, or garret floor was laid.
The lower half of the wall inside the houses was wainscoted,
the upper half plastered. The flreplaces were usually very
large, generally extending, without jambs, to a width suffi-
cient to accommodate the whole family with seats near the
fire. The chimneys were capacious, and in them the meat
was hung for roasting, or to be 'cured' by smoking.
They were usually kept clean by ' burning out ' during a
rainy day, to avoid danger from fire. The jambs, when the
fireplace had any, were usually set around with glazed blue
delft-ware tiles, imported from Holland, representing scenes
and Scriptural subjects, a never-failing source of amusement
and instruction to the children, who frequently gained their
first Bible instruction from these tile-pictures, aided by the
explanations of the elder members of the family. Huge
andirons and heavy fire-shovel and tongues were necessary
for these flreplaces. The ' front stoop ' was an important
feature in these houses. In some a seat ran the length of
the ' stoop,' but in others there were seats at each end. It
was, in good weather, the common gathering place of the
family and their visitors.
' ' Before the English conquest of the Netherlands, the do-
mestic habits and customs of the Dutch were simple and
democratic in their character. All had come hither in search
of fortune, and had brought little with them in the begin-
ning. Some, indeed, through industry or peculiar sagacity,
had attained positions of wealth, and of increased influence,
yet it might justly be said of the Dutch, that their social
circles were open to aU of good character, without regard
to business pursuits, or any factitious considerations. Rich
and poor mingled together with a freedom and a heartiness
of enjoyment which can hardly be expected to exist, except
in the formative stage of society. The advent of the En-
glish, many of whom had high social connections at home,
and corresponding habits, etc., brought change into the
social life of the colony, and necessarily developed an aristo-
cratic state of society previously unknown.
" In the ' best room' of every house, whether of the wealthy
or humbler class, the high-posted, corded, and un wieldly bed-
stead was a principal object, and, with its furniture and
hangings, formed the index of the social standing of its
owner. Upon it, according to the old Dutch fashion, were
two feather beds — one for the sleeper to lie upon, and
another, of a lighter weight, to be used as a covering. The
pillow-cases were generally of check patterns; and the cur-
tains and valance were of as expensive materials as its owner
could afford ; while in front of the bed a rug was laid, for
carpets were not then in common use. Among the Dutch,
the only article of that sort, even up to the time of the Revo-
lution, was a drugget cloth, which was spread under the table
during meal-time, when, upon ' extra occasions,' the
table was set in the parlor. But even these were
unknown among the inhabitants of the neighboring
Long Island towns. The uniform practice, after scrub-
bing the floor well on certain days, was to place upon
the damp boards the flne white beach sand (of which
every family kept a supply on hand, renewing it by trips to
the seashore twice a yeai"), arranged in small heaps, which
the members of the family were careful not to disturb by
treading upon ; and, on the following day, when it had become
dry, it was swept, by the light and skillful touch of the house-
wive's broom, into waves or other more fanciful flgures.
Rag carpets were unknown in Kings County until about the
middle of the present century. The capacious chest, brought
from Holland, occupied a prominent place in the house, for
several generations: as was also the trundle (or ' Kermis ')
bed concealed under the bed by day, to be drawn out for the
children's couch at night. Chairs, straight and high backed,
were mostly of wood, sometimes covered with leather and
studded with brass nails, but more frequently seated simply
with matted rushes. Tables, except for kitchen use, were
unknown to the earlier Dutch, and for many years to their
successors. In the principal room, which held the flne bed,
and was, also, tea and dining room on special occasions, was
generally a round tea-table, with a leaf which could be dropped
perpendicularly when not in use, and a large square table,
with leaves, for use at tea-parties. Looking-glasses, in the
early days, were generally small, with narrow black frames;
and window-curtains were of the simplest and cheapest des-
cription, being no better in the best apartments than a strip
of ordinary cloth run upon a string. Clocks were rare, and
most families marked their time by the hour-glass; — the great
eight-day clock, which we sometimes see as heir-looms in our
oldest faniihes, being flrst introduced in this country about
48
HISTOR T OF KIN-OS CO UNTY.
1720. Earthenware, until about 1700, was but little used in
ordinary table service, wooden and pewter being then univer-
saUy in use by all classes and preferred because it did not dull
the knives. The few articles of china, kept by some for dis-
play upon the cupboard, were rarely used; and, though earth-
enware came into partial use about 1680, pewter was still the
most common up to the period of the Eevolution. Among
the wealthy, blue and white china and porcelain, curiously
ornamented with Cliinese pictures, were used 'for company.'
The teacups were very diminutive in size, for tea was then an
article of the highest luxury, and was sipped in small quanti-
ties, alternately with a bite from the lump of loaf-sugar, which
was laid beside each guest's plate. Sometimes china plates
were used as waU-ornaments, suspended by a strong ribbon
passed through a hole drilled in theii- edges. Silverware, in
the form of tankards, beakers, porringers, spoons, snuflEers,
candlesticks, etc., was a favorite form of display among the
Dutch, inasmuch as it served as an index of the owner's
wealth, and was the safest and most convenient form of
investment for any surplus funds. Of books our ancestors
had but few, and these were mostly Bibles, Testaments and
Psalm-Books. These Bibles were quaint specimens of early
Dutch printing, with thick covers, massive brass, and some-
times silver, corner-pieces and clasps. The Psalm-Books were
also adorned with silver edgings and clasps, and on Sab-
baths, bung by chains of the same material to the girdle of
matrons and maidens. Merchants who kept school-books,
psalm-books, etc. , as a part of their stock, about the middle
of the last century, were provided with an equal number of
books in the Dutch and EngUsh language; showing that,
even at that late period after the termination of the Dutch
power, the greater part of the children of Dutch descent
continued to be educated in the language of the Fatherland.
Spinning-wheels were to be found in every family, many
having four or five — some for spinning flax and others for
wool. A Dutch matron, indeed, took great pride in her large
stock of household linen (then cheaper than cotton); and it
was the ambition of every maiden to take to her husband's
house a full and complete stock of such domestic articles.
Light was furnished only by home-made tallow ' dips.' "
The wealthier Dutch citizens had highly ornamented
brass hooped casks in which to keep their liquors, which
they never bottled. Holland gin, Jamaica rum, sherry,
Bordeaux wines, English beer, or porter, beer from
their own brewers, and cider, were common drinks in
early times. When a wealthy young man among these
settlers was about to be married, he usually sent to
Madeira for a pipe of the best wine, a portion of which
was drunk at his marriage, another portion at the birth
of his first son, and the remainder was preserved to be
used at his funeral.
CHAPTER IV.
PRIMITIVE INDUSTRIES DOMESTIC AND SOCIAL CUSTOMS
SLAVERY EDUCATIONAL BEGINNING.
THE common means of travelling, were the lumber-
wagons, and in winter the sleigh, running upon
split saplings, and drawn, at a uniform dog-trot
pace, by pot-bellied nags. During the early
part of the IVth century, the two-wheeled one-horse
chaise came gradually into use, and was the fashionable
vehicle up to the time of the Revolution. In riding
horseback, the lady was mounted upon a pillow or
padded cushion, fixed behind the saddle of the gentle-
man or servant, upon whose support she was
therefore dependent ; and this was the common mode
of country travel for ladies at that day, when roads
were generally little else than bridle paths. Side-
saddles only came into partial use in the 18th century.
The manners of the people were simple, unaffected,
and economical. Industry was cultivated by all ; every
son was brought up to the exercise of some mechanical
employment, and every daughter to the knowledge of
household duties. In those days, farmers made their
own lime, tanned their own leather, often made their
own shoes, did their own carpentering, wheelwrighting,
and blacksmithing ; while the females spun wool and
flax, frequently taking their spinning-wheels with them
when they went abroad to spend an afternoon with a
neighbor's wife.
The Dutch were rather given to nicknaming — even
in the public records we find such names as Friend John,
Hans the Boore, Long Mary, Old Bush, and Top Knot
Betty, evidently applied as expressing some individual
peculiarity of person or character.
The agriculture of the country, during its earlier
years, was probably equal to that of the " Fatherland "
at that day, all due allowance being made for the novel
and peculiar circumstances which surround the settler
in a new and unimproved country. At the period of the
Revolutionary "War, the farmers of Kings County were
in the habit of raising their own tobacco ; and during
the century previous it was extensively exported — some
of the best tobacco sent to Europe from the American
colonies being raised on the Dutch tobacco plantations
around the Wallabout, in the town of Brooklyn. The
farmers of this vicinity, also, for some time previous to
the Revolution, were in the habit of raising cotton —
although to a very limited extent, and solely for the
domestic uses of their own households. Fueman says
in 1836 : "We have now a bedspread in our family,
made of cotton and wool, colored blue and white, and
woven in neat and handsome figures, the cotton of
which, as well as the wool, was raised on my grand-
father's farm in Kings County, L. I., in the year 1776,
and which was cleaned, colored, and woven by the
women of his family. It is now in use, and in good
condition, and is one of the best fabrics I ever saw."
Slavery was a feature of domestic history, which
existed from an early period, and formed a considerable
branch of the shipping interests of the Dutch. The
mercantile value of a prime slave, both under the
Dutch and English dynasties, was from $120 to $150,
and when, from time to time, by natural increase and
by importation, the number of slaves accumulated
beyond the demand, the slave-trade decreased. Almost
every domestic establishment of any pretensions in
DOMESTIC AND SOCIAL CUSTOMS.— SLAVERY.
49
city or country was provided with one or more negro
servants. These did the most of the farm labor, and
their number was considered as a significant indication
of the relative wealth of different families. They
were, as a general thing, kindly treated and well cared
for. The institution of slavery, however, commended
itself to the Dutch mind rather as a necessity than as
a desirable system. In the city, the association of so
many blacks gave rise to much trouble, and even to
several outbreaks during the half century preceding
the Revolution, seriously affecting the public peace ;
and in the rural districts, especially on Long Island,
the intercourse of the city negroes with their own
house and farm servants, was strongly deprecated and
discouraged. After the Revolution, and under the
beneficent influences of a more enlightened State legis-
lation, slavery gradually disappeared. The last public
sale of human beings in the town of Brooklyn is be-
lieved to have been that of four slaves belonging to
the widow Heltje Rappelje, of the Wallabout, in the
year 17 73. It occurred at the division of her estate,
and was, even at that time, considered an odious de-
parture from the time-honored and more humane prac-
tice, which then prevailed, of permitting slaves who
wished to be sold, or who were offered for sale, to
select their own masters. Indigent immigrants, also,
sold their services for definite periods, during which
they were as much the subject of purchase and sale as
veritable slaves.
As to some of the peculiar funeral customs of the
Dutch, FxjEMAN says:
" Among our Dutch farmers in Kings County, it has been
from time immemorial, and still is a custom for all the young
men, after becoming of age, to lay up a sufEicLent sum of
money in gold to pay the expense of their funerals. In many
families the money thus hallowed is not expended for that
purpose, but descends as a species of heir-loom through sev-
eral generations. I have seen gold thus saved from before
the Revolution, and now in the hands of the grandson, him-
self a man of family, having sons grown up to manhood, and
which consisted of gold Johannes or Joes ($16 pieces), guineas,
etc."
Another practice was to lay aside for each member of
the family a linen shirt, handkerchief, etc., and never
suffer them to be worn, but keep them clean to be buried in.
In case a woman died in childbed, a white sheet, instead
of a black pall, was spread over her cofiin as she was
taken to the grave. At funerals, wines, pipes and cold
collations were provided for the guests, and often linen
scarfs, funeral cakes, etc., were distributed among them.
Rev. P. Van Pelt, in a sketch of Dominie Schoon-
maker of Brooklyn, thus describes a Dutch funeral:
" It was in 1819 that I last heard, or recollect to have seen,
the venerable old dominie. It was at the funeral of one of
his old friends and associates. A custom had very generally
prevailed, which, though then very rarely observed, yet in
this instance was literally adhered to. The deceased had,
many years before, provided and laid away the materials for
his own coffin. This one was of the best seasoned and smooth-
est boards, and beautifully grained. Other customs and
ceremonies then existed, now almost forgotten. As I entered
the room I observed the cofiSn elevated on a table in one cor-
ner. The dominie, abstracted and grave, was seated at the
upper end; and around, in solemn silence, the venei'able and
hoary-headed friends of the deceased. All was still and
serious. A simple recognition or a half -audible inquiry, as
one after another arrived, was all that passed. Directly, the
sexton, followed by a servant, made his appearance, with
glasses and decanters. Wine was handed to each. Some
declined; others drank a solitary glass. This ended, and
again the sexton presented himself, with pipes and tobacco.
The dominie smoked his pipe, and a few followed his example.
The custom has become obsolete, and it is well that it has.
When the whiflfs of smoke had ceased to curl around the
head of the dominie, he arose with evident feeling, and in a
quiet, subdued tone, made a short but apparently impressive
address. I judged solely by his appearance and manner; for,
although boasting a Holland descent, it was to me speaking
in an unknown tongue. A short prayer concluded the
service; and then the sexton, taking the lead, was followed
by the dominie, the doctor, and the pall-bearers, with white
scarfs and black gloves. The corpse, and a long procession of
friends and neighbors, proceeded to the churchyard, where aU
that was mortal was committed to the earth, till the last
trump shall sound and the grave shall give up the dead. No
bustle, no confusion, no noise nor indecent haste, attended
that funeral."
It was a custom of the Dutch families in this
county to bury their dead in private or family burial
grounds, without monuments. Many such, especially
Bushwick, have been obliterated, within a few years,
by the iextension of the city.
It seems to have been customary, also, among the
Dutch, about the close of the last century, to designate
a widow as " the last wife " of her deceased husband,
and a widower as "the last man" of his deceased wife.
J. M. Stearns, Esq., of Williamsburgh, remarks:
" that the old Dutch wills seem not to trust the widow
in a second marriage." The restraints placed'upon
remarriages, by wills, were generally in favor of the
children of the first marriage; and the widows thus
restricted generally signed consents to accept the
bequests in lieu of dower, for the good reason that pro-
priety did not allow them to refuse so soon after the
death of their first husband; and, because the devises
and bequests in lieu of dower vested an estate for life,
or three-thirds of the estate subject to a contingency in
their own control, instead of one third absolutely. The will
of Cornelius Van Catts, of Bushwick (1726), expressed
in a sort of half Dutch dialect, devises to his wife,
Annetjie, his whole estate to her while she remains his
widow — both real and personal.
' ' But if she happen to marry, then I geff her nothing of
my estate, neither real or personal. I geff to my well-beloved
son, Cornelius, the best horse that I have, or else £7 10s., for
his good as my eldest son. And then my two children, Cor-
nelius Catts and David Catts, all heef [half] of my whole
effects, land and movables, that is to say, Cornelius Catts
heef of all, and David Catts heeff of all. But my wife can
be master of all, for bringing up to good learning my two
children ipffetten) school to learn. But if she comes to marry
50
HISTORY OF KIJSrGS COUNTY.
again, then her husband can take her away from the farm,
and all will be left for the children, Cornelius Catts and
David Catts, heeflf and heeflf."
So also, John Burroughs, of Newtown (1678), devisets
to his son John his then dwelling-house, barn, orchard,
out-houses, and land, etc.
" But not to dispossess my beloved wife during the time of
her widowhood. But if she many, then her husband must
provide for her, as I have done."
They took special care to provide for the education
of their children. Teachers were appointed only on
the recommendation of the Governor, and their duties
were very accurately prescribed. This subject, how-
ever, will be more fully treated in our chapter on Edu-
cation in Kings Go.
What was termed " samp porridge " (from the Indian
seaump — pounded corn) was made by long boiling the
corn that had been pounded in a wooden mortar, a pro-
cess that was learned from the Indians. What was
known as sujypaan was made, in the same way, from more
finely ground meal. These mortars or " pioneer mills,"
as they have sometimes been called, were at first the
only means the settlers possessed of converting their
corn into coarse meal, and the process was called
" niggering " corn, because the work was usually done
by negro slaves.
Tea drinking was a custom of later date. The prac-
tice of interchanging visits on Sunday afternoons was
prevalent, but the clergy and some of the strictest of
the laity, influenced by the views of their New England
neighbors, came to regard it as an evil and it was grad-
ually discontinued. Fueman says:
" It seems more like puritanical rigor than an exhibi-
tion of Christian feeling, to break up such kindly and
social meetings as these after the religious services of
the day have been performed."
Under the colonial government, nearly all marriages on
the island were under license from the governor — a
practice which increased his income and added to the
expense of entering the matrimonial state. Marriage
by publication of the bans seems to have been held in
disrepute. In 1673 there was an ofiicer in New York
whose duty, which extended to Long Island, was to
hear and determine matrimonial disputes. He was
styled " the first commissary of marriage affairs."
Such an officer at the present day would lead a busy
life.
Many of the amimements, sports, and fireside enjoy-
ments of the people here, as well as their religious cus-
toms and superstitions, were transplanted from the
native countries of the original settlers. The origin of
many of these in the remote past is lost; but customs
often outlive the ideas Tfhich gave birth to them. On
the annual return of Christmas the yule-log and Christ-
mas candles were burned among the English settlers as
in ancient times in " Merrie England," and the Dutch
celebrated the holiday with still greater zest, after the
manner of their forefathers in the Netherlands. St.
Nicholas, or " Santa Klaas," was regarded among the
Dutch children as a veritable personage, and they had
a hymn in the Dutch language which they sang on the
occasion of their Christmas festivities, the first line
of which was " Sanctus Klaas goedt heyligh man " (St.
Nicholas, good holy man). The practice, which was in-
troduced by these Dutch settlers, of having their chil-
dren's stockings hung up to be filled by Santa Klaas, is
far from being extinct. New Year's eve and the first
of January were formerly celebrated in a noisy way, by
tiring guns at the doors in a neighborhood, when their
neighbors thus saluted were expected to invite their
friends in to partake of refreshments, and then join them
to thus salute others till all the men were collected
together, when they repaired to a rendezvous and passed
the day in athletic sports and target firing. It was
finally deemed necessary to arrest, by legal enactments,
this practice of tiring guns on these occasions. When
the style was changed, the Dutch here at first refused to
recognize the change in their celebration of these festi-
vals. New Year was never celebrated with greater
cordiality and hospitality than by these people, and
their old customs are plainly traceable in the manner of
keeping the day still in vogue here.
St. Valentine's day, called among the early Dutch
here " Vrouwen dagh " or women's day, was a time of
great hilarity among the young people. One peculiarity
in their manner of celebrating it is thus described by
PUEMAN .•
" Every girl provided herself with a cord without a
knot in the end, and on the morning of this day they
would sally forth, and every lad whom they met was
sure to have three or four smart strokes from the cord
bestowed on his shoulders. These we presume were in
those days considered as ' love taps ; ' and, in that light,
answered all the purposes of the ' valentines ' of more
modern times."
Easter day, or " Pausch " (pronounced Paus), was
observed by religious services as well as merry-makings,
and these continued through Easter week. Ampng their
customs was that of making presents to each other of
colored eggs, called Easter eggs, and this still prevails
among some of their descendants.
" Pinckster dagh," or Pentecost, was once celebrated
by the Dutch here on the first Monday in June, by good
cheer among neighbors, and the use of soft waffles was
peculiar to this festival.
Among the Dutch people in the days of slavery the
custom prevailed of presenting the children of their
female slaves, at the age of three years, to some young
member of the family of the same sex ; and the one to
whom the child was presented at once gave it a piece
of money and a pair of shoes, the event being often
followed by strong and lasting attachments between
these domestics and their destined owners.
MAP OF THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN, APGUSI 27, 1776.
KINGS COUNTY IN THE REVOLUTION.
51
CHAPTER V.
KIMGS COUNTY IN THE KBVOLUTION. FORTIFICATIONS
ON THE SITE OP BROOKLYN.
AT the outbreak of the Revohition the Dutch
inhabitants of Kings County, as we have already
stated, -were very little in sympathy with the
patriot cause. In them, the fear of personal
inconvenience and pecuniary loss outweighed the
impulses of patriotism, and they looked at the approach-
ing storm with regret. A few, however, became imbued
with the spirit which pervaded the country. In the spring
of 1775, action was taken in the several towns of Kings
County (except Flatlands, which chose to remain neutral)
for the appointment of delegates to a convention. The
Provincial Congress was soon afterward organized, and
in this all the towns were represented. The representa-
tives from this county soon exhibited a want of zeal,
which, with the evident signs of disaileotion to the
American cause in other parts of the Island, disheart-
ened the friends of that cause, and encouraged the
loyalists. This was the state of feeling in Kings
County in 17Y6.
Washington, who was in command at the siege of
Boston, became convinced that warlike operations were
to be transferred to this point. General Charles Lee
also foresaw this, and quickly raised in Connecticut a
force of twelve thousand men, with which he arrived
in New York February 3d. Early in March, Washing-
ton ordered the fortification of Brooklyn; and when, after
the sailing of the British fleet from Halifax, it became
certain that this was to be the next point of attack,
the work was pushed with the utmost vigor.
Brooklyn, at that time, was no more than an agricul-
tural village. In the vicinity of "the ferry" stood
some fifty dwellings. Groves of cedars crowned the
" Heights," on which were a few residences. The
space between the East River and Joralemon and
Fulton Streets was covered with pastures, orchards and
market gardens. Farm houses of the Dutch citizens
were scattered along the shore of the East River to
Gowanus, and of the Wallabout to Bushwick, while
the village of Brooklyn proper was a mile from the
ferry, on the Jamaica road, and a mile and a quarter
further was Bedford — then consisting of a few farm
houses.
The defensive works were originally planned by
General Lee, who, being soon called southward, was
succeeded, March 7th, by Lord Stirling; and he in May
by General Greene, under whom the works were com-
pleted. Space will not permit a detailed account of
these works. In their construction, and in the dispo-
sition of the forces that were to man them, the Ameri-
can officers found it necessary to provide against dif-
ferent possible plans of attack ; and, in so doing, the
effective American force of 20,000 men (the nominal
force was 27,000) was extended from King's Bridge,
on Manhattan Island; and, on Long Island, from the
Wallabout Bay to Gowanus meadows — -a line many miles
in length. It is proper to say that the plan of these
fortifications has since been made the subject of much
and diverse criticism. Johnston, the latest, and
probably the most accurate historian of this subject,
locates them as follows :
Premising that "the topography of this section of Long
Island was peculiar, presenting strong contrasts of high and
low land. Originally, and indeed within the memory of
citizens still living, that part of Brooklyn looking south and
west of the line of Nevins Street, was practically a penin-
sula, with the Wallabout Bay (present Navy Yard) on one
side of the neck, and on the other, a mile across, the exten-
sive Gowanus Creek and marsh, over which now run 2d, 3d
and 4th Avenues. The creek set in from the bay where the
Gowanus canal is retained, and rendered the marsh impassable
at high water as far as the line of Baltic Street. Blocks of
buildings now stand on the site of mills that were once
worked by the ebb and flow of the tides. The lower part of
what is known as South Brooklyn was largely swamp land
in 1776. Here, the peninsula terminated in a nearly isolated
triangular piece of ground jutting out into the harbor, called
Red Hook, which figured prominently in the military opera-
tions. From this projection to the furthest point on the
Wallabout was a distance of three miles."
This Red Hook, and Governor's Island opposite, were
the first points occupied and fortified by the Americans,
under orders of General Putnam, who had assumed the
chief command April 4th, and who was quick to
observe their strategic importance. His sagacity was
justified by the alacrity with which the British ships-
of-war took themselves out of gun-shot.
" The occupation of these two points, clearly necessary for
a more effective defence of the East River, resulted in a
modification of Lee's plan of fortification; and the adopticn
of a new line on Long Island. It was now decided to hold
the B. peninsula with a cliain of works thrown up across the
neck from Wallabout Bay to the Gowanus marsh." By the
recent "fortunate recovery of General Orders of the day,
and of original sketches of the site, it has become possible to
locate this line, and name tlie various works with almost
entire accuracy. To defend the approach between the bay
and the marsh,the engineers laid out three principal forts and
two redoubts, with breastworks connecting them. The site
occupied was a favorable one. On the left was the higli
ground, now known as Fort Greene, or Washington Park,
100 feet above the sea level; and on the right, between the
main road and marsh, were lower elevations on lands then
owned by Rutgers Van Brunt and Johannes Debevoise.
The flanks were thus well adapted for defence, and near
enough each other to command the ground between them."
Extending from the right to the left of the line of
defence, the works erected were :
1. On the right of the line. Fort Box (so named
after Major Daniel Box, Gen. Greene's Brigade-Major),
nearest to Gowanus Creek. It was of diamond shape,
and located on, or near, the line of Pacific, just above
Bond street.
2. Three hundred yards, or so, to the left of Port
52
SISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Box, a short distance above Bond street, between State
and Scbermerliorn, was Fort Greene, star-shaped,
mounting six guns, provided with well and magazines,
and named, of course, after Gen. Greene. Its guns
commanded the Jamaica highway, and it was garrisoned
by a full regiment.
3. Still further to the left, on the other side of the
road, was a small circular work, called the Oblong
Redoubt. It stood on a rising ground at corner of De
Kalb and Hudson avenues, commanded the road
directly, and was, with Fort Greene, the centre of the
line of defence, which, ascending northeasterly to the
top of the hill (Washington Park), connected with
4. Fort Putnam, star-shaped, somewhat smaller than
Fort Greene, but mounting four or five guns. It was
probably named after Col. Rufus Putnam, the chief
engineer.
5. At the eastern end of the hill, not far from Fort
Putnam, and on a lower grade, was a small affair,
called the redoubt on the left. It was on the line of
Cumberland street, about midway between Willoughby
and Myrtle avenues.
" Each of these works was a complete fortification in itself,
being surrounded with a wide ditch.^ provided with a sally-
port, its sides lined with sharpened stakes, the garrison armed
with spears to repel storming parties, and the well supplied
with water and provisions against siege. The greater part
of the line was picketed with abattis, and the woods cut
down to give full sweep to the fire of the guns.''
Outside of this line of defence, there were other forti-
fications, viz: (1), A redoubt on the crest of a conical
hill, near the corner of Court and Atlantic streets, known
to the Dutch inhabitants as Punkiesberg; but named by
the Continentals, Cobble Hill, from its resemblance to a
hiU of that name which was one of the fortified points
in the siege of Boston, whence they had lately come.
Its trenches ascended spirally to the top, where a plat-
form was laid for the cannon, from which circumstance
it derived, also, the nickname of " Corkscrew Fort." Its
occupancy " would have prevented the enemy from get-
ting a foothold on the peninsula in rear or flank of the
main line, in case they had effected a landing back of
Red Hook, or had crossed Gowanus Creek above."
(2), Near the corner of present Degraw and Bond
streets, a small redoubt, — in form, a right angle, — mount-
ing one gun, and covering the narrow passage over a
mill-dam which there crossed G.-Creek : (3), The water-
battery on Red Hook, mounting 4 18-pounders, en bar-
bette, to keep the enemy from landing at the southern
extremity of the peninsula, and to cover the passage
between this and Governor's Island. This— i^or* Defi-
ance— was a " small, but exceedingly strong " work ;
(4), on the corner of present Clark and Columbia
streets, a strong, inclosed work, of 8 guns, called Fort
Stirling, and commanding the East River channel.
In the digging and strengthening of these works, the
tedious but necessary performance of camp duty, and
in occasional expeditions to suppress the latent Toryism
which, ever and anon, would break out in both Kings
and Queens counties, the spring of "76 slipped away
— ^until (June 1st) the fortifications were so far advanced
as to admit of the mountipg of the guns, and the assign-
ment (l7th) of the various regiments to their respective
positions. And by the middle of summer the American
army was fairly entrenched upon the Brooklyn peninsula
with lines which, though yet unfinished, " were still of
very respectable strength." These fortifications on L. L,
it must be remembered, were but part of a formidable
line of defensive works which may be described in a
general way, as beginning again on New York Island,
at Corlaer's Hook ; passing around the lower end of
present city, and up on the North River side to corner
of present Washington and Harrison streets ; while
another line of defence ran across New York island
above the (then) city, from a redoubt, corner of Monroe
and Rutger streets, along the line of Grand street to
Bayard's Hill, corner Grand and Mulberry streets, where
was a strong redoubt having the range of the city on
one side, and the approach by the Bowery on the other.
Other available points on the island, as far as Harlem
Heights, were, also, more or less fortified, and the city
itself was full of barricades.
CHAPTER VI.
ARRIVAL OP THE BRITISH AEMT THE
BROOKLYN.
BATTLE OF
0'
N the 29th of June, the British fleet, from Halifax,
entered the lower bay of New York. It had
been Gen. Howe's first intention to land at once
on Long Island, but he was deterred from so
doing by what he learned, from spies, of the character
of the defences. On the 9th of July the British troops
were landed on Staten Island, where they remained a
month and a half, receiving re-inf oreements almost daily.
The naval forces were commanded by Admiral Sir
Richard Howe, brother to Gen. William Howe, who
was in command of the land forces. Both were brave,
skilful and experienced officers, and the plan and con-
duct of the battle which followed fully sustained their
good reputation.
The transfer of the British, from Staten to Long
Island, was begun on the morning of the 22d of August;
and by noon, 15,000 men and 40 pieces of artillery had
been landed at Denyse's dock (now Fort Hamilton), at
what is now Bath, in the town of New Utrecht.
Hitherto, Washington's chief anxiety had been, to know
at which of the many and widely separated points open
to the British commander, he would be attacked.
Would the British descend upon New Jersey, from
Staten Island ; would they make a direct attack upon
the city with the fleet, and land troops in his rear by
way of the Hudson ; would they cross to L. I., and fall
THE BA TTLE OF JBR 0 OKL TN.
S3
THE BATTLE PASS (IN PROSPECT PAEK), BROOKLYN. (From a Sketch by G. L. Burdette, taken in 1792.)
upon Gen. Greene in force ; or, would they make feints
of landing at different points, as their water carriage :
enabled them to do, and suddenly strike at his weakest
point ? But all uncertainty as to the intentions of the
British commander being thus dispelled, troops were
hurried across from New York, to re-inforce those hold-
ing the defences at Brooklyn.
Johnston (from whose accurate pages the following
account is mainly condensed) thus sketches the position:
"The section of L. I., which the enemy now occupied, was
a broad, low plain, stretching northward from the coast from
4 to 6 miles, and eastward, a still further distance. Scattered
over its level surface were four villages, surrounded with
farms. Nearest to the Narrows, and nearly a mile from the
coast, stood New Utrecht; another mile S. E. of this was
Oravesend ; N. E. from Gravesend, nearly 3 miles, the road
led through Ji'toiZands, and directly N. from Flatlands, and
about half way to Brooklyn Church, lay Flatbush. Between
this plain and the Brooklyn lines, ran a ridge of hUls, ex-
tending from New York Bay midway through the island to
its eastern extremity. The ridge varied in height from 100
to 150 feet above the sea, and from the plain it rose s mewhat
abruptly from 40 to 80 feet, but fell oflE more gradually in its
descent on the other side. Its entire surface was covered
with a dense growth of woods and thickets, and to an enemy
advancing from below it presented a continuous barrier, a
huge natural abattis, impassable to artillery, where, with pro-
portionate numbers, a successful defense could be sustained.
The roads across the ridge passed through its natural depres-
sions, of which there were four within a distance of six miles
from the harbor. The main highway, or Jamaica iJoad— that
which led up from Brooklyn Ferry— after passing through
Bedford, kept on stm N. of the hills, and crossed them at
the "Jamaica Pass," about 4 miles from the fortified line.
From this, branched three roads leading to the villages in the
plain. The most direct was that to Flatbush, which cut
through the ridge a mile and a half from the works.
Three quarters of a mile to the left, towards the Jamaica
Pass, a road from Bedford led also to Flatbush ; and near the
coast ran the Gowanus road to the Narrows. Where the Red
Lion Tavern stood on this road, about 3 miles from Brooklyn
Church, a narrow lane, known as the Martense Lane, now
marking the southern boundary of Greenwood Cemetery,
diverged to the left through a hollow in the ridge and con-
nected with roads on the plain. Clearly to understand suc-
ceeding movements on L. I., it is necessary to have in mind
the relative situation of these several routes and passes."
The entire effective force of the American army in
and about New York, which now awaited the approach
of Howe's 24,000 veterans, may be estimated at not far
from 19,000, mostly levies and militia. The British,
however, did not attempt an advance for three days,
although skirmishing occurred in front of Flatbush. On
the 24th, Sullivan, attacked by severe illness, was super-
seded in the chief command on Long Island by General
Putnam. On the 26th, additional regiments were sent
over from New York, among them the gallant Mary-
landers and Delaware battalion, raising the force on
Long Island on the night of the 26th to a total
of about 7,000 men fit for duty; and the same night the
British columns began their forward movement. Three
of the passes, which we have described, were well
guarded by the American forces, viz. ; the Flatbush Pass
54
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
(near the junction of whicli witli the narrow Post Road,
was a breastwork, with felled trees in its front) ; the
CoaM Road, near the Red Lion tavern, and the Bed-
ford Pass ; while between there was a chain of senti-
nels. But, though the best possible disposition had been
made of the limited force that could be spared, and
though at the passes themselves a stout resistance could
have been offered, it was still an attenuated line, over
four miles long, not parallel, but oblique, to the line of
works at Brooklyn, and distant from it not less than
one-and-a-half, and at the farthest point nearly three
miles. Unfortunately, the fourth or Jamaica Pass, far
over to the left, and four miles from the lines, was left
without any permanent guards. Its distance and isolated
position, together with the scarcity in force, especially
in cavalry, to a certain extent compelled its neglect;
except such watching as the few mounted patrols could
give it. The British forces were now moving on the
American lines in three columns ; General Grant's divis-
ion from the Narrows, along the Shore road; De Heis-
ter's Hessians by the way of Flatbush Pass; and Gen-
erals Clinton, Cornwallis and Percy, with Howe himself,
with the main body as a flanking force, around the
Americans' left by way of Jamaica Pass, which they
had found to be neglected.
Grant's advance guard, marching from the Narrows,
struck the American pickets near the Red Lion, about
2 a. m. of the 27th, and, when met by General Stirling,
who had promptly responded to the alarm with two or
three regiments, were on the full march toward the
Brooklyn lines. As there were still good positions
which he could occupy, Stirling immediately disposed
his force so as to make as effective resistance as possible.
The road wound along on the line of present 3d avenue,
only a little distance from the bay; and, at the present
crossing of the avenue by 23d street, there was a little
bridge on the old road crossing a creek, which set back
from the bay to a low and marshy piece of ground on
the left, looking south; while just beyond the bridge,
the land rose to quite a bluff at the water's edge, called
by the Dutch, " Blockje's Bergh." From the bluff the
hill fell away gradually to the marsh, the road being
between them. On the crest of the slope, which rose
northerly from the marsh and low land around Blockje's
Berg, on the line of present 20th street, Stirling formed
his brigade. On the right next the road he posted
Small wood's Marylanders; further up the hillside, the
Delaware troops; on their left, in the woods above,
Atlee's Pennsylvanians, with the Pennsylvania rifle-
men along the hedges near the foot of the hill. Seeing
his path thus blocked. Grant drew up in line, as if
for attack; but really (it was now V a. m.) to keep
Stirling where he was until the other movements of
the day were developed. In the skirmishing and
by-play which ensued, the Americans troops displayed
nerve and ability, standing firm under feints of attack
and the galling fire of British artillery, and inflicting
upon their foes a greater loss than they themselves
sustained.
Meanwhile, 9 a. m., De Heister had made no de-
termined attack either on the Flatbush or Bedford
roads; his Hessians were comparatively quiet at the foot
of the hills, though sometimes exchanging shots with
the American pickets.
While Stirling, on the lower road, was, as he supposed,
stubbornly holding back the British from the Brooklyn
lines ; and all was quiet but vigilant at the Flatbush and
Bedford passes, the web which the enemy had been
silently weaving around them during the night, was
almost completed. At nine p. m. of the 26th, the
British division under Howe had been set in motion.
Sir Henry Clinton led the van of the advance with dra-
goons and light infantry. Cornwallis followed with the
reserves; and after him came the First Brigade and Vlst
Regiment with 14 pieces of field artillery. Lord Percy
and Howe himself followed with the 2d, 3d and 5th Bri-
gades, the Guards and ten guns; while the 49th Regiment
with four twelve pounders, and baggage, etc., brought
up the rear. This column, 10,000 strong, with the
Flatbush guides, headed " across the country " towards
the Jamaica Pass, moving cautiously along the road
from Flatlands until it reached Schoonmaker's bridge,
over a creek emptying into Jamaica Bay, when the col-
umn struck over the field to the Jamaica Road, and
halted in the open lots a little southeast of the pass and
directly in front of Howard's Halfway House. Here
they captured a small unmounted patrol of young
American ofiicers, from whom the unguarded state of the
pass was ascertained; and the British advance then
recommenced its march, cautiously, however, reach-
ing the Jamaica Road on the other side of the Pass by
a round-about lane known as J;he Rockaway Path,and led
by innkeej)er Howard and son, who were forcibly com-
pelled to act as guides. At half -past eight a. m., after a
slow, circuitous and difficult night's march of nine miles,
from Flatlands, the van reached Bedford and found itself
directly in the rear of the left of the American outposts,
while its approach was as yet unknown in the camp
" at Brooklyn. And when the alarm did reach the camp,
swift upon its heels came the enemy. Hemmed in be-
tween the Hessians in front and the British in rear,
all along the hills from the Flatbush Pass to
their extreme left, the Americans were, by 10 a. m., in
full retreat, toward thd Brooklyn lines; hurrying
through the wood, down the slopes and across the fields,
some singly, some in groups, some keeping together in
companies, some in battalions ; fighting light infantry,
broken by dragoon charges, intercepted by Hessians,
a hand-to-hand fight, but with less loss of life than
might have been expected; though General Sullivan
was captured about noon, and the day was lost on the
left and center.
On the right, Stirling, warned about 10 a. m. by the
sound of firing in his rear, that the lines were flanked,
THE BA TTLE OF BR 0 OKL YJV.
55
still fought stubbornly, until between 11 and 12 o'clock,
he found his retreat on the Gowanus road cut o£E by
Comwallis with the Vlst Regiment, and 2d Grenadiers.
But one way of escape, and that a desperate one, was
left, viz. : to cross the Gowanus marsh and creek, where
both were at their broadest, toward the near Brooklyn
lines. And as his soldiers, under his orders, struggled
across the difficult morass, he faced around with half of
Gist's Maryland Battalion, and threw himself upon
Cornwallis. The British posted themselves in the old
Cortelyou house, above the upper mills, near the inter-
section of the Post and Gowanus roads, but were nearly
dislodged by the brave Marylanders, who, after repeated
and heroic efforts, which have covered them with high-
est honor in the events of that day, were finally routed,
broken into small parties and forced to save themselves
as best they might. Nine only escaped across the creek,
and Stirling, making vain efforts to escape, fell in
with the Hessian corps, which had now reached the scene
of action, and surrendered himself to De Heister. The
rest of the command succeeded in crossing the creek
and marsh, with but trifling loss. By 2 p. m. the battle,
which had commenced at 3 a. m. and had swept over a
range of five miles, closed in defeat to American arms.
But it was not a disgrace, for " the British and Hes-
sians suffered a loss in hilled and wounded equal to that
inflicted upon the Americans." The British casualties
were 377 officers and soldiers; while the Americans lost
800 (including 91 officers) taken prisoners, not over 6
officers and 50 privates killed, less than 16 officers and
150 privates wounded. "It was a field where the
American soldier, in every firm encounter, proved him-
self worthy of the cause he was fighting for."
From the moment that the passes were lost, Wash-
ington realized the danger, and took prompt measures
to avert further disaster. During the night of the
27th he brought over from Harlem Heights two well-
drilled Pennsylvania and a Massachusetts regiment,
with some others ; and when the morning of the 28th
dawned, it found him within the Brooklyn line, with all
the troops that could be spared from other points —
some 9,500 — prepared to resist the British should they
attempt to carry his position by storm. The 28th and
29th were exceedingly rainy days, and the duty of
guarding their Unes in this deluge, without tents or
baggage, and almost without victuals and drink, fell
heavily upon the dispirited but yet heroic American
soldiers. Skirmishing occurred between the forces;
and one affair (on the high ground between Vanderbilt
and Clinton Avenues, on the line of De Kalb), in which
the British entrenched themselves, probably had great
influence, in connection with the other unfortunate cir-
cumstances of his situation, in determining Washing-
ton in favor of a retreat, since it fully developed the
enemy's intention to advance by trenches and parallels.
Within 24 hours they would have been within short
range, and this would have unposed upon the Ameri-
cans the necessity of driving them out of their works
by storm. In view of the great disparity of numbers
and the condition of his troops, this could not be
risked ; and, at a council of war held at the old Cor-
nell-Pierrepont house (on line of Montague Street, near
the little iron foot-bridge which spans the carriage-
way) late on the afternoon of the 29th a retreat was
decided upon. Meanwhile, through Washington's
foresight, Gen. Heath and Asst. Q. M. Hughes, on
New York Island, were already impressing into the
service every sloop, boat and water-craft of any
description between Spuyten Duyvel, on the Hudson,
and Hell Gate, on the Sound ; which, manned largely
by the Salem and Marblehead (fishermen) troops of
Glover and Hutchinson's regiments, were speedily
collected on the Brooklyn shore. The final with-
drawal of the troops from the Island was effected
under a General Order, in which the sick and wounded,
as being an incumbrance, were ordered to be sent over
to the hospitals in New York ; and the army was
informed that, in view of the expected arrival that
evening of fresh troops from New Jersey under Gen.
Mercer, it was proposed to relieve a portion of the
Long Island regiments and make a change in their
situation ; and, as it was yet undetermined which regi-
ments could be relieved, all, or the greater part of
them, were directed "to parade with arms, accoutre-
ments and knapsacks, at 7 o'clock, at the head of their
encampments, and there wait for orders." Thus, in a
plausible and natural manner, not calculated to excite
suspicion or alarm, the army was prepared for the final
move. At dark, the retreat began. As one regiment
moved towards the ferry — present Fulton Ferry —
another extended its line so as to fill the gap. All was
done busily, quietly, and without confusion. Between
7 and 8 P. M. the boats manned by Glover and Hutch-
inson's men began their trip, taking off first the militia
and new levies. About 9 o'clock wind and tide and
pouring rain made the navigation of the river very
difficult, a north-easter sprang up, sloops and sail-boats
became unmanageable, and row-boats only could be
used, and the prospect of getting all across before day-
light looked dubious. Fortunately, about lip. m., the
north-easter was replaced by a southwest breeze, and
the passage became " direct, easy and expeditious," the
boats loaded almost to the water's edge, which was
" smooth as glass." Meanwhile, a serious blunder had
occurred at the lines, by which the regiments covering
the retreat had left their post and started for the ferry ;
but met by Washington, who was alarmed at the pos-
sible consequences of the mistake, they promptly faced
about and reoccupied their station until dawn of the
30th, when, just as they were about to attempt the
hazardous feat of withdrawing in clear daylight, in face
of the enemy, a fog settled upon Long Island so dense
that it obscured them from the view of British pickets.
When the final order, therefore, came for their retreat
56
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
— " after it was fair day," they quietly withdrew from
their lines, distinctly hearing the sound of pickaxe and
shovel in the British works. By 7 a. m. the entire force
was safely in New York, the last man to cross being
General Washington himself, whose foresight and skill
had thus wrested victory from defeat. With the sub-
sequent retreat of the American Army through West-
chester, it is not the purpose of this history to deal.
Long Island was represented in this affair by two
militia regiments and two small companies of horse.
The Kings County regiment was commanded by Col.
Rutgert Van Brunt. The militia, especially in dis-
affected Kings and Queens counties, had been mustered
with difficulty ; and the troops raised by a draft, espec-
ially ordered by the New York Provincial Congress, in
August, were commanded by Col. Jeronimus Remsen,
of Queens, with Nich. Cowenhoven, of Kings, as Lieut.
Colonel, and Richard Thome, of Queens, as Major. This
regiment, together with that from Suffolk County,
Col. Josiah Smith, did not report to General Greene until
August 15th, and after, and together mustered scarcely
500 men. By desertions, the Kings County regiment
was soon reduced to about 200 men, and, after the
battle, was still further reduced by the same cause, to
about 150 men. This remnant left the island with the
rest of the army, and under command of Major Barent
Johnson (father of the late General Jeremiah) marched
to Harlem, where they dispersed without leave and
returned to their homes, many of them being subse-
quently captured by tories and imprisoned in New
York. Major Johnson accompanied the army to Jersey,
where he was captured by the British, and was paroled
by Howe, in January, 1777. The troopers, less than 50,
were from Brooklyn, under Captain Adolph Waldron
and Lieut. Wm. Boerum; with a few others from the
county at large, under Captain Lambert Suydam.
CHAPTER VIL
LIFE AND DEATH IN THE PEISON-SHIPS THE BUEIAL OF
THE VICTIMS.
NO chapter in the history of the American Revolu-
tion is more appalling, or revolting to every
human feeling, than that which records the suf-
ferings of the prisoners who fell into the hands
of the British. In all cases of this kind the account
which prisoners themselves give of their treatment
should be taken with many grains of allowance, for
they were very prone to exaggerate ; but if the half of
that which was related by American prisoners is true,
the inhumanity of their keepers was truly shocking
The capture of New York in September, 1776, and of
Fort Washington in November of the same year, threw
into the hands of the British a large number of prison-
ers, which, added to those already in their hands.
swelled the aggregate to about 5,000 in the city of New
York. To the confusion and embarrassment which this
sudden accumulation of prisoners necessitated, were
added the negligence of the British commander, and the
brutality of Provost Marshal Cunningham and his sub-
ordinates.
But, if the condition of the prisoners in New York
was pitiable, that of the seamen confined in the prison-
ships at the Wallabout was horrible. The crowding
together of many human beings in the hold of a ship,
even with the best means of ventilation and the utmost
care for their cleanliness and comfort, is disastrous to
the health of those so situated. If then, as was the
case of these prisoners, they are compelled to breathe
over and over again the pestilential emanations from
their own bodies and from the filth by which they are
surrounded, and to subsist on food insufiicient in quan-
tity and almost poisonous in quality, it is not a matter
of wonder that, as was the case with those confined in
these ships, few survived their imprisonment.
From the autumn of 1 7 7 6, when the British came in pos-
session of New York, during six years, one or more con-
demned hulks were stationed at the Wallabout, in which
were confined such American seamen as were taken
prisoners by the British. The first of these was the
" Whitby,'' which was moored in the Wallabout in
October, 1776. In May, 1777, two other large ships
were also anchored there, one of which was burned in
October of the same year, and the other in February,
1778. In April, 1778, the old "Jersey" was moored
there, and the " Hope " and the " Falmouth " — two so-
called hospital-ships — were stationed near. Up to the
time when these hospital-ships were stationed there, no
physicians had been in attendance on the sick in the
prison ships.
Rev. Thomas Andeos of Berkley, Mass., was a pris-
oner on the old "Jersey," and relates his experience
and observation as follows :
"This was an old sixty-four gun ship, which through age
had become unfit for further actual service. She was stripped
of every spar and all her rigging. After a battle with a
French fleet her lion figurehead was taken away to repair
another ship ; no appearance of ornament was left, and
nothing remained but an old, unsightly, rotten hulk. Her
dark and filthy external appearance perfectly corresponded
with the death and despair that reigned within ; and nothing
could be more foreign from truth than to paint her with
colors flying, or any circumstance or appendage to please the
eye. She was moored at the Wallabout Bay, about three-
quarters of a mile to the eastward of Brooklyn ferry, near a
tide-miU on the Long Island shore. The nearest place to
land was about twenty rods ; and doubtless no other ship in
the British navy ever proved the means of destruction of so
many human beings. It is computed that not less than
eleven thousand American seamen perished in her. After it
was next to certain death to confine a prisoner here, the inhu-
manity and wickedness of doing it was about the same as if
he had been taken to the city and deliberately shot in some
public square ; but, as if mercy had fled from the earth, here
we were doomed to dwell. And never, while I was on board,
THE ''OLD JERSEY'' PRISON SHIP.
B1
THE "OLB JERSEY" PKISON-SHIP. (From Dawson's edition of Dring'S "Old Jersey Captive.")
EXTERIOR VIEW OF THE "OLD JERSEY."
The Flag-staff, whicli was seldom used, and only for signals.
A canvas awning or tent, used by the guards in warm weather.
The Quarter-deelc, with its barricade ahout ten feet high, with a door and loop-
holes on each side. ^ ^ ^ ,
The Ship's Officers' Cabin, under the Quarter-deck. « ^, ,,, , «,
Accommodation-ladder, on the starboard side, for the use of the ship's offlcers.
The Steerage, occupied by the waiiors belonging to the ship.
The Cook-room for the ship's crew and guards. _ ,4.„*..,„™
The Sutler's room, where articles were sold to the prisoners, and delivered to tiiem
through an opening in tlie bulkhead.
9 The Upper-deck and Spar-deck, where the prisoners were occasionally allowed to
walk.
10. The Gangway ladder, on the larboard side, for the prisoners.
11. The Derrick, on the starboard side, for taking in water, etc., etc.
12. The Galley, or Great Copper, under the forecastle, where the provisions were
cooked for the prisoners.
13. The Gun-room, occupied by those prisoners who were officers.
14. 15, Hatchways leading below, where the prisoners wpre confined.
17, 18. Between-decks, where the prisoners were couflncd at night.
19. The Bowsprit.
\iti. Chain cables, by which the vessel was moored.
58
iiistohy of kings county.
did any Howard or angel of pity appear, to inquire into or
alleviate our woes. Once or twice, by the order of a stranger
on the quarter deck, a bag of apples was hurled promiscu-
ously into the midst of hundreds of prisoners, crowded to-
gether as thick as they could stand, and life and limbs were
endangered by the scramble. This, instead of compassion,
was a cruel sport. When I saw it about to commence I fled
to the most distant part of the ship.
" On the commencement of the first evening we were
driven down to darkness, between decks secured by iron
gratings and an armed soldiery, and a scene of hoiTor which
bafifles all description presented itself. On every side wretched,
desponding shapes of men could be seen. Around the well-
room an armed guard were forcing up the prisoners to the
winches to clear the ship of water and prevent her sinking ;
and little else could be heard but a roar of mutual execra-
tions, reproaches, and insults. During this operation there
was a small, dim light admitted below, but it served to make
darkness more visible, and horror more terrific. In my reflec-
tions I said this must be a complete image and anticipation
of hell. Milton's .description of the dark world rushed upon
my mind: —
' Sights of woe, regions of liorror doleful.
Shades where peace and rest can never dwell.'
"If there was any principle among the prisoners that
could not be shaken, it was their love of country. I knew no
one to be seduced into the British service. They attempted
to force one of our prize-brig's crew into the navy, but he
chose rather to die than to perform any duty, and was again
restored to the prison-ship.
" When I first became an inmate of this abode of suffering,
despair and death, there were about four hundred prisoners
on board ; but in a short time they amounted to twelve hun-
dred, and in proportion to our numbers the mortality in-
creased. All the most deadly diseases were pressed into the
service of tjtie king of terrors, but his prime ministers were
dysentery, small-pox, and yellow fever. There were two
hospital ships near to the old 'Jersey,' but these were soon
so crowded with the sick that they could receive no more.
The consequence was that the diseased and the healthy were
mingled together in the main ship. In a short time we had
two hundred or more sick and dying lodged in the fore part
of the lower gun deck, where all the prisoners were confined
at night. Utter derangement was a common symptom of
yellow fever; and, to increase the horror of the darkness that
shrouded us Cfor we were allowed no light betwixt decks),
the voice of warning would be heard, ' Take heed to youx--
selves I There is a madman stalking through the ship with
a knife in his hand I' I sometimes found the man a corpse
in the morning by whose side I laid myself down at night.
At another time he would become deranged and attempt, in
the darkness, to rise, and stumble over the bodies that every-
where covered the deck. In this case I had to hold him in
his place by main strength. In spite of my efforts he would
sometimes rise, and then I had to close in with him, trip
up his heels, and lay him again upon the deck. While so
many were sick with raging fever there was a loud cry
for water ; but none could be had except on the upper deck,
and but one allowed to ascend at a time. The suffering then
from the rage of thirst during the night was very great.
Nor was it at all times safe to attempt to go up. Provoked
by the continual cry for leave to ascend, when there was one
already on deck, the sentry would push them back with his
bayonet. By one of these thrusts, which was more spiteful
and violent than common, I had a narrow escape of my life.
In the morning the hatchways were thrown open and we
were allowed to ascend, all at once, and remain on the upper
deck during the day. But the first object that met our view
was an appalling spectacle — a boat loaded with dead bodies
conveying them to the Long Island shore, where they were
slightly covered with sand. I sometimes used to stand and
count the number of times the shovel was filled with sand to
cover a dead body ; and certain I am that a few high tides
or torrents of rain must have disinterred them, and had they
not been removed I should suppose the shore even now
would be covered with huge piles of the bones of American
seamen."
Captain Deing, who assisted on one occasion of this
sort, thus describes the burial, which will afford a cor-
rect idea of the general method of interment :
" After landing at a low wharf, which had been built from
the shore, we first went to a small hut which stood near the
wharf, and was used as a place of deposit for the hand-barrows
and shovels provided for these occasions. Having placed the
corpses on the hand-barrows, and received our hoes and
shovels, we proceeded to a bank near the Wallabout. Here
a vacant space having been selected, we were directed to dig
a trench in the sand of a proper length to receive the bodies.
We continued our labor till our guards considered that a
proper space had been excavated. The corpses were then laid
into the trench without ceremony, and we threw sand over
them. The whole appeared to produce no more impression
on our guards than if we were burying the bodies of dead
animals instead of men. They scarcely allowed us time to
look about us ; for no sooner had we heaped the earth above
the trench than the order was given to march. But a single
glance was sufficient to show us parts of many bodies which
were exposed to view ; although they had probably been
placed there, with the same mockery of interment, but a few
days before. Having thus performed, as vrell as we were
permitted to do it, the last duty to the dead, and the guards
having stationed themselves on each side of us, we began
reluctantly to retrace our steps to the boat. We had enjoyed
the pleasure of breathing for a few moments the air of our
native soil, and the thought of returning to the crowded
prison-ship was terrible in the extreme. As we passed by the
water's side we implored our guards to allow us to bathe, or
even to wash ourselves for a few minutes ; but this was
refused us. I was the only prisoner of our party who wore a
pair of shoes ; and well recollect the circumstance that I took
them from my feet for the pleasure of feeling the earth, or
rather the sand, as I went along. It was a high gratification
to us to bury our feet in the sand and to shove them through
it, as we passed on our way. We went by a small patch of
turf, some pieces of which we tore up from the earth and
obtained permission to carry them on board for our comrades
to smell them. * * * Having arrived at the hut we there
deposited our implements and walked to the landing-place,
where we prevailed on our guards, who were Hessians, to
allow us the gratification of remaining nearly half an hour
before we re-entered the boat.
" Near us stood a house, occupied by a miller ; and we had
been told that a tide-mill, which he attended, was in the imme-
diate vicinity; as a landing place for which the wharf where
we stood had been erected. It would have afforded me a
high degree of pleasure to have been permitted to enter this
dwelling, the probable abode of harmony and peace. It was
designated by the prisoners by the appellation of the ' Old
Dutchman's,' and its very walls were viewed byuswithfeel-
ings of veneration, as we had been told that the amiable
daughter of its owner had kept a regular account of the
number of bodies which had been brought on shore for inter-
ment from the Jersey and the hospital ships. This could
easily be done in the house, as its windows commanded a fair
EXFJERIENGES ON BOARD THE PRISON HIIIPS.
59
view of the landing place. We were not, however, gratified
on this occasion, either by the sight of herself or of any other
inmate of the house. Sadly did we approach and re-enter our
foul and disgusting place of confinement. The pieces of turf
which we carried on board were sought for by our fellow-
prisoners with the greatest avidity ; every fragment being
passed by them from hand to hand, and its smell inhaled, as
if it had been a fragrant rose."
Says Andeos, another survivor of the " Old Jersey : "
"There were probably four hundred on board who had
never had the small-pox. Some perhaps might have been
saved by inoculation, but humanity was wanting to try even
this experiment. Let our disease be what it would, we were
abandoned to our fate. Now and then an American physi-
cian was brought in as a captive, but if he could obtain his
parole he left the ship ; nor could we blame him for this, for
his own death was next to certain and his success in saving
others by medicine in our situation was small. I remember
only two American physicians who tarried on board a few
days. No Enghsh physician, or any one from the city, ever,
to my knowledge, came near us. There were thirteen of tlie
crew to which I belonged, but in a short time all died but
three or four. The most healthy and vigorous were first
seized with the fever and died in a few hours. For them
there seemed to be no mercy. My constitution was less mus-
cular and plethoric, and I escaped the fever longer than any
of the thirteen except one, and the first onset was less
violent.''
A very serious conflict occurred with the guard on
the 4th of July, 1782, in consequence of the prisoners
attempting to celebrate the day with such observances
and amusements as their condition permitted. Upon
going on deck in the morning they displayed thirteen
little national flags, which were immediately torn down
and trampled under the feet of the guard, which on
that day happened to consist of Scotchmen. Taking no
notice of them, the prisoners proceeded to amuse them-
selves with patriotic songs, speeches and cheers, avoid-
ing whatever could be construed into an intentional
insult to the guards, who, however, at an unusually
early hour in the afternoon, drove them below at the
point of the bayonet, and closed the hatches. Between
decks, the prisoners continued their singing, etc., till
about 9 o'clock in the evening. An order to desist not
having been promptly complied with, the hatches were
suddenly removed, and the guards descended among
them, with lanterns and cutlasses in their hands. Then
ensued a scene of horror. The helpless prisoners, re-
treating from the hatchways as fast as their crowded
condition would permit, were followed by the guards,
who mercilessly hacked, cut and wounded every one
within their reach; then, returning to the upper deck,
fastened down the hatches upon the victims of their
cruel rage, leaving them to languish through the
long, sultry summer night, without water to cool their
parched throats, and without lights by which they
might have dressed their wounds; and, to add to their
torments, it was not until the middle of the next fore-
noon that the prisoners were allowed to go on deck and
slake their thirst, or to receive their rations of food,
which that day they were obliged to eat uncooked.
Ten corpses were found below on the morning of the
day that succeeded that memorable 4th of July, and
many of the survivors wei-e badly wounded.
Equal to this in fiendish barbarity is the incident re-
lated by Silas Talbot, as occurring on the " Stromboli,"
where he was a prisoner. The prisoners, irritated by
their ill treatment,rose one night on their guard.
"The commander, being on shore, and several in attempt-
ing to escape, were either killed or wounded. The captain
got on board just as the fray was quelled, when a poor
fellow, lying on deck, bleeding, and almost exhausted by a
mortal wound, called him by name, and beggged of him,
for God's sake, a little water, for he was dying. The captain
applied a light to his face and directly exclaimed : ' What !
is it you, d — n you ? I'm glad you're shot. If I knew the man
that shot you, Fd give him a guinea. Take that you d — d
rebel rascal !' and instantly dashed his foot in the face of the
dying man."
SiiEKBURNE mentions the sad case of two brothers,
John and Abraham Fall, who lay sick upon a cot near
his own. One night, when thus left to suffer in the
darkness of this foul and miserable ship, Abraham Fall
plead with his brother John to get off from him, and
the sick around swore at John for his cruelty in lying
on his brother; but John made no reply — he was deaf
to the cries of his brother, and beyond the curses of
the suffering crowd. In the morning he was found
dead; and his brother Abraham, whose exhausted
strength had given way under the pressure of the corpse,
was in a dying statQ. The sick were unable to relieve
them and the nurses were not there.
Captain Dring thus describes the last of a poor boy,
only twelve years old, confined with him on the old
"Jersey," and who had been inoculated for small-pox:
" He was a member of the same mess with myself,
and had always looked upon me as a prottctor, and
particularly so during his sickness. The night of his death
was a pretty wretched one to me ; for I spent almost the
whole of it in perfect darkness, holding him during Ms con-
vulsions ; and it was heart-rending to hear the screams of the
dying boy, while calling and imploring in his delirium for
the assistance of his mother and other persons of his family.
For a long time all persuasion or argument was useless to
silence his groans and supplications. But exhausted nature
at length sunk under its agonies; his screams became less
piercing, and his struggles less violent. In the midnight
gloom of our dungeon, I could not see him die, but knew,
by placing my hand over his mouth, that his breathings
were becoming shorter; and thus felt the last breath as it
quitted his frame. The first glimmer of morning light
through the iron grate fell upon his pallid and lifeless corpse. "
Alexander Coffin, Jr., who was twice a prisoner on
the old " Jersey," has related some of his experiences
there. Of the firmness and patriotism of the American
prisoners, even under these circumstances, he said :
"Although there were seldom lessthan 1,000 prisoners con-
stantly on board the ' Jersey ' — new ones coming about as fast
as others died, or were exchanged (which, by-the-bye, was sel-
dom)— I never, in the two different times that I was on board,
knew of but one prisoner entering on a British ship of war,
though the boats from the fleet were frequently there and
the English officers were endeavoring to pei'suade them to
60
IIIISTORY OF KIJSrGS COUNTY:
enter; but their persuasions and offerings were invariably
treated with contempt, and even by men who pretty well
knew they should die where they were. These were the
men whose bones have been so long bleaching on the shores
of the Wallabout; these were the patriots who preferred
death in its most horrible shape to the disgrace and infamy
of fighting the battles of a base and barbarous enemy against
the liberties of their country; these were the patriots whose
names suffer no diminution by a comparison with the heroes
and patriots of antiquity."
The bodies of those who died on these ships were
buried in the sand along the shore, on the slope of a
hill, in a ravine and in several other localities. The
bones of many were washed out of the sand and were
seen lying along the shore. In 1803 some societies
began to agitate the subject of awarding funeral honors
to the remains of these martyrs, but nothing was accom-
plished till 1808. The Tammany Society, which then
embraced many Revolutionary patriots, took the lead
in the work, and the corner stone of a monument to
these heroes was laid April 13th of that year, on land
donated by John Jackson, Esq., adjoining the Brooklyn
navy-yard. Their bones, to the amount of about twenty
hogsheads, were collected, placed in thirteen capacious
coffins, and on the 26th of May, 1808, each coffin, in
charge of one of the Tammanial tribes and escorted by
eight Revolutionary soldiers as pallbearers, was born to
the place of sepulture, and all were, with solemn and
imposing ceremonies, deposited in a common tomb.
After the interment of these remains, steps were taken
toward providing funds to erect a suitable monument to
the memory of these martyrs ; but the interest which
was at first felt in the matter subsided, and at length
the lot on which the vault was constructed was sold for
taxes. It was purchased by Benjamin Romaine, who,
to prevent its further desecration, fitted it up as a burial
place for himself and family ; and there, at his death, in
1844, he was entombed.
THE TOMB OF THE MARTYHS, 1837-73.
In the year 1845, public attention was again called to
the neglected^ condition of these remains, and the
matter was also brought to the attention of Congress,
by a report of tlie Military Committee of the House of
Representatives, drawn up by the Hon. Henry C. Mur-
phy of Brooklyn, recommending an appropriation of
$20,000 for the purpose of affording a secure tomb and
fitting monument to the Martyrs. This also failed of
its object, and the matter slept for ten years. At the
expiration of that period, in 1855, a large and influential
meeting of the citizens of Brooklyn was held, at which
it was resolved, " that the time has arrived when the
cities of New York and Brooklyn cannot, without crim-
inality, longer delay the necessary efforts for rearing
the monument to the Martyrs of the Prison-Ships," and
an organization was formed for the purpose, entitled
" The Martyrs' Monument Association," in which each
Senatorial District in the State of New York, and each
State and Territory was represented. The association set
to work with commendable activity, procured a fitting
site at Washington Park, secured plans for the proposed
monument, agitated the subject publicly and privately,
solicited donations, etc.
It was not, however, until 1873, that the new site was
utilized. In that year a brick vault, 25 by 11 feet, was
completed in the side of the hill facing toward the junc-
' tion of Myrtle avenue and Canton street. In the mean-
time the receptacle in Hudson avenue had been so
neglected and became so dilapidated that the remains
there deposited were in a very exposed state. Many of
the old coffins were broken or defaced. New boxes were
prepared, and in these boxes, numbering twenty-two,
the old coffins with their contents were placed. On the
17th of June, 1873, they were quietly removed to the
vault at Washington Park, containing, it is supposed,
all the remains preserved of nearly 12,000 victims of
prison-ship captivity. The vault was covered with
asphalt and the surface restored. The base work has
been constructed of the intended ornamental stone
superstructure ; which, including an elegant monumental
shaft, will be a worthy memorial to the heroes and mar-
tyrs whose long-neglected remains rest beneath.
CHAPTER VIII.
KINGS COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1812 THE CONSTRUC-
TION" OP POETIFICATIONS.
EARLY in the War of 1812 it was believed that
New York, then, as now, the commercial metro-
polis of the nation, would become a point of
attack, and that the western end of Long Island
might become, as it had been in the Revolution, the
theater of active hostilities. In view of this possible
danger, bodies of citizen soldiery were organized and
drilled to meet such emergencies as might arise. Among
these were the company of horse, or flying artillery,
under Captain John Wilson ; the Artillerists, Captain
Barbarin ; the Riflemen of Captain Stryker, and the
Fusileers of Captain Herbert. The Rifles were nick-
KINGS COUNTY IN THE WAR OF ISn.
61
named " Katy Dids " because of the green frock with
a yellow fringe which was a part of their uniform.
Beyond the formation of these companies, Kings
county did not become the scene of warlike preparations
till the summer of 1814. A large British fleet was
then concentrating near the Bermuda Islands ; and, in
view of the possibility that New York might be its
objective point, it was deemed expedient to take such
measures as would prevent a repetition of the disaster
of August, 1776.
That such an attack was intended, became known by
a letter from Lion Gardiner, of Gardiner's Island, to
Jonathan Thompson, Collector of Internal Revenue of
New York. By land, the attack might come, as in the
Revolution, from the southern shore at Gravesend, or
from a point above Hell Gate, both of which approaches
were unprotected; and by either of which a position that
would command the city could be taken.
The people awoke from the lethargy into which
they had been lulled by their hope of a favorable termi-
nation of the pending negotiations for peace. A Com-
mittee of Defence which had been constituted, recom-
mended measures for the protection of Brooklyn against
attack by land, and issued an address calling on the citizens
to organize and enroll for resistance to hostile attacks ;
and to aid by voluntary contributions of labor and
material in the construction of defensive works at
Brooklyn and elsewhere. The response to this appeal
was made with alacrity. Citizens and associations,
without distinction of party or social condition, at once
offered their services. The rich and the poor offered
their aid and mingled their labors on the same works,
in the purest spirit of patriotic emulation. Those who,
from any cause, were unable to give their personal labor
to the common cause, voluntarily and liberally contri-
buted of their means for the employment of substitutes ;
while many both gave and worked. Even the women
and school-boys caught the inspiration of the hour, and
contributed their quota of labor on the work ; and the
people of the interior towns in the neighboring States
of New Jersey and Connecticut hastened to offer their
assistance in averting what was felt to be a common
national danger. The defensive fortifications, planned
by Gen. Joseph G. Swift, U. S. Engineer, commenced
62
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
at Mt. Alto, on the Hudson ; thence, by McGowan's
PasSj^ a line of redoubts and block-houses ran along the
Heights of Harlem, to and across Hell-Gate, including
a block-house on Mill Rock and another on the high
ground of Long Island.
The defenses erected on Long Island commenced at the
Wallabout, overlooked by Fort Greene, and extended
across to Bergen's Heights, to Fort Lawrence, including
several redoubts commanded by Forts Greene and Law-
rence ; and there was also an earthwork on Red Hook.
From the papers of that time it appears that these works
were commenced on the 9th of August, 1 8 1 4, by a military
company, aided by volunteers from New York. On the
10th, the tanners and curriers and plumbers assisted the
military force. On the 12th, a military association of
young men, the Hamilton Society, Students of Medicine,
sixty hands from the wire factory at Greenwich, and
forty from the Eagle Foundry ; on the 13th, numerous
citizens and the journeymen Cabinet Makers of New
York ; on the 15th, military companies ; on the 16th,
military and fire companies; on the 17th, citizens of
Bushwick, headed by their pastor, and about 200
citizens of New York, among whom was an old man who
said he had worked on fortifications on the same spot
during the Revolution, and who, with his four sons,
labored earnestly ; on the 1 8th, the people of Flatbush ;
on the 1 9th, the people of Flatlands and about five hun-
dred carpenters from New York ; on the 30th, the
citizens of Gravesend, a party of about 70 from
Paterson, N. J.,, some 200 Irishmen and several ununi-
formed companies of militia from the interior of the
State ; on the 22d, the people of New Utrecht and a
thousand colored citizens of New York ; on the 23d, the
Mechanics' Society of Kings County, the military
exempts, and Fire Companies Nos. 1 and 2 of Brooklyn ;
on the 24th, the free colored people of Kings County.
On this day the Committee of Defense published a
card asking their fellow citizens for a " second tour of
duty," to which ready response was made. August 25th,
several military companies worked ; on the 26th, mili-
tary and fire companies ; on the 27th, the people of
Bushwick ; on the 29th, the people of Flatbush, also the
Albany Rifies, Trojan Greens and Montgomery Ran-
gers ; on the 30th, the people of Flatlands and Grave-
send ; on the 31st, the Grand Lodge of Free Masons, to
the number of seven hundred and fifty, headed by their
Grand Master, De Witt Clinton, constructed a fort
which was called Fort Masonic, south from the Flatbush
road, the parole of the day being "The Grand Master
expects every Mason to do his duty." Some two hundred
ladies also formed a procession and marched to Fort
Greene, where they labored during a few hours; and the
Tammany Society and Columbian Orders, to tlie number
of one thousand one hundred and fifty, turned out.
September 1st, the Mechanics' Society of Kings County,
Fire Companies Nos. 1 and 2, Exempts, and Fortitude
Lodge of Masons ; September 3d, about eight hundred
citizens of Newark, N. J., came in a long line of wagons,
with bands, and flags and hats labeled, " Don't give up
the soil ;" September 7th, one hundred and eighty-four
inhabitants of Hanover township, Morris County, N. J.,
headed by their pastor. Rev. Mr. Phelps ; and on the
23d, the members of the Mulberry Street (N. Y.) Bap-
tist Church, under the lead of their pastor. Rev. Archi-
bald McClay, labored.
At one time the Committee of Defense announced
their want of several thousand fascines, and stated that
patterns were left at Creed's tavern in Jamaica, and at
Bloom's in Newtown. The answer to this appeal was
the bringing to Fort Greene' of a hundred and twenty
loads of fascines, averaging twenty-five bundles to a
load, by the citizens of Jamaica, headed by the Rev.
Mr. Schoonmaker. Mr. Eigenbrodt, the Principal of the
Academy, with his pupils aided in cutting these fascines.
The works were completed in September. They were
at once occupied by a large force from different locali-
ties, including a brigade of Long Island militia, one
thousand seven hundred and fifty strong, under the
command of General Jeremiah Johnson, of Brooklyn,
subsequently well known as antiquarian and historian.
In addition to these, other fortifications were erected
along the coast below Brooklyn. A block-house was
located half or three-fourths of a mile north from Fort
Hamilton, near the shore of the bay, on land then
owned by Mr. Barkuloo.
On the site of Fort Hamilton was an earthwork, and
on that of Fort Lafayette was a log-fort. A block-
house was located on the shore of New Utrecht Bay,
about midway between Fort Hamilton and Bath, near
the residence of the late Barney Williams. From the
fact of this block-house having been located there, the
place was long known as " Gun Field." This block-
house stood several years after the termination of the
war. About one-fourth of a mile southeast from Bath,
also on the shore of New Utrecht Bay, stood another
block-house, on land owned by the late Egbert Benson,
and now the property of his heirs. In August, 1776,
the forces of General Howe landed in the vicinity of
where these last two block-houses stood, and they were
probably erected in view of a possible similar attempt
to land troops here during this war. Each was armed
with a large barbette gun. They were built in the
fashion of the block-houses of those times, with a projec-
tion of some feet — about twelve or fifteen feet — above
the ground, from which assailants could be fired on
through the loopholes from directly above.
Several regiments of militia were encamped in and
about the works in the vicinity of Bath and Fort
Hamilton during the continuance of hostilities.
It is not known that any hostile vessels came within
Sandy Hook. The storm of war was averted, however,
and Long Island was saved from again becoming the
scene of hostilities such as had desolated it in 1776. The
news of an honorable peace was received Feb. 11, 1815,
KINGS COUNTY SOLDIERS OF 1812.
63
and the joy of the people was testified by illuminations,
bonfires, etc. New York was illuminated Feb. 20th;
and Brooklyn followed the example in handsome style
on the evening of the 21st, when the band of the Forty-
first U. S. regiment, stationed at Brooklyn, serenaded
the citizens of that village.
A more detailed account of these events will be
found in Stiles' History of Brooklyn.
Kings County Soldiers of i8i2.
This County furnished the Sixty-Fourth Regiment,
composed of five companies, of one hundred men each,
officered as follows : Major Francis Titus, Command-
ing ; Second Ifajor, Albert C. Van Brunt ; Adjt., Daniel
Barre ; Q.-Master, Albert Van Brunt ; Surgeon,
Sclioonmaker.
New Uteecht Company. — Capt., William Denyse ;
Lieuts., Barcalo, Vanhise; Misign, Suydam.
Brooklyn Company. — Capt., Joseph Dean ; Lieuts.,
Chas. J. Doughty, John Spader ; Misign, Wm. A.
Mercein.
Wallabout and Bushavick Company. — Capt.,
Francis Skillman ; Lieuts., Joseph Conselyea, Daniel
Lott.
GowANUs CoMPBNY. — Capt., Peter Cowenhoven,
afterward John T. Bergen ; Lieuts., John Lott, Adriane
Van Brunt.
Geavesend AND Flatbush Companies. — Capt.,
Jeremiah Lott ; Lieuts., Robert Nicholls, Charles
Rapelye ; Ensign, Jeremiah Johnson.
There were, also, in camp, and in the Queens Co.
Regiment, also under command of Brig. Gen. Jeremiah
.Tohnson, a Flatlands Company, under command of
Capt. John Lott, Jr. ; also the Flushing, Jamaica and
Newtown companies.
This regiment was mustered into service at Bedford,
Sept. 2, 1814 ; and were mustered out 13th of Novem-
ber ensuing. The alarm-post of the regiment was the
liouse of John R. Duryea.
Other interesting details relating to these soldiers of
1812 will be found in Stiles^ History of Brooklyn, vol.
i, p. 408-410; also in Appendix XL (p. 452-454) of
same volume. From this latter we extract the follow-
ing names of those in actual service :
(Explanation).— lyaW., Wallabout ; Bush., Bushwick ;
Subs., served as substitute for others.
In the Beooklyn Company. — Joseph Dean, Capt.;
John Spader and Chas. J. Doughty, Lieuts.; Wm. A.
Mercein, Mis.; Garrett Duryea, Michael Vanderlioof,
David Storms, Thos. Chadwick, Wm. R. Dean, Orderly
Sergts.; James Gildersleeve, Joseph Pettit, Wm. Kirk-
patrick, Wm. Bennet, Corporals ; John Smith, (Gow.);
Jas. C. Provost (Bush.); Uriah Ryder; Joseph Butler
(Subs.); Michael Mapes; Benj. J. Waldron; Luke
Covert (Subs.); Samuel Vail; Thomas Lain; David
Hillyard (deserter from British Army in Canada, and
Subs.); JohnSharpe; Wm. Thomas; Jacob Coope; Sam.
Hart; Nathan Furman ; Jas. McFarlan; Sam. McGrady;
Joseph Stringham; Joseph Robinson; Gilbert Reid;
Elijah Raynor; John Swinburn ; John Thurston; John
Ward; John Rogers; Nich. Covert; Stephen Austin
(Subs.); Thos. Furman; Zach Clevenger (Bush.); David
Craven; Josiah Applegate; Francis Meserole (Bush.);
Peter Colyer (Bush.); Jas. McDonough; Stephen R.
Boerum (Wall.); Philetus Fleet (Subs.); Henry Dezen-
dorf (Subs.); John Applegate; Cornelius Van Home;
Abraham Bennett, Jr.; John Hulst; Michael Gillen;
Jacob W. Bennett (Bush.); Enoch Elbertson; Francis
Blaise (Subs.); John Kaler; Jesse Waterbury (Subs.);
Rich. M. Bonton; Abm. Blauvelt (Subs.); Sam. Gold-
smith (Sub-i.); Isaac Devoe; Henry Wiggins; Abraham
Bennett; Peter Snyder; John Hagerty; Jas. Strain;
Richard Hunter; Jesse Coope; Jacob Furman; Aaron
Swain Robbing; Jas. Lynch (Subs.); Peter Chatterlon
(Subs.); Israel Rimmels; Sam. Pettit; Sam. Nostrand;
Abraham Bogert ; Michael Harvey (Irish cook) ; Peter
Bennett; William Jackson; John Fitch; Abm. Thomp-
son (colored); Ed. Higbie (drummer).
Pioneer Corpjs. — Wm. N. Kettletas, Sgt., and Jaques
W. Cropsy, Corp.; Privates, Henry Van Dyke, Wm.
G. Verity, Jacob Denyse, John Van Brunt, Wm. John-
son, Henry Cropsy, Joseph Wardle, David Denyse,
Jas. Wallace.
In the BtrsHwiCK and Wallabout companies, con-
solidated under Capt. Skillman, were {(xll substitutes)
Thos. Gardner; David Capron, John Thursby, Joseph
Goldsmith, Joseph Russell, Wm. Boerum, Daniel
Bevoise, John Wheaton, Simon Denyse, Joseph Desliay,
Jas. Van Loo, David Weed, Wm. Turner, Jos. INIiller,
Jas. Redding, Sam. Conklin, Jas. Wallis, Jas. Kellahan,
John Van Pelt, Zeb. Whitman, John Simpson, John
H. Curtis, Francis Morgan, Hugh Smith, Oliver Place,
David Stewart, Dan. Everitt, James Smith, Wm. Conk-
lin, Hamilton Carr, John Van Tassel, Moses Gritting
Geo. Sagors, Jonah Raymond, John Torrey.
H ISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF FLATLANDS
By Rbv.
SITUATION. The Township of Flatlands lies
upon the northwesterly shore of Jamaica Bay,
and includes a number of islands within the Bay.
It IS described, in ancient patents, as "lying
between the Bay of the North River and the East
River;" the former designation being applied to Jamaica
Bay, inasmuch as the North River was regarded as dis-
charging into the ocean at Sandy Hook. The principal
islands within the bay, belonging to the town, are:
Barren Island, at the extreme south; Bergen Island,
mainly in the salt meadows ; and Bujffle Bar, at the
eastward. Flatlands contains some 9,000 acres of land,
about one-third of it arable, under high cultivation.
Names. The name Flatlands is descriptive, and
applied, originally, to the whole of the flat country
eastward from Prospect Park Ridge, all the way from
the Narrows to Hempstead. Gov. Stuyvbsant says :
"I found on my arrival [1647] the Flatland so stripped
of inhabitants that, with the exception of the three
English villages, Hemstede, New Flushing and Graves-
end, 50 boweries and plantations could not be enumer-
ated."
The first plantation established in the town was called
Achtervelt, because it lay after, or beyond the " Great
Flats," the field, in approaching it from New Amster-
dam. This name, however, did not attach to the town-
ship, which was designated by its early inhabitants iVew;
A iiiersfoort, after the city of that name on the river
Eem in the province of Utrecht, in the Netherlands,
whence Wolfert Gerretse, one of the patentees, and
several others of the early settlers, immigrated. Colloqui-
ally it was termed " The Bay" — or, in Dutch, " de Baije"
— from its situation upon Jamaica Bay, and it is so
named in many local documents.
The terms New Amersfoort and Flatlands were, for
awhile, interchangeable; but in course of time the
descriptive word became here localized as a proper
name.
Aboriginal Inhabitants. The subdivision of the
great Algonquin family of Indians inhabiting Long
Island, living in this town, was the Canarsie, with its
principal village at the place still bearing that name.
Extensive banks of broken clam-shells at Canarsie and
Bergen Island attest both their numbers here, and the
great extent to which the manufacture of wampum, or
Indian money, was carried on here.
Their social condition must have been very low at the
settlement of the town. Verazzano, who, in the ser-
vice of Francis I, in 1524 entered a large bay in lati-
tude 41" North, supposed by some to have been the
Bay of of New York, gives a very flattering description
of the natives of the adjacent shores ; and that of
Capt. Hendrick Hudson, in 1609, is not unfavorable.
These men, however, could hardly have known them so
well as Rev. Jonas Michaelis, the first clergyman of
New Amsterdam, who says : " They are as thievish
and as treacherous as they are tall, and more inhuman
than the people of Barbary."
The Dutch travelers, Dankers and Sluyter (1679),
give us a description of an Indian house at New Utrecht,
which was probably a type of their dwellings elsewhere.
It was sixty by fifteen feet, the frame rough posts
and poles, and covered with reeds and bark. An open
space the whole length of the roof, at the ridge, allowed
the smoke to escape from fires built upon the earthen
floor for the six or eight families inhabiting it. It had
no windows, but was furnished with a low narrow
door at each end. Their implements for domestic use,
agriculture, and fishing, were few, and one of our trav-
elers gives us a pen-and-ink sketch of an Indian woman
of that period, drawn from life. It is not a pleasing
picture, and gives the impression that intercourse with
the whites had debased rather than elevated their
character.
There is no evidence, however, of unjust or oppressive
treatment of the Indians by the whites in this town.
Their lands were taken only by purchase, and no title
was considered good until the Indian right had been
legally extinguished. The two races lived peacefully
together; and, when the murder of inoffensive savages
SETTLEMENT OF THE TO WJSF B Y THE D UTGH.
65
took place at Pavonia, and Corlaer's Hook, in 1643, the
people " dwelling at the Flatland " gave evidence of
humane sentiments by " immediately expressing dissatis-
faction at this sudden and unexpected slaughter." But
the white race grew stronger, and the Indian weaker,
until about 1830, when Jim de Wilt, or " Jim the wild
man," died in his wretched hut at Canarsie, the miserable
remnant of the once proud possessors of these fertile
lands.
Settlement of the Town by the Dutch. At
its settlement by the whites, Flatlands was divided
into salt meadows, forest lands and prairies. The prai-
ries, or open plains, were peculiar to this town, and
doubtless account for its very early settlement. Bekgbn
says: "The most tempting locality on the west end
of Long Island, for natives of the low and level lands
of Holland or Belgium, who were inexperienced in the
clearing of forests, were the flats in Flatlands and
Flatbush; miniature prairies, void of trees, with a dark-
colored surface soil, similar to that of the western prai-
ries; which had been subject to the rude culture of the
natives, and were ready without much previous toil and
labor for the plow."
The early patents refer to " The three flats of Long
Island." These were Van Twiller^s (central at Ave. B
and 5th street). Van Corlaer's (central at Ave. C and
Troy Ave.), and a third called " The Little Flats" and
described as "The westermost of the three flats on
Long Island." This " Little Flats," Dr. T. M. Stbong
locates at the intersection of Flatbush ave. and the
town line. But, while that locality was so called, the
true locality of the " Little Flats " referred to in the
Land Patents, as distinct from the Township Patents,
was, without doubt, at the point where Hudden and
Van Kouwen-Hoven formed their settlement, near the
Flatlands Refoi-med Church, at the intersection of Flat-
bush and Flatlands avenues. Beside these three flats
there were maize lands, under rude Indian culture, at
Canarsie Point and Bergen's Island. Finally, there
were the " Great Flats," on " Flatlands Plains," cover-
ing a large portion of the western part of the town.
Probably, most of the Great Flats was under more im-
perfect Indian cultivation than the other maize lands ;
but they were destitute of trees, and we have reason to
think that considerable portions of it were made to yield
the scanty crops of savage agriculture. The extent of
the Great Flats would be roughly described by a line
drawn from the Paerdegat westward, to near the inter-
section of the Manhattan Beach railroad and Ocean
avenue ; thence to the residence of Jeremiah Ryder,
near Nostrand and Ave. M ; thence to a point on Mill
Lane, some three hundred yards beyond the Methodist
Church ; thence to the Neck road at the Dutch Church,
and along said road to Ave. I and 45th street,
and thence to the place of beginning. The
" Indian path " from Fulton Ferry to Bergen Island
passed through the centre of this great plain, and is
shown by the old line of Flatbush ave. and Mill lane.
As a rule, the black soil shows the portions of the town
originally open, while the gray soil shows that part
covered by the forests.
There can be no doubt that the earliest whites in Flat-
lands located at, or near, the point where the southerly
course of the Kings highway bends suddenly westward
at J. B. Hendrickson & Son's store. Uniform tradition,
the language of early patents, the debris of Holland
brick, and the proximity of burial-place, church and
school, all prove this spot to have been earliest occupied
by Europeans. It was probably called " The Little
Flats," because separated from the " Great Flats" by a
belt of timber along the low ground, a little northeast-
erly of the Church. This elect prairie was particularly
eligible, because it lay^close upon the salt meadows
(much depended on in those early times for cattle-feed) ;
and, still more, because it was convenient to " the Bay,"
whose fish, oysters, and wild fowls, afforded our primi-
tive inhabitants so valuable a part of their year's pro-
visions.
Some rude settlement was probably formed here as
early as 1624. In evidence of this we find Brooklyn
and Amersfoort are mentioned as Dutch settlements,
in 1649, along with the statement, " Our freemen have
resided on that Island down from the very first." In
1660, the West India Company say, "Long Island was
taken possession of by planting Amersfoort," and other
places are named after it. In all the early enumeration
of Long Island towns, Amersfoort is placed first, doubt-
less from its priority of settlement. Gov. Stuyvesant
gives important testimony as to its settlement in 1624,
by speaking, in 1664, of Long Island as "Now peace-
fully possessed some 40, some 30, and the least 20
years." If we accept this statement, and recede forty
years from 1664, we shall find Amersfoort " planted,"
and " peaceably possessed " by its white inhabitants in
1624.
Our early people were themselves fully aware of their
seniority, in this county, and are interesting witnesses
of it. In a statement before the County Court, at
Gravesend, 1666, in a certain dispute with Flatbush,
they say :
"You may be pleased to take notice that much we might
plead before tliem with respect to antiquity and the first
settlers and settlement of this place ; the great brunt of
troubles, and loss of goods, and lives of men that was gone
through with and lost, as some of the English who shared
therein with us can testify."
These statements, taken in connection with the attract-
ive conditions of the lands and waters of this township,
are deemed suflicient to fix the date of settlement by
the whites as early as 1624.
Early Land Patents. — The first recorded pur-
chase of lands in this town took place June 16th,
1636, when Andries Huddie (or Hudden) and Wolphert
Gerretse (Van Kouwenhoven) bought of the Indians,
and obtained the next year from Gov. Van Twiller a
66
HISTORY OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
patent for, the westernmost of the three flats on Long
Island, called by the Indians Caskateuw (or Kaskutenu).
" Van Corker's " and " Van Twiller's Flats " were pur-
chased the same day. On this purchase, according to
Tunis G. Beegen, " a plantation called ' Achtervelt '
was established, on which, prior to July 9, 1638, when
an inventory was taken, they had a house set around
with long round palisades, the house being 26 feet long,
22 feet wide, 40 feet deep, with the roof covered above
and around with plank ; two lofts, one above another,
and a small chamber at their side ; one barn 40 feet
long, 18 feet wide, aad 24 feet deep ; and one hergh
with 5 posts, 40 feet long. The plantation was stocked
with 6 cows, old and young, 3 oxen and 5 horses." The
lands of Hudden and Van Kouwenhoven are described
as extending " From a certain meadow, or valley, west-
ward to and into the woods." That is, as we understand
it, the patent covered all the western portion of the
town, from the Paerdegat and its outlet,westward across
the " plains " to, and into, the woods beyond them, or to
the Gravesend line. We have another description inci-
dentally given, when, in 1652, the Company directs the
Governor to annul parts of certain land claims, and
among them " The Great Flat, otherwise the Bay, on
Amersfoort Flat, with the lands adjacent claimed by
Wolfert Gerretse and Andries Hudde, containing full
1,000 morgens, not a fiftieth part of which they are able
to occupy." Hudde and Van Kouwenhoven, however,
never relinquished possession, though the freeholders
endeavored to compel them to do so under this forfeiture.
By the account of the contest which thus grew up between
the patentees and the town, we are able to locate most
of the original bounds of the patent very definitely. A
jury of the Court of Sessions, at Gravesend, in Decem-
ber, 1679, sustained the patentees ; but disputes as to
where the patent-lines really were, continued until 1695,
when the heirs of Elbert Elbertse (who had acquired
the original patentee rights), and the freeholders of the
town, mutually bound themselves to accept as final the
decision of a commission to locate the lines. These
commissioners say : " The westermost bounds or limits
of said Elbert's patent joins to the eastermost lines or
limits of Gravesend, one patent comprehending in it the
lands of Jan Albertse (Terhune), Jan Van Dyckhuysen,
and Thomas Willet, and so from the northward corner
of the said Willet, joining to Gravesend, along the
westermost side of the Flats of Flatlands." A still later
commission — for this old difficulty was hard to settle —
carries the last-mentioned line " Northerly till it outs
the line which runs westerly from the meadow or valley
on the east side of Flatlands town, including the said
meadow ; being bounded north by Flatbush land and
west by Gravesend line." It is probable that the
Wyckoffs and a few others in the southerly part of the
town held directly from the Government; but it is clear
from the above that the patent of Hudden
and Van Kouwenhoven covered all the lands
from the Paerdegat and its outlet to Graves-
end, and northward to the Flatbush line.
Hudde never resided here, and sold portions
of his patent right to Wolfert Gerretse until
September 16th, 1647, when all his remaining interests
were thus disposed of.
Achtervelt had assumed the appearance of a village.
The residence of the elder Van Kouwenhoven, with his
barns, &c., stood near where J. B. Hendrickson's store
now is. The house was large, with two stories in the
roof, in thorough Holland style. Van Kouwenhoven's
second son, Gerret Wolfertse, lived near by, in a clap-
board house, with his young family, Wellem Jan,
Neeltje, and Marritze. This important centre of the
settlement was inclosed by stout palisadoes and fur-
nished with a guard of soldiers. We have no evidence
that any hostile attack was ever made upon it, but there
was always more or less danger from the large number
of Indians in the immediate vicinity. At the time of
which we speak, the Wyckoffs, the Stoothoffs, the Van
Nostrants, the Teunessens, and some others, were per-
manently located here, and by the time the Dutch
church was organized, in 1654, there were prominent in
the town the families of the Schencks, the Ammermans,
the Strykers, the Van Sigelens, the Romeyns, the
Bruynses, the Davises, the Van Dyckhuysens, the Van
Arts Daalens, and doubtless others.
The estate called Achtervelt fell, after Wolfert's
death, to his second son, Gerret Wolfertse, who married
Altje Cool of Gowanus, and died about 1645. His
widow married Capt. Elbert Elbertse (Stoothoof), whose
name is the most prominent of all in the early history
of the town. Elbert gained possession of the whole of
Gerret's estate by agreeing with the guardian of Gerret's
children to pay the debts on the estate, bring up the
children, teach them to read and write, and pay them
each 200 guilders, except Jan, who, being lame, was to
receive 300. This agreement did not include the sep-
arate interest of Gerret's widow; for, by his will, made
after her death, Capt. Elbert directs 2,000 guilders to
be paid to Jan, and an equal amount to be divided
among the other children of Gerret (viz. : Willem, and
Neeltje, wife of Roeloff Martense Schenck, and the
children of Marritse, deceased, who had married Capt.
Stevense Voorhees) as " due them from their mother's
and grandmother's estate."
Town Government. — In the early settlement,
when all were surrounded by savages and the fami-
lies were mutually dependent on each other for pro-
tection and comfort, no precise form of municipal
government was needed. The laws and habits of Hoi.
EARLY LAND PATENTS.
67
land regulated the affairs of this feeble offshoot. Titles
of land were derived from the Governor and Council in
New Amsterdam ; and cases in law, did any arise, were
adjudicated by the same authority. The time came,
however, when local courts were necessary. Gravesend,
settled by Lady Moody early in 1643, received from
Governor Kief t a charter in 1645; and, in it, authority to
form a body politic and a local court of three magis-
trates, with final jurisdiction in the amount of fifty
guilders. Platbush had been settled by direction of the
Governor in 1651, and three years later, March 6th,
1654, was favored with a local court of six magistrates
in connection with Flatlands, sitting three-fourths of
the time at the former place and one-fourth at the latter.
But this quarter of a loaf, tardily given, the people of
Flatlands thought little better than no bread, and
requested the Governor and Council to give them a
court of their own. One was accordingly established,
March 31st, 1661, to consist of three magistrates, the
first being Elbert Elbertsen, Pieter Cornelissen, and
Simon Jansen. These officers were elected annually by
the freeholders and confirmed by the Governor. They
were called Schepens, and the constable was called a
schout.
There existed in this town, for one hundred and
fifty years, a close intimacy between Church and
State. The civil magistrates must be of the Re-
formed religion, and the officers of
the church were ex-officio officers
of the town ; the elders being
trustees of the school of the town
and of the lands held for the use or
benefit of the school and the church;
while the deacons had charge of the poor, and of
all the funds collected by tax, or by contribution,
for their support.
Flatlands grew into a municipality without
formal legislation or authorization of any kind,
except in its land grants. It was thirty years
after its settlement before it enjoyed any privi-
leges of a local court, and then only in connection
with its more favored neighbor, Flatbush ; and thirty-
seven years before it could boast one of its own, of the
most primary jurisdiction. Its charter as a township
was even longer in coming. An English Governor,
NicoUs, did its people this tardy justice, October 4th,
1667, without assuming to create a municipality, but
expressly recognizing its existence. Omitting verbiage,
the charter is as follows :
" Whereas, there is a certain town in this government,
situate in the west Eiding of Yorkshire of Long Island,
commonly known by the name of Amersfoort, aVs Flattlands,
which is in the occupation of several freeholders and inhabi-
tants who heretofore have been seated there by authority.
* * * Now for a confirmation. * * * I, Richard Nicoll, Esq.,
* * * have granted and do grant unto Elbert Elberts [Stoot-
hoff], Govert Lockermans, Ruelof Martense [Sohenok],
Pieter Claes [ Wyckoff], Wellem Garrita [Van Kouwenhoven],
Tho. Hillebrants, Stephen Coertsen [Voorhees], and Coert
Stephens [Voorhees], as Patentees, for themselves and their
associates * * * all that tract * * * and other parcels pur-
chased of the native Indian proprietors, or others, within
these limits, viz. -. Prom their western bounds, which begin
at a certain creek called the Stromme Kill [Garretsen's Mill
Pond] they stretch to Filkin's or Varken's Hook on Hog
Point, which is also included within their limits. [This
Point was about the intersection of Avenue J and Bast 83d
street, and had the meadows belonging to New Utrecht
township northeasterly on to Vischer's Hook, or Canarsie
Point.] Then from the limits of Middlewout aVs Flatbush
* * * beginning at a certain tree standing upon the Little
Flats, marked by commissioners, October 19th, 1666, a line
stretching southeast to Canarsie. It includes within its
bounds several parcels of land, particularly a tract granted
by Governor Petrus Stuyvesant to Jacob Steendam and
Welken Jans, November 12th, 1052, and transferred to Flat-
lands November 80th, 1663. Also lands at Canarsie hereto-
fore manured and planted by consent of the Indians, and on
April 16th, 1665, bought for a valuable consideration by the
inhabitants of Flatlands, together with the meadow or
valley at Canarsie, divided April 30th last year from the
town of Flatbush by a line half a point northerly from the
mouth of the [Fresh] Creek. To h^ve and to hold, * * * and
that the place of their present habitation shall continue, and
retain the name of Amersfort aVs Flatlands. * * *
Given * * * at Fort James, New York, October 4th, 1667.
Matthias Nicoll, Sec'y. Richakd Nicoll.
Facsimile of Elbei-t Elbertsen Stoothoff's sigrnatare.
07^
Facsimile of Roelof Martense Schenck's signature.
.i/Jo.
Facsimile of Pieter Claesen Wyckoll's signature.
Facaimile of Steven Koers Vorliees' signature.
The indefinitenoss of this charter immediately occas-
ioned difficulties as to boundary lines at Canarsie ; and
early the next year (February 3d, 1668), Governor
Lovelace issued another charter, confirmatory of the
preceding, and granting certain provisions in the pur-
chase of lands at Canarsie. Still another charter was
granted by Governor Dongan, March 11th, 1685, to
Elbert Elbertse (Stoothoff), Roelof Martense (Schenck),
Pieter Classen (Wyckoff), Willem Garretsen (Van
Kouwenhoven), Coert Stevensen (Voorhees), Lucas
Stevensen (Voorhees), and John Teunissen, for them-
selves and associates, according to the tenure of East
68
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Greenwich, they paying annually 14 bushels of good
wheat in New York. But none of the charters defined
the town boundaries intelligibly, and acrimonious dis-
putes leading finally to litigations, in 1661, between
Platlands and Flatbush, in regard to the Canarsic
meadows, continued for the long period of thirty
years. After the matter had occupied the attention of
successive courts, and of several commissioners, and of
the Governor, a joint commission from the two towns,
in May, 1677, agreed on and staked out a line across
the Canarsie meadows, adding to their report this
important item : " All manner of diilerence between
them to this day to bee forgotten and forgiven." But
the miasma of the marsh must have soured the temper
of the people; for, two years later (June, 1679) .the
Flatlanders prosecuted their Flatbush brethren for
trespass at Canarsie, and obtained judgment in £10
damages. In 1691 the judgment was still unpaid, and
was then reaffirmed and execution ordered. Flatbush
thereupon appealed to the Governor and Council. We
have no evidence that the judgment was reversed ; and,
if not, there must be now due to this town from Flat-
bush the original £10, with costs, and some two
hundred years' interest.
Flatlands was recognized by the State as a town,
March 7th, 1788. The SupervisovK, for the last hundred
years, have been the following: 1783, 1785, 1786,
Ulpianus Van Sinderin ; 1784, Abram Voorhees ;
1787-98, Capt. Nicholas Schenck ; 1799, 1800, Hen-
drick I. Lott ; 1801-15, Johannes Remsen ; 1816-39,
Gerrit Kouwenhoven ; 1840-43, Andrew Emmans ;
1844-53, John A. Voorhees ; 1854, John A. Wyckoff •
1855, to the present time, John L. Ryder.
Thus, for a century past, the highest political office
of the town has been held by ten men, some of them
through terms of 9, 14, 23, and the present incumbent,
27 years. Our people are contented when they are
well served, and the civil service in Flatlands is not
in need of "Reform."
Early Inhabitants.— The following names are
from the list of those who took the Oath of Allegiance
to the British crown, in 1687; with the date of arrival
in this country of the foreign-born :
Pieter Classen Wyckoff, 1636 ; Garret Pieterse Wyckoff
Claes Pieterse Wyckoff, Hendrick Pieterse Wyckoff Jan
Pieterse Wyckoff, waiwes; Elbert Elbertse (Stoothoff) 1637 ■
Garret Elbertse (Stoothoff), Hans Janse (Van Nostrandt)'
1640; Roelof Martense Schenck, 1650; Jan Marteuse Schenck'
1650 ; Jan Roelof Schenck, Martin Roelof Schenck Derick
Janse Ammerman, 1650 ; Jacob Stryker, 1651 ; Ff^rdinandes
Van Sickelin, 1652 ; Christofile Janse Romeyne, 1653 • Ruth
(or Rut) bruynsen, 1653 ; William Davies, 1653 ; Jan theunis
Van duyckhuys, 1653; Simon Janse Van Arts Daelen, 1653-
Cornelms Simonen Vanarsdalen, Pieter Cornelius Luyster'
1656 ; Thys Pieter Luyster, 1656 ; Pieter Pieterse Tall 1657 '■
Jan Brouwer, 1657 ; Dirck Brouwar, hendrick Brouwer'
Dirk Stofflese 1657; Stoflle Dirckse (Langstraat), Adriaen
Kume, 1660 ; Court Staphense Van Voorhees. 1660 • Albert
Courten Van Voorhees, Luycas Stephense (Van Voorhees),
1660; Jan Stephense (Van Voorhees), 1660; Abram Wil-
liamse, 1663; Johannis Williamse, 1663; Evert Janse Van
Wickelen, 1664 ; theunis Janse Van Amach, 1673 ; Gerret
hansen (Van Nostrandt), Gerret hendrickse bresse, Wellim
Gerretse Van Couwenhoven, Gerret Williamse Van Cou-
wenhoven, Anthony Wamshaer, William Williamse borcklo
Jan Albertse Terhune, Pieter Nevins, Pieter Manfoort.
Residents in 1687, and previously.— Gathered
from Town and Church records :
Gerret Seerjersy, Hendrick Freemensen (here in 1670) •
Gerret Gerretsen, Abram Joeresy (Brinkerhoff), Jan Cornelis'
Jan Barrentsen (Van Driest), Albert Albertse (Terhune), died
1673, and Vaereyck Flieksen, all here in 1672; William
lobbertse, Wm. Williamse (Wyckoff), Gerrit Earners, Barent
Jureyaensy, Thunis Helebrantsy, here in 1673 ; Klaes Kor-
nelesen, Barent the Tailor, Sawaern Jans, Hans Janse (Van
Nostrandt), Hendrick Hermanze, Widow of Frederick Ebb-
cott, here in 1674 ; Widow of Gerraen Keest, Willem Gansen
Van Barkelo, Klaes Smit, Widow of Geromus Boeck, Willem
Kuyken, Jan Snedeghyer, here in 1675 ; Abraham Jorissen
(Brinkerhoff), Fookie Hansen, 1679 ; Cornelius Barentsen,
Simon Jansen (Romeyne), Simon Jorisen, 1680 ; Albert Ter-
hune, Jr., Lawrence Koeck, Hendrick Aswerus, 1682; Jan
Hansen (Van Nostrandt), Johannis Maohgilssen, Jan Man-
fordt. Vis Homes, Jammes Wilier, William the Shoemaker
De Fris the tanner, Jacob Fardon, Jan Albert Terhune'
1685 ; Rut Joosteu (Van Brunt), Cornelis Simonsen Van
Facsimile of Entger Joostcn's (Van Brunt) signature.
Arsdalen, Joost Rutjen (Van Brunt), Johannis Holsa, Jan
Kilement a mason, Master Toon, the Doctor, here in 1687 ;
also 1677-1685; Bruno Hendrickse, Rutgert Brunoos, Tjelletje
Reimers (Wizzelpfinnig), Pieter Tull, Jan Poppe, William
Stryker, Gerret Remmerts, Jan Kiersen, Dirckye Roelffsen,
Pieter Hendricksen, Albert Steven (Voorhees), Steven Coerten
(Voorhees), Martin Pieterse (Wyckoff), Luykas (Voorhees),
Teunis Jansen, Swaen Jansen, Adam Michilse, Dierckie
Williamse, Loureus Cornelise, William Hulett.
The taxable property in Flatlands in 1676 amounted
to £3,966, 13s., and the taxes were about £20 yearly.
The number of acres of land under cultivation in 1683
was 1,661.
The following names appear in the Census of 1698.
The first figure following a name is the number of whites
in the family, and the second figure shows the number
of negro slaves :
Gerret Elbert Stoothoff, 7, 4 ; Jan Teunis Dykhuys, 5, 5 ;
Roelif Martense (Schenck), 6, 4; Coert Stevense, 5, 2; Gerret
Wyckoff, 5, 2; Hend'^ Wykof, 3, 3; Dirk Jans Amerman, 9;
Adriaen Kenne, 8 ; Dirck Langstraet, 5 ; Jan Kiersen, 3, 1 ;
Alexander Simson, 10 ; Jan Hansen, 5 ; Pieter Nevins, 9, 1 ;
Jacob Tysse Lane, 6 ; Helena Aertsen, 5 ; Simon Jantz Van
Aersdaelen, 5, 1 ; Cornelis Simontz Aersdaelen, 8, 1 ; Wil-
lem Gen-ittz Van Couwenhoven, 8 ; Aernont Viele, 2, 2 ;
Jan Albertz ter hennen, 8, 3 ; Jan Brouwer, 8, 1 ; Thunis
Jantz Amack, 7 ; fferdinando Van Sigelen, 7, 4 ; Claes
Wykof, 8 ; Jan Wykof, 4, 1; Willem Bi-uynen, 7, 4; Adriaen
Langstraet, 1; Lucan Stevense, 12, 4; Pieter Pieterse Wyckoff,
1 ; Hendrick Brouwer, 1 ; Albert Amerman, 1 ; Pieter Van Cou-
wenhoven, 4 ; Martin Schenck, 5, 3 ; Jan Stevense (Voorhees),
13, 1 ; Pieter Monfoor, 8, 1 ; Steven Caerten (Voorhees), 5 ;
Rutgers Bruyn, 9,
EARL Y INHABITANTS.
This census gives us 37 families, with 40 men, 39
women, 130 children, and 40 slaves— a total of 256
souls. The entire county then numbered 2,013 souls.
The Militia Company of the town in 171.5 was as
follows :
Roelif Terhunen, Captain ; John Ameerman, Lieutenant ;
Court Van Voorhees, Ensign; John Hansen (Van Nostrant);
Martin Schenck ; Oka Van Voorhees ; William Kouwenho-
ven ; Isaac Amerman ; John Van Sekellen ; Jacob Amur-
man ; Daniel Nostrant ; Cornelis Manford ; Jacob Manford ;
Evers Van G-elder ; Roeluf Schenck ; Roeluf Van Voorhees ;
Lucas Van Voorhees ; Albert Van Voorhees ; John Van
Arsdalen ; Meanu Van Voorhees ; Johannis Boyes ; Marten
Neves ; Cornelius Neves ; Peter Neves ; Hendrick Von Voor-
hies ; Christofer Qubartus ; John Browyer ; Albartt Terhu-
nan ; Peter Van Voirhies.
The following is a list of the inhabitants of Platlands
forty years later (1738). The spelling and absence of
capitals indicate an illiterate officer. The figures, as in
the census above, show the membership of families,
and the number of slaves :
Johannes Lotts, 5; Marten Schenck,5, 3 ; hendrick wickof,
5, 3 ; Jacobus Amerman, 5 ; yan Amerman, 6, 1 ; pieter nev-
yus, 3 ; pieter Wickof, jur., 3, 1 ; yan Stevensen (Voorhees),
7, 3 ; wijUem koowenoven, 18, 3 ; Steven Schenck, 8, 1 ; Gerret
hansen (Van Nostrant) 3; 1 ; pijeter monfoort ; wijUem van
gelder, 8 ; Corneleis van voorhees, 6, 3 ; marten Schenck, 4,
8 ; koert van voorhees, 5 ; Luijcas Stevensen (Van Voorhees)
8, 3 ; cornlus van arsdalen, 8 ; ijan van voorhees, 13, 1 ;
Auken van Voorhees, 6, 1 ; teunys rijennesen, 3 ; cornelys
nef BUS, 7 ; i jaack van voorhees, 6 ; ijan elbersen (Stoothoof ?)
9, 1 ; pijeter wycoff, 6, 1 ; pijter wyooff, 4 ; abraham wester-
velt, 3 ; ijohaunes van sijggelen, 3 ; ijan ouken, 7 ; ijan ter-
hunen, 3, 5 ; wijlhelmus Stothof, 5, 4 ; cornelua Stevensen
(Voorhees) 4 ; hermanus hoogelant, 11, 1 ; roelof van voor-
hees, 5. This list, following the original analysis, here omit-
ted in detail, gives us white males above 10 years of age, 81 ;
under, 31 ; white females above 10, 70 ; under, 83. Blacks :
males above 10, 84 ; under, 1 ; females above 10, 11 ; under,
6. Total— PFMfes, 195 ; Blacks, 43.
Slaves. — In 1755 there were in the town twenty
families in which slaves were held, viz. : those of John
Schenck, John V. Der Bilt, Wilhelmus Stoothoff, Jr.,
Hermanus hooglant, Roelif Van Voorhees, Esq., Wil-
helmus Stoothof, Abraham Voorhees, Steve Schenck ;
John Ditmars, William Kouwenhoven, Esq., Gerret
Kouwenhoven, John Amerman, Gerret Wykoff, Marten
M. Schenck, Johannis Lott, Derrick Remsen, Johannis
W. Wykof, Pieter Wykof, and Joosh Vannuis. Of
these families that of Johannis Lott alone had four
slaves ; two families had three each ; all the rest one
or two.
A List of Inhabitants, Oct. 1, 1796, with dwellings, barns,
farms, &c., exceeding in value $100. Explanation : H, size
of house; C, condition of houses; V, value of dwelling with
3 acres ; B, size of barn ; A, number of acres in farm ;
V B, value of barns and farm ; R, remarks.
Barant Johnson, H 43x33, C new and good, V $900, B 39x48,
A 49, V B $3,335 ; XJlpianus Van Sinderin, H 37x33, C very
bad, V $300, B 36x34, 3 barns, A 68, B $1,600 ; Hendrick
Okey, H14xl8, C good, V $110, A 4, V B $100 ; Jane Okey,
H 13x30, C very old, V $110 ; Folkert Sproug, H 35x31, Cold I
but in middling repair, V $300, B 46x36, A, 43, V B $1,075 ;
Abraham Voorhees, H 37x33, C good, V $600, B 46x48, A 51,
V B $1,375 ; Johannes Remsen, H 33x38, C new and good,
V $700, B 48x46, A 134, V B $8,680 ; Rem Hageman, H 44x35,
C good, V $900, B 36x58, A 183, V B $3,381 ; Abraham Stoot-
hoof, H 40x30, C old and bad, V $101, B 48x50 old, R owned
by Johannes Ditmars; Samuel Harris, H36x38, 0 new, V $800,
B 46x33, A 30i, V B $540 ; Jacob Voorhees, H 38x33, C new,
V $650, B 40x36 new, A 51, V B $1,375 ; Simon Voorhees, H
38x33, C new and good, V $1,000, R IJ acres; Johannes Stoot-
hoof, H 33x30, C good, V $500, B 46x36, A 47. V B $1,175 ;
Johannes P. Lott, H 30x88, C middling, V $600, B 40x50, A
133, V B $3,600, R adjoimngtheBay and H. Lott; Hendrick J.
Lott, H 50x34, C old, V $600, B 48x53. A 134, V B $3,600, R
adjoining the bay ; Isaac Selover, H 89x 34, C old, V
$350, B 33x30 old, A 13, V B $340 ; John Baxter, H 18x88, C
middling, V $400, B 44x36, A 91, V B $3,400, Ron road to mill
of Martensen; Wilhelmus Stoothoof, H 36x31, Cold, V$500,
B 39x50, A 81, V B $3,187 ; John Schenck, H 41x33, C good,
V $650, B 44x43 mill 38x38, A 131 , V B $5,600, R owned by Jane
Martinsen. Flatbmli ; Johannis Bergen, H 34x34, C good, V
$350, B 36x48, A 83, VB $3,460, R owner Tunis Bergen,
Brooklyn ; Garret G, Wyckofe. H 19x30, C good, V 350, A 30,
V B $600. R on road to mill ; Barent WyckofiE, H 19x30, C
now, V $350, A 89, V B $580, R on road to mill ; Peter G.
Wyckoff, H 33x33, C very old, V $400, B 40x50 old, A 68, VB
$1,575, R on road to mill ; Wm. & Potter Skid more, H 34x34,
C old, V $550. B 48x53 new shingles, A. 103, V B $3,550, R
owner Sarah Wyckoff ; Aaron Van Pelt, H 30x33, C new; V
$500, A 4, V B$350 ; Peter Vanderbilt, H 31x88, C middling.
V $300, B 36x43, A 33, V B $640, R on road to Graveseud ;
Williampte Amerman, H 36x33, C good, V $550, B 44x44, A
165, VB |3,533, R on road to Gravesend; Abrah am Terhune,
H 38x33, C new, V $900, R owner Albert Terhune ; Deborah
Wyckofe, H 35x33, C old, V $300, R on road to Gravesend ;
Lemmetye Lott, H 45x31, C good, V $800, B 48x53, A 114,
V B $3,078, R on road to Lott's landing, owner Jores Lott,
minor ; John H. Lott, H 19x37, C good, V $450, B 48x50, A .
134, V B $3,480, R in Flatlands Neck ; Derick Remsen, H
46x33, C new and good, V $800, B 46x44, A 156, V B $3,180, R
in Flatlands Neck ; Wm. Kouwenhoven, H 43x34, C good, V
$650, B 55x50, Alio, VB $3,300 ; Johannes Ditmars, H 43x35,
C new and good, V $900, B shingle two 48x50, A 338, V B
$8,300 ; Garret Kouwenhoven, H 31x50, C new and good, V
$600, B 48x50, A118, V B $3,900, R Flatlands Neck; Johannes
Lott, H 36x33, C new and good, V $750, B 36x44, A 57, V B
$1,354, R Flatlands Neck; Hayltje Wyckoff, H 39x37, C mid-
ling, V $480, B 44x30, A 100, V B $3,500, R owners heirs of
Peter Wyckoff ; Nicholas Schenck, H 43x38, C 85 years and
good, V $850, B 40x56 36x46, A 113, V B $3,390, R Flatlands
Neck ; John Schenck, H 38x33, C new, V $570, R Flatlands
Neck, Nick. Schenk, owner; Folkert Sprong, H 14x18, C new,
V $150, A 1, V B $35, R Flatlands Neck ; Peter Lake, H
37x30, C new, V $500 ; Elias Hubbart, H 45x33, C eood, V
$300, B 33x40, A 77, V B $1935 ; James Ellsworth, H 34x36,
C good, V $400 ; Daniel Bremen, H 38xl7-i, V 8 00 ; John
Voorhees, H 36x33, C new, V $700, B 48x36, A 36, V B $573,
R on road to Flatbush; Johannes VanNuys, H 30x38, C mid-
ling, V $350, B 40x53, A 85J, V B $1,870 ; Wilhelmus Van
Nuys, H 33x30, C good, V $500, B 43x33, A 39, V B $897, R
Idea Stryker owner, on road to Flatbush ; Michael Stryker,
H 45x31, C good, V $550, R on road to Flatbush ; Ben. Ben-
net, H 89x37, C old, V $350, R heirs of Johannes Ditmars,
owners ; Wm. Livingston, H 36x30, C good, V $600, A 103,
V B $3,550, R owner Johannes E. Lott ; Davee Stoothoof, A
6J, VB $180, R Mill lane near Bay and marsh; Joseph White,
A i, VB $30, R Mill lane near Bay and marsh ; Johannes J. Lott,
70
SISTOET OF KINGS COUNTY.
B 48x50, A 83, V B $2,075 ; Jeromas Lott, A 70, V B |1,750 ;
Nicholas Schenck, Jr., A 30, V B $660, E Flatlands Neck ;
Adrian Hageman, A 5, V B, $100, R house value $30 ; Cor-
nelius Stoothoflf, B 43x50, A 38, V B $855, R road to Flatbush ;
Thomas Ellsworth, B 30x36, A 35, V B $787^, R road to Flat-
bush ; Jeremiah EUsworth, A 14, V B $315, R road to Flat-
bush ; Wilhelmus Van Nuys. A 4, V B 150, R road to his
own property ; Ben. Bennet, A 16, V B $380, R road to his
own property ; Luke Kouwenhoven,Jr., A 50, VB $1,350.
Social Condition of the Early Inhabitants. —
The early population of this town consisted of agricul-
turalists and artisans, plain, thrifty and religious people.
The open land of the town attracted settlers nearly as
soon as Manhattan Island was permanently occupied,
and large numbers of newly arrived immigrants for
many years continued to make it a temporary abode.
A great many families upon the Hudson and Mohawk
and in New Jersey trace their descent through perma-
nent or temporary residents of this township ; and Gov-
ernor Stuyvesant speaks of this region as the only one
which seemed to thrive under the severe trials of those
times.
Their dwellings must have been very plain. Two of
them survive after a lapse of more than two hundred
years, and may serve as examples of the better and the
more common sort ; the first is the house at Crook's
Mill, and the second the humble cottage in the corner
of Theo. Bergen's field, near John L. Ryder's residence.
Our people were the people of Holland transferred to
Long Island. The salt meadows, the bay, and the level
lands suited them. On the marsh the ditches dug by
their hands are not yet filled up, and their descendants
still go to those marshes for salt hay. On the arable
lands the "dikes" may yet be traced along the principal
lines dividing farms, once a sort of fond remembrance
of their fence against the Worth Sea. The tiles still
remaining upon the chimney pieces, at Crook's Mill
and at Peter Remsen's, show, as fishing and Bible
scenes, in decidedly Hollandish character. There are,
even now, probably fewer changes in manners and habits
of thought here, than can be found in any other part of
the country. We have an interior view of early Flat-
lands given in Danhar's and StryJcer's Journal oi 1679-
1680, published by the Long Island Historical Society.
The picture is not ilattered :
"Monday, Oct. Sd, 1679.— ^e went after breakfast to the
Bay. We did not find Jan Theunessen (Van Dyckhuysen) at
home, but the father and mother (Elbert Elbertse Stoothoflf
and wife, whose daughter Jan married) bade us welcome and
took us around into the orchards. We found the land in
general not so good as at Najack (New Utrecht). Toward
the sea is a piece of low flat land which is overflowed at every
tide, while adjoining corn lands are dry and barren for the
most part. Some of them were now entirely covered with
clover in blossom, which we discovered in the atmosphere
before we saw the fields. There is here a grist mill driven
by the (tide) water which they dam up in the creek, and
NOTK.-Simon Voorhees and Abraham Terhuae had houses of two
stones, all the rest were o£ one story, and all built of wood. It is not
known that a stone or brick house has ever been built in this township.
hereabouts they go mostly to shoot snipe and wUd geese.
Behind the village inland are their meadows, now arid."
" Tuesday, Sd. — Nothing but rain ; compelled to sit in the
house, which was constantly filled with a multitude of god-
less people. This Elbert Elbertse being the principal person
of the place, and their Captain, and having a multitude of
children of his own, there was a continual concourse at his
house."
A week later our travelers were again at Capt. Elbert's
in the Bay. They write :
"While we were sitting there, Domine Van Sauren came
up, to whom the farmers called out as uncivilly and rudely
as if he had been a boy. He had a chatting time with aU of
them. He spoke to us, but not a word about reHgion. Indeed,
he sat prating and gossiping with the farmers, who talked
foully and otherwise, not only without giving them a single
word of reproof, but without speaking a word about Gcd or
spiritual matters. It was all about horses and cattle and
swine and grain ; and then he went away."
The surrender of New Netherlands to the English,
Aug. 27th, 1664, caused no material changes in the
social affairs of Flatlands. The magistrates continued
in office until the usual time of elections, when the
newly elected took the oath of allegiance to his Majesty
of England. The people continued to be free citizens,
enjoying their lands and privileges as before; and the
Dutch were to enjoy liberty of conscience in worship and
church discipline, as well as their own customs con-
cerning inheritances. The States-General gave Amers-
foort, and some other towns near her, a sharp reproof
for yielding too far to English blandishments about
this time ; and threatened their " severest indignation
and displeasure " if they did not remain firm in their
Dutch allegiance. The rebuke was scarcely just to this
town. The whole of Kings County was perfectly
defenceless, though harrasscd by daily threats of the
English, and the men would not abandon their wives
and children to defend those of New Amsterdam.
There was little to disturb the peaceful flow of
events in this town for more than a hundred years be-
fore the Revolution. There was, indeed, at one period,
some excitement in regard to the settlement of the pastors
Antonides and Freeman, over the joint Dutch churches
of Kings County ; but, finally, all parties became weary
of the profitless quarrel and both were accepted by all
the churches in a better spirit. In this town the ser-
vices and care of the church, the interests of children
in the schools, and the daily pursuits of a rural popula-
tion, made up the history of the months and the years.
Large and healthy families gladdened parents' hearts
and furnished work for their hands. New men from
the old families, and with the old names, took the places
of those who were laid to rest " in de kerk," or in the
burial-ground beside it. In all these years, the people
of this town were loyal to the British crown, and con-
tinued so, doubtless, to the outbreak of the Revolu-
tionary War. They were not engaged in trade, were
not excitable, were not ardent politicians or theorists,
and were content with honest gains by the cultivation
FLATLAND8 NECK.
71
of their fields. Two montlis after the Declaration of
Independence they passed under the power of the
British army, and so remained until the evacuation of
New York.
Flatlands Neck. — It is proper, at this point of our
sketch, to speak of that portion of the township of Flat-
lands lying northward from Bedford Creek and bounded
by Jamaica Bay, New Lots and Flatbush. At the time
of the settlement of Achtervelt, the " westermost of the
Three Flats of Long Island," the lands of " Van Twil-
lers " and " Corker's Flats " were also put under culti-
vation. It must, however, have been imperfect, as no
concentration or settlement seems ever to have been
formed in either locality. The Canarsie Indians were
still numerous ; and, with the exception of their maize
lands and the flats above named, all that portion of the
town lay in dense forests. The " Canarsie Woods "
have been famous even to our day, and must have once
contained an immense mass of heavy timber. The
farmers of Amersfoort, coming with increasing popu-
lation to need more land, hired land of the Indians at
Canarsie, until from twelve to twenty cultivated por-
tions were under the management of the whites. But
this temporary arrangement was likely to cause trouble,
though we have no record of any. However, to put
matters into a safe position, the Indian title was extin-
guished and that fine portion of the town opened to
the whites under the following contract :
On the 33d day of April was agreed as follows, to wit. :
Wametappaok, Sachem of Canryssen, and Eamieracy, Minne-
quahum, Camenuck, Panwangum, and Attewarum, lawful
owners of Canaryssen, and the appendages thereunto apper-
taining, have agreed and sold to the inhabitants of the Town
of Amersfoort, a parcel of land lying on Long Island, by and
in the vicinity of the Village of AmersfoOrt, beginning at the
west side of the " Muskyttehool " at a certain marked tree,
thence stretching to where the end of the Flats comes by the
two trees, situate on the north side of the said Flats to a cer-
tain marked tree ; from thence to the Fresh KiU meadows,
stopping at the path from the Great Flats to the Fresh Kill
meadows and stretching in the Flats ; with all meadows,
kills and creeks therein contained, and that for the sum of
one hundred fathoni of white wampum, one coat, one pair of
stockings, one pair shoes, four adzes, two cans of brandy,
and one-half barrel of beer ; with conditions that the pur-
chasers once for always a fence shall set at Canarissen for the
protection of the Indian cultivation, which fence shall there-
after by the Indians be maintained, and the land which
becomes inclosed in fence shaU by the Indian owners
above mentioned all their lives to be used, to wit, by Wame-
tappaok, the Sachem, with his two brothers ; all done without
fraud or deceit. The 6th day of April, old style.
This is the mark of Wame X tappack. Sachem.
This is the mark of &, Minnequahem.
This is the mark of S Attbwaeam.
This is the mark of A Okamgsy.
This is the mark of V~ Rammgeeaen.
This is the mark of E Panwangum.
This is the mark of V Kameneck.
This is the mark of S Wanaclyck.
This done by me, the Constable, Minnie Johnnes.
The stipulated price was duly paid to the Indians on
the day of sale, under the following valuations, viz.:
wampum, 600 gl. ; stockings, 6 gl. ; coat, 60 gl.; shoes,
16 gl. ; 4 adzes, 16 gl.; brandy, 8 gl. ; beer, 15 gl. ; total
721 (1418.40). The General Patent of the town, issued,
two years later by Gov. Nicolls (Oct. 4, 1667), includes
the Neck, and thus gives a legal sanction to the title now
acquired from the Indians. Most of the lands were the
undivided property of the freeholders of the town ;
though small portions, including meadow lots, were in
private hands. Nearly the whole of the neck was
divided into lots of ten morgens, or 20 acres each, which
were called " The New Lots of Flatlands." We have
not ascertained precisely how these lots ran, except in a
few instances. Stephen Schenck, an early settler at
Canarsie Point, purchased a series of these lots running
across the Point, and the nearest to the Bay. The lines
of property at Canarsie, and especially the farm-lines of
the Vanderveers, and Remsens, at the Neck, still give
clear indications of this early division of the land into
squares.
The equitable benefit to individuals to arise from
these common lands when they became something more
than pastures for young cattle, and especially when new
residents settled in the town, became at length a diffi-
cult question. The only escape was to divide the lands
in severalty. Accordingly, on April 3d, 1705, a town
meeting agreed to divide the common woodlands at
Canarsie, and appointed Luykas Stevensen (Voorhees),
Jan Terhunen, and Peter Nefius to carry out the man-
agement. Gerrit Stoothoff, Justice; Cornelis Van
Arsdalen and Jan Amerman, witnesses; Jan Stevensen
(Voorhees), constable. Nothing, however, came of this
action, and the matter seems to have been left in abey-
ance until some years later. December 25th, 1718,
was issued the following advertisement:
"Whereas, There is a certain tract of land * * *
commonly called De Baye's Neck or Flatlands Neck, and
was given * * * as per grant of Richard Nicolls, Esq. ,
* * * Oct. 4th, 1667. * * * and aftervfard
confirmed * * * by Thomas Dongan, Esq., Mar.
11th, 1685. * * * Therefore, wee WUliam Gerretsen
[Van Kouwenlioven], Lukas Stevense [Voorhees], survivors
of the above named patentees, and Martin R. Schenck and
Koert Voorhees, assignees of full shares of patentees, have
mutually contracted and executed in writing * * *
for to Divide and Lay out the above said tract of Land
* * * on or near the 25th of March next ensuing,
* * * and the shares * * * shall be drawn
by Lots in the presence of Joseph Hageman, Jeronymus
Remsen, and Samuel Gerretsen, indifferent persons nomi-
nated by us ; * * * and we forbid trespass."
One difiiculty in parcelling out the common lands at
the Neck to individual owners, arose from certain obli-
gations touching-inheritances, and the support of church
and school, assumed by the early settlers. How impor-
tant these were considered, and how necessary to be
continued among the new comers, may be seen by the
following action:
HISTORY OF KIlSrGS COUNTY.
" Be it known by all persons that it is decreed by Patentees
of the Town of Amersfoordt, and by Assignees of full rights
of Patentees, that the under named persons will take their
lots on the following conditions : 1. That none of them shall
have power to sell their lots or any part of the same to any
person without at the same time selling to the buyer the
house-plot attached to the lot. 2. They shall be held in addi-
tion to aid in maintaining the School, to help in the main-
tainance of the Preacher or Preachers, and School Master,
and of bringing of firewood to the Preacher and Schoolmas-
ter, all as may be determined and enjoyed by the congrega-
tion of the said Town, each person in proportion to his rights,
and in proportion to his neighbors' ; under the restriction that
if any of the undernamed persons shall refuse or neglect to
observe the above Articles or Conditions, and to keep the
same, or to bind their assigns to their observance, they shall
be deprived of their apportioned lot or lots, and the same
shall become the property of the Town."
" Done at Amersfoordt, this 30th of April, A. D. 1719."
The persons named as receiving lots under the above
conditions were: Jacobus Amerman, Johannes and Eva
Van Seikelen, Josias Drake, Cornelis Van Arsdalen,
Abraham Westervelt, Jan Lucassen (Voorhees), Anna
Terhunen, Jan Van Nays, Jan Auken, Steven Schenck,
Isaac Amerman, and the " Heirs of Kierstede."
In further preparation for the eventful casting of lots,
it was agreed that the common woodland, "to wit: the
Neck, Fresh Kills Point, and Kanarisse, shall be drawn
in three parts," as above, and as appears on the follow-
ing table. It was added: " The heretics their rights to
have on the strip of land that lies in the rear of the
Neck dwelling plots." The word Renters here trans-
lated heretics is differently rendered. Hon. T. G. Bbe-
GBN says: " The word Keuters in the original is by some
translated ' Mechanics.' The word Ketter means ' heretic'
Keater not found in the dictionary. Dr. Stkong (His-
tory of Flatbush) translates the word 'Mechanics."
We are not able to add anything to these authorities.
It is certain that "The legal agents of all the patentees "
would enforce whatever, in behalf of Church and School
was " Determined and enjoyned by the Congregation of
the Town;" and if any would not accept their portion
on the above terms, it seemed liberal in those times to
assign them a place " On the strip of land in the rear
of the neck dwelling plots." Keuters' Hook, or, if we
follow this translation. Heretics' Corner, is now found
in the north part of Flatlands, adjoining, and mostly in,
New Lots.
The' division and assignment, by lot, of the Neck lands
to each individual having rights in the patent, took
place as follows:
"May 4, 1719.— A showing of the allotment of the divided
land in the town of Amersfoordt, to wit. : the Fresh Kills
Point, the Neck, and Kanarsingh; numbered and done by the
undersigned— Joseph Hageman, Jeronymus Remsen, and
Samuel Geri-etsen— pursuant to the charge of Lucas Steven-
sen, Martin E. Schenck, William Couwenhoven and Koert
Voorhees, Patentees and assignees of full rights of Patentees
and each individual share in acres of the persons here under-
named, as follows, to wit :"
Lukas Stevensen ( Voorliees)
Martin R. Schenck
Willem Couwenhoven
Koert Van Voorhees
Jan Terhunen
Martin Schenck
Hendrick Wyckoff
Pieter Wyckoff
Pieter Nevius
Albert Terhunen
Gerret Stoothoff
Dirk Amerman
Jan Amerman
Roeloff Terhunen
Auken Van Nuyse
Corn'l'us Coerten (Voorhees)
Cornelis Van Arsdalen
Abraham Lott
Pieter Monf oordt
Gerret Hansen
Pieter Wyckoff, Jun
Hermanns Hooghland
Jan Lucassen (Voorhees). . .
Jan Stevensen (Voorhees). . ,
Gertrude Van Gelderte
have 3 lots, each 5 acres.
Aukenz Janz Van Voorhees)
Kfl, OS
No. of
Lot
13
4
10
17
11
1
12
5
8
18
35
21
16
36
7
19
33
9
14
33
15
6
3
30
2
24
No.ot
Acres
13J
13i
7*
6i
61
7
3
4
^
4
3*
3
5i
n
3i
3i
^
6i
3f
3|
2i
2
14
T* „ -^ (H ^^
40rt
55f
59i
m
32
■m
25A
•m
134
18
33i
22i
18
15
12
33i
40A
15
15
15
25/,
161
161
12i
12
s
S? o o
Acres
2
0.7
2
If
1
2tV
If
If
If
3tV
1*
H
li
1
Acres
55
75
43
37
35
40
17
24
30
30
24
20
15
30
55
30
20
20
35
32
32
16
15
869
The Period of the Revolution.— When the
British forces landed at Bath, in New Utrecht,
preparatory to the Battle of Brooklyn, August, 1776,
they soon made their presence known, and swarmed
up over the country. « Before noon," an old lady, who
saw them, used to say, "the Red Coats were so thick in
Flatlands you could walk on their heads." They plun-
dered nearly, every house, especially those of the Whigs.
The maternal grandmother of Supervisor Ryder used to
tell of their entrance into her father's house in Gravosend.
Her mother sent her ahead to open every chest and
closet, so the soldiers would not break into them with
their muskets. When, however, they seized her new
bonnet, the girl's courage rose equal to the emergency;
and, suddenly snatching it from them, she defended it
so stoutly against threats and violence that they left
the trophy in her hands. The soldiers entered the
house of Elias Hubbard (father of the late Judge Hub-
bard), yet standing on Hubbard's Lane, and were fur-
nished liberally by his wife, Margaret Lake, with milk,
bread and butter, and, in fact, with all the edibles of
the house. But, when they attempted to drive away
her cow, she planted herself at the yard-gate and com-
pelled them to desist.
At evening, after the landing, the British camp-fires
were seen all along the road from New Utrecht to
Flatbush. The main body passed by way of Gravesend.
Earl Cornwallis pushed forward with the Reserves, and
a detachment of Hessians also encamped that 'night at
REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH OF FLATLANDS.
73
Flatbush, all having passed through Flatlands. The
tradition is, that Col. Kniphausen's horse, and perhaps
his whole regiment, occupied the Amerman farm, now
Jeremiah Ryder's. With this exception, no troops are
known to have encamped here, or to have been quar-
tered upon the inhabitants. A guard was stationed at
Captain Nicholas Schenck's, at Canarsie Point, and
another at Mr. Wyckoff's, Flatlands Neck, now the
residence of John A. Wyckoil. The soldiers occupied
the kitchen, and the southwest room of the house was
used as a lock-up.
The services of the church, and of the common
schools, were carried forward as if nothing unusual was
occurring. Seventeen infants were baptized in the
Flatlands Dutch Church, in the year 1776. This unin-
terrupted worship is the more remarkable, from the fact
that the pastor was universally regarded as a decided,
and sometimes over-zealous, friend of the American
cause.
At the close of the war there was a celebration at
Flatbush, by WMgs from the county towns. Flatlands
was represented by four men ; two of them were Abra-
ham Voorhees (father of Hon. John A. Voorhees) and
Elias Hubbard (grandfather of A. H. Hubbard). The
British had left each of these two men one old horse,
and these were each blind of one eye. The two imper-
fect horses were harnessed together on this jubilee occa-
sion, and drew the patriots to Flatbush.
Reformed Dutch Church of Flatlands. — There
are but two Dutch churches in America older than that
of Flatlands, viz., the Collegiate Dutch Church of New
York, formed in 1628, and the North Dutch Church of
Albany, 1642. The churches of Flatlands and Flatbush
were formed on the same day, February 9th, 1654, by
Rev. Johannes M egapolensis, pastor of the Collegiate
Church, and their history will be found in the chapter
of this work devoted to The Ecclesiastiedl History of
Kings County, from 165 Jf- 1800. When, in 1654, a
church was completed at Flatbush, at a cost of $1,800,
Flatlands contributed $48. The first minister, the Rev.
Jo. Theodoras Polhemus must have preached in Flat-
lands, in private houses, or in the school-house, for eight
or nine years, until, September 12th, 1662, the people
asked for the privilege of building themselves a church
edifice, which was granted by the Governor and Council.
The next year (1663) saw the enterprise completed. The
erection of this early church by the unaided eifort of a
small community of poor settlers, in the midst of
heathenism, was very creditable to them. They chose-
an excellent location, near their primitive settlement,
and gently elevated, and which had been sacred from
time immemorial as an Indian burial place. In form,
the church was octagonal, with a belfry, and an inclosed
portal called the Baptistry, or "Doophuisje;" the whole
being covered, on roof and sides, with heavy spruce
shingles, which were so durable as to have survived to
our day. The people were, at first, summoned to wor-
ship by the sound of a drum, but in 1686 a subscription
(which still remains in the archives) was circulated,
and 556 guilders were collected for a bell, being more
than 100 guilders in excess of subscriptions. TJiebell
was probably imported from Holland, as in September
the next year 7 gl. is paid for " a rope for the bell." The
appearance of the church in the year of its erection is
complimented in the words of Capt. Scott : " This is a
handsome place and has a fine church." And this,
coming from a violent enemy, we accept as true.
This church continued in use the long period of 131
years, until 1794, when it was torn down and a new
church built. The pulpit of the original church was of
the " wine-glass " style, had a sounding board, and was
furnished with a " bench." The hearers' seats were
not luxurious. They were "benches." In 1697 Evert
Van Weckelin was paid 150 gl., or $60, "for making
benches in the church," and repairs to the benches were
made from time to time long afterward. Chairs were
in very moderate use. In 1716, 8 gl. were paid "for 2
chairs in the church," and, in 1785, 18s. for a similar
purchase. One of these chairs was for the magistrate,
and the other for the Yef vroto, or minister's wife. The
latter, purchased in 1685, is now preserved in afi^oc-
tionate honor at the Flatlands parsonage.
The church edifice was repaired and enlarged in
1762, after it had been in use 99 years. The enlarge-
ment consisted in advancing the three front sections of
the original octagon, leaving the new front square and
the full width of the building. The original seating
capacity must have been 125 or 130. In 1762 the 122
regular sittings, or " places," were held as follows :
Cc)rnelius Voorhees, 5 ; Steve Schenok, 4 ; JohaBnes Lott,
7 ; Hermann Hooglandt, 5 ; Wm. Kouwenhoven, 5 ; Eoelof
Voorhees, 4 ; Fammetie Ditmars, 3 ; Eoelof Van Voorhees,
4 ; John Van Der Bilt, 5 ; Jeremiah Van Derbilt, 1 ; Abraham
Voorhees, 5 ; Folkert Sprong, 3 ; Abraham Dorye, 4 ; Coustyn
Golneck, 1; Peter Wykof, 3; Johannes Lott, Jr., 3; Wm.
Van Gelder, 3 ; Derrick Eemsen, 4 ; Henrick Lott, 4 ; Jan
Schenok, 5 ; Wilhelmus Stoothoof , 7 ; Jan Ouke, 1 ; Marte
Ouke, 1 ; Samuel Garreson, 1 ; Bernardus Eyder, 3 ; Albert
Terhune, 4 ; James Holbert, 2 ; Fernandus Van Segelen, 1 ;
Barent Vanderventer, 1 ; Abraham Schenok, 1 ; Callyntje
Janse, 1 ; Garrett Wykoff, 3 ; Getore Heyn, 2 ; Jan Amer-
man, 6 ; Anuatie Wykof, 5 ; Petrus Amerman, 3 ; Jacob
Ouke, 1 ; Helena Ouke, 1 ; Eisack Selover, 1.
The following are the new places :
Pieter Wykof, 2 ; Derrick Eemsen, 1 ; Abraham Dorye, 1 ;
Christoffer Hoogland, 1 ; Johannes Lott, 3 ; Garret Kouwen-
hoven, 1 ; Wilhelmus Stoothoof, 2 ; Garret Wykof, 2 ; Abra-
ham Voorhees, 1 ; Coustyn Golneck, 3 ; Henrick Wykof, 1 ;
Joosh Van Nuys, 3 ; Nicholas Schenok, 1 ; Jan Ouke, 1 ;
Folkert Sprong, 3 ; Eoelof Van Voorhees, 1 ; Evert Seerman,
1 ; Jan Van Der Bilt, 1 ; Marten Ouke, 1 ; Abraham Van
Geldrin, 1—38.
It will be seen that the total number of sittings
actually taken, in 1762, was 150, by 53 persons. Accord-
ing to a list, in 1767, 41 persons hired 148 sittings. It
would seem therefore clear that the first church build-
74
HISTORY OF KIRGS COUNTY.
ing, even wlien enlarged, would not accommodate many
more than 150.
The sittings in church went with the farms, and were
often named in deeds; and, so late as the present pas-
torate, pew-rents have been paid by agents of property
where no use was made of the sittings, simply because
the pew went with the property. In 1 716 it was ordered
that a non-resident might hold his sittings by due pay-
ment of rent. Otherwise he lost them after " one year
and six weeks." He might sell them to a resident of
Amersfort, but not to a non-resident. In 1794, at the
building of the new church, the limit was reduced to
six months.
It became at length apparent that Flatlands needed
a new church edifice. Influential families advocated it.
The father of Derrick and Johannes Remsen, among
others, urged that the church was too small and falling to
decay. A town meeting, caUed March 4th, 1794, resolved
to build a new church and to raise money for the work by
the sale of the town lots, hitherto held for the benefit of
the church. A committee appointed for both purposes
inserted the following notice in a New York paper,
March 8th, 1794 : "Notice is hereby given to carpen-
ters that proposals will be received by Abram Voorhees,
Rem Hageman and Wm. Koiiwenhoven, for building a
church at Flatlands, 60 feet by 40 feet, timber and
materials to be furnished by them."
This notice was responded to by Smith &, King,
buUders, who contracted to finish the work according to
the specifications for £400. On March 26th, John Bax-
ter, vendue master, sold " the Neck woods, the farm and
commons belonging to the church." May 6th, the car-
penters began taking down the venerable church, and
finished May 27. July 29th and 30th the new church
was raised. Xovember 2d the debris of the old church
was sold. Xovember 12th a town meeting was held,
when it was resolved to use the moneys of the Poor
Chest to finish the church. The pews were distributed
by lot on December 20th, and on the 13th the house
was dedicated by Rev. Peter Lowe, one of the pastors,
who preached from Ex. xx., 24, last clause. The bell
was put into position December 26 ; and, the next day,
the associate pastor. Rev. Martinus Schoonmaker,
preached.
"There were 55 pews disposed of, leaving stUl some
for the commons," as was at first proposed. The church
of 1794 had a steeple containing a bell (the same now in
use). The old bell, bought in 1686, and weighing 22
lbs., was now taken by John Bailey of Xew York, at
£5, 16s. 8d.; in part pay for the new bell of 458^ lbs.
which cost £84, 15s. 2d. The building was lighted
by five large windows on each side, and had a single
entrance in the south side, or point. It was inclosed
with a picket fence, a few feet from the building, on
three sides; but having a post and rail fence at the rear.
The church was painted a dull red color, and sanded
while the paint was new. In later years the e£fort
was made to paint it white. Lombardy poplars
were at the front and rear. The interior was ceiled
.vith pine-stufif, rendered famous by the number of
knots which showed their dark color through the paint.
A relic of olden times, was the Town Stocks and
Wliipping Post, which adorned the open space in front
of the church near the burial-ground.
This church, like that of 1663, was destitute of heat-
ing apparatus until 1825, when 39 persons subscribed
$69, and a large wood stove was introduced. The old
style of pulpit gave way in 1827, when 47 persons sub-
scribed -S145.25, "as a New Year's gift toward build-
ing a Xew Pulpit in our church." Of these subscribers
one stUl lingers, Jeremiah Ryder, in honored old age.
Xot to be outdone by the men, in March, 46 ladies sub-
scribed ¥63, "for dressing the New Pulpit." The
pulpit was built by Jervis R. Woolsey, for 1132.75.
The church built in 1794 continued in use to 1848.
The frame, which had become weakened, began to allow
the side-waUs to spread in a threatening manner, and
strong iron rods faded to a£Eord security. On May 31st,
1847, the consistory resolved to solicit funds for a new
church, and |3,817 were promised. The consistory
associated Peter Debaun, John Holmes and Cornelius
Kouwenhoven, with themselves as building committee;
but, as they declined to serve, the pew-holders, by invita-
tion of consistory, appointed (Feb. 3d, 1848) John Rem-
sen, William Kouwenhoven and Jeromus Van Nayse, the
BuUding Committee. The consistory confirmed this
action. The chui'ch was built by day's work and prin-
cipally by Henry J. Eldert. It was 63^ feet by
44^ feet, and was completed, together with the sheds
and fences, at a cost of |5,506.29. This house is still
in use. When opened, it contained 66 pews, 58 of which
were taken at once by families. In the winter of 1871
and 1872, side galleries were introduced, adding about
100 sittings ; and the whole house, outside and inside,
was repaired and repainted, at a cost of about $3,500.
In 1853, Anne Terhune conveyed to the consistory a
lot near the south-westerly comer of the church lot,
on which to build a house for evening lectures and Sun-
day-school. This lot was enlarged afterward, by gift
from Peter Lott, and Maria, his wife, to about 70 by
40 feet. In 1853 the ladies appropriated funds of the
sewing society, and money collected by Mrs. Martha
Woolsey, and others, and a building was erected by
John S. Brown at a cost of $1,300. R. Magaw, J. Wil-
liamson and T. Garretson (beside the consistory) were
the building committee. This building has been added
to, and is now 58 by 26 feet. The whole was, in 1881,
put in prime order at a cost of $350.
The Pastors of the Dutch Church of Flatlands
under the coUegiate system, from 1654, are given in
the chapter on " The Eixlesiiinticul History of Kings
(Jonnty, 1654-1800. Of these, Mr. ^'an Sinderin (1746-
1784) married, and acquired landed property in this
town, and is the only one of the Kings County preach-
CHURCHES OF FLATLAND8 AND CANARSIK
75
ers who resided and was buried here. Peter Lowe,
(born in) Kingston, N. Y., 1764, was pastor of
the collegiate churches 1787-1808. In the latter
year Flatbush and Flatlands formed a union sep-
arate from the rest, and Dominie Lowe became
pastor of these two churches alone. He died in 1818.
Dominie Schoonmaker continued in the pastorate of
all the churches till his death ; Walter Monteith was
called by Flatlands and Flatbush to his first charge in
1819. He remained only a year. The union between
Flatlands and Flatbush closed with the departure of
Mr. Monteith. In May, 1822, Flatbush called Rev.
Thomas M. Strong, D.D. During 1823 a church build-
ing was begun in New Lots, and dedicated in July, 1824.
The society there was part of the Flatbush congregation ;
but in August of 1824, theClassisof Long Island organ-
ized the New Lots people into a church, and during the
following winter they formed a union with Flatlands.
In February, 1825, Rev. William Cruikshank was
settled as pastor of these united churches. It was dur-
ing his pastorate that stoves and a modern pulpit were
first used in the Flatlands Church. Mr. Cruikshank
resigned in 1834, and died in 1854. On Jan. 18, 1836,
a call by the churches of Flatlands and New Lots was
made upon Rev. J. Abeel Baldwin, a clergyman of the
Presbyterian Church, who continued a successful pastor-
ate until June 9th, 1852, when he resigned. Mr. Bald-
win still survives. The connection between Flatlands
and New Lots Reformed Dutch Churches terminated
with this pastorate, Nov. 24, 1852. Flatlands called
Rev. John T. M. Davie ; and, about the same time, New
Lots called Rev. John M. Van Buren. Mr. Davie's
pastoral and pulpit excellencies were highly appreciated,
and were enjoyed until his sudden death, March 8, 1862.
On August 4, 1862, the Church called Rev. T. Sanford
Doolittle, who remained two years, when he was invited
to a professorship in Rutgers College, which he still
occupies. In May, 1865, Rev. Cornelius Brett, then a
recent graduate of the New Brunswick Seminary, was
called, and he continued the active and useful pastor of
the church until Dec, 1869, when he resigned, having
accepted a call to a Reformed Dutch Church in Newark,
N. J. He is now pastor of the venerable Church of
Bergen, Jersey City. Rev. Anson Du Bois became pas-
tor in Dec, 1870, and still retains the position. The
church now reports 80 families and 200 members.
M. E. Church of Flatlands.— The Methodist peo-
ple had public preaching in the school-house of District
No. 1 for about a year, when, in 1851, James Engle
bought of Rem Hageman, a church site for them on
Mill lane ; and the present house was built, at a cost of
$2,700, by Mr. Youngs, of Flatbush. Mr. Engle was
very active, but the early records of the church were
lost, or witheld by his widow. The first preacher
[1852-3] was Rev. Thos. H. Burch, now Presiding Elder
of the New York District N. Y. East Conference. The
parsonage lot was bought from John Corey, who had
purchased of Hageman, and the house was built by
John Rumph, for $2,300, in 1868. The society has been
regularly supplied with preachers since its formation ;
and, though small^ has been active and useful. It reports
80 members.
Protestant Methodist Church of Canarsie.— A
Sunday-school of 23 scholars was organized at Canarsie
in 1840, Ralph Van Houten, Superintendent. A Meth.
Epis. Church was also constituted that year, of 12 mem-
bers, and the meetings held in a private house until
a small church costing $500 was built at the corner of
Old Road and Church Lane. About 1855 the church
became Protestant Methodist, and so remains. The first
church building was removed in 1870, and a larger one
built upon the same ground. The Protestant Metho-
dist Society has had the following Pastors : Revs. Fred.
Dickerman, J. J. Smith, Joshua Hudson, John A. Mor-
ris, J. Serene, Robert Woodruff, Edwin Jones, R. S.
Hulshart, John Painter, H. S. Hall, and J. H. Ilolden,
the present pastor. The good influence of the church
has been very marked. It is still growing, with an
active pastor and membership.
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, of Canarsie, of
32 members, was formed in August, 1879, and the cor-
ner stone of the church edifice was laid September 11th,
1879. The church cost $4,000. Pastor Fladt, of East
New York, served the new society six months ; when
Pastor Ktlver, the present incumbent, took charge.
The Sunday-school numbers 70 scholars.
German Evangelical Reformed Church of Ca-
narsie.— In March, 1876, Rev. C. Dickhout, of East
New York, labored among the large German population
of Canarsie ; and, on the 19th of that month, held public
worship in the German School-house. An organization
was desired, and the South Classis of Long Island,
March 29th,1876, commissioned Revs. A. DuBois, D.D.,
J. Hones and C. F. C. Suckow, and Elder John L.
Ryder, to constitute a church there if found advisable.
On June 5th, 1876, the committee met a large number
of Germans, and a church of 72 members was formed.
P. H. Koppf and Christian Schreiber were elected
Elders, and Christian Quaritius and Henry Shumaker
Deacons. The examination for membership and instal-
lation of the Consistory were conducted in German by
Rev. Messrs. Hones and Suckow. Rev. C. Dickhout
became pastor, and still remains such. The corner stone
,of a church was laid June 29th, 1877, and the building
was dedicated November 4th, 1877, at a cost of $5,000.
There is a Sabbath-school of 60 pupils, with 150 vol-
umes in the library. The pastor has mainly superin-
tended the school. The church is self-supporting, pros-
perous and growing.
The Common Schools of Flatlands.— The com-
mon school in Flatlands probably began with the settle-
ment itself. We have found no records touching it
earlier than 1675, when it was evidently in a mature
and vigorous career, under the care of the church elders
76
BISTORT OF KINO S COUNTY.
and was called "The School of the Town." The first
notice we have of it is in regard to a supply of books
by the deacons; and entries and bills, of elementary and
religious books paid for, appear in their accounts from
1675 for a long period of years, along with every
variety and order of expenses.
According to the tradition in our town, and the well-
known usages of other Dutch settlements, the school-
master was, by virtue of his ofiice. Reader in church.
Chorister, and commonly Sexton also. If this be true,
we are able to name some of the honored leaders of
mental progress in Flatlands from very early times.
The first who claims this honor is Wellem Gerretse
(Van Kouwenhoven), 1675 ; the next Jan Brouwer,
1688 ; the third Pieter Tull, 1691, though the fact that
he afterward became a pauper does not argue liberality
of salary. Various items were paid " to the schoolmas-
ter," for salary and other services, until 1704, when the
incumbent was Martin Schenck, who was also a deacon
of the church. Isaac Slover was teacher in 1712 ;
Yan Sudam in 1715 and apparently to 1729 ; when
Yohannes Van Siggelon succeeded him. In 1733
Abraham de Lanoy occupied the place. His name
would indicate that he was French, while his re-
ceipts for his salary of £6 a year are written
in a bold and elegant English hand. He was doubtless
able to teach in English. Isaac Voorhees held the place
in 1742 ; Johannes Nevius in 1743 ; Abram Voorhees,
1744-47; Luykas Voorhees, from 1748 to 1752 ; when
Derick Remsen served part of a year, and Luykas Voor-
hees again, 1755-1757. As no new name occurs, it is fair
to infer that Voorhees continued to receive the annual
salary of £4 from the deacons as chorister, and probably
an additional sum from the elders as schoolmaster, until
1768 ; when he was succeeded by Abraham Voorhees,
the same probably who had served in 1744-'47, and
who now held the position until 1792. This teacher
first introduced a stove into the school-house in June,
1789, costing £12, 15s. 6d. We judge the previous win-
ter must have been uncommonly cold, and they would
no longer trust to an open fire, even though they had to
bring in the stove in the first month of summer.
We have assumed that the chorister was also the
school teacher, as was the universal custom of the
Dutch. But the practice was now falling into disuse.
It seems that Thomas Whitlock was employed during
the latter years accredited to Abram Voorhees, and
that John Baxter, whose journal of daily events, con-
tinued by his son Garret, extends from 1790 to 1840,
taught the school about 1790. We have also the fol-
lowing as Tearhers: Peter Labagh, 1792 ; Geo. Parker,
1795 ; Jas. Smith, 1798 ; Elijah Elwell, 1801 ; Patrick
Noon and Hugh McGarron, 1802 ; John Burns and
Alex. Johnson, 1804 ; Cuthbert, 1805 ; Cas-
sidy, 1810; Hugh McGarron again 181 1-16 ;Tibbcts and
Blundel taught a short time; James Bolton some years;
Esterbrook, Bledsloe, Kmgsley, Topping, and Leach ;
Slauson to 1827, when Chas. Leach resumed and taught
to 1830 ; Ed. Berry, 1830, when David Baldwin (whose
conversion is recorded by his pastor in a tract of the
American Tract Society) assumed charge, but retired
from ill health ; Albert Smith, 1831 ; Willis, and the
same year H. D. Woodworth, now principal of a public
school in Brooklyn ; W. S. Webb, 1833 ; and after him
E. S. Johnson and Stephen Voorhees ; since whom
Messrs. Sutton, Wade, Blake, and Sowles have taught.
The present painstaking and venerated Principal,
Voorhees Overbaugh, took charge of this school in
1845. He was then expected to teach from 8 o'clock
a. m. to 4 o'clock p. m., with a noon recess, five days
each week, without a vacation of any kind during the
whole year. He did not receive a stipulated salary, but
a fee per capita on the scholars, and collected his own
bills. But he has lived to see the results of his own
toil, and more liberal appointments. His bow stUl
" abides in strength," and his skill in teaching the
young ideas is unimpaired. Mr. Overhaugh's assistants
have been Miss Sarah M. Hendrickson, Simeon J. Brown,
Miss Mary H. C. Lott, Miss Ella L. Overbaugh and
Miss Louise Lush.
The original school-house of District No. 1 probably
stood on Hubbard's Lane, opposite John L. William-
son's. On February 3d, 1696-7, the heirs of Elbert
Elbertse, viz., Garrett Stoothoof, Thos. Willes and Jan
Van Duyckhuisen, deeded to Coert Stevense, Derick
Amertman and Claes Peterse, for themselves and
others, freeholders, etc., premises described as follows :
" All that house and garden spot, as it is now in fence,
lying * * * jjj |.jjg town of fflatlands, adjoining
to the house and land of ff erdinanno vasycklyn, and now
used and occupied for a school-house for said town." Van
Sickelin lived at the southeast corner of the church-lot,
where his son Johannes lived in 1747.
Confirmatory of this view is the fact that on the next
day, viz., February 4th, 1697, the StoothofE heirs, who
seem to have been engaged in settling up the estate,
conveyed to the same parties, " Elders of the Dutch
Church of fflatlands," the church-lot and burying-
ground, and describe the latter as " Bounded north by
Tunis Janse's fence, south by the pound, west by the
highway," with the church-lot at the east. Thus the
whole of the present school-lot and burial-ground is
included, without any mention of the school-house
being then upon it, and excluding the Van Syckelen
lands from contiguity. The evidence seems conclusive
that the original school-house stood east from the resi-
dence of John B. Hendrickson.
A new school-house seems to have been buUt about
this time. Between September, 1694, and August,
1697, the Deacons paid " for the school-house " in vari-
ous items of material and work, no less a sum than
$654.40, which could not have been for repairs. Proba-
bly, at this time, the new school-house was placed on an
unused part of the burial ground. The lot described
SCHOOLS OF FLATLANDS AND CANARSIE.
11
in 1696 as the school-house lot must, soon after this,
have fallen into private hands, foi-, in 1'729, it is deeded
by Abram Westervelt, and Margaret, his wife, to the
Town, together with an acre where the house of B.
Stafford now stands. We know that the school-house
was near its present location in 1733, for in that year
Pieter Wyckoff conveys " a certain piece of land adjoin-
ing the school-lot, being in breadth two rods and in
length as far as the school-lot runs, bounded southerly
by said school-lot, northerly by ground of said pieter
Wyckof , westerly by the highway, and easterly by the
land belonging to the church." The school-house first
placed within the original lines of the grave-yard, in
1699, was extensively repaired about 1765, the work
having been begun in 1762, simultaneously with the
extensive improvements and enlargement of the church.
At this time the sum of $356 was paid for materials
and work " for the school-house." In 1771 "a well for
the school-house" cost £1, lis. 3d.
In April, 1816, the town ordered a new school build-
ing. It was completed and occupied two years later,
and the old house sold to Nicholas Schenck for $20.
This new building continued to be used by the school
until 1861, when it was sold to John L. Ryder for a
carriage-house. The school-lot was fenced in by the
trustees, as such, in 1861, by advice of counsel. The
building of 1861 was enlarged to more than twice its
former capacity in 1876, and now affords ample space
for four school departments.
District JVb. 2 is located in Flatlands Neck. The
present school-house was built, by subscription, in 1835,
but the District was not regularly organized under the
General School Law until 1843. A school had been
taught, however, in that neighborhood for many years.
As far back, indeed, as 1811, it seemed to have been a
well established institution, and was then taught by
Mr. Dean, licensed by John Baxter, as School Inspec-
tor. In 1813 John Kouwenhoven took charge ; Mr.
Wilson in 1817, Mr. Trumbull, 1818-1821 ; Messrs.
Ephingstone and Wethersby to 1833. In that year
Abram Van Keuren took charge, and he remained until
1850. After him were A. C. McLeod, L. C. Weld, W.
C. Pilling, Alex. Smith, G. S. Smith, (A. Van) Keuren,
G. D. Anderson, S. J. Brown, Geo. Forbes, J. M. Barr,
and the present teacher, John L. Williamson.
District JVb. 3, at Canarsie, was organized August
21st, 1844, and reorganized November 13th, 1860, as a
Union Free School District. By permission of the
town, the school-house was built on a part of the buvy-
ing-ground on the road to the shore. This was used
till 1875, when a large and commodious school-house
was completed. On September 2d, 1875, the school
marched with martial music to their new building. The
first teacher of this District was Rev. John A. Morris,
who also preached on Sabbath. His successors were :
C. W. Richardson, 1852 ; Wm. Clark, 1853 ; Clement
Clark, 1855 ; F. B. Ladd and Dan. Mansfield for short
periods until 1860 ; J. A. Morris until 1867 ; John M.
Barr till 1870, and after him Henry A. Harrison and E.
L. G. Payne, the present Principal. The assistant
teachers have been Miss Mary Abbie Morrison, Mrs.
Elizabeth De Groot, Daniel Jepson, Mrs. Brown and
Miss Jansen.
The office of Town Superintendent of Schools, while
in vogue, was held by Wm. Kouwenhoven, Elias Hub-
bard, Cornelius B. Kouwenhoven, John L. Ryder and
Rev. J. T. M. Davie. The office of County Superin-
tendent was held the last term but one, next before
the present incumbent, by Voorhees Overbaugh, the
veteran Principal of the school in District No. 1.
Sons of Temperance. — Early in 1866, and mainly
through the efforts of Rev. C. Brett, pastor of the Ref.
Church, an application was made to the Grand Divi-
sion, S. of T., Eastern N. Y., and a charter received as
Suburban Division No. JfS, Sons of Temperdnce. The
charter members were Rev. C. Brett, J. L. Bergen,
John Remsen, W. W. Kouwenhoven, Asher Anderson,
G. D. Anderson, J. Flemming, P. Kouwenhoven, Jr.,
J. D. Magaw, S. W. Remsen, G. Schenck, W. K. Rem-
sen, W. H. Cornell, J. V. Brundage, Theo. Bergen and
S. W. Stoothoof. The first meeting was held and offi-
cers installed May 21st, 1866. The meetingg were held
weekly and have continued uninterruptedly to the
present time. The following have presided in the
Division : J. L. Bergen, J. Remsen, G. Schenck, J.
V. Brundage, A. D. Selover, L. H. Smith, W. W. Kou-
wenhoven, H. M. Hitchings, C. Bergen, C. Brett, G. D.
Anderson, B. Bryan, H. Paton, G. S. Kouwenhoven, T.
B. Woolsey, Miss Sarah liendrickson, Elias Hendrick-
son, V. Overbagh, P. Remsen, N. Emmans and J. J.
Van Wyck. The membership has steadily increased
until it now numbers 60, mostly the young men of the
village. The meetings are well attended, and the
whole influence has been of an elevating character.
When the society organized there were four rum-selling
places in this part of the town. Now there is but one.
Barren Island. — The most southerly point of Flat-
lands is Barren Island, wholly composed of white sand
and lying in the inlet of Jamaica Bay. Its length lay
formerly north and south,but it now extends in greatest
length east and west. The area of the island has very
considerably decreased within the memory of persons
now living; meanwhile, the point of Rockaway Beach has
steadily extended westward several miles. Years ago
the island was destitute of trees, producing only sedge,
afllording coarse pasture. Sixty years ago cedar trees
sprung up over the island, furnishing a roosting-place
for vast numbers of crows. Few trees now remain.
The Indian title was relinquished, according to the
following deed, never before published :
Know all men, &c., that we, Wawmatt Tappa and Kack-
a-washke, the right and true proprietors of a certain island
called by the Indians Equendito, and by the English Broken
Lands, lying, &c., &c., in consideration of two coats, one
78
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
kettel, one gun, one new trooper-coat, ten fathoms of wam-
pum prage, three shirts, six pounds of powder, six barrs of
lead and a quantity of Brandie wine, already paid unto us by
John Tilton, sen., and Samuel Spicer, of Gravesend, L. I.,
Do, &c., sell, &c., the said Island called Equendito, &o., with
all our right * * * both of upland and marshes, any
way belonging thereto, as the Straun Beach or Beaches, as
namely that running out more westerly, with the Island
adjoining, and is at the same time by the ocean sea wholly
inclosed, called hoopaninak and Shanscomacocke and macut-
teris, as also all the harbors, &c., to the said John Tilton and
Samuel Spicer * * * excepting only to ourselves the one-
half of all such whale-fish that shall by wind and storms be
cast upon the said Island. In witness whereof we have set
our hands this 13 day of the 3 month, called May, Anno, 1664.
mark
Bambras, aU Q Wawamatt Tappa.
Kacha-washkb
d
Acknowledged and subscribed in presence of Cawmenorke,
his
Orawase, Anascorah, Poundgar, Mawascorhere, John M Wil-
mark
son, Obediah Wilkins, Pieter Tilton.
This original Indian deed bears an assignment by
Tilton and Spicer, dated " the 2d day of the 3d month,
called May, 1681, to Elbert Elbertsonn, bis heirs," etc.
The island was of little value for many years, only
affording a scant pasture for young cattle and colts.
A rude bouse at the east end, where fishermen and
sportsmen were entertained, was occupied about the
close of the last century by one Dooley, who was called
" The King of the Island." Afterwards this bouse was
kept by Johnson, with whom Gibbs, the pirate, and bis
associates lodged, in 1830 (after burying a large num-
ber of Mexican dollars in the sand), the night before
their arrest at Sheepshead Bay. (See History of Town
of Gravesend). A Yankee named Cherry, with bis large
family, lived in a dug-out at the west end for a long
time, until be succeeded to the public bouse, which be
kept as late as I860.
In 1835 the island was held in undivided fifths by
the following parties : 1, Peter Voorhees and Eliza
Ann Voorhees ; 2, Isaac and John Terbune ; 3, Geo.
Lett ; 4, H. I. Lott ; 5, Nelson Shaw. Geo. Lott dying
in January of that year, the island, in June, was divided
in severalty, except the western end, a part of which
was known as "Pelican Beach." About 1842 the
channel shifted so as to cut off this beach, and by the
filling up of the old channel, called " Plum Gut," it
became a part of Coney Island, and is now occupied
by the Manhattan Beach Improvement Company.
Meantime the fortunes of the island advanced. A
bone-boilipg establishment was erected on the north
side about 1845 by Wm. B. Reynolds. It was occupied
afterwards by Prank Swift. To this, dead animals from
New York and Brooklyn were brought. This factory
was blown down and a new one erected in 1866 by K
Recknagle. A previously built factory near the same
site had been burnt. At the present time, the great
Rendering and Fertilizer Factory of P. White & Sons
is the successor of these establishments. It was built
in 1868 and burnt in 1878 ; hence the five present
buildings are new. They cover, with dockage, about
four acres. Thirty dead animals are received daily,
and render their last service to humanity. Every part
of the animal, to the last flake of hair, goes to its appro-
priate use. About 2,000 tons of fertilizers are produced
annually, of four general sorts, viz. : phosphates, bone
dust, guano substitutes and combinations adapted to
particular crops. Cleanliness and care to prevent offen-
sive smells are constant, and are rewarded with fair
success; and, if the success is not all that is desirable, it
would be bard to find a better place for doing this
necessary work in disjjosing of dead animals.
The largest concern on the island is F. Frank Goe's
Fertilizer Factory, at the west end, established in 1877.
An immense building, 360x224 feet, with yards and
dock, affords ample space. A 160 horse power engine
and 80 men (sometimes more) are employed. The
materials used in preparing fertilizers for market are
Peruvian guano from Curaco, bone dust, in part from
the sugar refineries of the cities, Charleston stone, and
menhaden scraps from the fish-rendering establish-
ments on this island. One and a half tons of sulphuric
acid are consumed daily, and from 40 to 50 tons of
phosphates are daily made ready for use. The makers
find it difficult to supply their orders, mostly from the
south.
The Jish- oil factories of Barren Island are interesting
institutions. There are five of them, though one is idle
at present. The first was built by Smith d: Co. on the
north side of the island, about I860. In 1868 Vanan-
tine Coon, who had worked with Smith, built on the east
end, and carried on the concern some six years ; when
it was bought by Louis C. De Homage, M. D., who
continues it and has built a new factory near the old
one. Steam power is used and about 40 men and three
steamers are employed. The establishment can handle
half a million of fish daily.
The Barren Island Menhaden Company occupies
premises near the above. Oscar O. Freedlander, 36
Broadway, N. Y., is managing director. This factory
was begun in 1868, by Goodkind Brothers, who, like
Coon, had been with Smith. It occupies three build-
ings, each 100x70 feet ; employs three steamers in
fishing, an engine of 40 horse power and about 50 men.
The company can handle one and a half millions of fish
in a single day, but 2,000,000 per week is considered a
fair average catch.
The fish-rendering factory of Jones db Co., at the
west end, is of about the capacity of the one just
described.
The Hawkins Brothers^ Fish Oil, and Fish Guano
Factory, was built at the west end in 1869. Steam
power, fifty men and three steamboats are employed
BARREN ISLAND.
79
from May 1st to the middle of November. About
20,000,000 fish are worked up annually, producing about
80,000 gallons of oil.
We may here give a brief account of this industry.
The fish used are almost exclusively the menhaden or
" mossbunker," an oily and bony species unfit for food ;
and long used in the natural state for manure. They
pass up the Atlantic coast in immense shoals and
are dipped into by fishermen with long seines. For-
merly sailing vessels, but now steamers, each with a
crew of 12 men and two foss boats, each 20 feet long,
are used. The net swoops in a vast number of fish,
which are hoisted into the vessel's hold ; and when this
is full they are brought to the factory wharf, thrown
in a measuring tub and thence into strong wooden tubs
for boiling. The boiling is done by admitting steam, and
then they are placed in perforated boiler-iron curbs,
and the oil is separated by hydraulic pressure. The oil
is used by tanners, in making ship-cordage, and in various
other ways; and the refuse fish are dried on board-plat-
forms, of one or two acres in extent, and sold at the
phosphate factories on the island.
This industry employs at the island some 350 men
and a fleet of 10 steamers. Altogether there are em-
ployed in all the works not less than 500 men. A dis-
trict school is maintained ; a regular ferry connects
with Canarsie, and several of the factories are connected
with their New York offices by telephone.
H ISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF BROOKLYN
IT is not known that any settlement was made within
the limits of the present city of Brooklyn earlier
than 1636, in which year William Adriaense Ben-
net and Jacques Bentyn purchased from the Indi-
ans a tract of 930 acres of land at " Gowanus ;" upon
which, at some time prior to the Indian war of 1643-'45,
a dwelling-house was erected, affording presumptive evi-
dence, at least, that absolute occupation and agricultural
improvement followed close upon its purchase. The occu-
pation of this farm, over a portion of which the village of
Gowanus subsequently extended — and which comprised
that portion of the present city lying between Twenty-
seventh street and the New Utrecht line — may be con-
sidered as the first step in the settlement of the City or
Brooklyn. The second step, according to the best doc-
umentary evidence, was taken about a year later, by
Joris (George) Jansen de Rapalie, one of the Walloon
emigrants of 1623, who first settled at Fort Orange
(Albany), and in 1626 removed to New Amsterdam, on
Manhattan Island. On the 16th of June, 1637, Rapa-
lie purchased from its native proprietors a piece of land
called " Rennegackonck,"* lying on Long Island " in the
bend of Marechkawieck,"f now better known as Walla-
bout Bay. This purchase, comprising about 335 acres,
now occupied in part by the grounds of the United
States Marine Hospital, and by that portion of the city
between Nostrand and Grand avenues — although it may
have been, and probably was, more or less improved as
a farm by Rapalie — was not occupied by him as a resi-
dence until about 1655. By that time the gradual
influx of other settlers, many of whom were Walloons,
had gained for the neighborhood the appellation of the
" Waal-Bogt," or " the bay of the foreigners." Thus,
at two isolated points — offering to the settlers similar
agricultural advantages and inducements — were formed
the nuclei of the present City of Brooklyn.
• " BennegacJwTick " (sometimes spelt with an i or a u In the first syl-
lable) is a small creek or stream of water emptying into the Wallabout
Bay.
+ The Indian name ol the territory of Brooklyn was Merychawick, or
This name " Wallabout," corrupted from the Dutch
Waal-Bogt, or Wahle-Boght, means, according to the
late Hon. T. G. Bergen, " the shore or beach of the
cove."
In 1637 also, the island called by the Indians "Pag-
ganck," and by the Dutch, because of its abundance of
nut trees, " Nooten," or Nutten Island, was secured for
his own use by the Director or Governor, Van Twiller,
and it has ever since been known as " Governor's Island."
On the 1st of August, 1638, Governor Kieft, who
had succeeded Van Twiller, secured for the West India
Company a tract of land adjoining Rapalie's plantation
on Long Island, extending from " Rennegackonck " to
what is now known as Newtown Creek, and from the
East River to " the swamps of Mespaetches." The price
paid to the native " chiefs of Keskaechquerem " for this
extensive area, which comprised the whole of the for-
mer town of JBushwick, now forming the Eastern Dis-
trict of the city of JBrooMyn, was eight fathoms of
duffels cloth, eight fathoms of wampum, twelve kettles,
eight adzes, eight axes, and some knives, corals, and
awls.
In January, 1639, he purchased another tract, which
included a large portion of Queens as well as Kings
county. On November 28th of the same year, Thomas
Bescher received a patent for " a tobacco plantation,"
on the beach of Long Island, " hard by Saphorakan,"
which is supposed to have been at Gowanus, and adjoin-
ing to that of William Adriaense Bennet. The next
settler, in this vicinity, was Frederick Lubbertsen, who,
on the 27th of May, 1640, took out a patent for a large
tract lying on the northerly side of Gowanus Cove, and
having, also, an extensive water-front on the East
River ; comprising, with the exception of Red Hook,
the largest portion of what is now known as South
Brooklyn. There is abundant evidence, also, that the
" the sandy place ;" from mc, the article in the Algonquin dialect,
rcc/fwa, sand, and icTf, locality. The name was probably applied, at
first, to the bottom-land, or beach ; and what is now Wallabout Bay,
was formerly called "The bought (or hUflit, i.e., 'bend') of Mareekawiok."
EARL T HISTOR Y OF BRO OKL TN.
81
territory (subsequently forming the town of Bushwick,
and now the EasternJ)istriot of the city of Brooklyn),
purchased from the Indians by the West India Com-
pany in 1638, had been more or less cultivated — proba-
bly by " squatter right " — by settlers who now began
to take out patents for the lands which they had thus
occupied. Patents were issued in August, 1640, to
Abraham Rycken for a large plantation ; and in Sep-
tember, 1641, to Lambert Huybertsen (Moll), for land
on the East River previously occupied by one Cornells
Jacobsen Sille. In the same neighborhood Hans Hansen
Bergen was already occupying a large tract adjoining
that of his father-in-law, Joris Rapalie, and lying partly
on the " Waal-Bogt " and partly within the limits of
Bushwiok; while, along the "bend of the Marechawick"
lay the farms and " tobacco plantations " of Jan and
Pieter Montfoort, Pieter Csesar the Italian, and others.
During the years 1640 and 1641, some changes were
effected in the regulation of affairs in the province, and
an increased prosperity was the result.
A public ferry was, by this time, permanently estab-
lished between Manhattan and Long Island. The land-
ing-place on the New Amsterdam side was at the
present Peck Slip, where was a ferry-house, kept by
Cornells Dircksen (Hooglant), the ferryman. The land-
ing-place on this side of the river was at the foot of the
present Fulton street, Brooklyn, near which Dircksen
also owned " a house and garden." Southwardly from
" The Ferry, ^' along the present " Brooklyn Heights "
and the East River shore, stretched the farms of Claes
Cornelissen Van Schouw (Mentelaer), Jan Manje, An-
dries Hudde, Jacob Wolphertsen (Van Couwenhoven),
and others ; while Red Hook had become the property
of ex-Governor Van Twiller.
In the years 1643 and 1644, wars between the Dutch
and Indians were brought on by the bad policy pursued
by Director Kieft. In these wars, which commenced
with the river Indians, the Long Island tribes became
involved, and the safety of the settlements was at times
threatened. As a result of these wars, the western end
of Long Island was almost depopulated ; but on the
establishment of peace in 1645, the settlers returned
and others came.
The occupation of land within the limits of the present
city of Brooklyn commenced with the Bennet and Ben-
tyn purchase in 1636; and, by 1646, nearly the whole wa-
ter front, from Newtown Creek to the southerly side of
Gowanus Bay, was in the possession of individuals who
were engaged in its actual cultivation. Small hamlets,
or neighborhoods, also, seem to have grown up at the
original centres of settlement, known respectively as
" The Gowanus," " The Waal-bogt," and " The Ferry."
About a mile to the southeast of the latter locality, and
lying between the " Waal-bogt " plantations and those
at Gowanus, was a tract, spoken of in the early patents
as " Mereckawieck, on the Kil (or Creek) of Gowanus,"
and which was, undoubtedly, the residence of the tribe
of that name. Here were the " maize lands" or plant-
ing grounds, which, in 1643, were unjustly despoiled by
MAP SHOWING THE RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE VILLAGE OE BREUCK-
ELEN AND ITS ADJACENT SETTLEMENTS, IN 1646.
the covetous whites ; and of which, during the war
which ensued, the Indians were dispossessed. As soon
as, and even before, hostilities ceased, the choicest por-
tions of this tract were taken up by the white settlers
under patents from the Dutch West India Company.
Thus, in July, .1645, Jan Evertse Bout, followed in
1646 byHuyck Aertsen (van Rossum), Jacob Stoffelsen,
Pieter Cornelissen, and Joris Dircksen, and by Gerrit
Wolphertsen van Couwenhoven and others in 1647,
established themselves in this vicinity, on either side of
the road that led from Flatbush to " The Perry." The
village thus formed, and which was located on the
present Fulton avenue, in the vicinity of the junction of
Hoyt and Smith streets with said avenue, and southeast
of the present City Hall, was called Beeuckblen, after
the ancient village of the same name in Holland, some
eighteen miles from Amsterdam. Its founders were
the first to avail themselves of the policy recommended
by the West India Company's Chamber of Accounts, in
the " Code of General Instructions " which they had
prepared for the Provincial Council in the preceding
autumn, viz. : " to do all in their power to induce the
colonists to establish themselves on some of the most
suitable places, with a certain number of inhabitants, in
the manner of towns, villages, and hamlets, as the
English are in the habit of doing." And their expressed
wish and intention to " found a town at their own
expense " was promptly responded to (June, 1646) by
the Colonial Council with the following brief or com-
mission :
"We, "William Kieft, Director General, and the Council
residing in New Netherland, on behalf of the High and
Mighty Lords States-general of the United Netherlands, His
Highness of Orange and the Honorable Directors of the Gen-
eral Incorporated West India Company. To all those who
shall see these presents or hear them read, Greeting :
82
BISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
"Whereas, Jan Evertsen Bout and Huyck Aertsen from
Rossum, were on the 31st May last unanimously chosen by
those interested of Breuckelen, situate on Long Island, as
Schepens, to decide all questions which may arise, as they
shall deem proper, according to the exemptions of New Neth-
erland granted to particular Colonies, which election is sub-
scribed by them, with express stipulation that if any one
refuse to submit in the premises aforesaid to the above-men-
tioned Jan Evertsen and Huyck Aertsen, he shall forfeit the
right he claims to land in the allotment of Breuckelen, and
in order that everything may be done with more authority,
We, the Director and Council aforesaid, have therefore
authorized and appointed, and do here authorize the said Jan
Evertsen and Huyck Aertsen to be schepens of Breuckelen ;
and in case Jan Evertsen and Huyck Aertsen do hereafter
find the labor too onerous, they shall be at liberty to select
two more from among the inhabitants of Breuckelen to
adjoin them to themselves. We charge and command every
inhabitant of Breuckelen to acknowledge and respect the
above-mentioned Jan Evertsen and Huyck Aertsen as their
schepens, and if any one shall be found to exhibit contuma-
ciousness towards them, he shall forfeit his share as above
stated. Thus done in Council in Fort Amsterdam in New
Netherlands."
This organization of the Town of Beeuckelen was
further perfected, during the ensuing winter, by the
appointment of a schout or constable, as appears by the
following commission :
" Having seen the petition of the schepens of Breuckelen,
that it is impossible for them to attend to all cases occurring
there, especially criminal assaults, impounding of cattle, and
other incidents which frequently attend agriculture ; and in
order to prevent all disorders, it would be necessary to appoint
a schout there, for which ofiice they propose the person of
Jan Teunissen. Therefore we grant their request therein,
and authorize, as we do hereby authorize, Jan Teunissen to
act as schout, to imprison delinquents by advice of the
schepens, to establish the pound, to impound cattle, to collect
fines, and to perform all things that a trusty schout is bound
to perform. Whereupon he hath taken his oath at the hands
of us and the Fiscal, on whom he shall especially depend, as
in Holland substitutes are bound to be dependent on the
Upper Schout, Schouts on the Bailiff or Marshal. We com-
mand and charge all who are included under the jurisdiction
of Breuckelen to acknowledge him, Jan Teunissen, for
schout. Thus done in our council in Fort Amsterdam in
New Netherland, the first December, Anno 1646."
Thus, more than two centuries ago, the Town of
Beeuckelen was founded, upon nearly the same locality
which has since become the political center of the City
OF Beookltn.
The towns on the eastern end of Long Island were
generally settled by companies, and in many cases by
religious congregations, or societies, who established
their own system of government. The Dutch settle-
ments on the western end mostly began as individual
enterprises. The new-comers took up such tracts of land
as best suited them, and commenced their cultivation.
These lands were either selected from those of which
the title had been already secured by the West India
Company, or were purchased directly from the Indian
proprietors themselves. In either case, their occupa-
tion was duly sanctioned by a patent or " ground-brief "
from the Company, and confirmatory patents were also
granted after the lands had been under cultivation for
a certain number of years. Official transcripts of most
of these patents yet exist in the office of the Secretary
of State at Albany; from which, together with town and
county records, we are enabled to locate the farms or
" bouweries " of the early settlers with a considerable
degree of accuracy. The dates of these patents mostly
range from 1640 to 1646, in which latter year the period
of incubation may be said to have terminated by the
incorporation of the village of Breuckelen.
Copy of a Survey made May 21st, 1696, by Augustus Graham, Surveyor
General, of the Bennett and Bentyn PmiCHASE, of the Indians, con-
taining 930 acres.
As before stated, the Bbnnet and Bentyn purchase
was made in 1636, and included land extending from
the vicinity of Twenty-eighth street along Gowanus
Cove and the bay to the New Utrecht line.
Within a few years after this joint purchase, Bennet
seems to have become the owner of the whole, or nearly
the whole, of the entire tract, and to have built himself
a house (on or near the site of the present mansion-
house on the Schermerhorn farm, on Third avenue,
near Twenty-eighth street), which was burned down
during the Indian war of 1643, in Governor Kieft's
administration. Bennett died about the same time, and
probably during his children's minority; and his widow
afterward married Mr. Paulus Vander Beeck, " surgeon
and farmer."
As time went on, this tract was divided and subdi-
vided among purchasers and heirs. The original stone
THE SGHEMERHORN AND GORTEL YO U HO USES.
83
^r w V
THE DE HAKT, Olt BEKGEN HOUSE.
Signature of Simon Aesen (Ter Haert.)
jaaw»j\^=s'?^s»- ■:
THE VEOHTE-CORTELYOU HOUSE, 1699.
JWa£^
W/r* >)'^ -^^'"^^
Signature of Klaes AreDt3 Veoht, the b\iilder of the Vechte House.
84
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
-walls form part of tlie present building known as
the Schermerhorn mansion. The De Hart or Bergen
house, on the shore of Gowanus Cove, west of Third
avenue, near Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth streets,
was repaired and newly roofed some sixty years since by
Simon Bergen, and it still remains. These houses are
THE SCHERMEHHOBN HOTJSB.
older than the Cortelyou or Vechte house, on Fifth
avenue, which was erected in 1699, and which has gen-
erally been considered the oldest in Brooklyn.
A patent was granted by Kieft to Coknelis Lambert-
SE (Cool), April 5th, 1642. This patent extended from
^<rUizZ^ >(JhhltAl^ f\ / (^azr^
n/vu^^
the northerly line of Bennet's land, nearly to the head
of Gowanus Cove, and included lands between First and
Twenty-eighth streets. This, like all other tracts, was
divided among many owners, in time. On the Vechte
farm, on the west side of Fifth avenue, near Fourth
stree^, stands the old Cortelyou house, erected 1699,
probijbly by Claes (or Nicholas) Adriantse Van Vech-
ten. The land on which the house stands was purchased
in 1790 by Jaques Cortelyou.
The " Roode Hoek," or Red IIooJc, so called from the
color of its soil, has almost entirely lost its identity, in
consequence of the construction of the Atlantic Docks,
and the other extensive and important improvements in
that part of the modern city of Brooklyn. Its original
form and topographical appearance, however, has been
faithfully preserved in Ratzer's map. It may be des-
cribed, as extending from Luqueer's Mill Creek (about
Hicks and Huntington streets), following the indenta-
tions of the shore around the cape and headland, to
about the western boundary of the Atlantic Docks, on
the East River; or, in general terms, as having com-
prised all the land west of the present Sullivan street.
Its history commences with the year 1638, when Director
Van Twiller petitioned for its use, which was granted
to him on condition that he should relinquish it whenever
the Company wanted it. Van Twiller had previously
become possessed of " Nutten " or Governor's Island,
several islands in the East River, near Hell-gate, and
lands at Catskill and on Long Island, amounting in all to
between three thousand and three
thousand seven hundred and fifty
acres. These, as well as similar pur-
chases made by other officials, were
disapproved by the authorities at
home, — who very justly complained
that " the whole land might thus
be taken up, yet be a desert," — and
finally, in 1652, were declared null
and void, and the lands consequently
reverted to the Company.
The title of Red Hook being thus
vested in the Government, was
conveyed and granted to the town of
Brueckelen, in 165 V, by Governor
Stuyvesant; and was subsequently confirmed by Gov-
ernors Nicolls and Dongan. It was sold, on the 10th
of August, 1695, by the patentees and freeholders of
the town, to Colonel Stephanus Van Cortlandt.
A mill was erected on this property, previous to 1689,
at the corner of the present Dikeman and Van Brunt
streets. The mill has long since disappeared, and the
old pond, which, in 1834, contained some forty-seven
acres, is filled up and obliterated.
Tradition asserts that Red Hook and Governor's
Island were once connected, and that people and cattle
waded across Buttermilk Channel. The legend prob-
ably originated in statements made by witnesses in
a trial which took place in 1741, between Israel Hors-
field, plaintiff, and Hans Bergen, defendant, as to the
boundaries of their respective farms. The theory, sus-
tained by some in support of this tradition, that the
docks erected along the New York shore effected a
change, by diverting the currents of the East River
toward Buttermilk Channel, is hardly tenable.
May 27th, 1640, a patent was granted to Febderic
LuBBEETSEN, of a farm comprising the whole neck of
land between the East River and Gowanus Creek, north-
east of the meadows which formerly separated Red
Hook from Brooklyn. This neck, formerly known as
the " neck of Brookland " or " Lubbertsen's neck," has
now lost its original appearance by the filling in of
the Atlantic Docks, the grading of streets, and the
various improvements of the modern city ; and Lubbert-
sen's farm can only be defined, in general terms, as
bounded by a line drawn between Degraw and Harrison
streets, west of Court street, the East River, Hamilton
avenue, Gowanus Creek, and by Warren street east of
Court.
On this patent, south of the present Harrison street,
between Columbia street and Tiffany place, and abouT
EARLY OCG UPARTS OF BR 0 OKL TN.
85
opposite to Sedgwick street, " a water mill for grinding
corn," known, from its builder, as Cornelius Seabring's
mill, and afterward as Cornell's, or the Red Mill, was
built in 1689.
Facsimile of Frederick Lubbertse's Autograpli.
On the northeast corner of the present Hicks and
Huntington streets was I. Seabring's mill, which was
built prior to IVee. On the Lubbertsen patent, also,
on the north side of the present Ninth street, between
Smith street and the Gowanus Canal, was the mill and
mill pond originally built by John Rapalje after 1766,
and better known as " Cole's mill."
A canal running from the East River to Gowanus
Cove, and separating Red Hook from the mainland, was
made, subsequent to 1664, to avoid the difficult and dan-
gerous navigation around Red Hook by row-boats.
March 16, 1774, the Colonial Assembly of the State
passed an act empowering the people of Gowanus to
widen the canal, keep it in order, and tax those who
used it. This canal was partially closed, some twenty-
five years ago, by improvements at Atlantic Dock; but
there are persons yet living who have frequently passed
through it with their boats, in going to or returning
from New York.
September 30th, 1645, Claes Jawsbn Van Naeeden,
or Claes Janse Ruyter, received from Governor Kieft
a patent of " twenty-one morgens two hundred rods,"
or about forty-three acres, lying about south by east, a
little easterly, over against the fort, on Long Island.
Next to Ruyter's patent, on the East River, lay that
of Jak Manje, granted to him by Governor Kieft,
Sept. 11, 1642; and described as " a piece of land, greatly
(i. e., of the size of) twenty morgen, lying about south-
east a little easterly, over against the fort in New
Amsterdam, in Brueckelen." September 12th, 1845,
Andries Hudde obtained by patent from Governor
Kieft, a tract containing "37 morgen, 247 rods" lying
"over against the fort (at New Amsterdam), lying to
the southeast of Jan Manje."
The three patents of Hudde, Manje and Ruytee
comprehended the entire tract lying northeast of Lub-
bertse's patent — and having a river front (of two thou-
sand six hundred and forty-six feet) extending from
about Atlantic to Clarke streets, and from Court street
to the East River, being at present one of the most
thickly settled portions of Brooklyn. This became, in
1706, the property of Joris Remsen, who was the second
son of Rem Jansen Vanderbeeck, the ancestor of the
Remsen family in this country. Joris built a mansion
near the brow of the heights, which then presented the
appearance of a rough and bold promontory of rocky
cliffs, rising from a sandy beach, and covered with a
fine growth of cedar-trees, which gave to the place a
remarkably picturesque appearance, as seen from the
New York side. The Remsen mansion was used for a
hosjjital by the British during the Revolution ; was
afterwards occupied by William Cutting, the partner of
Robert Fulton in the steamboat business, and after
his death it was sold to Fanning C. Tucker, Esq.
■ After several years he sold it to ex-Mayor Jonathan
Trotter, from whom it passed to Mr. Wm. S. Packer,
and its site is now marked by Grace Church. The
building itself was launched down the face of the
Heights, and now stands on the site of the old Joralemon
street ferry-house, on Purman near Joralemon street.
Philip Livingston, Esq., became the owner of an ex-
tensive portion of the Remsen estate, prior to 1764.
The Livingston mansion-house stood on the east side of
the present Hicks street, about 400 feet south of
Joralemon street; and, dixring the Revolutionary War,
in consequence of Mr. Livingston's adherence to the
American cause, was appropriated by the British,
who then occupied Brooklyn, to the purposes of a naval
hospital. After Mr. Livingston's death, his trustees dis-
posed of that portion known as the " distillery property,"
to Daniel McCormick, in July, 1785, and, on the 29th of
April, 1803, they sold to Teunis Joralemon the property
south of the distillery, and the Livingston mansion
thenceforward became known as the Joralemon House.
It was taken down at the opening of Hicks street.
On the 14th of November, 1642, Claes Coenelissen
(Mentblaee) van Schouw received from Governor
Kieft a patent for land "on Long Island, over against the
island of Manhattan, betwixt the ferry and the land of
Andries Hudde," containing " 16 morgen and 175 rods."
This property, having a water-front of 1,276 feet six
inches, probably extended from the north line of Hudde's
patent to the ferry at the foot of the present Pulton
street.
At "the Ferry" and its immediate vicinity, grants for
house or building lots were made to several individuals;
and, by the beginning of the last century, there was
probably quite a hamlet at this point, having several
streets and lanes, with houses clustered closely together.
North of the Ferry, as near as can be ascertained,
came, either a patent for a small parcel belonging to
CoENEHS DiECKSEN (Hooglandt), "the Ferryman," or
that of Jacob Wolphertsen (van Couwenhoven).
On January 24th, 1643, Dircksen sold this property
(of which we have been unable to find any recorded
patent), then described as " his house and garden, with
some sixteen or seventeen acres of land on Long Island,"
to one William Thomassen, together with his right of
ferriage, provided the Director would consent, for 2,300
guilders in cash and merchandise. William Thomas-
sen we suppose to be the same individual as William
Jansen, who is known to have succeeded Cornells Dirck-
sen as ferryman about this time. Dircksen, after retir-
ing from the charge of the ferry, obtained from Gover-
86
HISTORY OF KIN'GS COUNTY.
nor Kieft, December 12, 1645, a piece of land "hehind
the land by him heretofore tahen up, amounting to 12
morgen and 157 rods."
July 3d, 1643, Governor Kieft granted a patent to
Jacob Wolphebtsex, (von Couwenhoven), for "a
piece of land lying on Long Island, on the East River,
bounded north by west by Cornelis Dircksen (Hoog-
landt), ferryman's land." The same land, having a
water front of 686 feet, was confirmed by Governor
Kieft to Herry Breser, September 4th, 1645, and was
said to contain 16 morgens 468 rods."
September 4th, 1645, a patent was granted by Gov-
evernor Baeft to Frederic Lubbertsen, which included
15 morgens and 52 rods adjoining Breser's.
The patents of Lubbertsen and Breser, previous to
the Revolution, became the property of John Rapalje, a
great-great-grandson of the first settler. Mr. Rapalje
was a person of considerable importance; was the owner
of the largest estate in Brooklyn; had occupied, at one
time, a seat in the Provincial Assembly, and enjoyed the
highest confidence and resjJect of his fellow-citizens.
Upon the breaking out of the Revolution, he adhered
to the British cause, and a bill of attainder was passed
against him October 27, 1779, and he was banished to
New Jersey. After the occupation of Long Island by
the British, he returned to Brooklyn, and there remained
with his family until October, 1783, when, in company
with his son, his son-in-law, Colonel Lutwyche, and a
grand-daughter, he removed to England, and settled at
Norwich, in the County of Norfolk. All efforts to pro-
cure a reversion of his attainder, and the restoration of
his confiscated estates in America, having failed, his
losses were reimbursed to him by the British govern-
ment, and he died at Kensington, in his seventy-fourth
year, January 12, 1802. Loyalist as he was, it was often
said of him by his old neighbors of Brooklyn, that " he
had an honest heart, and never wronged or oppressed a
Whig or other man."
His lands and other property in Brooklyn were sold
by the Commissioners of Forfeited Estates. That por-
tion under consideration, lying between Gold and Fulton
streets, was purchased, on the 13th of July, 1784, by
Comfort and Joshua Sands, for the sum of £12,430, paid
in State scrip. Some ten or twelve years after the war,
Rapalje's grand-daughter, who had married George
Weldon in England, came, with her husband, to New
York, with the intention of prosecuting for recovery of
the estate, on the ground that its confiscation had taken
place subsequent to the treaty of peace. They brought
with them the original title deeds and other documents
of the estate; and, it is said, the town records of Brook-
lyn, which Rapalje carried to England. A number of
depositions were made and collected in Brooklyn, rela-
tive to the property, and Aaron Burr and other eminent
counsel were consulted, whose advice was adverse to
the prosecution of the suit. The Weldons, therefore,
returned to England, carrying with them aU the valua-
able records and papers which they had brought with
them.
No further attempt has since been made to disturb
the title, and the land was afterwards laid out in streets
and lots by the Messrs. Sands.
ALOI^G THE EAST EIVEE.
The " land lying at the west corner of Marechkawieck,
on the East River," w^s granted to Edwaed Fiscock,
whose widow married one Jan Haes. On April 2d,
1647, Haes received from Governor Kieft a confirmation
of this property, which was described as extending
"from the land of Frederick Lubbertsen, east, southeast,
and southeast by east to the marsh, 80 rods ; and along the
valley (meadow), northeast, 126 rods, with certain out and in
points ; further north by east, 45 rods ; west northwest, 30
rods ; west by north, 80 rods ; west and west by south, 67
rods ; along the land of Frederick Lubbertsen, and south and
south by east, 134 rods, amounting to 38 morgens 485 rods."
This tract, having a water-front of eight hundred and
twenty feet and nine inches, was located at the west
cape or point of Wallabout Bay, and embraced a part
of the present United States Navy-yard. The point
formed by the junction of the Waale-bogt with the
East River was subsequently called " Martyn's Hook,"
probably from one Jan Martyn, who is mentioned as a
proprietor in that vicinity about the year 1660. At a
more modern day, (from a somewhat natural association
with memories of the Prison-ship horrors,) the name
became corrupted to that of " Martyr's Hook."
Hans Lodewyck was the patentee of a tract, probably
next to the Haes patent, though other lands may have
been between them. His patent, of 14 morgens and 494
rods, was dated November 3d, 1645.
Michael Picet, a Frenchman, was, for a time, the
owner of the farm next to Lodewyck's, but it was
granted to Willem Cornelissen, February 19th, 1645.
It contained twenty-five morgens "in the bend of
Marechkarrck." In 1668 it became the property of
Charles Gabrey, who afterwards fled the country; and
the estate, being confiscated, was again granted by the
Governor, July 12th, 1673, to Michael Heynall, Dirck
Jansen, and Jeronimus Rapalje.
Petee Cjesae Itaiien, or Caesar Alberti, received
June I7th, 1643, a grant of land adjoining that of Picet.
May 1st, 1647, he received an addition to the westerly
side of his farm.
These two farms, of Peter Ca}sar Italien (which had a
river or meadow front of six hundred and ninety-nine
feet three inches) and that of Picet, comprised the land
now lying between Clermont and Hampden avenues.
Petee Montpoet received a patent for 25 morgens
and eight rods next to Pieter the Italien's, May 29th,
1641, and May 1st, 1647, another patent for land to the
westerly side of this, two hundred and seventy rods
square, "provided it did not interfere with other grants."
This land had a river or meadow front of about nine
SETTLERS ALONG THE EAST RIVER.
87
hundred feet, and it is now comprised between Hamil-
ton avenue and a line a little beyond Clermont avenue.
Jan Montfooet (probably Peter's brother) received
also, May 29th, 1641, a grant for 28 morgen between
the land of Peter Montfoort on the west and the farm
of Rapalje on the east.
In 1647 Montfoort's widow received a grant of an
addition to the rear of the above land, of the same
breadth, and one hundred and ninety rods in length.
The Montfoort land, which had a river or meadow front
of about 1,078 feet, was identical with that now located
between Hamilton and Grand avenues.
JoEis (George) Jansen db Rapalib, supposed to have
been a proscribed Huguenot, from Roohelle in France,
came to this country in 1623, in the ship Unity, with
Catalyntie Trico, his wife, and settled first at Fort
Orange, near Albany, from whence he removed, in
1626, to New Amsterdam. About 1655 he probably
removed his permanent residence to his farm at the
" Waale-Boght." This farm consisted of 167 morgens
and 406 rods (about 335 acres), which he had purchased
on the 16th of June, 1637, from its Indian proprietors.
Facsimile of Joris Jansen Eapalie's
Autograph, or Mark.
Vv
Mark of Catalyntie Trico, wife of l^V Joris Jaosen de Bapalie.
On this tract, which may be described in general
terms as comprising the lands now occupied by the
United States Marine Ilospital, and those embraced
between Nostrand and Grand avenues, in the present
city of Brooklyn, and on the easterly side of the Waal-
boght, Rapalie spent the remainder of his life, dying
soon after the close of the Dutch administration, and
having had eleven children.
On the 30th of March, 1647, Hans Hansbn Bbegen,
or " Hans the Boore," as he was sometimes familiarly
called, received a patent for 200 morgens (400 acres) of
land on Long Island, being a portion of the extensive
purchase made by Governor Kieft, in 1638, from the
Indian proprietors. This tract of land extended from
the Creek of Runnegaconck to the present Division
avenue, which formerly marked the boundary between
the cities of Williamsburgh and Brooklyn. Following
the direction of this avenue to near its intersection
with Tenth street, it there passed over it and stretched
in a somewhat southeasterly direction, probably as far
as the head of Newtown Creek, in the neighborhood of
Vandervoort avenue and Montrose street. This patent,
therefore, was situated partly in Brooklyn and partly in
Bushwick. '
Hans Hansen Bbegbn (or Van Bbegbn), the com-
mon ancestor of the Bergen family of Long Island and
New Jersey, was a native of Bergen, in Norway,
whence he emigrated to Holland, and from there to
New Netherland. His wife was Sarah, daughter of
Joris Janse de Rapalie, and was reputed to be the first
'white child born in the colony of New Netherland.
Probably she was the first white female born in the
colony.
Hans Hansen . J Bergen's Mark.
This completes an account of the early patents along
the water front of Breuckelen, between the bounds of
New Utrecht and those of Bushwick.
There was also a second tier of patents located in the
rear of those already discussed, and lying " at Marech-
kawieck," a name which applied to the whole of the
county between the Waale-Boght and the head of the
Gowanus Creek. These lands are described as "lying
at Marechkawieck on the Gowanus Kill," proving
that the name Marechkawieck was used to designate
the whole country between the two localities, as well
as the shore of the Waale-Boght. On these patents
the village proper of Breuckelen, as distinguished
from the hamlets of " Waale-Boght," " Gowanus,"
and " The Ferry," was afterward established. It was
undoubtedly the site of the village of the Indian tribe
of that name, of which they were dispossessed during
the war of 1643. These patents may be briefly noted
as those of Gerrit Wolphertsen ( Van Couwenhoven) ,
1647, fronting on the main road leading through the
original settlement of Breuckelen, from Flatbush to
"The Ferry"; of Jacob Stoffelsen, extending along the
present Fulton avenue from Bond to about Smith or
Hoyt streets ; of Jan Evertsen Lout, 1645, covering
the land on which, a few years ago, were located
Freecke's and Denton's mills. Freecke's, or the " Old
Gowanus Mill," the oldest in the town of Breuckelen,
as early as 1661, was occupied conjomtly by Isaac
De Forrest and Adam Brower (the latter partly pur-
chasing the interest of the former); and they were,
undoubtedly, tenants of Bout, who afterwards sold to
Brower. This mill-pond was formed by damming off
the head of Gowanus Kill, and the old mill was located
just north of Union, west of Nevins, and between
that street and Bond.
^
/-id£</m
j^ «
TOU^^/y
. iiSO.
yvu»rr\c
Denton's Mill, or " the Yellow Mill," in Gowanus,"
was also built upon Bout's patent, by Adam and
Nicholas, the sons of Adam Brower, in 1709. The
mill-pond was formed by the damming ofi: a branch of
the Gowanus Kill,and the mill was located on the north-
east side of the present First street, about midway
between Second and Third avenues. The dwelling
house, which was burned about 1862, was in Carroll,
midway between Nevins street and Third avenue.
HISTORY OF KIRGS COUNTY.
There is some uncertainty regarding the precise
limits of these three patents of Bout, Stoffelsen and
Van Gouwenhoven ; but, together they evidently cover
that portion of the city included between Fulton
avenue, Smith and Nevins streets, and described on later
maps as lands of Martense and Gerritsen.
In this second tier of patents, also, were those of Huych
Aertsen (Van Rossum), 1646, bet\reen the present
Fulton avenue, Fourth avenue, Kevins and Douglass
streets, afterwards known as Bergen and Powers'
property; of Joris Dlreksen, Fieter Cornelissen and
Gornelis Dircksen, 1646, on the east side of the
King's highway (now Fulton avenue) a somewhat
triangular section of land which may be described in
general terms as at present included between Fulton
avenue, Raymond street and a line drawn a little south
of and parallel to Tillary street. In all, it amounted
to about 46 morgens. Cornelis Dircksen was the ferry-
man; Pieter Dircksen was a carpenter.
Civil History.— During the Dutch Regime,
1646-1664. The civil history of Breuckelen, from the
time of its incorporation in 1646 to the conquest of
New Netherland by the English, in 1664, has but little
interest or importance. It is mentioned, in 1649, as one
of " two villages of little moment,'' and its course
was simply that of an agricultural community, differing
in no respect from the neighboring towns, and inferior
to none (except, it may be, to Midwout, now Flatbush)
in wealth or political influence.
In 1647 Governor Kieft was superseded by Peter
Stuyvesant, who did not find the affairs of the colony in
a prosperous condition. The commonalty were dis-
orderly and discontented ; the public revenue seriously
impaired by inefficient or dishonest officials ; trade
ruined by smuggling ; and the general safety weakened
by bickerings and disputes with colonial patroons, con-
cerning rights of jurisdiction. The savages, also,
brooding over their past defeats, evidently waited only
for an opportunity to avenge their losses ; and jealous
neighbors were secretly plotting against the Dutch rule
in America.
With characteristic energy. Governor Stuyvesant
entered upon the task of reform; and, within three
months, order was restored and trade revived. The
governmental powers which he assumed were extensive
and often arbitrary ; and it is not surprising that in
their exercise he developed the imperiousness, impatience
of restraint, and disregard of the wishes of the people
which characterized him in his gubernatorial career; and
which were due, probably, to both his personal character
and his previous military life. Though he was at times
compelled to yield a reluctant, partial deference to
popular sentiment, the history of his government is a
record of quarrels with his English and Swedish neigh-
bors, with colonial patroons, and with bis own people.
So far did his assumption of authority exceed the
patience of the commonalty that, in 1653, a convention
of delegates met at New Amsterdam and adopted a
remonstrance. Breuckelen was represented in this con-
vention by Frederick Lubbertsen, Paulus Vanderbeeck,
and William Beekman. It is unnecessary to say that
the remonstrance produced no effect, and that on a
second assembling of the convention the Governor
ordered them to " disperse, and not to assemble again
on such business."
In 1654 the municipal privileges of Breuckelen, as
well as of Amersfoort and Midwout, were enlarged; and,
in Breuckelen, two schepens were added to the two
already possessed, and David Provoost was appointed
the first separate schout or constable. During this year
a Reformed Dutch Church, the first on Long Island,
was established at Midwout, under the Rev. Johannes
Theodoras Polhemus, and morning services were held
at Breuckelen and Amersfoort alternately. It was not
till 1660 that the people of Breuckelen had a pastor
settled among them. In 1665 the magistrates in Brueck-
elen were permitted to present to the council candi-
dates, from among whom schepens might be selected;
and Frederick Lubbertsen, Albert Cornelissen, Jacob
Dircksen, and Joris Rapelje were appointed. During
this year the fees of the schout were fixed as follows :
For copying every judicial act passed by the schepens,
or for each apostille, 12 stivers, and 6 stivers for each
" extract from the notules." For a petition which was
to be signed by the petitioner, if of a civil nature, 16
stivers ; or if it related to a criminal case, injuries, etc.,
20 stivers. For procuring a certificate, 24 stivers. Pro-
voost died in January, 1656, and was succeeded by
Peter Tonneman, who acted until August, 1660, when
he became sheriff of New Amsterdam ; and in his stead
Adriaen Hegeman was appointed, who enjoyed a salary
of 200 guilders per annum, with half of the civil fines
imposed by the courts, and one-third of the criminal
fines levied by the towns, together with certain clerk's
fees for entries and transcripts.
In 1656 the schepens of Breuckelen required the own-
ers of certain vacant building lots to build thereon
within a certain specified time, and this action was
approved by the council.
In 165 "7, Thursday of each week was declared a mar-
ket day in the village of Breuckelen.
In 1660 fortifications, with palisades, etc., were
ordered for Brooklyn and New Utrecht. In the same
year permission was granted to several Frenchmen to
settle at what afterward became Boswick or Bushwiok.
Permission was also given to Aert Anthonissen Mid-
dagh, Teunis Gybertsen Bogart, Jean Le Clerc, Gerrit
Heyndrick Backer, Philip Barchstoel, Christina Cap-
poens, Jacob Kip, and Joris Rapalje, residents of the
Waal-boght neighborhood, who had petitioned the Dir-
ector for permission to form a village "on the margin of
the river, between the lands of said Bogaert and Kip, so
that," as they expressed it, " we may be in sight of the
Manhatans, or Fort Amsterdam." The position selected
THE NIGOLLS' CHARTER OF BROOKLYN.
89
was, probably, the elevated point of land 'which jutted
into the river about the foot of South Fourth street, in
the present Eastern District of the city, and which was
known in the ancient time as the " Keike," or " Look-
out." On the petition of others, and the discussion of
the subject, pro and con, the decision was reconsidered
and the permission denied.
During this year a church was organized in Breuck-
elen, with Henricus Selyns as pastor. There were in
the town, at that time, 31 families, or 134 persons.
Church services were at first held in a barn.
In 1661 the schout and schepens of the court of
Breuckelen represented to the Director General and
Council that they found it " necessary that a Court
7C«„U
'^fftt^d/^^a^.
/i^/yq ,
Facsimile ot Teunis Gysbert Eogaert's Autograpli.
Messenger was required for the Schepens' Chamber, to
be occasionally employed in the Village of Breuckelen
and all around where he may he needed, as well to serve
summons, as also to conduct the service of the Church,
and to sing on Sundays ; to take charge of the School,
dig graves, etc., ring the Bell, and perform whatever
else may be required." In answer to this petition, the
Director and Council were graciously pleased to say that
they would " pay fifty guilders, in wampum, annually,
for the support of the precentor {voorsanger) and school-
master in the village of Breuckelen," and Carel de Beau-
voise was appointed.
In 1663 Indian warfare broke out in the colony, which
was also scourged with small-pox. Events also trans-
pired which seemed to foreshadow the revolution of the
next year. During this year but few events of partio-
lar interest occurred. Petitions were presented for
permission to establish villages, or '' concentrations,"
one of which was granted, for a settlement at a place
" back of the Waale-Boght, or at Marcus' plantation.
In the month of July, during the Indian troubles
which prevailed, the Director proposed that Breuckelen
should furnish 8, 10, or 12 men, to be " kept ready for
the protection of one or the other place in danger, which
may God avert !" A meeting of the inhabitants was
forthwith held, at which every person present expressed
a willingness to aid in protecting their neighbors on
Long Island, but it was deemed that the town was not
strong enough to furnish so many men.
It is a noteworthy fact that, in 1664, the principle of
popular representation was, for the first time, recog-
nized in the colony. At the special request of the
Burgomasters and Schepens, the Director convened a
General Assembly of- delegates from the several towns,
to discuss and consider the affairs of Nieuw Nether-
land. This Convention, in which Breuckelen was rep-
resented by Willem Bredenbent and Albert Cornells
Wantanaer, assembled at the " Stadt Iluys " (or City
Hall), in New Amsterdam, on the 10th of April, 1664.
The revolution of 1664, which transferred the juris-
diction of New Netherland from the Dutch to the
English, is elsewhere spoken of. Beoadiiead says of
it : " But, whatever may have been its ultimate conse-
quences, this treacherous and violent seizure of the ter-
ritory and possessions of an unsuspecting ally, was no
less a breach of private justice than of public faith. It
may, indeed, be affirmed that, among all the acts of sel-
fish perfidy which royal ingratitude conceived and exe-
cuted, there have been few more characteristic, and
none more base."
Under the Duke of York, 1664-1674. — After the
revolution of 1064 the colony was recon-
structed under the Duke of York, and its
name was changed to that of New York.
On the 28th of February, 1665, a convention
met at Hempstead; and, as elsewhere stated,
adopted regulations for the government of the colony.
In this convention Breuckelen was represented by Fred-
erick Lubbertsen and Jan Evertseu Bout.
During the administration of Governoi's Nicolls and
Lovelace, tranquility and prosperity prevailed, and
nothing of interest is recorded of Breuckelen.
In the autumn of 1667 Governor Nicolls granted to
Breuckelen a full and ample patent, confii-ming the
people in their rights and privileges. Under the Dutch
government there was, without doubt, a charter or gen-
eral patent of the town, which is lost. Such a charter
was referred to in conveyances between individuals,
and the Nicolls charter is evidently confirmatory of it.
The following is the text of this charter :
L. s. "Richard Nicolls, Esq., Governor-Oeneral under
Ms Royal Highness James Duke of Yorke and Albany, etc. , of
all his Territorys in America, To all to whom these presents
shall come, sendeth Gi'eeting — Whereas there is a certain
town within this government, situate, lying and being in the
West Riding of Yorkshire, upon Long Island, commonly
called and known by the name of Breuckelen, which said
town is in the tenure or occupation of several freeholders
and inhabitants, who, having heretofore been seated there by
authority, have been at very considerable charge in manur-
ing and planting a considerable part of the lauds belonging
thereunto, and settled a competent number of families
thereupon. Now, for a confirmation unto the said free-
holders and inhabitants in their possessions and enjoyment
of the premises. Know ye, That by virtue of the commission
and authority unto me given by his Royal Highness, I have
given, ratified, confirmed, and granted, and by these presents
do give, ratify, confirm, and grant, unto Jan Everts, Jan
Damen, Albert Cornelissen, Paulus Veei-beeck, Michael Eneyl
(Hainelle), Thomas Lamberts, Teunis Guysbert Bogart, and
Joris Jacobson, as patentees, for and on the behalf of them-
selves and their associates, the freeholders and inhabitants
of the said town, their heirs, successors and assigns, all that
tract, together with the several parcels of land which already
have or hereafter shall be purchased or procured for and on
behalf of the said town, whether from the native Indian
proprietors or others, within the bounds and limits hereafter
set forth and exprest, viz., that is to say, the town is bounded
90
HIST on Y OF KINGS COUNTY.
westward on the farther side of the land of Mr. Paulus Veer-
beck, from whence stretching southeast, they go over the
hills, and so eastward along the said hills to a southeast point
which takes in all the lotts behind the swamp, from which
said lotts they run northwest to the River and extend to the
farm, on the t'other side of the hill, heretofore belonging to
Hans Hansen, over against the Kicke or Looke-out, including
within the said bounds and hmitts all the lotts and planta-
tions lying and being at the Gowanis, Bedford, Wallaboucht
and the Ferry. — All which said parcels and tracks of land
and premises within the bounds and limits afore-mentioned,
described, and all or any plantation or plantations there-
upon, from henceforth are to bee, appertaine, and belong to
the said town of Breuckelen, Together with all havens, har-
bours, creeks, quarreys, woodland, meadow-ground, reed-
land or valley of all sorts, pastures, marshes, runs, rivers,
lakes, hunting, fishing, hawking, and fowling, and all other
profltts, commodities, emoluments, and hereditaments, to
the said lands and premises within the bounds and limits
all forth belonging, or in any wise appertaining, — and withall
to have freedome of commonage for range and feed of cattle
and horse into the woods, as well without as within these
bounds and Hmitts, with the rest of their neighbours, — as
also one-third part of a certain neck of meadow-ground or
valley called Sellers neck, lying and being within the hmits
of the town of Jamaica, purchased by the said town of
Jamaica from the Indians, and sold by them unto the inhab-
itants of Breuckelen aforesaid, as it has been lately laid out
and divided by their mutual consent and my order, where-
unto and from which they are likewise to have free egress
and regress, as their occasions may require. To have and to
hold all and singular the said tract and parcell of land,
meadow-ground or valley, commonage, hereditaments and
premises, with their and every of their appurtenances, and
of every part and parcell thereof, to the said patentees and
their associates, their heirs, successors, and assigns, to the
proper use and behoof of the said patentees and their asso-
ciates, their heirs, successors, and assigns forever. More-
over, I do hereby give, ratify, confirm and grant unto the
said patentees and their associates, their heirs, successors,
and assigns, all the rights and privileges belonging to a town
within this government, and that the place of their present
habitation shall continue and retain the name of Breuckelen,
by which name and stile it shall be distinguished and known
in all bargains and sales made by them, the said patentees
and their associates, their heirs, successors, and assigns, ren-
dering and paying such duties and acknowledgments as now
are or hereafter shall be constituted and established by the
laws of this government, under the obedience of his Royal
highness, his heirs and successors. Given under my hand
and seal at Fort James, in New York, on the Island of Man-
hattat, this 18th day of October, in the nineteenth year of
the reign of our Sovereign Lord, Charles the Second, by the
grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland,
King, Defender of the Faith, etc., Annoque Domini, 1667.
"Richard Nicolls.
"Recorded, by order of the Governor, the day and year
above written.
"Matthias Nicolls, Sec'ry."
January 4, 1668, one Robert Hollis was granted the
exclusive privilege of selling strong drink in Brueckelen.
During this year, also, the little village-hamlet of Bed-
ford was honored by the establishment of an inn or
" ordinary for man and beast," kept, under an annual
license from the Governor, by Thomas Lamberts.
In the year 1670, the inhabitants of Breuckelen, being
desirous of enlarging the bounds of their common
lands, and of extinguishing the Indian title to the same,
applied to Governor Lovelace, and obtained from him
permission to purchase from the native proprietors a
large tract of land in and about the hamlet then, and
since, known as Bedford.
In accordance with this permission a purchase was
made from the Indians of " all that parcel of land and
tract of land, in and about Bedford, within the jurisdic-
tion of Breuckelen, beginning from Hendrick Van
Aarnrem's land, by a swamp of water, and stretching
to the hills, then going along the hills to the port or
entrance there, and so to the Rockaway foot-path, as
their purchase is more particularly set fforth." The com-
pensation for this land was 100 guilders seawant, half
a tun of strong beer, 2 half tuns of good beer, 3 guns,
long barrels, with each a pound of powder, and lead
proportionable — 2 bars to a gun— 4 match coates. The
text of this Indian deed, as well as much interesting
matter concerning the early history of the Bedf&rd dis-
trict, will be found on pages 157-160 of Stiles' Sistory
of Brooklyn.
In 1673 the province passed again under the control of
the States General, and the five Dutch towns submitted
with alacrity to the authority of their old masters. In
Breuckelen, and the adjoining hamlets, fifty-two out of
eighty-one men took the oath of allegiance, and the
remainder were ordered to do so.
During the brief second rule of the Dutch the people
were called on to take measures for protection against
a threatened invasion from New England, and the
inhabitants of Breuckelen, Boswyck, and the other
Dutch towns were not slow to respond.
But another change in the political condition of the
country was at hand, and the second epoch of Dutch
power was terminated, in February, 1674, by a treaty
of peace between England and Holland, by which New
Netherlands was given to the English in exchange for
Surinam. The new governor. Sir Edmund Andros,
arrived at New York on the 31st of October, received
a formal surrender of the place, and re-established the
English government. The Duke's Laws were reinstated
and confirmed, together with such grants and privileges
as had been previously enjoyed under his royal high-.
ness; all legal judicial proceedings during the Dutch
government were pronounced valid, and the inhabitants
secured in their lawful estates and property. A special
order, also, of November 4th, reinstated in office, for a
period of six months, the officials of the several towns
who were serving when the Dutch came in power.
The fort, on Manhattan Island, which had been
called by the Dutch, in honor of the " Staadt-holder,"
Fort William Hendrick, again became Fort James, and
"New Orange," as the city had been rechristened, be-
came again New York.
Under the English, 1675-1775.— During the year
1675 nothing occurred to disturb the equanimity of the
UNDER THE ENGLISH, 1675-1775.
91
people in Breuckelen, except the apprehension which
they shared in common with those of the neighboring
towns, that they might become involved in King Philip's
war, in which it was feared the Long Island tribes might
participate. Proper preventive measures were adopted
by the provincial government, the fear in these towns
subsided, and a feeling of security followed the defeat
of that notorious chieftain.
It appears that Breuctelen had at this time come to be
the leading town, in population and wealth, in Kings
County. The number of assessed persons in the town
was 60; while that of Middlewout, which had hitherto
exceeded it, was but 54. Its assessed valuation was
£5,204 against £5,079 10s. in its neighbor.
During the same year its importance was enhanced
by its appointment as a market town. The following is
the record concerning this:
"Upon a proposall of having a fEayre or markett in or
neare this Citty (New York) ; It is ordered, that after this
season, there shall yearely be kept a flfayre and markett at
Breucklyn, near the fferry, for all graine, cattle, or other
produce of the country ; to bee held the first Monday, Tues-
day and Wednesday in November, and in the Citty of New
Yorke the thursday, ffriday, and Saturday following."
In 1682 Colonel Thomas Dongan succeeded Governor
Andros, and reforms were at once inaugurated. The
towns were ordered to bring in their patents and Indian
deeds preparatory to receiving new charters. Breuck-
elen and Boswyck at once complied; and, after the set-
tlement of some questions concerning its boundaries,
Breuckelen, on the 3d of May, 1686, received from
Governor Dongan a patent, from which the following is
an extract :
" The said town is bounded westward on the further side of
the land of Mr. Paulus Verbeeck, from whence stretching
southeast they go over the hills and so eastward along by the
said hills to a southeast point, which takes in all the lotts
behind the swamp, from which said lotts they run northwest
to the Eiver, and extend to the farm on the other side of the
hills heretofore belonging to Hans Hansen, over against Keak
or Look-out, including within the said bounds and limitts
all the lots and plantations, lying and being at the Gou wanes,
Bedford, Wallabocht and the ferry, all which said parcels
and tract of land and premises within the bounds and limitts
aforementioned described, and all or any plantation or plan-
tations thereupon, from henceforth are to be, appertain and
belong to the said town of Breucklyn, Together with all har-
bor, havens, creeks, quarx-ies, woodland, meadow ground,
reed land or valley of all sorts, pastures, marshes, waters,
rivers, lakes, fishing, hawking, hunting, fowling, and all
other profits, commodities, emoluments and hereditaments
to the said lands and premises within the bounds and limitts
set forth, belonging, or in any wise appertaining, and with
all to have freedom of commonage for range and feed of
cattle and horses, into the woods with the rest of their neigh-
bors, as also one third part of a certain neck of meadow
ground or valley, called Seller's neck, lying and being within
the town of Jamaica, purchased by the said town of Jamaica
from the Indians, and sold by them unto the inhabitants of
Breucklen aforesaid, as it was laid out aforesaid, and divided
by their mutual consent and order of the Governor.''
This was a ratification and confirmation of the patent
granted by Governor Nicolls. It was granted to Tennis
Gysberts (Bogart), Thomas Lamberts, Peter Jansen,
Jacobus Vander Water, Jan Dame(n), Joris Jacobs,
Jeronimus Rapalle, Daniel Rapalle, Jan Jansen, Adrian
Bennet, and Michael Hanse (Bergen), for and on the
"^Mi^^y^^J^ ^OmC^
O-i^^
Facsimile of Michael Hansen's sigrnature,
behalf of themselves and the rest of the present free-
holders and inhabitants of the said town of Breuckelen.
The patent contained the following provision :
" Yielding, rendering and paying therefor yearly and
every year, on the five and twentyeth day of March,
forever, in lieu of all services and demands, whatsoever,
as a quit-rent to his most sacred Majesty aforesaid, the
heirs and successors, at the city of New York, twenty
bushels of good merchantable wheat."
In 1686 the oath of allegiance was signed by the fol-
lowing (the figures indicating the time which the in-
dividual had resided in the country) :
Thomas Lambertse, 36 years ; Jooris Hanssen, native ;
Hendrick Vechten, 27 years ; Claes Arense Vechten, 37 years ;
Jan Aertsen (Middag), 38 years ; Hendrick Claasen, 38 years ;
Jacob Hanssen Bergen, native ; Jooris Martens, native ; Hen-
Facsimile of Jacob Hansen Bergen's signature.
drick Thyssen, 21 years ; Mauritius Converts, native ; Willem
Huijcken, 34 years ; Theunis Gysbertse Bogaert, 35 years ;
Willem Bennitt, native ; Hendrick Lambertse, native ; Jan
Fredricks, 85 years ; Jan Converts, native ; Luijcas Con-
verts, 34 years ; Frans Abramse, native ; Gerrit Aerts Mid-
dag, native ; Simon Aertsen, 23 years ; Matthys Cornelisen,24
years; Ephraim Hendricks, 33 years; Claes Thomas Van Dyck,
native ; Jeronimus d'Rapale, native ; Jeronimus Remsen,
native ; Casper Janssen, native ; Achias Janse Vandijck, 36
years ; Jacob Joorissen, native ; Jacobus d'Beauvois, 38
years ; Harmen Joorissen, native ; Jacob Willemse Bennit,
native ; Jacob Brouwer, native ; Bourgon Broulaet, 12 yeare ;
Jan Damen, 37 years ; Cornells Subrink (Sebring), native :
Hendrick Sleght, 35 years ; Abram Remsen, native ; Machiel
Hanssen, native ; Theunis J[obiassen, native ; Pieter Corsen, -f-
native ; Theunis Janse~Couv;erts, 86 years : Aert Simmons-
sen, native ; Adam Brouwer, Junior, native ; Alexander
Shaers, native ; Willem Pos, native ; Jan gerrise Borland, 35
years ; Johannis Casperse, 35 years ; Claes Barentse Blom,
t>lp/-4 liO/y-eMt^ c
Y^CtrwL .lU^
Facsimile of Signature of Claes Barentse Blom.
native ; Pieter Brouwer, native ; Abram Brouwer, native ;
Jan Bennit, native ; Barent Sleght, native ; Jacobus Vande
Water, 39 years ; Benjamin Vande Water, native ; Pieter
Weijnants, native ; Joost Frannssen, 38 years ; Hendrick
Aaten, native ; Jan Janse Staats, native ; Claes Simons,
native ; Anthonij Souso, 5 years ; Joost Casperse, 35 years ;
92
HISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
Thijs Lubberse, 50 years ; Paulus Dirckse, 36 years ; Adam
Brouwer, 45 years ; Josias Dreths, 36 years ; Pieter Van
Nesten, 40 years ; Jan Theunisen, native ; Dirck Janse
Woertman, 40 years ; Daniel D'Rapale, native ; Gijsbert
Boomgaert, native ; Volkert Vanderbraats, native ; Jan
Buijs, 39 years ; Gerrit Dorlant, native ; Adriaen Bennet,
native ; Thomas Verdon, native ; Pieter Janse Staats, native.
The abdication of James II., the succession of Wil-
liam and Mary, the career of Jacob Leisler as Gov-
ernor, and the administration of Governor Henry
Slaughter, are elsewhere spoken of. Under the latter
the provincial government was reconstructed on a basis
which continued to the close of the Revolution.
May 6th, 1691, an act was passed by the General
Assembly, confirming to all the towns of the colony their
respective grants and patents, by which law both of
the patents of Brooklyn were confirmed.
It does not appear that there was here any lack of
means for enforcing obedience to the laws ; for, at a
Court of Sessions, held at Flatbush November 8th,
1692, the following regulation was promulgated :
"The Courte doe order that there be a good pare of stocks
and a good pound made in every town within Kings County,
and to be always kept in sufficient repairs, and that there be
warrants issued to the Constables ot every towne to see the
order of the Court performed, as they will answer the con-
trary at their perill."
The town of Breuckelen had, in 1670, acquired a
large amount of common land by purchase from the
Indians, and it was deemed expedient by the inhabi-
tants to adopt measures for the proper division of their
common lands with their other common lands.
Accordingly, " at a Town meeting held the 25th day of
February, 1693-3, att Breucklyn, in Kings County. Then
Resolved to divide their common land and woods into three
parts, in manner following to wit :
"1. All the lands and woods after Bedford and Cripple-
bush, over the hills to the path of New lotts shall belong to
the inhabitants and freeholders of the Gowanis, beginning
from Jacob Brewer and soe to the uttermost bounds of the
limits of New-Utrecht.
"3. And all the lands and woods that lyes betwixt the
abovesaid path and the highway from the ferry toward
Flattbush, shall belong to the freeholders and the inhabitants
of Bedford and Cripplebush.
"3. And all the lands that lyes in common after the
Gowanis, betwixt the limits and bounds of Flatbush and
New Utrecht shall belong to the freeholders and inhabitants
of Brooklyn, fred. neck [Frederick Lubbertsen's Neck], the
ferry and the Wallabout."
From the meagre records of those times it appears
that in 1693, and a few subsequent years, there were
some disturbances, probably from political causes not
now well understood.
An emmfe of the disaffected people of Kings
County occurred about 8 o'clock in the evening of the
14th of September, 1697 (or 6?), when John Rapalje,
Isaac Remsen, Jooris Vannesten, Joras Danielse
Rapalje, Jacob Rcyrrsc, Acrt Aertsen, Theunis Bujs,
Garret Cowenlioven, Gabriel Sproiig, Urian Andriese,
John Willemse Bennett, Jacob Bennett and John
Meserole, Jr. — most of whom will be recognized as
inhabitants of Breuckelen and Boswyck — " met, armed,
at the court-house of Kings, where they destroyed and
defaced the king's arms which were hanging up there."
November 11th, 1697, negroes were forbidden to be
brought over from New York on the Sabbath, without
tickets or passes. Similar legislation was made in the
succeeding years, negroes being forbidden to "run
about on the Sabbath," or to purchase liquors. It was
further "ordered that no people shall pass on the
Sabbath day, unless it be to or from church, or other
urgent and lawful occasions, according to act of assem-
bly, upon penalty aforesaid of fine and imprison-
ment."
"At a towne meeting held this twentieth day of April,
1697, at Bedford, within the jurisdiction of Broockland, in
Kings County, upon the Island of Nassau, Resolved by all
the flEx-eeholders of the towne of Broockland aforesaid, that
all their common land not yet laid out and divided, belong-
ing to their whole patent, shall be equally divided and laid
out to each ffreeholder of said towne, his just proporcon in
all the common lands abovesaid, except those that have but an
house and home lott, which are only to have but half share
of the lands aforesaid."
By reason of the loss of all the town and county
records from the year 1700 to the close of the Revolu-
tion, but little material for a history of Brooklyn dur-
ing that period can be found. Provincial records,
stray deeds and documents, newspapers, letters, etc.,
furnish the only data for such history.
Two bitter controversies agitated the public mind
during that period : the first between this town
(together with Flatbush and Bushwick) and Newtown,
concerning their respective bounds, which ended only
in 1769; and the second, between this town and the city
of New York, relative to town and ferry rights.
In the year 1703, "Brookland's improveable lands
and meadows, within fence," were surveyed, and found
to amount to 5,177 acres, the greatest landowner being
Simon Aerson, who owned 200 acres.
On the 28th of March, 1704, the main road or "king's
highway," now called Fulton street and Fulton avenue,
was laid out by Joseph Hegeman, Peter Cortelyou, and
Benjamin Vandewater, commissioners, appointed by
act of the General Assembly of the Colony of New
York, for the laying out, regulating, clearing and pre-
serving of public highways in the colony. The record
of this road, which now forms the chief thoroughfare
of the city of Brooklyn, is as follows :
" One publique, common and general highway, to begin
fflrom low water marke at the ferry in the township of
Broockland, in Kings County, and flfrom thence to run flfour
rod wide up between the houses and lands of John Aerson,
John Coe, and George Jacobs, and soe all along to Broock-
land towne aforesaid, through the lane that now is, and
ffrom thence straight along a certains lane to the southward
corner of John Van Couwenhoven's land, and ffrom thence
straight to Bedfford as it is now staked out, to the lane
where the house of Benjamin Vandewater stands, and ffrom
thence straight along through Bedfford towne to Bedfford
UNDER THE ENGLISH, 1675-1776.
93
lane, running between the lands of John Garretse, Dorlant
and Claes Barnse, to the rear of the lands of the said Cloyse,
and ffrom thence southerly to the old path now in use, and
see all along said path to Philip Volkertses land, taking in
a little slip of said Philip's land on the south corner, soe all
along said road by Isaack Greg's house to the Fflackbush
new lotts ffence, and soe all along said fifense to the east-
ward, to the northeast corner of Eldert Lucas's land, lying
within the New lotts of Fflattbush aforesaid, being ffout
rod wide all along, to be and continue forever."
In iVoe there were 64 freeholders in the town of
Brooklyn, and the personal estates were assessed at
£3,122, 10s. In ITO? the real and personal estates were
assessed at £3,091, lis.
In 1721 several people were indicted for encroach-
ments on the " King's highway" (now Fulton street and
avenue). Some of these parties procured the passage
by the Colonial Legislature of a law to establish the
road " forever" as it then was, from the ferry upwards
to the town of Breuckland, as far as the swinging-gate
of John Rapalje, just above the house and land belong-
ing to James Harding. Providing, however, against a
possible "jam" near the ferry — although, perhaps,
scarcely anticipating the great thoroughfare which now
exists at that locality — -the law enacts that, if a majority
of the inhabitants of the town should " adjudge that part
of the road near to the ferry to be too narrow and
inconvenient," they might cause the Sheriff to summon
a jury of twelve, to appraise tlie land necessary to be
taken in the widening, and that said appraisement
should be levied and collected upon the town and paid
to the owners. This, however, was never done, and the
old lane continued to serve the economical townsfolk of
Brooklyn. Its appearance may be understood by a
glance at Guy's picture of Brooklyn, which represents
it at its passage at Front street, but so narrow as
hardly to lead one to suppose that it was a street. The
" swinging-gate" here referred to was on the east side of
the present Pulton street, about where Sands street now
enters, and there commenced the four-foot
road. On Ratzer's map, prepared in
l^ee-V, this road is laid down, with the
buildings thereon, showing conclusively
that it was then the same as Pulton street
before the widening in 1839.
1732, March 27. The. New York Gazett<
contained an advertisement by Edwaid
Willet, offering to sell, on reasonable terms,
a very good negro woman, aged twenty
seven, with two fine children. She was de
scribed as understanding all sorts of busi-
ness in city or country, and speaking very good English
and Dutch.
The following shows Brooklyn's population in 1738,
as compared with the other towns in Kings County :
Platlands, 268; Gravesend, 235; BrooMand, 721;
Platbush, 540 ; New Utrecht, 282 ; Bushwick, 302 ;
total in Kings County, 2,348.
The General Assembly of the Province met at the
house of the Widow Sickle, in this town, in conse-
quence of the prevalence of the small-pox in the city of
New York, and continued sitting at Brooklyn, by seve-
ral adjournments, until the 8th day of October.
1752. The Colonial Legislature, during the preva-
lence of the small-pox in New York, held their sessions
at Brooklyn in a large building on the west side of
Fulton street, just below Nassau. This very ancient
edifice was constructed of small brick, said to have
been brought from Holland, and was demolished in
1832. At this house, also, on the 4th of June, 1752,
2,541 bills of credit issued by the colony of New York,
and amounting to £3,602, 18s. 3d., were cancelled by
the Colonial Commissioners. The building was further
honored by being made Gen. Putnam's headquarters
during the stay of the American Army on Long Island,
in 1770.
1758. This year the sum of £122 18s. 7d. was as-
sessed in two assessments, by the Justices of the Peace
on this town, towards building " a new court-house and
gaol " for Kings County. The whole amount assessed
on the county was £448 4s. Id.
1759, Nov. 26. " On Sunday week last past, a large bear
parsed the house of Mr. Sebring, Brooklyn, and took the
water at Red Hook, attempting to swim across the bay,
when Cornelius Sebring and his miller immediately pushed
off in a boat after him. The latter fired and missed, on
which Mr. S. let fly, and sent the ball in at the back of his
head, which came out of his eye, and killed him outright.''
—N. Y. Gazette.
Of course slavery existed in Brooklyn, as in other
parts of Long Island. In 1764 Aris Renisen offered a
reward of seventy shillings for the apprehension of a
runaway negro named Harry. He stated " He is apt
to get drunk and stutters. He speaks good English,
French, and Sjaanish, and a little of other languages."
In 1771 Mr. Remsen offered a reward of 20s. for
another runaway " negro man, Newport, Guinea born,
and branded on the breast with three letters."
View of Broockland,51766-7. From Katzer 3 Map.
In 1768, the house of widow Rapelye, at Brooklyn
Ferry, was robbed of money and other valuables.
Speedy justice overtook the thief, " Garret Middagh's
negro fellow, Caesar,'' who was tried on the 1st of
September following, convicted, and executed on the
15th of the same month, at Platbush, the county town.
1774, Feb. 21. "A Ferry is now established from the Coen-
ties Market, New York, to the landing place of P. Living-
94
HISTOR Y OF KINGS CO UNTY.
ston, Esq., and Henry Remsen, on Long Island, and another
from Fly Market, and a third from Peck Slip to the present
ferry-house at Brooklyn."— JV. K Mercury.
The " landing place of P. Livingston, Esq., and
Henry Remsen," was near the foot of the present
Joralemon street. The ferry was called " St. George's
Perry," but was discontinued in 1776, and the ferry-
house, together with Livingston's distillery, was hurned
after the war.
1774, May 9. John Cornell announces, in the N. Y.
Mercury, that he " has opened a tavern on Tower Hill,
Brooklyn, near the new ferry, called ' St. George's.'
Companies will be entertained if they bring their own
liquor, and may dress turtle, etc., at the said house on
the very lowest terms.'' And, in August following, he
advertised that " there will be a hull halted on Tower
Hill, at three o'clock in the afternoon, every Thursday
during the season." " Tower Hill " was a slight emi-
nence on the Heights, on the site of the old " Colonnade
Row," on Columbia, between Middagh and Cranberry
streets.
Brooklyn during the British Military Occu-
pation, 1776-1783. Of the Battle of Brooklyn, and
the subsequent oc-
cupation of Long
Island, and Kings
County in partic-
ular, we have al-
ready spoken in
the General Sis-
tori/ of the County.
We now pro-
ceed to relate some
of the incidents of
that military occu-
pation which most
specially relate to
the Town of
Brooklyn.
At this period, and during the war, the whole of the
land embraced between the brow of the Heights on
the river and the present Pulton and Joralemon streets,
was then under high cultivation. That portion of it
nearest to Fulton street was used for pasturage, or was
kept, at times, in grain. The middle part was almost
entirely occupied by fine and thrifty orchards ; and the
lower portion by gardens, which furnished an abundant
supply of small fruit and vegetables to the New York
markets. This tract belonged to several owners, among
whom were the Middaghs, Bamper, Colden, Debevoises,
Romsens. On the Heights stood the mansion of Philip
Livingston, Esq., afterwards known as the " Joralemon
House," a large double frame-house, constructed in the
very best manner, having costly carved marble mantels
imported from Italy, and other furniture at that day
unusual to American houses. During the occupation
of the island it was used as an hospital for the British
THE COJUNBLL-PIBEREPONT MANSION. (River Front.)
navy; probably as a justifiable retaliation upon its
owner, who was a prominent member of the Continental
Congress. Attached to the house was an extensive gar-
den, said to be the finest in this part of America, and
which — to their credit be it said — was kept in good
repair by the physicians and oflicers of the hospital,
who appropriated the mansion-house to their own use ;
sheds and huts being erected for the sick on the farm
(formerly known as the Ralph Patchen property), on the
southerly side of the present Atlantic street. In 1780-
81, when Admiral Arbuthnot assumed the command of
this station, he instituted various reforms, among which
was the turning out of the surgeons and physicians from
their comfortable quarters in the mansion-house, which
was forthwith appropriated to the use of sick sailors.
The principal disease among the sick was the scurvy,
and they were buried from these hospitals, in the neigh-
boring ground, and that (afterwards) of Hezekiah B.
Pierrepont, to the number of twelve and fifteen a day.
For many years afterwards, their remains were, from
time to time, disinterred by the caving down of the
brow of the hill all along the shore.
Fueman's Mss. state that the old house (afterwards
of Selah Strong,
Esq.) which stood
in present Strong
Place, just behind
Christ Church, was
built and inhabited
by an English
Colonel Thornely,
at the desire of
the Cornells, with
whom he had be-
come quite intim-
ate during the
Revolution, and
who sold him the
land on which it
among the most
" all staunch King
was erected. These Cornells were
respectable citizens of old Brooklyn,
and Church men."
The fine old house known as the " Four Chimnies,"
afterwards as the Pierrepont mansion, was erected, as
is supposed, by a John Cornell. On the wharf, at foot
of present Joralemon street, was a brewery, belonging
to Livingston, which, during the war, was employed by
the British as a " King's Brewery," where they made
spruce-beer for the use of the hospitals and fleet on this
station. The old people used to call it the best beer
that they ever tasted, and said that the hospitals used
at the rate of twenty barrels a day for their sick. These
patients also had the best of msdical attention, with
abundant supplies of vegetables and excellent soups,
and, when they became convalescent, were allowed to
roam about the country, in order to breathe the fresh,
pure air, and obtain exercise.
BRITISH MILITAR Y OCCUPA TION OF BR 0 OKL YK
95
On the edge of the Heights, between the present
Orange and Clark streets, was a half -moon fort, garri-
soned by Hessian troops, and having a battery of cannon
overlooking the harbor. There were then no houses on
the Heights, between present Doughty and Clark
streets. The first house, a two-story frame edifice south
of Clark street, was the residence of Mr. Lodewyck
Bamj)er, an elderly gentleman of fortune, who was sup-
posed to have retired from the Holland trade. He was
largely interested in the establishment of a glass fac-
tory, on almost the identical spot lately occupied by the
glass-works on State street. The first bottle ever made
at this factory, having blown on it a seal bearing the
name of Mr. Bamper and the date 1754, is still pre-
served among the curiosities of the Long Island His-
torical Society. The factory, however, did not have a
long career, on account of an insufiicient supply of the
necessary kind of sand. He had a beautiful garden,
and a choice collection of fruit ; seldom left his house,
and in pleasant weather passed most of his time upon
his piazza, which fronted the harbor, or in his gar-
den. He usually dressed with silk breeches, a silk
loose-gown, a silk cap upon his head, and carried a gold-
headed cane. His residence was then a most retired spot,
having no immediate neighbors, except the " Old
Stone House,'' at that time belonging to Gov. Cad-
wallader Colden,and afterwards owned by SamuelJack-
son, Esq. Thi.s house, on Doughty street, fronting on
Elizabeth street, was occupied by the Hessian troops as
a guard-house and prison, and was the place where all
persons arrested in the vicinity were detained — the
whole island being at that time under a strict military
police. It was a long, one-and-a-half -story building, of
stone and brick, with a fine large garden in the rear,
and was afterwards the residence of Mr. George Hicks.
Past this old stone house ran a private lane or foot-path,
from Love Lane (which then led from ITulton street to
the edge of the hill) along the brow of the hill, and
descending its side to a landing on present Furman,
near Clark street.
During the war, the British Wagon Department for
the army on this station, was located in Brooklyn, occu-
pying an immense yard, with sheds, stables, black-
smith's forges, etc., and extending from the present
Main to Jay streets, and west of Prospect street, which
was fenced in, the main gateway being near the present
junction of Main and Fulton streets. Joseph Fox, an
Englishman, and an old and respected citizen of Brook-
lyn, was for many years one of the pt-incipals of this
wagon department.
At the foot of, and on the northerly side of, the old
road (now Fulton st., near corner of Front), was the
"Ferry Tavern," a large and gloomy stone building,
about sixty feet square and two stories high, standing in
such a way cornerwise, as to leave only 35^ feet for the
entire width of the street between it and the houses
opposite. From its being owned by the Corporation of
the city of Now York, it was known as the "Cor-
poration House ; " also, from some incident connected
with hoisting a cofiin on the flag-staff of the building,
called "The Coffin House." It was the successor of
the ferry -bouse, erected in 1746, by the Corporation of
the city of New York, on land purchased of Jacob Mor-
ris, in 1694 ; and which was burned down in 1748, as
it was supposed, by the Brooklynites, who were then car-
rying on a long and bitter litigation with the cor-
poration concerning ferry-rights. Its site is now
REFERENCES.
1. The " Corporation House," or "Ferry Tavern," occupied during
the flevolutionary war by Messrs. Loosely and Elms, as the "King's
Head Tavern."
3 John liapelje's house, with garden extending to the river.
3. The " Old Stone Tavern," kept by Benjamin Smith.
4. Mr. Cary Ludlow's house.
5. The Hicks Mansion.
6. The Middagh Mansion.
7. The Middagh barn.
8. The " Whalebone Gate," so called from its being arched over with
a whale's rib-bone. It opened at the side of Mr. Thomas Everit's
house, into a lane leading up to Mr. Cary Ludlow's house,
(1883) partially occupied by ISTos. 19, 21 and 23 Ful-
ton street. At the time of the Revolution, the
East River, at high-water mark, came nearly up to
Front street. Subsequently to the war, this tavern
was kept by Benjamin Smith for many years.
It was burned down in 1812 (its walls remaining
for many years thereafter), and Mr. Smith removed
his stand to a stone building on the opposite side
96
HISTOR T OF KINGS CO UNTY.
of Fulton street. It had been noted as a tavern
for thirty years previous to the Revolution. Its
last incumbent, before the Battle of Brooklyn, was Cap-
tain Adolph Waldron, who was also " the f errymaster."
Espousing the cause of the Rebellion, and being active
as the commandant of a company of light-horse raised
in Brooklyn, he was, of course, compelled to absent
himself from Long Island during its occupation by the
British. Waldron was succeeded by Charles Loosely
and Thomas Elms, thorough loyalists, who named the
old tavern " The King's Head," fitted it up in the most
complete manner* and catered to the tastes of their
military friends and patrons so well that it was much
resorted to, during the war, by the officers of the
British army and the fashionables of the day, as a place
of amusement. Lieutenant Anbury, in a letter to a
friend in England, dated New York, Oct. 30th, l^Sl,
refers to it thus : " On crossing the East River from
New York, you land at Brooklyn, which is a scattered
village, consisting of a few houses. At this place is an
excellent tavern, where parties are made to go and eat
fish ; the landlord of which has saved an immense for-
tune during this war.'' We shall have frequent occa-
sion to refer to this head-quarters of royalists and Tories,
which subsequently seems to have been known by the
name of " Brooklyn Hall." Just off from this old road,
on present westerly side of Front street, near Fulton,
was the large stone house owned by John Rapalje, the
Tory, which was confiscated after the Revolution, and
afterwards sold by the Commissioners to Comfort and
Joshua Sands, and by them to Abm. Remsen.
1777, September 26th. The loyalists had the pleas-
ure of welcoming Rivington the printer, on his return
from England, whither he had been obliged to flee to
escape the wrath of the Americans. On this occasion
Loosely and Elms' " King's Head Tavern " was " ele-
gantly illuminated, to testify the joy of the true ' Sons
of Freedom.' "
1778. During this year, from July to November,
and probably through the winter, the following regi-
ments were encamped at or near Bedford, the 37th, 42d,
44th, 46th, and 16th light infantry ; between Bedford
and Bushwick, the first battalion light infantry ; and at
Brooklyn ferry, the New York volunteers.
*It is probable tbat these gentlemen kept hotel "not wisely, but
too well " for their own pockets, at least; for, soon after the signing
of the Provisional Treaty of Peace, in November, 1782, we And a notice
of a " Public Auction of Brooklyn Hall," for " Uic benefit of the credit-
ors of Charles Loosely," of " all the genuine household furniture, con-
sisting of mahogany and other bedsteads, feather beds and mattresses,
chintz and other curtains, blankets, sheets, etc.; mahogany drawers,
dining, tea and card tables; an elegant clock in mahogany case; a
cwixjus eoUeethm of weU-chosen paintings and pictures; large pier and
other looking-glasses, in gilt and plain frames ; table and tea sets of
china, plate, etc.; a capital, well-toned organ, made by one of the first
hands in London ; a hUliard table in thorough repair; near twenty
globe lamps, flt for hall or passage, etc.; wagons, horses, cows, etc.;
two tenements adjoining the house; a flag-staff, with ensigns, pend-
ants ; and several hundred transparent and tin lamps, fitfor illuminor-
twn;" landlord Loosely havingbeenprofuseofillumimitionson every
possible occasion.
A correspondent of Hivington's Gazette, of January
24th, 1778, gives the following account of the manner
in which the Queen's Birthday was observed, by the
New York loyalists, at their favorite resort in Brooklyn :
"Ab the loyalty even of individuals ought, at this time, to
be properly encouraged, you will infinitely oblige the public
and a number of your readers, by inserting a description of
the grand and elegant illumination at the King's Head Tav-
ern, on last evening, in honor of her Majesty's birthday; and
it is the desire of the public, as Messrs. Loosely and Elms
have ever shown their attachment to the British Government,
and a detestation of the present rebellion, that, through the
channel of your much-esteemed paper, their conduct may be
known and approved of in Europe, as well as by the loyalists
in New York. The tavern was illuminated with upwards of
two hundred wax-lights. In the centre were the royal arms
of Great Britain, and above it, statues of the present king
and queen, under a canopy of state elegantly decorated,
which shone, like their majesties' virtues, conspicuous to the
world. The view of the reduction of Mud Fort (on one side)
by his majesty's ships, Roebuck and Vigilant, gave that joy
which Britons always feel on the success and honor of their
country. On the other side, their generous indignation was
roused by a view of those men (the Congress) whose ambition
has almost ruined this unhappy country, and reduced its
inha.bitantB to the greatest distress. It was very apropos of
the painter to place the devil at the President's elbow, who
tells him to persevere, with so significant a grin as seems to
indicate his having no manner of doubt of their making his
house their home in the infernal regions. The statue of Mr.
Pitt, without its head, was placed nearthe Congress, as being
one of their kidney, and gave a hint of what ought, long ago,
to have been done. The verses over the tavern door were
very proper on the occasion, and well illuminated. In short,
every thing was well conducted, and the tout ensemble had
really a fine effect. Much is due to Messrs. Loosely and
Elms for their patriotic spirit, which meets the approbation
of every man who is a friend to his king and country."
1779. In February of this year, the 33d Regiment
light infantry (300), and 2d battalion Highlanders (750),
were encamped at Bedford, and the 3d Prince Heredi-
tary (350), and 4th Charles (300), at Brooklyn. Game's
Mercury, September 27th, advertises "a cricket match
for fifty guineas, to be played this day at Loosely and
Elms, 10 a. m."
1780. In May, the newly-appointed Governor Rob-
ertson writes to the Home Government that " a large
square fort is built on Brooklyn Heights ; the season is
late ; not a blade of grass. The people within the
lines begin to repair and build houses, and manure and
inclose lands." The fort here referred to was probably
the one erected at the junction of Pierrepont and Henry
streets, by far the most thoroughly constructed and
complete fortification erected by the British during
their stay on Long Island. The position was a very
commanding one, f and the extremely level nature of the
+ We learn from Mr. Henry E. Pierrepont, of Brooklyn, that, accord-
ing to careful survey made for him In 1838, by Alfr«d Craven, the well-
known engineer of the Erie railroad, and afterwards the head of the
Croton Water Board, the site of this fort was found to be three feet
one inch higher than the level of the land in Washington, near Con-
cord streets, making it the highest, and therefore the most suitable
position for such a fortification in that part of the town.
BRITISH OGG UFA TION OF BRO OKL YK
97
ground rendered the work one of great labor. Two or
three thousand Bi-itish soldiers engaged upon these
works at the same time, in digging trenches, and wheel-
ing earth in barrows, to form the walls ; in addition to
which, all the inhabitants on the island were assessed
according to their respective counties for a certain num-
ber of days' work.
This fort was 150 feet square, with ramparts rising
above the bottom of the surrounding ditch, itself twenty
! \i
50
>\:
J/.
u
®Wca.
ro,
^
^vS
^
Av
isa
From Furman's Mss.
feet in depth. At the angles of the fort were bastions,
on each of which was planted a button-wood tree which
grew to a very large size. In front of the fort, on the
line of present Fulton, between Pierrepont and Clark
streets, stood a row of army-sutlers' huts. The fort
was not completed in July, lYSl, at which time it had
only 18 cannon mounted.
Gainers Mercury, of July 2, 1780, contains the fol-
lowing advertisement, issued by Loosely & Elms :
"Pro bono Publico: Thursday next, bull-baiting at
Brooklyn ferry. The bull is remarkably strong and
active ; the best dogs in the county expected, and they
that afford the best diversion will be rewarded with sil-
ver collars." Such were the elegant and refined amuse-
ments with which the aristocracy of the British army
whiled away their leisure !
A few days later, July I7th, a fulsome congratulatory
address was presented to Gov. Robertson, on the occa-
sion of his accession, in behalf and at the request of the
inhabitants of Kings County, signed by Wm. Axtell,
Rutgert Van Brunt, Richard Stillwell, Jeromus Lott,
Ab. Luquere, M. Couwenhoven, Rem Couwenhoven,
Maj. Jeromus V. D. Belt, Adrian Van Brunt, Leffert
Lefferts, and Jonannes Bergen.
About this time the 43d Regiment were encamped
near Brooklyn.
This year was a lively one for the troops quartered
here, if we may judge from the following advertise-
ments :
"Peg Bono Publico.— Saturday next being the birthday
of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Loosely, agree-
able to an honest old custom, wishes to see his royal and
constitutional friends— dinner at 3. The evening to conclude
with fireworks and illuminations. A good band of music.
Rebels approach no nearer than the heights of Brooklyn.''
— Rivington, Aug. 9, '80.
" Anniversary of the Coronation of our ever good and
gracious Bang, will be celebrated at Loosely's, 22d inst. It
is expected that no rebel will approach nearer than Flatbush
wood."— Rivington, Sept. 20, 1780.
" By Permission— Three Days' Sport on Ascot Heath.
PORMEELY Flatlands PLAIN. — Monday, 1. The Nobleman's
and Gentleman's Purse of £60, free for any horse except Mr.
Wortman's and Mr. Allen's Dulcimore, who won the plate at
Beaver Pond last season. 3. A saddle, bridle and whip,
worth £15, ponies not exceeding 13^ hands : Tuesday, 1.
Ladies' subscription purse of £50. 2. To be run for by
women, a Holland sniook and chintz gown, full-trimmed, to
run the best two in 3, quarter-mile heats ; the first to have
the smock and gown of 4 guineas value, the second a guinea,
the third a half-guinea : Wednesday. County subscription
purse of £50. No perton will erect a booth or sell liquor,
without subscribing two guineas towards the expense of the
race. Gentlemen fond of fox-hunting will meet at Loosely's
King's Head Tavern at daybreak during the races.
" Ood Save the King" Tp]a.yed every hour." — Rivington,
Nov. 4, 1780.
A jockey or racing club was formed in the year
1780, within the British lines. Bryant Connor, of
New York, was Chief Jockey. Flatluiul Pluin,
then called " Ascot Heath," was then a beautiful
open plain, well adapted for racing or parades. Public
races were held here until October, 1783. The British
officers, with the refugees and Tories, ruled the course.
The American officers, then prisoners in Kings County,
attended these races, and were frequently insulted by
the loyalists, which gave rise to frequent fracases.
Wherever a fine horse was known to be owned by any
American farmer in the county, the refugee horse-
thieves would soon put him into the hands of the
jockeys, and the course was thus kept well supplied.
General Johnson saw a NeA\' Jersey farmer claim a
horse on Ascot Heath, in October, 1783, which had
been purchased by Mr. John Cornell, of Brooklyn,
from a refugee, and entered for the race. The owner
permitted the horse to run the race ; after which, Mr.
Cornell surrendered the animal to the owner in a gen-
tlemanly manner. Whether he ever found the thief
afterwards is uncertain.
In the early autumn of this year, Lt. Gen. Riedesel
was appointed by Gen. Clinton to the command of
Brooklyn, a mark of especial confidence; as Long Island,
then the great depot of supplies for the British Army
in New York, was occupied by the best English troops,
but few of the German mercenaries being garrisoned
there. Although the British were usually averse to the
authority of any of the foreign generals, yet so great
was the reputation of this amiable and talented soldier
that all, and especially the officers, vied with each other
in manifesting their own good-will, as well as their
appreciation of his merits. His headquarters were in a
small house on the shore, where, early in the spring of
1781, he was joined by his wife and family. His
98
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
domestic comfort, however, was much disturbed by his
apprehensions of capture by the Americans, who were
always on the alert; and to whom the peculiar nature of
the country, with its bays, creeks, and inlets, afforded
many chances of success. So careful was he, " that he
slept only while his wife was awake ; the least noise
brought him out of his bed." He had sentinels in and
about his house, but never trusted entirely to their
watchfulness. The detail of guard-service had been
much neglected by the English officers previously in
command, but Riedesel instituted very thorough and
wholesome reforms in this respect.
On the 22d of July, 1781, the general, with his fam-
ily and attendants, embarked for Canada.
During the winter of 1780-81, the East River was
frozen solid, from the Brooklyn shore half-way across,
and on the edge of the ice, near the" centre of the river,
hundreds of cords of wood were piled for the use of the
English army. The Long Island farmers, bringing
produce to the city, drove on the ice to the middle of
the river, where they placed their loads on board the
ferry-boats. The English feared lest the Americans
should take advantage of the ice to attack New York.
The Americans, however, transported some troops and
cannon on the ice from New Jersey to Staten Island. —
FuEMAN Mss.
1781, "Pro Bono Publico. — By permission, four
days sport, on Easter Monday, on Ascot Heath. Purses
of £50, £50, £100, £100."— Bivington, Feb. 12.
" Grand Races at Ascot Heath postponed until June 6, on
account of the King's birthday : on which occasion it is ex-
pected that every true subject will so strain bis nerves in re-
joicing, as to prevent this amusement being agreeable be-
fore that time. A hurling match on tlie ground, June 5,
when those who have a curiosity to play (or see) that ancient
diversion, will get hurls and bats at the Irish Flag.— Game,
May 30, '81.
" To all who know it not, be it understood
Pro bono publico means mankind's good."
"This day, being Wednesday, the 20th. of June, will be
exhibited, at Brooklyn Ferry, a bull-baiting after the true
English manner. Taurus will be brought to the ring at
half -past three o'clock ; some good dogs are already provided,
but every assistance of that sort will be esteemed a favor. A
dinner exactly British will be upon Loosely's table at eleven
o'clock, after which there is no doubt but that the song of
' Oh ! the Roast Beef of Old England !' wiU be sung ^^ ith
harmony and glee.
"This notice gives to all who covet
Baiting the bull and dearly love it.
To-morrow's very afternoon,
At three— or rather not so soon —
A bull of magnitude and spirit
Will dare the dog's presuming merit.
Taurus is steel to the back-bone,
And canine cunning does disown ;
True British blood runs through his v Ins
And barking numbers he disdains.
Sooner than knavish dogs shall rule,
He'll prove himself a irue John Bull."
At this time (July 8) Brooklyn Fort, although yet
imperfect, having but eighteen cannon mounted, had
two bomb-proof magazines and a garrison of two hun-
dred Brunswickers. " Cobble Hill," also in process of
repair, was occupied by two companies. The 54th
Regiment were encamped at " Ferry Hill," two rriiles
from Brooklyn, and at Bedford were two hundred
grenadiers.
The stationary camp at Bedford was located on
broken ground, then on the farm of Barent Lefferts,
now crossed by Franklin and Classon avenues, Bergen,
Wykoff, Warren, Baltic and Butler streets. The huts
or barracks were built by throwing out the earth from
a trench thirty to fifty feet long and about twelve or
fifteen feet wide, with a board roof resting on the bank
formed by the excavated earth. A large stone fire-place,
or two, were arranged in each one. These huts were
irregularly scattered, according to the slope of the
ground, so as to have the entrance at the middle of the
lower side. The officers were located outside of this
VIEW ON LOWER SIDE.
camp, in the adjacent woods, wherever convenient and
pleasant spots tempted them to pitch their tents.
Head-quarters were at the Leffert Lefferts house (corner
of Fulton avenue and Clove road). See right-hand cor-
ner view of Bedford Corners on opposite page. Major
John Andre was quartered at this house when called to
New York on the interview with Gen. Clinton, which re-
sulted in his being sent up the North River on the mis-
sion which terminated in his capture and execution as a
spy-
In the Boyal Gazette ot August 8th, 1871, published at New
York, Charles Loosely advertises a lottery of |12,500 to be
drawn at "Brooklyn Hall." The same paper contains
the following advertisement: " Pbo bono publico. — Gen-
tlemen that are fond of fox hunting are requested to meet at
Loosely's Tavern, on Ascot Heath, on Friday morning next,
between the hours of five and six, as a pack of hounds will
be there purposely for a trial of their abilities. Breakfasting
and Relishes until the Races commence. At eleven o'clock
vidll be run for, an elegant saddle, etc., value at least twenty
pounds, for which upwards of twelve gentlemen will ride
their own horses. At twelve a match will be rode by two
gentlemen. Horse for Horse. At one, a match for thirty
guineas, by two gentlemen, who will also ride their own
horses. Dinner will be ready at two o'clock, after which
and suitable regalements, racing and other diversions will
be calculated to conclude the day with pleasure and har-
mony. Brooklyn Hall, August, 1781."
" B. Creed's Jamaica and Brooklyn Hall Stage Machine, 6s.
a passage ; not answerable for money, plate, and jewels, un-
less entered and paid toi."—Sivington, March, 1781. f
And again : " Brooklyn Hunt.— The hounds will throw off
at Denyse Ferry at 9, Thursday morning. A guinea or more
will be given for a good, strong bag fox by Charles Loosely."
—Riv., Nov. 14, '81.
BRITISH OGGUPATION OF BROOKLYN.
99
BEDFOKD CORNERS, IN 1776.
The Anhault Zerbet Regiment were at this time
stationed at Brooklyn.
' "A sweepstakes of 300 guineas was won by Jacob Jack-
son's mare, Slow and Easy, over Mercury and Goldfinder, on
Ascot Heath. The two beaten horses are to run for 100 gui-
neas a side, on Wednesday next, on the same ground. " — Jtiv-
ington, April 37, '83.
" May 3, on Monday se'nnight the enemy (British) began
i to break ground to cut a canal on L. I., to run from the
; Wallabout to the Pond, taking in Cobble Hill Fort. The
length of the trench is 2^^ miles. The militia are called out
in rotation one day in a week, none above 15 being excused
from labor." — Conn. Current, May 7, '83.
This " canal " is more accurately described by Gen-
eral Jeremiah Johnson as a strong line of intrenchment,
extending from the bill of Rem. A. Remsen along the
the higb lands of John Rapelje, crossing Sands street
near Jay street, and thence over the highest land in
Washington street, between Concord and Nassau
streets, across the Jamaica Road (Fulton street) to the
large fort, already described, on the corner of Henry
and Pierrepont streets.
June 3d. " The lines drawn between Brooklyn
Church and the Ferry, by Clinton, are not likely to be
completed by Carlton. They are carting fascines now.
On Long Island are now about 3,500 men."
As we have already seen, the enterprising landlord
of " King's Head " tavern was not insensible to the ad-
vantages of advertising ; and this summer, by way of
tickling the humors of his patrons, and, perhaps, of aid-
ing a lottery enterprise which he had in hand, he issued
a newspaper. This, the first j)aper ever issued in Brook-
lyn, was printed upon a dingy sheet about the ordinary
" letter size " now in use, and contained three columns
of " close matter," printed on one side of the sheet
only. It was named (with Loosely's usual preface,
"Pro bono Publico''''), "The Beooklyn-Hall Supee-
ExTEA Gazette," dated Saturday, June 8th, 1782, and
its contents may be characterized as displaying more
loyalty and " heavy wit " than literary merit. A copy
of this sheet, the only one known to be in existence,
can be seen at the Naval Lyceum, in the U. S. Navy
Yard, in this city, and was republished in Stiles' History
of Brooklyn.
" Baron de Walzogen, Capt. Commandant of the
combined detachment of Brunswick and Hessian Hanau
troops, nov) at Brooklyn camp, received an address
from the inhabitants of New Utrecht, thanking him for
the vigilant care, good order, and discipline prevailing
among the officers and soldiers under his command at
the Narrows, etc." — Gaine, Aug. 6, '82.
The crops, at this time, were indifferent in many
parts of the country. It was a very dry summer on
Long Island.
In December of this year there were stationed at
Brooklyn, Hackenbergh's regiment of Hessians, in the
large fort back of the Ferry, and in the redoubts a
number. At Bedford, also, the garrison battalion of
invalids, about one hundred in number, of whom a half
were officers, was quartered at the houses of the differ-
ent inhabitants.
100
HISTOB T OF KINGS CO UNTY.
The state of things had changed. No longer did the
newspapers teem with festive advertisements and loy-
alist literature. The war was virtually ended by the
Provisional Treaty of Peace, signed November 30, 1'782,
and the British were about to leave the land where, for
nearly sevfin years, their presence had rested like a
hideous nightmare upon the people whom they sought
to subdue. The sound of preparation for departure
was everywhere heard, and the papers (significant in-
dices of every passing breeze of popular events) were
now occupied with advertisements such as the follow-
ing :
"At auction at the King's Naval Brewery, L. I., 60 or 70
tons of iron-hoops, and 70,000 dry and provision-casks, staves,
and heading, in lots of 10,0 O."~ltivington, May 26, '83.
" Auction at Flatbush.— The Waldeck Stores, viz. : sol-
diers' shirts ; blue, white, and yellow cloth ; thread-stock-
ings, shoe-soles, heel-taps, etc., eto."—Rivington, July 2, '83.
"Saddle-horses, wagons, carts, harness, etc., at auction
every Wednesday, at the wagon-yard, Brooklyn. "— Came,
Sept. 8, '83.
"King's draft and saddle horses, wagons, carts, and har-
ness for sale at the wagon-yard, Brooklyn." — Rivington,
August 27, '83.
Desertions also became frequent among the Hessians, who
preferred to remain in this country. Tunis Bennet of Brook-
lyn was imprisoned in the Provost for carrying Hessian de-
serters over to the Jersey shore.
At length, after protracted negotiations, a Definite Treaty
of Peace was signed at Paris, between the American and
British commissioners, on the 3d of September, 1784. And
on the 25th of November following, Brooklyn and the city
of New York were formally evacuated by the British troops
and refugees.
Stiles says: " Brooklyn, which, during the war, had been
wholly military ground, presented a sadder scene of desola-
tion than any other town in Kings County. In 1780, after
its occupation by the British, free range had been given to
the pillaging propensities of the soldiery. Farms had been
laid waste, and those belonging to exiled Whigs given to the
Tory favorites of Governor Tryon. Woodlands were i-uth-
lessly cut down for fuel, buildings were injured, fences re-
moved, and boundaries effaced. Farmers were despoiled of
their cattle, horses, swine, poultry, vegetables, and of almost
every necessary article of subsistence, except their grain,
which fortunately had been housed before the invasion.
Their houses were also plundered of every article which the
cupidity of lawless soldiery deemed worthy of possession,
and much furniture was wantonly destroyed. At the close
of this year's campaign, DdHeister, the Hessian general, re-
turned to Europe with a ship-load of plundered property.
During the next year (1777), the farmers had cultivated but
little more than a bare sufficiency for their own subsistence.
and even that was frequently stolen or destroyed. Stock be-
came very scarce and dear, and the farmer of Brooklyn who
owned a pair of horses and two or three cows, was "well off."
The scarcity prevailing in the markets, however, soon ren-
dered it necessary for the British commanders to restrain
this system of indiscriminate marauding, and to encoui-age
agriculture. After the capture of General Burgoyne's army,
rebel prisoners were treated with more lenity ; and in 1778,
the towns of Flatbush, Gravesend, and New Utecht were set
apart as a parole-ground, for the purpose of quartering
American olficers whom the fortunes of war had thrown
upon their hands. In these towns, therefore, a greater de-
gree of peace and order prevailed; and the farmers had -the
twofold advantage of receiving high prices for their produce
and pay for boarding the prisoners. Brooklyn, however, re-
mained a gan-ison town until the peace, and many farms
were not inclosed until after the evacuation, in 1783.
When, therefore, the inhabitants returned to their deso-
lated and long-deserted homes, their first efforts were di-
rected to the cultivation of their lands, the re-establishment
of their farm boundaries, and the restoration of their private
affairs. This being accomplished, their attention was next
turned to reorganization of the town — whose records had
been removed, and whose functions and privileges had been
totally suspended during the seven years' military occupa-
tion by the Brit.sh. On the first Tuesday of April, 1784, was
held the first town-meeting since April, 1776. Jacob Sharpe,
Esq., was chosen Town Clerk, and applied to Leflfert Lefiferts,
Esq., the previous clerk, for the town records. Lefferts de-
posed, on oath, that they had been removed from his custody,
during the war, by a person or persons to him unknown ;
and although that person was afterwards identified, the sub-
sequent fate of the records themselves is, to this day, un-
known.
These records and papers were taken to England by
Rapalje, in October, 1776, and his lands were confis-
cated, and afterwards became the property of J. & C
Sands. After his death, the papers fell into the pos-
session of his grand-daughter, who married William
Weldon, of Norwich, County of Norfolk, England.
William Weldon and his wife came to New York about
the year 1810, to recover the estates of John Rapalje,
and employed D. B. Ogden and Aaron Burr as counsel,
who advised them that the Act of Attainder, passed by
the Legislature against Rapalje and others, barred their
claim. Weldon and his wife brought over with them
the lost records of the town of Brooklyn, and offered
them to the town for a large sum (according to some,
$10,000), but would not even allow them to be examined
before delivery. Although a writ of replevin might
easily have secured them to the town again, the
apathetic Dutchmen of that day were too indifferent to
the value of these records, and they were allowed to
return to England. — (Ms. Note of Jeremiah Johnson.)
Gradually, under the benign influences of Liberty and
Law, order emerged from chaos. The few law^less mis-
creants who remained were speedily restrained from
their mischievous propensities by the whipping-post and
imprisonment; angry passions subsided, and those citi-
zens who had hitherto viewed each other as enemies
became united.
A Military Execution at Brooklyn. — In the
summer of 1782, three men, named Porter, Tench, and
Parrot, members of the 54th Regiment, then encamped
on the farm of Martin Schenck, at the Wallabout, were
arrested and tried for their complicity in a foul murder
committed on Bennet's Point, in Newtown, three years
before. They were sentenced to be hung, but Parrot
was pardoned and sent on board a man-of-war. The
execution of Porter and Tench, notable as the only
case of capital punishment for injuries done to citizens,
was witnessed by the late General Jeremiah Johnson,
A BRITISH MILITAR Y EXEC UTION AT BRO OKI YN.
101
who thus describes the scene : " The gallows was the
limb of a large chestnut-tree, on the farm of Martin
Schenck. About 10 a. m., a brigade formed a hollow
square around the tree ; the culprits, dressed in white
jackets and pantaloons, and firmly pinioned, were
brought into the square, and halters, about eight feet
long, were fastened to the limb, about four feet apart.
Tench ascended the ladder first, followed by Cunning-
ham's yellow hangman, who adjusted the halter, drew a
cap over the culprit's face, and, then descending, turned
him off the ladder. The like was done to Porter, who
ascended the ladder by the side of his hanging com-
panion, in an undaunted manner, and was turned
towards him and struck against him. They boxed
together thus several times, hanging in mid-air about
ten feet from the ground, until they were dead. The
field and stafE officers were inside the square, and after
the execution Cunningham reported to the commanding
officer (said to be General Gray), who also appeared to
treat him with contempt. The troops then left the
ground, and the bodies were buried under the tree."
Military Punishments. — The British soldiers were
punished by whipping or flogging with the " cat-o'-nine-
tails," executed by the drummers. The regimental
surgeons were obliged to attend the punishments, which
were usually very severe — sometimes as many as five
hundred lashes being given. Citizens were allowed to
be present at these floggings, except at punishments of
the 42d Highland Regiment, when only the other
regiments were allowed to be witnesses. Punishments
in this regiment were, however, infrequent. The
dragoons were punished by picketing'; the Germans by
being made to run the gauntlet. On these occasions
the regiment formed in two parallel lines, facing inwards;
the culprit passed down between these lines, having an
officer before and behind him, and was struck by each
soldier with rods. An officer also passed down on the
outside of each line, administering a heavy blow to any
soldier who did not give the culprit a fair and good
stroke. Hessians were also punished by the gauntlet,
while the band played a tune set to the following words:
"Father and mother, do not mourn
Over your only son ;
He never did you any good,
And now he gets his doom— doom— doom— doom."
The officers often treated their men cruelly. General
Johnson remembered to have seen Captain Westerhauge
and Lieutenant Conrady beat a corporal with their
swords on his back, over his waiscoat, so that he died
the next day. They beat the man about two in the
afternoon. He was standing : the captain first gave
him a number of blows, and then the lieutenant com-
menced ; but before he had finished the man was too
feeble to stand, and the captain stood before him and
held him up. The man then laid down on the grass,
while the surgeon's mate examined his body, which was
a mass of bruised and blistered flesh. His back was
roughly scarified by the surgeon's mate, and he was
then removed to a barn, where he died the next day —
never having uttered a word from the moment of the
first blow. Mrs. Peter Wyckoff, mother of Mr. Nicholas
Wyckoff, President of the City Bank of Brooklyn, and
a daughter of Lambert Suydam, a brave officer in the
Continental Army, informed Dr. Stiles, in 1861, that she
distinctly remembers, when a school-girl at Bedford,
having seen British soldiers tied up to a tree, in front
of the house of Judge Lefferts, and flogged.
Among the patriotic deeds of the adherents of the
American cause in Kings County were the loans of
money furnished to the State Government by them. It
was effected in the following manner : Lieutenant
Samuel Dodge and Captains Gilleland and Mott, of the
American army, had been captured at Fort Montgomery,
and were confined as prisoners, under a British guard, at
the residence of Barent Johnson, in the Wallabout.
Dodge was exchanged in the course of a month, and
reported the practicability of borrowing specie from
Whigs in Kings County, mentioning Johnson as one
who would risk all in the undertaking. It was there-
fore agreed that confidential officers should be
exchanged, who were to act as agents in these trans-
actions. Colonel William Ellison was fixed upon to
receive the loan. He was exchanged in November, 1777,
and conveyed $2,000 in gold to Governor Clinton, a
simple receipt being given. In this manner, before
1782, large sums had been loaned to the State. In 1780,
Major H. Wyckoff was hid for two days in the upper
room of Rem. A. Remsen's house, in the Wallabout,
while the lieutenant of the guard of the " Old Jersey"
British prison-ship was quartered in the house. Remsen
loaned him as much as he could carry, and conveyed
him in a sleigh, at night, to Cow Neck, from whence he
crossed to Poughkeepsie.
The patriotism of many of New York's bravest
soldiers was poorly rewarded by the passage of a
legislative act. May 6th, 1784, levying a tax of £100,000
upon the Southern District of the State, a portion of
which could be paid in State scrip, which the soldier had
received for his services, and had sold to speculators for
from two to six pence per pound. The scrip, it is
almost needless to say, immediately rose to the value of
ten shillings on the pound, leaving a very handsome
profit to the speculators, who had invested it largely in
the purchase of confiscated estates.
Brooklyn from the close of the Revolution to
the War of 1812. Brooklyn's shai'e in the actual
hostilities of the Revolutionary War has been already
given in our chapter on the General History of Kings
County. For the first few years succeeding the war,
but little of interest occurred in the town. Its in-
habitants doubtless found plenty to do in repair-
ing the ravages which their property had suffered
during a seven years' hostile occupation. Yet the
spirit of improvement was astir; and, in 1785, the
staid old Dutchmen who worshipped in the ancient
102
HISTORY OF KllfOS COUNTY.
edifice in the middle of the road at "Brooklyn
Church," as well as the few but loyal Episcopalians,
who had set up their Ebenezer in John Middagh's
barn, on the corner of Henry and Poplar streets, found
a denominational rival in the little handful of stout-
hearted " Independents," who erected a small place of
worship on the ground now occupied by " St. Anne's
Buildings," on Fulton street. In this year, also, were
the beginnings of the " Brooklyn Fire Department."
Brooklyn was recognized as a town under the State
government March 7th, I'ZSS.
That the people were in favor of the preservation of
order and the enforcement of the law, is' evident from
the fact that at a town meeting in April, 1794, it was
" Resolved, that the Supervisors raise the sum of £10,
13s., 6d., which money has been expended for the pur-
pose of building a cage and stocks.''''
The " New," or Catharine street, ferry, was established
in the summer of 1795 by William Furman and Theo-
dosius Hunt. A bell " for the use of the town of
Brooklyn" was purchased at a cost of £49, 4s., which
sum was raised by subscription. It was hung in a small
cupola on the top of Buckbee's hay scales, which stood
on the southerly side of Fulton street, close by " Buck-
bee's alley, now Poplar place, a crooked alley running
from Poplar to Fulton street, between Henry and Hicks
streets.
A theological school was established in the spring of
1796, at Bedford, by the Rev. Dr. John Henry Living-
ston of the Reformed Dutch Church. It had only a
brief existence.
view of Brooklyn in 1798 (as seen from the North).
Rev. Jedediah Moore's " American Gazetteer," pub-
lished in 1798, thus briefly disposes of Brooklyn : "A
township in Kings County, N. Y., on the west end of
Long Island, having 1,603 inhabitants, and 224 are
electors, by the State census of 1796. There are a
Presbyterian church, a Dutch Reformed church, a pow-
der magazine, and some elegant houses, which lie
chiefly on one street. East River, near a mile broad,
separates the town from New York."
On the 6th of June, 1799, the " Courier and New
York and Long Island Advertiser," the second paper
ever published on Long Island, was commenced at
Brooklyn, by Thomas Kirk. It was a small, dingy
sheet, purporting to be published " every Wednesday
morning," and possessed little or nothing of interest to
us of the present day.
1800. In an old scrap-book of this date, in the pos-
session of the family of General Jeremiah Johnson, is
preserved what may be called the first written history
of Brooklyn. It consists of newspaper slips, undoubt-
edly cut from the columns of Thomas Kirk's paper,
" The Long Island Courier," to which are added numer-
ous manuscript corrections, notes, and even whole pages
of new matter, in the well-known handwriting of Gen-
eral Johnson, to whom it is probably not an error to
attribute their authorship. That this careful arrange-
ment and revision of these papers was made with a
view to their republication in pamphlet form, is apparent
from the fact that they are preceded by a title-page in
Ms., "A Topographical View of the Township of
Brooklyn,in Kings County, State of New Tor A,' (motto),
Brooklyn: Printed by Thomas Kirk. 1800." The
series consisted of about six papers, which form an
interesting, though diffuse, pot-pourri of historical
facts, speculations, etc., from which a few samples are
selected.
" Kings County," says the author, " contains 4,495 inhabit-
ants, including 621 electors ; 930 of these are free white males,
of ten and upwards ; 700 free white males under that age ;
1,449 free white females ; 1,432 slaves, and 46 free persons not
enumerated. The inhabitants are chiefly of Dutch extrac-
tion. Some are attached to their old prejudices ; but, within
a few years past, liberality and a taste for the fine arts have
made considerable progress. The slaves are treated well, but
the opinion relative to their freedom is yet too much influ-
enced by pecuniary motives. It would cer-
tainly redound to the honor of humanity,
could that blessing be effected here."
The town of Brooklyn at this per-
iod— and, indeed, until the incorporation
of the village of Brooklyn — was divided,
for ecclesiastical, school, and other pur-
poses, into seven districts, retaining the
same names which had descended from
the "neighborhoods," or hamlets, of the
earlier settlements, viz. : " The Ferry "
(Jiet Veer) ; the " Red Hook (de Roede
Seek) ; " Brooklyn " {Breuckelen) ;
"Bedford" (Z?e«/or<); " Gowanus " {Goujanes or Gou-
anes); " Cripplebush " {het Creupelbosch); and "the
Wallabout" {de Waal-boght).
After defining the boundaries of the town, and enum-
erating these districts (See Stiles' History of Brooklyti,
i, 381), he mentions :
" Olympia," a tract of land which, he says, "was surveyed
and laid out in streets as long ago as the year 1787, and then
intended as a city; its progress has been arranged according
to the plan, and begins to have the appearance of regularity.
It lies to the east of Brooklyn Ferry, and is bounded by the
Wallabout and the East River."
This was evidently the Comfort and Joshua Sands
estate; purchased by them, in 1784, from the Commis-
FROM THE REVOLUTION TO THE WAR OF 1812.
103
sioners of Forfeiture — it having been the property of
John Rapalje, the loyalist. John Jackson's Remsen
estate was also included within the bounds of the pros-
pective village. The author then proceeds to say that
"The holders of this tract [i. e., Messrs. Sands and John
Jackson — Ed.] appear to be desirous to encourage the under-
taking, by their willingness to dispose of lots at a reasonable
price. * * * This village, contemplatively a city, com-
prehends at preseat an extent of land within the following
boundaries, viz. : Beginning at two rocks called ' The Broth-
ers,' situated in the East Biver, from those to Brooklyn
Square [the neighborhood of the old Dutch Church],
through James street to Main and Road streets, to the
seat formerly the residence of the Rev. Mr. Johnson, now
Red Hook road [corner of Fulton avenue and Red Hook lane],
from thence across the Wallabout, then to the East River to
the place of beginning. This tract of land is better situated
than any other near New York for the counterpart of that
city. It is certain that, on the southern side of Brooklyn
Ferry ["the Heights." — Ed.] the hills are so high, and such
astonishing exertion is necessary to remove them, that Brook-
lyn Ferry can never extend any great ^distance upon that
quarter, and all improvements must necessarily be made in
Olympia. Add to this the want of disposition in the propri-
etors of that soil to sell any part of it. And, moreover, Olym-
pia and Brooklyn Ferry must always continue to increase in
a ratio with New York, unless some exertion of their own is
made. But as that city can never extend further southward,
but is continually progressing a contrary way, it is evident,
if the former position be true, that Olympia must receive the
whole progress which otherwise would be given to Brooklyn
Ferry.
"Olympia is extremely well calculated for a city; on a
point of land which presents its front up the East River, sur-
rounded almost with water, the conveniences are almost
manifest. A considerable country in the rear affords the easy
attainment of produce. A pure and salubrious atmosphere,
excellent spring water, and good society, are among a host of
other desirable advantages. As regards health in particular,
it is situated on the natural soil— no noxious vapors, genera-
ted by exhalations, from dock-logs, water, and filth sunk a
• century under its foundations, are raised here. Sand and clay
for building are in the village. Stone is brought from a short
distance. Timber, lath and boards are to be had on the spot.
In fact, almost every article for building is afforded here as
cheap as in New York. Could the inhabitants once divest
themselves of their dependence upon that city, and with
unanimous consent resolve that their own village should
prosper, there requires no supernatural agent to inform us of
the consequence.
"Want of good title has been alleged by some against
building here [an aUusion to the Rapelje estate— Ed.] ; but it
is ascertained, and from undoubted authority, that none was
ever Clearer or less entangled, and tliat reports here circu-
lated what truth is obliged to deny.
"The i^rincipal streets of this village are sixty feet, but the
oross-Sitreete are not so wide. They are not yet paved, though
a vast number of pebbles may be had there. Latterly, it ap-
pears to have had the appearance of a regular town. Edifices
are erecting, aad other improvements constantly making.
When we observe the elevated situations, the agreeable pros-
pects, the salubrity of the atmosphere, and the contiguous-
ness to New York, with many other interesting advantages,
it may claim, perhaps, more consideration than any part
of the township."
The sagacity of the author is manifest from the fol-
lowing (the italics are our own — Ed.) :
" It has been suggested that a bridge should be constructed
from this village across the East River to New York. This
idea has been treated as chimerical, from the magnitude of
the design ; but whoever takes it into their serious considera-
tion, will find more weight in the practicability of the scheme
than at first view is imagined. This would be the means of
raising the value of the lands on the east side of the river. It
has been observed that every objection to the building of this
bridge could be refuted, and that it only wanted a combina-
tion of opinion to favor the attempt. A plan has already
been laid down on paper, and a gentleman of acknowledged
abilities and good sense has observed that he would engage
to erect it in two years' time."
" It has also been observed that the Wallabout would form
an excellent navy-yard. Should such a plan be carried into
execution, it would considerably increase the importance of
this place. As a retreat from New York in summer, Olympia
would furnish many superior excellences over other places —
such as its vicinity to that city, the opportunity of freighting
and unloading vessels during the period of fever, the sale of
goods to the yeomanry who are fearful of entering the city,
etc. [Here a mutilation breaks the narrative.] * * * often
the resort of the inhabitants of New York in their pedestrian
excursions. This village has no peculiar privileges of its own.
Joined with several townships, it supports two ministers."
In speaking of manufactures, he says : " With respect to
' Olympia ' and Brooklvn Ferry, which are the principal vil-
lages in this township, they produce scarcely any thing of
the manufacturing kind but what is useful in common life.
There are eight grist-mills in this township, which grind by
means of the tide in the East River. Some of these mills are
employed to grind grain for exportation, others to supply the
neighboring farmers. Cables, cordage, lines, and twine are
spun and laid to considerable profit. A new patent floor-cloth
manufactory is about to be introduced. * * * Brewing
and distilling, with a capital, might be carried on to advan-
tage. Nails are afllorded very cheap. Chair-making, too,
answers extremely well. Besides these, there are all the dif-
ferent mechanical trades peculiar to settlements of this kind."
In regard to literature and education, he says : " There are
three schools in the township — one at Bedford, one at Gow-
anus, and the other at the Brooklyn Ferry. This last claims
the preference, having been established a considerable length
of time, under the superintendence of trustees. There are
about sixty scholars, who are taught the common rudiments
of education, with English grammar, geography, and astron-
omy. Two preceptors have the immediate direction. A
beautiful eminence to the east of Brooklyn Ferry will afford
an eligible situation for an academy." Thomas Kirk's news-
paper. The Courier, then in its first year, is favorably men-
tioned ; and, it is stated, that there are "no libraries, or
places for the sale of books in the town." " There is but one
society, properly speaking, in this township, and that is the
Masonic. This, which is the first and only Lodge in the
county, was erected in 1798 in Olympia, at the corner of Main
and James streets."
A brief outline of some of the main points of early Brook-
lyn history is given, and reference is made to two volunteer
companies, " whose uniform is as handsome as their conduct
is patriotic." A powder-house and arsenal are said to be
" already established." In the Appendix to this compilation.
General Johnson strongly advocates the establishment of a
village corporation, concerning the advantages of which he
discusses fully and eloquently; considering it "now proper
104
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
time that a corporation for Olympia should commence its
operations, and particular appropriations be made for exten-
sive market-places, a square for an academy, another for a
promenade, others for public buildings of different sorts, as
churches, court-houses, alms-houses, etc. , and not to sleep on
an ideal prospect." And, long before the venerable author
was gathered to his fathers, he had seen the more than reali-
zation of his "ideal prospect."
The spirit of speculation, as will be seen from the
above glowing account of " Olympia," had begun to
agitate the minds of the Brooklynites, and it received
no inconsiderable impulse, in 1801, from Mr. John
Jackson's sale to the United States of forty acres of the
Wallabout, including the old mill-pond, for the hand-
some sum of $40,000. Shortly after this, a portion of
the estate of Comfort Sands, contiguous to the lands of
Mr. Jackson, was sold, and Jackson street was opened
to Jackson Ferry. About this time, also, the suppres-
sion of the rebellion in Ireland caused the emigration to
this country of many persons who had been engaged in
that unfortunate struggle, some of whom came to New
York. A portion of these refugees, who had a little
property, were induced to purchase lots on Jackson's
land, at a spot to which — cleverly appealing to their
patriotism — he had given the name of " Vinegar Hill,"
in honor of the scene of the last conflict of that mem-
orable rebellion.
On the 2d of April, 1801, the village of Brooklyn was
incorporated as a fire district, by an act entitled "An
Act to vest certain powers in the Freeholders and In-
habitants of part of the Town of Brooklyn, in Kings
County," etc., the 6th section of which is of much im-
portance, inasmuch as it authenticated the copies of Old
Road Records, then recently transferred from the
County Clerk's oflice to the office of the Clerk of the
Town.
Crime and vice seem to have made fresh and increas-
ing inroads upon the primitive simplicity of this old
Dutch town ; for, in 1805, the town took measures to
determine the location and ascertain the expense of
erecting a " cage, or watch-house ;" whether a rebuild-
ing of the old one, or an additional one, is somewhat
uncertain. At the same meeting, the foremen of the
fire-engines were authorized to establish and regulate a
" Guard, or Night- Watch within the Fire District, by
and with the consent of the majority of the inhabitants."
1806. In the columns of The Long Island Weekly
Intelligencer, published by Robinson & Little, Book-
sellers and Stationers, corner of Old Ferry and Front
streets, October 9th, vol. i.. No. 15, are the advertise-
ments of Thomas Langdon, dealer in boots and shoes ;
Henry liewlet, general merchandise, near the Old
Ferry ; John Cole, coach-maker ; Dr. Lowe " at the
Rev. Mr. Lowe's, corner of Red Hook Road " (present
corner of Fulton street and Red Hook Lane); and Wil-
liam Cornwall, merchant tailor, corner of Front and
Main streets, near the New Ferry. Five apprentices
are wanted at Amos Cheney's Ship-yard ; William Mil-
ward, Block and Pump Maker, is located " at the Yel-
low Store, on Joshua Sands', Esq., wharf, between the
Old and New Ferries ;" while Benjamin Hilton sells
china, glass, and earthenware, " at New York prices,"
in Old Ferry street, in the house formerly occupied by
Mr. Derick Amerman. Land and property is advertised
by Henry Stanton, corner of Front and Main streets ;
by Robert M. Malcolm, corner of Washington and
Sands streets, and by Thomas Lalliet. Joel Bunce,
Postmaster, advertises the address of 53 letters uncalled
for in his office.
In the issue of October 23d, is the advertisement of
Augustine Eliott, " Taylor and Lady's Dress-Maker," in
old Ferry street ; and five verses of original poetry,
" after the manner of Burns," extolling the beauties of,
and the splendid prospect to be obtained from, " Brook-
lyn, or McKenzie's One Tree Hill." This hill was
located on Pearl street, between York and Prospect
streets. All around that portion of Brooklyn, north of
Washington and west of Sands street, was a series of
hills, some of which were covered with grass and had a
few trees ; others were of sandy soil, with here and
there a slight covering of grass, and with some button-
wood trees, while others still were nothing but sand-
hills. McKenzie's Hill, the most noted of these, was a
fine green elevation, crowned with a single gigantic but-
tonwood tree, and afforded a beautiful view of the city
and harbor of New York. It was marked, as were many
of the -surrounding hills, by the traces of intrenchments
and fortifications thrown up by the British during their
occupation of the Island ; and was finally levelled about
1807-9, in order to fill in the wharves built out over the
flats in the river, to the northwest of Main street.
Another rather noted hill was located some distance
farther west (bounded by Front, Adams, and Bridge
streets, near the water-line of the East River), and was
a barren, sandy eminence, on which every pebble or '
stone seemed to have been calcined by some extreme
heat, while three or four feet below the surface were
found regular layers of ashes, mingled with bits of char-
coal, and vitrifled stones and sand. All of these hills
have now disappeared — that known as " Fort Greene,
or Washington Park," being the only one which
remains.
In August, 1808, the town was one day startled by
the explosion of Sands' Powder Mill, which was situ-
ated in the vicinity of the present Jay and Tillary
streets. Fortunately, it happened between twelve and
one o'clock in the day, when the people were all at din-
ner— consequently no lives were lost, although forty
kegs of powder were lost. The recently erected stone
church, belonging to St. Anne's Episcopal Society, was
considerably damaged, its walls being somewhat weak-
ened, and the windows badly broken. An adjoining
ropewalk was also levelled to the ground. This year
the sum of $1500 was appropriated by the town for the
erection of a new "Poor-house."
INCOBPORATION' OF THE VILLAGE-18m—18ie.
105
1809, March IVth. "The Brooklyn, Jamaica and
Flatbush Turnpike Company " was incorporated. The
Company, during the year, paved Main and Old Ferry
streets in the village.
In June of this year the Long Island Star was estab-
lished by Thomas Kirk. The number for June 22d
contains, among other advertisements, one by George
Hamilton, who kept a select school " where students
were taught to make their own pens."
September 7th, John Gibbons announces that he has
opened an Academy for both sexes, at the place lately
occupied by Geo. Hamilton, where the various branches
of education are " taught on unerring principles." Also
"Mrs. Gibbons will instruct little Girls in Spelling,
Reading, Sewing and Marking." An evening school
for young men is proposed, and " N. B. Good Pronun-
ciation."
During the months of July, August and September,
of this year, the yellow fever prevailed in Brooklyn,
which gave rise to a long and wordy newspaper war
between the physicians of the village, Drs. Osborn,
Ball, and Wendell. On the 27th of September, DeWitt
Clinton, Mayor of New York, issued a Proclamation,
announcing the disappearance of the disease, and the
resumption of the ordinary intercourse between that
city and Brooklyn, which had been interdicted by his
previous proclamation of 2d of August. Twenty-eight
persons had died of the fever in Brooklyn, all of whom
were under twenty-eight years of age. It was at first
thought that the contagion was brought in the ship
Concordia, Captain Coffin, on board of which vessel the
first case and death occurred. But in the long and very
able report of Dr. Rogers, the Health-officer of the
Board of Health of New York, which was published in
December, after the subsidence of the disease, the
epidemic in Brooklyn was imputed to purely local
causes.
Brooklyn, at this time, was well supplied with private
schools. One Whitney kept school opposite the Post-
office; there was also the Brooklyn Select Academy,
taught by Mr. John Mabon, and having as trustees,
Messrs. Joshua Sands, S. Sackett, and H. I. Feltus.
Piatt Kennedy's scholars were advertised to hold an ex-
hibition on Christmas Eve, at the Inn of Benjamin
Smith, a large stone building on the east side of the
road, opposite the old " Corporation House."
The industrial interests of Brooklyn were at this time
represented by I. Harmer's Floor-Cloth Manufactory;
Chricton's Cotton-Good Manufactory, employing eight
to ten looms, and three or four extensive Rope-walks;
furnishing work to over one hundred persons.
The Long Island Star, of February 14th, 1811, con-
tains a petition to the Legislature for the establishment
of a Bank in Brooklyn. The great inconvenience of
crossing the ferry in bad weather, on days when notes
fall due, is particularly dwelt on by the petitioners.
There was, at this time, only one dry-goods store in
town, which was kept by Abraham Remsen, on the cor-
ner of Old Ferry (now Fulton) and Front streets; and
the mails passed through Long Island only once a week.
The publication of the Long Island Star was relinquished
by Mr. Kirk, on June 1st, to Alden Spoon er.
In July, 1811, the census of Long Island estimates
the population of Brooklyn as being 4,402.
1812, June 11. News was received in Brooklyn of
the I^eclaration of War between the United States and
Great Britain. (See Chapter VIII, of History of Kings
County.
BROOKLYN
FROM ITS INCORPORATION AS A VILLAGE.
(The Village as it appeared Seventy-Seven Years ago.)
NOTHING of historical importance occurred in
the town of Brooklyn during the year 1812,
except a serious fire on the east side of Main
street, near the Old Perry. Inadequate facili-
ties for crossing the river prevented the early arrival of
firemen from New York with their machines, and im-
provements in this respect were strongly recommended.
The subsequent introduction of team and steam-boats,
upon both of the Brooklyn ferries, gave the much-needed
facilities for succor from New York, and consequently
largely diminished the risks to which Brooklyn had,
hitherto, been exposed by fires.
In 1813 an enterprise originated which ultimately re-
sulted in the establishment of the first pubUc school. A
number of charitable ladies of the village formed an or-
ganization and established a school known as the Loisian
Seminary, named after Lois, the grandmother of
Timothy the Apostle. The object of the association
was to teach poor children reading, writing, arithmetic,
knitting, and sewing-, gratis. The teachers were twenty-
four young ladies, members of the society, who attend-
ed in rotation, two each week. One of the regulations
of the seminary was as follows:
" It will be necessary that the presiding Trustee ob-
serve that the children attend punctually, no trifling
excuse to be admitted, and that they are kept clean,
and behave in a decent manner."
This school continued for five years. Some of the
106
SISTOBY OF KINGS COUN'TY.
teachers married, others tired of their duties, and finally
a lady was engaged to teach at a salary. In ISlY Mr.
Andrew Mercein had requested of the lady mana-
gers that a teacher might be employed at a salary and
the school be converted into a pubhc school, which
could only be done under the then-existing laws by
showing that the school was conducted by a teacher or
teachers who had been drawing pay. This was agreed
to, and Mr. Mercein and his associates in the enterprise
then transferred the school — which had been held in
the houses of the members of the society, without any
permanent building — to a small framed house on the
corner of Concord and Adams streets, which was subse-
quently removed to make room for the present build-
ing, occupied by Public School No. 1.
The principal events of the year 1814 are spoken of
elsewhere. They were the introduction of steam ferry-
boats on the Brooklyn Ferry, and defensive measures
adopted in view of the war then in progress.
During the winter of 1815-16, small-pox prevailed to
some extent in Brooklyn, and several deaths from the
disease occurred. It is worthy of record that Drs. Ball
and Wendell, by advertisement, offered their gratuitous
services for the vaccination of such as desired.
1816, January 6th, a public meeting was held for the
organization of a public school. At this meeting An-
drew Mercein, John Seaman and Robert Snow were
chosen trustees. At a subsequent meeting measures
were taken for the purchase of a site and the erection
of a school-house.
On the 8th of the same month a public meeting of the
freeholders and inhabitants of the town of Brooklyn
was held at the public house of Lawrence Brower, " to
take into consideration the proposed application for an
incorporation of Brooklyn." On the following day,
Messrs. Thomas Everit, Alden Spooner, Joshua Sands,
Rev. John Ireland, and John Doughty, who had been
appointed a committee to draft the required petition
and bill, met at the residence of Mr. Hez. B. Pierrepont,
and proceeded to perform the important task assigned
to them.
April 12. The act incorporating the village ofJBrooJc-
lyn passed the legislature of the State.
That portion of the tovm of Brooklyn, thus set aside
as a distinct government, had previously been known as
the fire district, established in 1801, and was described
as "beginning at the Public Landing south of Pierre-
pont's Distillery, formerly the property of Philip Liv-
ingston deceased, on the East River; thence running
along the Public Road leading from said Landing, to
its intersection with Red Hook Lane; thence along said
Red Hook Lane to where it intersects the Jamaica
Turnpike Road; thence a north-east course to the head
of the Wallaboght Mill-pond; thence through the cen-
tre of the Mill-pond to the East River; and thence down
the East River to the place of beginning."
Messrs. Andrew Mercein, John Garrison, John
Doughty, John Seaman, and John Dean, were named,
by the act, as the first trustees of the village, to remain
in office until the first Monday in May, 1817, when an
election was to be held by the people.
On the 29th of April these gentlemen took the oath
of office as trustees, and held their first meeting on the
4th of May following.
In March, 1816, a Sunday-school was "in operation
in the village of Brooklyn," with more than seventy
scholars. It was " under the management of four sup-
erintendents, a standing committee of seven, and a num-
ber of (volunteer) teachers, male and female." The
design of the institution was deelared to be the combin-
ing " of moral and religious instruction with ordinary
school learning." The parents and guardians of the
children who attended were requested to indicate what
catechism they wished them to study, and the hearty
co-operation of all the ladies and gentlemen in the vil-
lage was asked for the school. It appears that the prin-
cipal founders of this school were Andrew Mercein,
Mobert Snovj, Joseph S. Harrison, John Murphy, and
Joseph Herbert. Success followed the efforts of these
benevolent and philanthropic men, and the " JBrooMyn
Sunday-school Union Society " was soon afterward or-
ganized.
The school was at first held in Thomas Kirk's print-
ing office, a long, narrow, two-story frame edifice, on
the westerly side of Adams street, between High and
Sands; but it was now removed to the school building
of District School, No. 1, on the corner of Concord and
Adams streets. As far as is known, this non-sectarian
effort was continued till 1818, when the Episcopalians
commenced a Sunday-school of their own, which, with
temporary intermissions, has continued to the present
time. The union effort seems to have declined ; but it was
revived about 1812, and simultaneously other sectarian
schools sprang up, all of which, as well as the union
school, were prosperous.
During the first year after the incorporation of the
village a seal was adopted, and many ordinances were
passed, of which space will not permit a record here.
An effort was made to procure the passage of an act
so amending the charter as to enable the trustees to fill
all vacancies occurring in the board, and to restrict the
right of suffrage to freeholders in votes for raising taxes.
This was looked on by the people as an invasion of
their rights, and so strong a remonstrance was sent to
the legislature, that nothing more was heard of the pro-
posed amendments.
Brooklyn Seventy-Seven Years Ago.— Before
tracing further the history of Brooklyn, it seems desir-
able to present a brief sketch of the village as it appeared
in 1816, and, with not much change, for about fifteen
years thereafter. Should such a sketch fail to attract
some people at the present, it is safe to predict that it
will be read with increasing interest as time goes on.
Brooklyn, as seen from the New York side of the
BROOKLYN SEVENTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO.
lov
river, during the first third of the present century, pre-
sented features of simple rural beauty, sti-ongly in con-
trast with its present imposing aspect. Around the
" Old (now Fulton) FeiTy " there was a clustering of
houses, taverns, stables and shanties, which had grown
up since the earliest establishment of a ferry at that
point, and which formed the nucleus of a considerable
business activity. From the ferry-slip (with its horse-
boat, its one steam-boat and its row-boat accommoda-
tions, but with no such accommodations as the present
ferry-house affords, and with no bell save the resonant
throat of the ferryman), the old country road, the
" king's highway " of the colonial and revolutionary
periods, straggled crookedly upward and backward, out
past the old Dutch church, out through Bedford Corn-
ers, and away beyond Jamaica, even to Montauk Point;
being, in fact, the great highway of travel of Long
Island itself. As far as the junction of this old road
(now Fulton street) with the new road (now Main
street), which came up from the " New Ferry " (as it
was even then called, although it had been established
some twenty years), it was tolerably well lined with
buildings of various shapes and sizes. Pert-looking
Yankee frame edifices rudely intruded their angulari-
ties among the hump-backed Dutch houses quaintly built
of stone, or of small imported Holland bricks. Yet one
and all wore such an unpretentious and neighborly
look, under the brooding shadows of the noble trees,
with which the village abounded, that it was plainly
evident, even to the most casual observer, that no pre-
monition of the future greatness, so soon to be thrust
upon them, had as yet disturbed the minds of their
occupants.
Less than a quarter of a mile to the left of the " Old
Ferry " was the " New Ferry " to Catherine street. New
York; and the road (or present Main street) which led
from it up the hill, till it met the " Old Ferry road "
(now Fulton street), was beginning to show a respect-
able number of frame buildings — all, however, of com-
paratively recent origin. Beyond this ferry and street
the land stretched northwardly (broken by McKenzie's,
Vinegar, and other hills before mentioned) to the verge
of the Wallabout bay, where John Jackson had a ship-
yard, and eight or ten houses for workmen. Adjacent
to this was the infant United States Navy Yard (estab-
lished in 1801); while beyond, along the curving shore
of the bay, were the farms of the Johnsons, Schencks,
Remsens, Boerums, and others.
On the right of the Old Ferry, and with an abrupt-
ness which, even at this day, is scarce concealed by the
streets and buildings covering it, rose the northernmost
corner, or edge of that portion of the present city known
as " The Heights," stretching southwardly to near the
foot of the present Joralemon street. The face and
brow of this noble bluff were covered with a beautiful
growth of cedar and locust, while its base was constant-
ly washed by the waves of the East river. From its
summit the land stretched away in orchards, gardens
and pasture, out to the old highway (Fulton street).
The Indians named it in their expressive language
"Ihpetonga," or "the high sandy bank." To the early
villagers it was known as " Clover Hill," and its owners
(at that time Messrs. Cary Ludlow, the Ilickses, Waring,
Kimberly, Middagh, De Bevoises,' Pierrepont and Joi--
alemon) resided upon their respective farms in a state of
semi-seclusion, almost prophetic of that social aristoc-
racy which has since claimed " The Heights " as exclu-
sively its own. From this elevated plateau the eye
rested upon a panoramic scene of unsurpassed beauty ;
the city of New York, with its glorious bay ; Staten
Island, with the numerous lesser islands studding the
bosom of the harbor ; the Jersey shore, with the Orange
mountains in the background ; further to the southward
was Red Hook with its old mills ; the scattered farm-
houses nestled around the bay ; Yellow Hook, and the
forest slopes of Greenwood.
The Village. — In taking a view of the village as it
then was, the portion along the old highway (now Ful-
ton street), as far as the present City Hall, first claims
attention.
At the " Old Ferry " landing, which was then situated
much farther inland, and to the southward of the pres-
ent lower ferry-slip, was a dock (Map a, 3), on one side
of which were steps for the accommodation of the
wherry, or row-boat passengers; while on the other, or
upper side, the larger boats or scows landed their freight;
and, after the steam-boat was placed on the ferry, it was
known as the "steam-boat slip."
Some fifty or sixty feet from the slip was a flag-staff,
or liberty-pole, of which Burdet Stryker, the butcher,
who occupied a stand in the neighboring market-build-
ing, was the custodian.
It is related by Col. De Voe, that when this liberty-
pole became dangerous from decay, Mr. Stryker sought
to raise funds, by subscription, for a new one. He ap-
pealed to some of the " Society of Friends," who declined
to subscribe because they were opposed to liberty-poles.
He appealed to his old " boss," Thomas Everit, the
Quaker, who at once told him that he was opposed to
liberty-poles ; but, at the same time, he would give ten
dollars to assist in taking down the old one. It is hardly
necessary to add that he succeeded in raising the
required amount.
In the middle of the street, about fifty or sixty feet
east of the flag-staff, stood the old market, a long, shab-
by, wooden structure, the head of which was opposite
Carll's stables, near Elizabeth street. It was slightly
raised above the level of the street, had a rounding roof,
and contained six stalls, or stands, one of which is re-
membered to have been occupied by Burdet Stryker,
another by John Doughty, another as a fish-stand, etc.
The locality was a sort of rendezvous for all the butch-
ers, of whom, from time immemorial, there had been a
large number resident in Brooklyn. Many of them- had
108
SISTOR Y OF KIIirGS CO UNTY.
their slaughter-houses near by, and every morning came
down to the ferry-stairs with their wheelbarrow-loads of
nicely-dressed meats, which they trundled aboard the
boats, barrows and all, and were ferried over to the city.
The old market, also, was the great resort of the sport-
ive blacks, who formed no inconsiderable portion of the
population of Brooklyn, at that early day. They were
much employed by the butchers and others, and were
fat, sleek and happy fellows, generally on the best of
terms with their masters and " all the world besides,"
and full to overflowing of the waggery and tricks for
which the Dutch negroes have always been noted. At
the market, also, these negroes celebrated their annual
"Pinkster" holiday, which corresponded to their masters'
" Paass " festival. The old building finally became so
dilapidated as to be a nuisance, and was torn down one
night, in 1814, by a party of young men and boys. It
was a public institution, and the "market fees" were
always collected by William Furman, one of the over-
seers of the poor, and who occupied a large double
frame house (Map a, 1), with a long, high piazza in front,
which stood on the site of the present City Railroad
Company's elegant edifice. The house then stood right
in front of the ferry-stairs, which led down on the lower
side of the slip ; and, in the basement nearest the water,
he kept an oyster-house, where, for the charge of
twelve-and-a-half cents, one could be furnished with
as many fine roasted oysters as he could eat at a
sitting.
William Furman, or "Judge Furman" as he was called,
was of a Newtown family ; came here soon after the Revolu-
tion; was one of the founders of the New (or Catharine street)
ferry ; first judge of tlie county, 1808-1823 ; a village trustee
in 1817 ; several years a supervisor ; member of State leg-
islature, 1827 ; a warm friend of Governor Clinton ; presi-
dent of the Brooklyn Fire Ins. Co.; and, in many ways,
identified with the interests of the village. He died in 1852,
aged 86 years. He was the father of Gabriel Furman, the
talented lawyer and historian of Brooklyn, who was born in
the above-described house in January, 1800.
Adjoining the western side of Purman's house, on
the corner of the beach under the Heights (now Furman
street), was a small shanty kept as a sort of opposition
fish and oyster-house, by another Furman.
Between Furman's house and the corner of the pres-
ent Columbia street there had originally been, in the
early colonial times, a cattle-yard or enclosure, wherein
were confined the cattle brought down from the Island
for sale in the New York markets, and which were often
delayed, by stress of weather, from crossing the East
river for days together. It is probable that this cattle-
yard (represented in the view of the Brookland Ferry
House, in 1745— See Chapter on Ferries) originally ex-
tended to Doughty street, for there is evidence of there
having been a public landing place at the foot of that
street. On the site of this yard, adjoining to Furman's
dweUing, there was, at the time spoken of, a two-story
frame house, with dormer windows and a long front
stoop, occupied by John Bedell as a " stage-house " and
grocery. ISText to this (Map a, 5)wa8 a large brick sta-
ble, with slate roof, said to be the best on the island.
On the corner of the narrow lane, now called Elizabeth
street, was a very old brick building (Map a, 8), of ante-
revolutionary date, owned by John Carpenter and sub-
sequently occupied by Daniel Mott as a tavern. Mott
was burned out in January, 1814, by a great fire which
involved some of his neighbors, between his place and
the river, among whom were Thomas Everit and John
Bedell. After this, for many years, the ground was oc-
cupied by a temjDorary structure used as a grocery, until
the erection (about 1 832) of the brick edifice known from
that day to the present as " Carll's stables."
Across the lane stood the old stone tavern (Map a, 9)
to which Benjamin Smith removed after he was burned
out of the " Corporation House," on the opposite side of
the road (Fulton street), in 1812. It was a two-story
stone edifice, of about fifty feet front, with its bar and
sitting-room on the corner next the lane, and a sign,
swinging before the door, proclaimed it to be " The
Traveller's Inn. JBy Jienjamin Sniith." It was after-
wards known as "Smith and Woods," and, at a later
date still, was kept by Samuel Birdsall, the father of Mr.
Thos. W. Birdsall, and was a noted stopping-place for
the Quakers when they came to Brooklyn. At times, it
was said, as many as a hundred and fifty horses
munched their oats, stamped their feet and whisked
away the flies, in the stables of the inn, and great was its
fame among the " broad-brims." It was also the place
of deposit for the New York newspapers, which were
brought over in small boats, and left here for delivery to
subscribers ; for, in that day, the post-ofiice confined its
operations simply to the transmission of letters. Next
above Smith's was James W. Burtis's feed-store (Map a,
29); and a tavern (also Map a, 29) kept by Martin
Boeruni, a son of an old citizen of Brooklyn, who owned
a large farm near the Wallabout. Upon his father's
death, Martin assumed charge of his patrimonial farm,
and sold out his tavern-stand to John Hunter, a rough,
jovial man, who (by virtue of having formerly been a
member of the " Horse artillery " of the county) em-
blazoned upon his sign the rude delineation of a
mounted artilleryman, above the words "Hunter's
Hotel."
Next to Hunter's, and about opposite to Front street,
was Selah Smith's tavern (Map a, 30), a double frame
building, erected in 1*780, and framed entirely of oak,
even to the rafters. Furman''s Manuscripts record (in
1824), that, "in digging the cellar of this house, a large
rock was found, in endeavoring to sink which, it slipped,
and one of the workmen fell under it, and there his
bones remain to the present day;" which legend, of
course, gives to that building and its present successor
an indubitable right to have a ghost of its own.
Along the easterly side of the tavern ran the alley
leading to the stables in the rear, and the gateway at
BROOKLYN' SEVENTY-SEVEN' YEARS AGO.
109
its entrance was spanned by a huge arch, formed out
of a whale's jaw-bones, and painted blue. Selah Smith
died in the early part of the year 1819, and the business
was continued by his widow, Ann. Adjoining the
other side of the alley was the ancient two-story brick
building, with a very high stoop (Map a, 31), occupied
was a tallow-chandler, in Brooklyn. In 1794 he was one
of the eight firemen chosen by the citizens, at annual
town meeting, to man the new fire-engine, the second one
in the infant fire department of Brooklyn. He was iden-
tified with the establishment of Methodism in Brooklyn,
being one of the trustees of the newly incorporated Methodist
church in Sands street. He was much interested in military
matters, being captain of the village militia company, the
" RepubUcan Rifies," which subsequently,
during the war of 1812, volunteered, and
performed a tour of duty at New Utrecht,
with much credit. He was an ardent poli-
tician of the Jeffersonian school, and a
member of the celebrated " Tammany
Society, or Columbian order," being one of
the "WaUabout committee," in 1808, to
make arrangements for the sepulture of the
martyrs of the prison-ships, at the WaUa-
bout. Subsequently, he left the democratic
ranks and espoused the cause of De Witt
Clinton, with whom he was on terms of con-
siderable intimacy. He had a peculiar
aversion to the practice of "splitting tick-
ets," against which he was wont to inveigh
with great warmth, insisting, in his sput-
tering Dutch way, that folks " should take
de tail, mit de hide." Though eccentric,
he was noted for his philanthropy. On the
several occasions when Brooklyn was visited
by the yellow fever, and small-pox, he
distinguished himself by his fearless, patient
and thorough devotion to the sick. Wlien
friends and family fied from the touch of
the pestilence, then Burdet Stryker ap-
peared at the bed-side of the sufferer, and,
regardless of color, social position, and
condition, he nursed them tenderly as if
they had been his own " kith and kin;"
and, if needs be, as frequently happened,
he performed the last sad oifices and buried
them with his own hands. He died in
1835.
On the opposite or northerly side of
Fulton street, between the river and Ei'ont
street, was the ferry -tavern, or " Cor-
poration House," the nearest building
to the river. As late as the close of
the revolutionary period, the high-water
mark of the East river, north of the
ferry, extended nearly to the westerly
line of Front street. Between the Cor-
poration House and the ferry-stairs.
Map of the Old Ferhy District of the Tillage in 1816. during the revolutionary period, there
The dotted lines indicate old roads, lots and estates. FiG. 1, the Ludlow Estate; FiG. 2, ° , ., t ^ ^i -,,
the Hicks Estate ; Fio. 3, the Middagh Estate. The smaller figures are alluded to in the text, -y^ras a frame building, together With a
barn for stabling, both of which were enclosed within
the tavern-yard. After the close of the war, Capt.
as a residence by Buedbt Stetkbe, the father of ex-
Mayor F. B. Stryker, tallow chandler and butcher,
his shop being in the basement.
He was a native of New York City ; born in 1769 ; served
his apprenticeship with that good old Quaker butcher,
Thomas Everit, Jr., near the Old Ferry, Brooklyn ; and, on
arriving of age, set up for himself in the village, where he
continued in business during his life-time. His slaughter-
house was, at first, in Doughty street, and he had a stand
(No. 60) in the.old Fly Market, New York ; afterwards he
Adolph Waldron, the former occupant, returned from
the exile to which his political principles had forced
him, and resumed his ferry and tavern leases, which
he carried on for some years thereafter; being succeed-
ed, in 1789, by Capt. Henry Dawson, one of the three
new ferrymen that year appointed by the corporation
of New York.
110
SISTORT OF KUSTGS COTINTT.
The tavern was next found in the hands of Capt.
Benjamin Smith, who was burned out, as before stated,
in 1812 ; but in 1816, the block between the ferry and
Front street had been much extended by filling in, and
its appearance totally changed by the erection of a line
of buildings, mostly occupied by stores, taverns and
stables.
At the ferry-slip, upon the site of the " ladies' sitting-
room " in the present ferry-house, was a small shanty
(Map A, 4) built and occupied by Daniel Wright, as an
oyster-saloon, his oysters being conveniently kept fresh
in the water which flowed beneath. To the north, or
left of this shanty, the original beach appeared; while
on the corner now occupied by Marston & Son's ex-
tensive coal-yard (Map a, 50), was originally Richard
Mott's livery and tavern, afterwards kept successively
by Townsend & Cox, Joel Conklin, and Daniel Wright,
and it was a general stopping-place for the habitues of
the ferry. Opposite, on the easterly side of Water
street, and on land owned by the corporation of New
York, was a block of four buildings, all under one roof,
and fronting on Pulton street. The corner one (Map
A, 19), late "The Franklin House," was originally a
tavern kept by Capt. King, and afterwards by Mr.
Barnum, subsequently the proprietor of the widely
known and popular "Barnum's Hotel," in the city of
Baltimore. He was succeeded by Abiather Young, who
kept here " The Steamboat Hotel," and he, in turn, was
followed by G-erardus C. Langdon. In the upper part
of the hotel was a large ball-room, where entertain-
ments were given, and where many an old Brooklynite
learned to " shake the light fantastic toe " under the
able instruction of Mr. Whale, dancing-master. In this
room, also, Elias Hicks, the celebrated Quaker preacher,
frequently held forth to large audiences, of all denomi-
nations, who were always attracted to his preaching.
Next above " Gerardy" Langdon's was Coe S. Down-
ing's tavern (Map a, 20) and stage-house, upon the
stoop of which, at almost every hour of the day, mine
host could be seen, comfortably seated in a chair adapted
to his especial use; for he was a Daniel Lambert of a
man, to whom quiescence was far easier than locomo-
tion. But he was vivacious, intelligent and shrewd; a
democrat, and the leading politician of that party in the
county; had served acceptably as supervisor, as judge of
the municipal court, and in the Legislature. Then (Map
A, 21) the liquor and grocery-store of old Mr. Evert
Barkeloo; and, as a modest little sign over the door an-
nounced, the " Office of the Trustees of the Town of
Brooklyn," of which body Mr. B. was clerk. Next
door (Map a, 22) was Thomas Burroughs', the harness
maker; and, next to him, was Samuel Carman's tavern
(Map A, 23). Next him was the shop of Samuel Penny
(Map A, 24), whose sign of " merchant harher" burlesqued
that of his next-door neighbor, Peter Prest (Map a, 25),
the "merchant tailor." On Penny's place "Sheriff''
John T. Bergen afterwards built and kept a grocery.
store. Adjoining Prest's was the wholesale grocery
(Map A, 26) of Messrs. J. & S. Schenck, occupying the
site of the old " Corporation (or Perry) House."
The angling position of the " Corporation House" left,
on the westerly corner of the present Front and Pulton
streets, a " gore" between it and the stone mansion of
John Rapalje. On this vacant space was subsequently
erected an engine-house, for the accommodation of the
first fire-engine introduced into the town. The town's
fire-bell was swung upon the roof of the adjoining Ra-
palje house (Map a, 28), then occupied by Mr. Abraham
Rem^en, who, in return for the accommodation, was
granted all the privileges and immunities belonging to
the firemen; a courtesy which was no more than just,
inasmuch as tradition says that he was the only man in
the place who was willing to accept the risk of having
his slumbers disturbed by the clanging of the bell over
his head. The Rapalje house passed into the hands of
Mr. Abraham Remsen, above mentioned, who demol-
ished it and used a portion of the stone in the erection
upon the same site of a brick and stone store and dwell-
ing, where he kept dry-goods and groceries. After his
removal to Newtown, L. I., this brick building gave
place to that occupied for many years (until May, 1861)
by the Long Island Insurance Company, and at present
by that of the Long Island Safe Deposit Company.
Recrossing to the southerly side of tJie Old Road,
from opposite Front street to Middagh street, we
come, next above Burdet Stryker's, to some lots owned
by the French church {^Fglise du Sainte Esprit)
of New York, on which were two or three small frame
buildings. One of these (Map a, 32), adjoining Stryker's,
was the residence of Henry Dawson, Jr., a ferryman,
who kept one of the " sixpenny-boats," as the row-boats
were called, from the amount charged for ferriage; then
(Map A, 33) the residence of John Simonson, a well-
known butcher; then (Map a, 34) a house occupied by
the Misses Van Cleef, sisters of old Rulof Van Cleef,
the ferryman. They were market-women, and acquired
a comfortable property. Then (Map a, 35) was the
shoe-shop of Isaac Van Nostrand, who used to say that
he " could fit a man's foot, but he could not fit his eye;"
then (Map a, 37) John Rusher, tin and wooden-ware;
and, on the corner of Hicks street, the low one-and-a-
half -story store of D. Pell, grocer, afterwards, in 1831,
fitted up as a drug-store for Dr. James W. Smith, by
his village friends. Across the then narrow mouth of
Hicks street (Map a, 38, and Pig. 5, Map of Brookland
Perry) was an ancient, roomy, low-roofed house of stone,
roughly plastered over and shaded by two immense wil-
low-trees. This was the Hicks mansion, in which resided
the brothers John M. and Jacob M. Hicks, who had inher-
ited, through their mother, a fine portion of the original
Middagh estate. Exempted, by the possession of ample
means, from the necessity of engaging in business or
active labor, they passed their lives in a quiet, leisurely
manner, which gained for them, from their less f ortu-
BROOKLYN SEVENTY-SEVEN YEAES AGO.
Ill
nate neighbors, the appellation (distinguishing them
from others of the same name in the village) of "the
gentlemen Hicks." John M. (known as "Milk" Hicks,
from the fact that he sold milk) resided in the small
frame house, still standing, on the south-west corner of
Hicks and Doughty streets. Jacob M. (generally called
" Spitter" Hicks, from the habit he had of constantly
expectorating) resided in the old mansion above referred
to, which was levelled when Hicks street was finally
opened to Fulton street. The Hicks estate (designated
by large tig. 5, on Map a) comprised most of " Clover
Hill," as the Heights were then called.
Some years before the incorporation of the village,
and in consequence of a dispute between the Hickses and
their neighbor Aert Middagh as to the boundary line
between their respective properties, the two estates
were surveyed by Mr. Jeremiah Lott, of Flatbush, then
the leading, if not the only, surveyor in Kings County.
He surveyed and plotted the two estates in blocks 200
feet square and " two feet thrown in for good measure "
to each block. When the village of Brooklyn was incor-
porated, in 1816, Mr. Lott, who was employed to prepare
a map of the same, proposed to carry out his survey on
the same scale as that of his previous plotting of these
two estates. Mr. Hezekiah B. Pierrepont, whose large
property on the Heights was also included within the
limits of the proposed survey, wished to prevent this
wasteful plan, and to secure one with wider streets
(they were only 40 feet wide) and larger blocks. He
therefore employed, at his own expense, a competent
Englishman, Thomas Poppleton by name, who was a
city surveyor of New York, to make a plan for laying
out the Heights. Poppleton surveyed all the village,
from Fulton street to Jerolemon's lane, and made a
map, still in existence, upon which all the streets and
buildings, wharves, etc., which then existed, were laid
down with great accuracy. On this map he laid out
all the ground south of the Hicks and Middagh estates
at Clark street, in blocks 400 and 500 feet long, with
streets 50 and 60 feet wide; and this plan, fortunately
for Brooklyn, was adopted for that part of the village
south of Clark street. At first, the Hickses poohed at
what they considered Mr. Pierrepont's visionary plans;
but when, in due course of time, they saw the superior
class of purchasers which his property secured, and the
many advantages it presented, they appreciated his fore-
sight, and were candid enough to say so. Moreover,
they abandoned the old stone-house, which they had so
long occupied, and, moving up Hicks street near to
Clark, built there handsome houses for themselves, on
the line of their old estate, and where they could enjoy
the pleasanter surroundings due to their Yankee neigh-
bor's broader streets, etc.
""radition says that the whole of this hill between
Poplar, Hicks, Furman and Orange streets, was used
during the Kevolutionary war as a burying-ground for
British soldiers and sailors, and was thickly covered
with graves, which were all levelled off when the
Hickses took possession at the close of the war.
Beyond the Hicks mansion and garden were the
places of Mrs. Thomas, who kept green-groceries, can-
dy and yeast, and was succeeded in the same business
by Mrs. Flowers; of John Cole, carriage-maker; of Gil-
bert Reid, saddler; of John McKenney, coach-maker
(afterwards occupied by John Gildersleeve, in the same
business); then Mrs. Johnson's fruit and candy-shop;
John Bergen's shoe-shop, subsequently Abraham Van
Nostrand's; and lastly," Buckbee's Alley," now "Poplar
Place;" and in front of it was the public hay -scales, upon
which farmers, coming to the ferry to sell their hay,
could drive their loads for weighing, and upon the top
of which, at one time, hung the town's fire-bell. Next
was the house of Ogilvie, the cooper (Map a, 41), and
Stephen S. Yoris', formerly John Middagh's, hat-store
(Map A, 42). On the corner of the present Henry and
Fulton streets stood the old Middagh mansion, at this
time occupied by Aert Middagh, the hatter. It was an
ancient two-story frame building, standing crosswise to
the road; and, when Fulton street was widened, was
moved back to the line of the street; and, about 1840,
was raised up by Mr. T. W. Peck, who placed three
stores under it. It was partly destroyed by fire in 1850.
In the rear of the mansion, on present corner of Hen-
ry and Poplar streets, was the Middagh barn (No. 7,
Map of Brookland Ferry, page 95), where, for a time,
the Episcopalians of Brooklyn held their meetings. It
was occupied for a while by Elizur Tompkins, and then
Middagh House and Barn.
by Mr. D. S. Quimby, who subsequently built a brick
building upon this corner, having carried on the stove
and range business here for nearly thirty years.
The accompanying view of the old mansion and barn,
as they appeared about 1843 or '44, is from a painting
by the late James W. Peck, Jr., son of James W. Peck,
the well-known hatter, who, for so many years, has oc-
cupied the opposite corner, 98 Fulton street, where his
sons still continue the business. The old pump, seen in
the picture, was removed, and the well filled up, during
the summer of 1868.
112
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
On the easterly corner of Henry and Fulton streets
was a frame house (May a, 44) occupied by the widow
of Dirck Amerman, the ferryman, who died during the
yellow fever season of 1809; and adjoining, a similar
building, owned by sheriff Wyckoff, and in which Judge
Dikeman first "put out his shingles" as a lawyer;
shortly thereafter succeeding old Mr. Barkeloo, as clerk
to the trustees of the village.
Between this and Middagh street was leased proper-
ty, belonging to the Middagh estate, and occupied by
some small frame tenements; only one of which chal-
lenged attention, a neat, genteel little house, standing
back from the road, about fifty feet westerly of Mid-
dagh street. Here lived Mr. James Harper, the
grandfather of the well-known publishers, " Harper
Brothers." The building was built by Mr. Thomas
Kirk for his printing-office, and was occupied as such,
after his failure, by Mr. George L. Bii-ch, editor of the
Patriot. On the corner of Middagh and Fulton streets
stood the little dwelling of St. Clair, the stocking-weav-
er, said to be the first to introduce into the United
States the knitting of stockings by machinery.
Northerly side of the Old Road (Fulton street), from
Front street to Sands.
On the north-east corner of Front street and the Old
Road, site of present building of the Brooklyn Union
and Argus Office (Map a .39), was the large and very
old frame building, originally Kirk & Mercein's print-
ing-office, prior to their removal to New York, about
1813 or '14. It was next occupied as a hardware store
by Thomas W. Birdsall and Joel Bunce; and its por-
trait at this period has been faithfully preserved (No.l)
in Guy's "Snow Scene of Brooklyn, in 1820."* It was,
also, for many years the post-office — Mr. Bunce, and
after him, in 1819, Mr. Birdsall, being post-master. At
a later period it became the property of the Couven-
hoven family of New Lotts; was occupied, for several
*Guy'9 "Snow Scene" representing the most important and com-
pact portion of Brooklyn as it was from 1815-1820, will forever be
invaluable as exhibiting the architectural character of the village at
that period, and, in some degree, for half a century previous. It was
taken from a second-story window of the artist's residence, the mid-
dle one (present No. 11 Front street) of the three Fisher houses. In
order to properly understand this picture (a reduced copy of
which is herewith presented) the modern observer should place him-
self near the corner of Front and Dock streets, and look up James
street on the opposite side. He will then look along Front street,
on his left, as far as the eye can reach, to Main street, indicated by
horses and teams passing up from the Main Street Ferry ; and, on his
right, to Fulton street, which is indicated by the horse and sleigh
passing down to the Old or Fulton Ferry. A confusion of ideas is
generally produced in the mind of the modern observer by mistaking
the rears of the old buildings' directly in the front of the picture, for
their fronts. But it should be remembered that the fronts, which are
on Fulton street, are invisible. Tracing, however, the line of roofs,
and rears by the aid of the Jteu which we have appended to this pic-
ture, the reader will be able to follow Fulton street up as far as Sands
street. The high grounds on the right of the picture have been lev-
eled and streets graded, so that nothing of their original conforma-
tion is now visible. As to the likenesses introduced, most of them are
very striking, and the accuracy with which their faces are painted
(the small size of the figures considered) is wonderful ; one of the most
striking productions in it being that of Mr. Patchen, the butcher, who
Is crossing Front street with a fore-quarter of mutton in one hand
and a basket in the other.
years, by Sylvanus B. Stillwell's tailor-shop, and, about
1830, was supplanted by brick buildings erected by the
Brooklyn Fire Insurance Company.
First above Birdsall's corner was the residence of
Abiel Titus (Map a, 45), a small frame dwelling, with
a narrow front on Fulton street, and not shown in
Guy's picture. Titus is represented in that picture as
feeding his chickens in the gateway of the yard between
his house and his bam and slaughter-house.
In 1822 Wm. J. Dodge and Nathaniel F. "Waring,
Esqs., leased a lot, 18 x 20 feet, on the site of this yard,
at a ground-rent of $80 — which, in those days, was con-
sidered an extravagant figure — and on which they erec-
ted a small brick building, the first ever put up on this
side of Front street between Fulton and James. Here
Mr. Waring opened his law-office. Subsequently, a
building called " The Mechanics' Exchange " was put
up, fronting the old pump seen in Guy's picture, and
this, somewhat remodeled, was occupied by the Brook-
lyn Union office, previous to the completion of its new
edifice on the corner of Fulton street.
Next to Titus' was a large one-and-a-half-story
house (No. 2, Guy's picture) built of small yellow
bricks, and possessing the indubitable appearance of
very great antiquity. From all the data obtainable
it appears probable that the old building was the
original John Rajialje homestead. It is also interest-
ing as having been the scene of occasional religious
services of the Episcopal order during the occupation
of Brooklyn by the British.
In one side of this ancient house was Ansel Titus'
wheelwright-shop; and, in the other, Mrs. Eagles' candy-
shop. This somewhat remarkable female rejoiced in the
sobriquet of " The American Heroine," from a current
tradition that she had once worn a uniform, and seen
service in the Revolutionary war. She was a little,
squat, "snapping-eyed" woman; always wore a red-and-
white plaid turban; and, to the great delectation of the
village, " bossed it " most tyranically over her husband
Jacob, a tall, lank, easy-going man, who called himself
a grocer. She was succeeded, after a while, by Mrs.
Burnet (wife of Martin Burnet, wheelwright), whose
portrait is preserved in Guy's picture (Fig. 26), and who,
in addition to candies, kept that sine qua non of every
civilized community, " a thread-and-needle store."
Adjoining this old house was a shed — previously
a dwelling — then Edward Cooper's blacksmith-shop,
(No. 3, Guy's picture). Next, George Fricke's carriage-
shop (No. 4, Guy's picture); then, directly opposite
Hicks street, was a small brick building (Guy's picture.
No. 5), at one time the residence of Diana Rapalje.
This lady was the daughter of Garret Rapalje and a
descendant of the first white female child born in New
Netherland. In early life a favorite in the presidential
circles at Washington, she was, in her later days (we
will not say decline, for her bearing was erect and firm
to the last), a stately exhibitor of the fashions of '76;
BROOKLYlSr SEVENTY-SEVEN' YEARS AGO.
113
Key to GtUY's Brooklyn Snow Scene
Dwelling and store of Thos. W. Birdsall. 12.
Rouae of Abiel Titus. 13.
Edward Coope's blaclismitii-shop. 14.
Geo. Friclce's carriage-shop. 15.
JSiaoa Kapelje's liouse. 16.
Mrs. Middagh's tiouse. 17.
St. Ann's Church, corner of Sands and Wash- 18.
ington streets. 19.
Residence of Edward Coope. 20.
Abiel Titus' barn and slaughter-house. 21.
Benjamin's Meeker's house and shop. 32.
Mrs. Chester's " Coffee Room." 23.
Robert Cunningham's. 3i.
Jacob Hicks' wood-yard, corner Main street. 26.
.Joshua Sands' residence. 27.
Augustus G-raham's residence, cor. Dock St. 28.
Burdet Stryker's house and butcher-shop. 29.
Selah Smith's tavern. 30.
Morrison's, on the Heights. 31.
Dr. Ball's house, opposite Morrison's. 32.
Augustus G-raham, conversing with 33.
Joshua Sands. 34.
Mrs. Harmer and daughters. 35.
Mrs. Guy (the artist's wife).
Jacob Patchen.
Mrs. Burnett.
Benjamin Meeker, talking with
Judge John Garrison.
Thos. W. Birdsall.
Jacob Hicks.
Abiel Titus.
Mrs. Gilbert Titus.
Abiel Titus' negro-servant "Jeff."
James (son of Abiel) Titus, on horseback.
Samuel Foster (negro).
Guy's Brooklyn Snow Scene, 1820.
114
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
and, as was natural, from her earlier associations, con-
siderable of a politician in her peculiar way. Her er-
ratic doings, from middle age to the close of life, indi-
cated that moderate form of insanity which is termed
eccentricity; and which, in her case, manifested itself
in many absurd, amusing, and (to those concerned in
litigation to her) troublesome forms. It was said that
she had loved and had been disappointed ; and that, from
that time, pride and self-reliance drove her to seclusion
and made her disrespectful of the customs and usages
of society, in many minor points. Yet, in certain mat-
ters of etiquette, no queen could be more haughty. (See
Stiles' History of BruoliJi/n, pages 61 to 63).
She was twice married after the age of fifty-seven,
and she died in her eighty-second year. Her house was
afterwards purchased by Col. Alden Spooner, who oc-
cupied it as a residence and as the printing-office of the
Star. It is said that Talleyrand, the eminent French
diplomatist, resided in one of the three buildings opposite
Hicks street for a time during his stay in America.
Next above Diana Rapalje's house stood an old yellow
framed-dwelling, its stoop furnished with seats on each
side of the front door. This was the residence of John
Doughty, who was long known as a faithful and
honest public officer, and most excellent man. The
authorities, in consideration of his great public worth,
attached his name to one of the streets in this place.
He received a liberal education, and began business with
his father in the Fly Market, about the period of tbe Revolu-
tion. In 1785 he was elected one of the seven members of
Brooklyn's first fire-company, and served eight years. In
1790 he was one of the three assessors for the town, and
held the office three years in succession. In 1796 he was
made town-clerk, which office he held for the space of
thirty-four consecutive years, and gave general satisfaction.
On the 4th of March, 1797, he manumitted and set free his
negro-man, Caesar Foster, aged about 28 years, the first re-
corded act of manumission; from which dated the move-
ment of practical emancipation which resulted (by about the
year 1825) in the removal of the entire institution of slavery
from the town of Brooklyn. As town-clerk he witnessed
and recorded more manumissions from slavery than any
other person in the town; "and, in fact, the duties of his
office about this period required a greater portion of his
time," as the " act for the judicial abolition of slavery" was
passed in the month of March, 1799, after which ume all the
births and names of the children of sJaves were ordered to be
recorded in the books of the town-clerk. The various duties
imposed upon Doughty continued to increase very fast; and,
as the public duties could not be neglected, it occasionally
became quite onerous to him, as his daily business at the
market called him before daylight and usually ended at
noon ; then the crossing of the ferry, followed with a hasty
meal, when official or other duties began, which sometimes
kept him constantly employed, even unto the midnight hour.
Four hours duty, from ten to two, did not then, as now, con-
stitute an official day's work ; but the business daily pre-
senting itself was daily attended to ; and Doughty performed
all the required services satisfactorily. In 1813, and 1819,
he was overseer of the highway. In 1812 he was a " fire-
engineer," also clerk and treasurer of the fire-department ;
and was chosen the first incumbent of the office of chief -engi-
neer in 1816, which he resigned the next year. 1821 to 1823,
he again occupied the position ; and, when the department
was incorporated, he was unanimously chosen president.
In 1801 he was one of the school-committee for "the Ferry
district," and held the office several years, becoming clerk of
District School No. 1, upon its organization in 1816. In
that year the village of Brooklyn was incorporated ; and
Mr. Doughty was among the trustees named in the bill.
From 1819, until 1829, he was a trustee, a portion of the
time as presiding officer. In 1830 he was "collector of the
village." In fact, it may be said tliat through a long and
well-spent life, Doughty held nearly all the various positions
of a public and private character that belonged to the town
and village. One of his sons, John S. Doughty, was for many
years treasurer of the village and city, and at the time of his
death was cashier of the Atlantic Bank of Brooklyn.
A vacant lot intervened; then came two brick build-
ings erected by Wm. Van Nostrand, brother of Mrs.
John Middagh; then, after another va,cant lot, Mrs.
Middagh's house, a two-story framed structure with a
double-pitched roof (No. 6, in Guy's picture).
Next on the same side of Fulton street, where Market
street now enters it, came a quaint and ancient oak-
framed, scallop-shingled, frame house, standing with its
gable-end to the street and shadowed by two large and
venerable locust-trees. Tradition, probably, does not
err in attributing its erection to Rem Jansen van der
Beeck, the ancestor of the Remsen family and an early
settler here, where he married, in 1642, a daughter of
Jan Joris de Rapalje. This old house, however, was
destined to acquire an additional and peculiar interest
in connection with the history of the village and city
which subsequently grew up around it. As the resi-
dence of Jacob Patchen, "the last of the leather-
breeches," it was the scene of a memorable conflict
between individual obstinacy and old-fogyism, on the
one part, and the imperative necessities of public con-
venience and improvement on the other, with the usual
result in favor of the latter.
The " Patchen difficulties," which during so many
years alternately annoyed and diverted the public of
Brooklyn, form an amusing episode which cannot, for
want of space, be given here. They were not termi-
nated till after Mr. Patohen's death.
The following description of this eccentric man was
by one who knew him intimately:
"His dress was seldom varied or replaced; each
article — a part of which he made himself — always bore
the same appearance. The round-crowned felt-hat,
with a broad brim rolled up all around, sat firmly down
upon' his head, much lower behind than before; and this
at times was ornamented with a well-smoked pipe,
secured under the band. Then he presented the short
kersey coat, cut in a sort of semi-quaker style, covered
with metal buttons the size of a Spanish dollar; a single-
breasted waistcoat, buttoned up to the throat, contain-
ing two pockets large enough to shelter his doubled
hands, clutching and guarding their sterling contents,
the sinews of his business. ' Glancing downward, your
BROOKLYN SEVENTY-SEVElSr YEARS AGO.
115
eyes met his stoutly-formed nether limbs, encased
with ancient buckskin,
remarkable for its high
polish, by an adhesive
grease and other mat-
ter, which had rendered
it waterproof ; while,
below it, appeared
stockings, usually gray
in color, and stout in
texture ; and Patchen
fastened them below
the knee by the com-
pression of the ties of
those famous leather
breeches. A broad and
thick pair of cow-skin
shoes, fastened on the
top with large steel
buckles, completed his
attire.'' Aside from
his eccentricities, Mr. Patchen had the reputation of
being a conscientiously honest man.
A little beyond Patchen's was the crockery and earth-
enware store of Mrs. Coope (mother of David Coope).
Above her were the stores of old Joseph Fox ; Wilson
(baker) ; Wynant Bennet (shoes) ; Mrs. Earles (thread
and needles); and, on the corner formed by the junction
of Old and New I'erry roads, a confectionery-store
which often changed owners. Crossing the head of
Old Ferry-Road, between Prospect and Sands.
Main and Prospect streets, we came to a block (a view
given above), between the latter street and Sands street.
On the corner was the residence of Theodorius Hunt,
one of the proprietors of the New (Catherine street)
Ferry. In a small building adjoining a man Lippincott
kept a grocery. The next, a high-stooped, double-
pitched, dormer- windowed house, was the bakery of
William Philip, the baker, par excellence, of the village.
He was the father of Frederick A. Philip, the artist ; Wil-
liam H. Philip, the sculptor ; Dr. John C. Philip ; Eev. Joseph
D. Philip ; and five other childi-en, all of whom have been
honorably identified with Brooklyn interests.
Next was the shop of Peter Prest, who had moved
up from his old shop. In the rear part of the same
house was a small dry-goods and thread-and-needle
store, kept by Mrs. Williams, an Englishwoman. It
was, par excellence, the gossip-place for the Brooklyn
village dames of that day; Mrs. Williams' repertoire
being constantly replenished with the most diverting
tit-bits of scandal, which were here retailed to every
customer or caller — and to each in strict confidence.
Adjoining, was the residence of Cyrus Bill, the father
of Chas. E. Bill. The old gentleman kept a school and
a dry-goods store, the latter being attended by his
daughter (who subsequently married George Hicks),
and his son Charles. Mr. Bill's school, which was
opened in November, 1818, was the successor of one
kept by a Mr. D. De Vinne.
On the corner of Sands street was Drs. Ball and
Wendell's office. These were prominent and highly
respectable practitioners in Brooklyn. Dr. Wendell
was of the family of that name in Albany.
Westerly side of the Old Road (Fidton street) from
Middagh to the present Montague street.
On the southerly side of Middagh street, after pass-
ing two small frame buildings, we come to the low
one-story house of Marvellous Richardson, shoe-maker;
whose name, in common parlance, was either ab-
breviated to " Marvel," or lengthened to " Miraculous
Marvel." It was built by the Hessians, during the
Revolutionary war, as a guard-house; and here, also,
for a short time, during the rectorship of Rev. Mr.
Wright, the Episcopalians worshipped in a hired room,
rudely fitted up for the purpose, with pulpit, reading-
desk and seats, and here gathered the few churchmen
of the village, and, indeed, of the county, among whom
was Aquila Giles, Esq., and his family, from Flatbush.
Next was the dwelling of Richard H. Cornwell, cabi-
net and coffin maker, and a man of considerable ability.
He was, in 1832, Surrogate of the county, to which
office (so grimly humorously appropriate to his business)
he was elected by the Methodist influence, which then
largOly controlled local politics. Just opposite to
the lower corner of what is now High street, was
the wheelwright-shop of George Smith, the father of
Mr. Crawford C. Smith. It was a long, two-story
frame edifice, originally erected on Sands street, and
occupied by the Methodist church. When, in 1810,
they determined to build larger, it had been purchased
by Mr. Smith, moved into this spot, and converted to a
shop. It had a long flight of stairs on the outside,
leading up to Judge Garrison's Court Room, on the
second floor.
John Garrison was for many years intimately connected
with the interests of Brooklyn. He was born at Grave-
send in 1764. When quite young his parents removed
to Brooklyn; and, his father dying soon after, he, under
the instruction of Matthew Gleaves, became a butcher,
commencing business, on his own account, about 1785 ;
and, for many years, had a stand in the Fly Market,
New York. In November, 1793, he experienced religious
convictions, and when the first Methodist church was formed
116
HTSTOR T OF KINGS GO UNTY.
ia the village, in 1794, he was chosen one of its board of trus-
tees, which ofifice he continued to hold for thirty-six years.
In politics he was a violent democrat, of the old school, and
was naturally regarded, by some, as a man of bitter and vin-
dictive feelings ; while, in fact, a kinder-hearted man never
Uved. He was a fireman in 1787, 1790, 1791, 1793, 1794 ; over-
seer of the poor in 1803 and 1804 ; one of the committee of
the board of health in 1809 ; a school commissioner in 1806
and 1807 ; was a village trustee in 1816 and 1836, and for the
larger portion of his life-time a judge of the common pleas,
or justice of the peace. Indeed, he, in connection with
Squii-e Nichols, dispensed nearly all the justice that was
needed to keep the Brooklynites straight in those primitive
days ; and, though his legal attainments were not extensive,
his strong common sense, his shrewdness in judging charac-
ter, and his straight-forward way of getting at the justice, if
not the law, of the cases brought before him, rendered him,
in the opinion of all who knew him, one of the best justices
Brooklyn ever had. In person he was six feet two inches
high, remarkably large, and weighing thi e hundred pounds.
Towards the close of his life he inclined towards corpulency,
but always retained his early activity and erectness. He was
invariably dressed in a suit of "pepper-and-salt" mixed
clothing, cut very loose. Many pleasant stories are yet told
of his queer ways and sayings, by those who were wont to
frequent his court-room. A characteristic one is the foUow-
ing: On one occasion, a trial was going on before Judge
Garrison, the case being a suit for money. The long, warm
summer's day had been almost entirely occupied by the argu-
ments and pleadings of the opposing counsel, and judge and
jury gave indubitable signs of weariness. The lawyer who
closed the case requested the judge to " charge the jury," a
proceeding somewhat unusual in the simple routine of the
justice's court. Thereupon, the judge, rising with great de-
liberation and with some evident hesitancy, turned his burly
figure towards the jury, and delivered himself thus : "Gen-
tlemen of the Jury 1 You have heard the learned counsel on
both sides, and the last lawyer who spoke has asked me to
charge the jury. My charge shall be very short;" and turn-
ing to the contesting parties in the suit, he exclaimed, " I
think that that man (pointing to one) owes that man (point-
ing to the other) the money, and he ought to pay UP' Again,
M. T. sued G. T., before Judge Garrison, for the sum of ten
shillings, and got a decision in his favor. G. T., however,
contumaciously refused to pay, whereupon M. T. complained
to the judge. " What!" said the judge, " won't he pay you ?
Well, I'll issue a summons and I'll guarantee he'll pay you,
then." Accordingly, the summons was issued, and judgment
obtained, but the money didn't come. Whereupon, M. T.,
meeting the judge soon after, said to him, "Look here.
Squire, you guaranteed that debt, and now, if you don't pay
it, I'll sue you." "Oh, well," said the judge, "that debt
must be settled," and forthwith paid M. T. five shillings out
of his own pocket. He died January, 1831, his remains being
interred under the Sands street Methodist church, of which
he so long had been a useful and devoted member. Judge
Garrison's residence, during the early portion of his life, was
in Doughty street ; afterwards on the south-east corner of
Washington and High streets. His portrait is preserved in
Guy's Brooklyn picture.
Next the wheelwright-slio]) was a house occupied by
Joseph Moser and wife, known to every one in the
village as "Uncle Josey," and "Aunt Rachel."
Joseph Mosee, like his friend "Poppy" Snow, with whom
he was associated in " every good word and work," was one
of those quiet public benefactors which every community I
needs. Peculiar in gait, clean-shaven, round-shouldered, and
dressed always in drab-colored clothes, he was never missed
from his place in the Methodist church on the Sabbath. His
ministrations to the sick, and the heavy laden ; his labors in
the Sabbath-school ; his untiring interest in the youth of the
place, endeared him to the hearts of both old and young. He
was a builder, and amassed what, in those days, was an in-
dependent fortune ; and many of Brooklyn's most prosperous
citizens owed their welfare to his unsolicited aid. His purse
was ever open, and it probably never entered his head to say
' ' No !" when called upon. Especially in the establishment
of the churches of his own beloved denomination, was his
liberality unbounded. But, through losses entailed upon him
by others, he became deprived of his hard-earned property,
and dependent upon the charity of relatives. Within a few
years of his death, which occurred on the 8th of February,
1854, in his seventy-eighth year, he occupied, for the brief
period of a few months, an inspectorship in the New York
customs, and an inspectorship of pavements in Brooklyn,
both of which were bestowed upon him unsolicited, and by
his political adversaries. His life and death alike proved
him a devoted, active and useful Christian.
A very old one-and-a-half- story house stood on the
corner of the present Cranberry street; then a carpen-
ter-shop— subsequently the paint-shop of old Matthew
(father of ex-mayor George) Hall. Just beyond, and
nearly on the line of the present Orange street, was
an old house occupied by Cortlandt Van Buren, and
afterward the residence of Losee Van Nostrand. Next
to this Avas " Biddy Stephenson's liquor-saloon and Ice-
Cream Garden," a place much resorted to for the hold-
ing of town, village, and public meetings. The " Gar-
den" extended to the property of James B. Clark, Esq.,
an industrious, plodding attorney, for many years Dis-
trict Attorney of the County, and a dealer in real-estate,
who occupied a large piece of land (some 200 feet
front) leased from the Middagh estate, through which
Pineapple street has since been opened, leaving the old
" Clarke pump " out, on the corner.
Next to Mr. Clarke's grounds was the parsonage
building of St. Ann's; and next to it, just on the lower
side of the turn of the present Clinton street into
Fulton, was the pretty two-story framed dwelling of
Samuel Sackett.
He was of a Newtown family and a most excellent man ;
for many years overseer of the poor, in Brooklyn, to which,
as well as to the duties of a trustee of the only public school,
he gave his undivided attention. He was a man of pohshed
manners and agreeable address, and the father of Clarence
D., and Grenville A., both lawyers and deceased. The
former was a village trustee in 1826, and a member of the
State legislature; while the latter, although a diligent and
competent lawyer, was possessed of more than ordinary poeti-
cal genius, and, under the signature of " Alfred," wrote some
of the best and most widely circulated of the fugitive poetry
of the day, in The New York Mirror, The New York Times
and Long Island Star.
Along the westerly side of the Old Road (Fulton
street), from Orange to Clinton streets, extended a row
of magnificent old elms; the largest, perhaps, being
those along in front of Lawyer Clarke's grounds. Elm,
mulberry, locust, cedar, and willow-trees abounded in
BROOKLYN SEVEN TT-SEVElSr TEARS AGO.
IIV
tte village at that day, to a greater extent than the
promenaders of the present city can realize.
The next house on this side of the road, and very
nearly opposite to the present Johnson street, was the
residence of JoHsr Valentine Swbetcope, one of
those Hessians who had been left (perhaps not unwil-
lingly) upon our shores by the receding wave of British
domiQation, after the declaration of peace in 1783.
With his long gray beard, his soldierly tread and strongly
marked features, he was certainly the quaintest and most
original character in the village. In the British service he
had been an armorer ; and, very naturally, found some em-
ployment in furbishing and repairing the guns, pistols, etc.,
of his neighbors in Brooklyn. By industry and thrift he
amassed a very snug little property, so that he was commonly
reputed to have found a buried treasure. In course of time
he purchased from the De Bevoise brothers a strip of land
off the end of their farm, upon which he erected a dwelling-
house, and, adjoining it on the north, a gunsmith-shop,
mostly used by his son John. Old Swertcope, among other
contrivances, invented an air-gun, the balls of which were
clay pellets; and this weapon was an object of great curi-
osity, and of no small fear, to the boys especially, in their
predatory excursions into the old man's orchard. Much
of his time was occupied in attending to his fine garden
and orchard, where he used to prowl about, in apple season,
with whip in hand and a dog at his heels, ready to pounce
upon the boys who were skirmishing around his trees.
He also did a considerable business in the distilling of rose-
water. Eoses, at that time, were raised in great abund-
ance in the gardens of Brooklyn ; and many persons were
accustomed to send their annual crop of rose-leaves to Swert-
cope, who returned to each customer one-half the yield in
rose-water ; reserving the other half as payment for services
in distillation. Having procured from the De Bevoises some
of their fine strawberry-plants, of which fruit they had pre-
viously held the monopoly in the New York market, he very
soon, by his good management, succeeded in dividing with
them the reputation and the business of the best berries. In
addition to these, he derived no inconsiderable income from
the sale of a superior kind of bitters, which he manufactured;
and he might be seen almost every morning, wending his
way to the ferry, with a basketful of bottles of these bitters,
which he peddled off in New York, before his return to
Brooklyn. He was somewhat of a miser, and the large amount
of money which he amassed, aU in specie, was kept in a heavy
iron-bound box, under his bed ; and its key during his last
illness was always placed under his pillow. The late George
Hall used to relate that, having occasion to visit him, a little
before his death, some one called at the house to obtain pay-
ment of a small bill, and the sick man directed his daughter
to get the necessary amount out of the trunk. As she was
engaged a little too long in. searching for a coin, the sick man
became impatient and suspicious, and raising himself up in
bed, exclaimed, " Come away ! Come away ! vat you doin'
mit your tarn money-rousin ?"
In the rear of Swertcope's land, just behind the pres-
ent Presbyterian church, on the west side of Clinton
street, was the ancient private burial-ground of the
Middagh family. Along the southerly side of Swert-
cope's land was " Love lane," leading down the De
Bevoise place on the Heights; and, a little distance be-
yond the lane was Lawrence Brewer's tavern, called
"Mount Pleasant Garden."
Beyond Brewer's, a little north of the corner of
Montague street, was the "Bee-Hive," kept by Mrs.
Wells, the mother-in-law of Capt. Hudson, U. S. N.
It stood back a little from the old road, with its " bee-
hive " sign projecting over the walk, and was subse-
quently occupied by Dr. Hurd.
The easterly side of the Old Road [Fulton street) from
Sands street to Myrtle avenue.
On the southerly corner of Sands street was John
Harmer's patent floor-cloth factory. Subsequently,
about 1819, he erected a new factory in Middagh, near
Fulton street. Next to Harmer's was the residence and
grocery- store of high sheriff John Dean, father of Col.
Joseph Dean. He was a prominent politician in the
county, was appointed sherifi! in March, 1813, and
" Dean's Corners," as it was generally called, was to the
male portion of the village what Mrs. Williams' shop
was to the female, a great rendezvous for (political and
business) " chit-chat." Adjoining Mr. Dean's grocery,
with an intervening space, was his extensive shoe-shop.
Beyond this were two small old buildings; then the
residence of George Smith, whose Avheelwright-shop
was on the opposite side of the road; and then, the two-
story frame dwelling-house and grocery-store of Isaac
Moser, brother of " Uncle Josey " Moser, of whom we
have already spoken.
Across High street was a bakery-shop ; JNlr. John
G. Murphy's house; " Gus " Back's, with his whip-fac-
tory in the rear; some vacant lots, and then a little
north of the corner of Nassau street, a long, one-story-
and-a-half edifice, built of small brick said to have been
brought from Holland. This venerable building had
been honored by having been the seat of the New York
Provincial Congress, in 1746 and 1762, when driven from
New York city by the prevalence there of the small-
pox, and many important acts were passed here. It
was also Gen. Putnam's head-quarters, previous to the
battle of Brooklyn, in August, 1776. It stood some
fifteen or eighteen feet above the level of the road and
was, for many years, occupied by old Squiee Nichols,
a cabinet-maker by trade, and, for thirteen years
previous to 1822, a justice of the peace.
His shop adjoined the eastern end of the dwelling. Sub-
sequently it was occupied by Samuel E. Clements, as the
post-oflice and the ofiice of his paper, The Long Island Pat-
riot. On the second floor old Mr. William Hartshorn (who
died in 1859) kept a little stationery-shop, and cases where he
set type for the Patriot. In 1833, in consequence of the wid-
ening of Fulton street, the old house was condemned to de-
molition. Squire Nichols, though far from rich, was an honest
man and universaUy respected. He was a native of Newark,
N. J. ; entered the American army as a private in 1775 ; was in
the whole of that wonderful and unfortunate expedition of
the northern army, under Gen. Arnold, against Quebec; and
was appointed adjutant of the 4th regiment, commanded by
Col. Holmes. In 1776 he was a lieutenant in Col. Nicholson's
regiment raised at Quebec, was at the siege of Fort Schuyler,
and the capture of Burgoyne's army. Also, in the actions of
September 19th and October 7th, and other skirmishes ; and,
118
SISTOR T OF KINGS CO UNTY.
at the battle of Ehode Island, October 14th, 1778, where he
commanded his company, in the absence of its captain, was
twice woimded. He was short and stout in stature and very
actiTe and energetic in mind, although somewhat crippled in
his feet ; and, even until within a few years of his death,
was one of the most active jiistices of the peace which Brook-
lyn ever had, although he would drink, and not unfrequently
swear, even "while on the bench ;" still these were faults
which were attributable probably to his early army associa-
tions. He died in November, 1835, and his remains were es-
corted to the tomb by the mayor and civU officers of the city,
by four military companies of Brooklyn, and two from Xew
York, forming the largest funeral which was ever known in
Brooklyn, and Capt. Brower's Infantry company fired a vol-
ley over the grave of the old veteran.
Across ^Tassau street, on the southerly corner, was the
large square house occupied by Capt. John O'SuUivan,
a retired shipmaster, and father-in-law of Dr. R. S.
Thorne and Dr. Hazlett. Then Willy Stephenson's
" Auld Lang Syne " Inn, and the gardens attached to
its southerly side. On the site of these gardens after-
wards stood the old theatre. Xext, on the corner of
Concord street, was the residence of Dr. Joseph Gedney
Tarlton Hunt, for many years in active service as a
naval surgeon, and subsequently on duty at the Brooklyn
navy-yard.
The southerly corner of Concord street was then a
vacant lot, adjoining which was the residence of Rike
Reid, hatter; and for many years a constable in the
village, thus commemorated in village rhyme :
Do you not fear the terrors of the law,
The direful energy of Justice Nichols ?
Or lest Rike Reid let fall his mighty paw,
And put you all in very pretty pickles.
Then, the house of Joseph Sprague (afterwards
mayor), who had in the rear of his ground a factory for
making (by dog-power) the " AVhittemore cards " used
in the manufacture of woolen goods.
A little above stood an old meeting-house originally
erected for the use of the " Independent " society, in
1785, and which afterwards came into the hands of the
Episcopalians of Brooklyn. It adjoined the northerly
side of the old Episcopal bui-ial-ground belonging to St.
Ann's congregation. It gradually fell into decay, but
was patched up and occupied as a school-room, by Rev.
Samuel Seabury and John Swinburne, who kept here a
classical and English school of great excellence, at
which many of our oldest citizens, now living, received
their early education. 3Ir. Seabury, who had been an
assistant to Mr. Evan BejTion, in his school on Concord
street, until the death of that worthy pedagogue, was
a fine scholar, a strict disciplinarian and a thorough
teacher, and was afterward widely known as an accom-
plished editor and theologian of the Episcopal church.
His assistant, John Swinburne, was a conscientious,
methodical teacher, a good disciplinarian, and in all
respects a faithful teacher and worthy man. The grave-
yard was for many years disused, being finally removed
in 1860, and " St. Ann's Buildings" erected on its site.
Adjoining the southerly side of the Episcopal burying-
ground was the Matthew Gleaves property, extending
along the road to a point about midway between Til-
lary and Johnson streets, and back from the road to a
point nearly midway between Washington and Adams
streets. On this (subsequently known as the TUlary)
property stood the head of Norris L. Martin's rope-
walk, which extended back to the WaUabout Meadows.
The next building was Dempsey's hotel, " The Village
Garden," where the gay young fellows used to go to
" shoot turkey." Then, with an intervening vacant
space, the residence of Capt. Samuel Angus, United
States Navy, originally built by old Matthew Gleaves.
Then, the home of old Mrs. Sliller, mother of Mr. E. G.
Miller ; afterward Mr. Henry Waring built a residence
for himself on this property.
Xear lilrs. Miller's was Moses Montgomery, originally
a gardener, and his garden was called " Shamrock Hall."
From this garden, the Johnson estate extended up to the
line of the Duflield estate, about the comer of Adams
and WiUoughby streets, where was the rope- walk, which
extended along the line of the estate, and was leased by
James Engles.
That portion of the village lying north and east of the
Old Ferry road (Fidton street), and along the streets
at that time opened through it, ).nz. : "Water, Front,
Main, Prospect, Sands, Sigh, Concord and Nassau
streets.
Water street. On the north side of the street, be-
tween Old Ferry road and Dock street, were but sis
buildings, of which only two challenge any special no-
tice, viz.: Townsend & Cox's (afterwards Richard
Mott's) tavern; and the large brick and stone distillery
not far from Dock street and fronting the river, said
to have been built by John Jackson. It was here
that the Brothers Graham commenced their Brooklyn
career as distillers, about 1816, and were succeeded by
old Cunningham, the Scotchman ; and he in turn by
Robert Bach.
On the south side of the street, between Old Ferry and
Dock streets, were : on the corner, Barnum's Hotel ; va-
cant lots ; the livery stables belonging to the Town-
send & Cox tavern opposite ; the tan-yard of Losee Tan
Xustrand (afterwards of Talford <fc Van Nostrand) ;
and some vacant lots (extending nearly to the comer of
Dock street) upon which Alexander Birbeck subse-
quently erected his blacksmithery.
At the foot of Dock street, a few years later, was
Da-vdd Anderson's stone-yard, and from this point there
was nothing on the north side of the street, which was
washed Ijy the tide, except a few tar-sheds belonging to
^Ir. A. H. Van Bokkelin, until within fifty or sixty feet
of Main street, where was a small blacksmith-shop,
and next it, on the corner, a large frame building used
for storage of salt.
On the east side, between Dock and Main streets,
BEOOKLTN SEVENTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO.
119
were the rears of Augustus Graham's and Joshua
Sands' gardens; the dwelling of William Cornwell, the
tailor; and, on the south-west corner of Water and
Main streets, a tavern and livery-stable kept by White-
head Howard, and in which one of the Bownes was in-
terested.
At the foot of Main street was the " New," or Catha-
rine street, ferry, and a small public market, bearing a
close resemblance to that at the Fulton ferry, and
commonly known as " Titus' market," from the fact
that Abiel Titus kept a butcher's stand there.
On the north-east corner of Main and Water streets
was Van Winkle's tavern and grocery, and, a little be-
yond, a cooper-shop; and, on the south-east corner, a
grocery kept by Peter Snyder, who was also a ferry-
man upon the New ferry; and from this point, to near
the line of the present Bridge street, was an open sand-
beach, upon which the ship and dock-builders of New
York were accustomed to moor their timber-rafts,
which had been floated down the North river, and were
sold and delivered from this spot. Main street was
between high and low-water mark, until it reached the
corner of present Pearl street; then, the water-lines ran
out to the corner of the present Gold street, and thence,
along the line of the present Marshall street, to the
navy-yard. From the beach the land rose gradually
into hills; and, near the foot of one of these eminences,
about eighty feet eastward of where the present Adams
street comes to the river, stood the famous " old Tulip
Tree," said to have measured thirty feet at its lower, and
twenty-five feet at its upper, circumference.
On a high hill, near the line of the present Bridge
street, was a large establishment called " Mount Pros-
pect Tavern," a great resort of the New York rowdies,
who used to come over in row-boats from the city,
accompanied by their girls, and hold high carnival
here.
On the north-east corner of Water and Bridge streets
was a large frame building known as " the Red Stores,"
used as a hay-press by the Messrs. Thorne, with a dock
in front, upon which the hay-sloops discharged their
cargoes. From this point to the present Little street
were only high sand-hills, with here and there a
shabby house.
Upon the south-west corner of Water and Little
streets was an old tavern, kept by one Scott, and torn
down, after his death, by his widow, who erected a
new house upon the spot, which was kept as an inn for
many years after. In 1817, Capt. Evans, then com-
tnandant at the United States navy-yard, opened,
mainly for his convenience, a gate into the yard, on
the line of Water street; and, in connection with John
Little, established a ferry from the foot of Little street
to Walnut (near Jackson) street. New York (as they
said), for the accommodation of the mechanics and
others employed in the yard. The establishment of
the ferry was speedily followed by the erection of a
number of dwellings, on the eastern line of Little
street, up to the navy-yard wall. On the opposite side
of the street, and against the navy-yard wall. Little set
up' a tavern; and, adjoining him, Barney Henrietta, an
Irish sawyer in the yard, purchased a house and lot,
which he occupied until his death, in 1825. Grog-
shops arose in all directions in the neighborhood, and
real-estate commanded a better price than it then did
at the Fulton ferry. Upon the hill, immediately in
the rear of Henrietta's house, was erected a building,
the first floor of which was occupied as a " Shooting
Gallery," and, in the upper part, which overlooked the
interior of the navy-yard, was placed a " shuffle-board."
This building, overlooking the navy-yard, was a great
place of resort for those who wished to obtain a view
thereof; the principal attraction, at that time, being
the building of the United States line-of-battle ship
Ohio, by Henry Eckford, which was launched in May,
1820.
Front street, west side. Next to the Remsen house
(which stood upon the site of the old Rapalje house),
during the years immediately succeeding the Revolu-
tionary war (1784-1815), there had been an old
two-story framed dwelling occupied by Dr. Barbarin,
the first settled physician of Brooklyn; while, next
beyond, with an intervening space, was a small framed
dwelling belonging to the Rapalje estate. This estate,
comprising about one hundred and sixty acres, had
been purchased from the commissioners of forfeiture
by Messrs. Comfort and Joshua Sands, who paid for it,
it is said, in soldiers' pay-certificates, which they had
bought up in large quantities at a rate of discount
which made the operation a very good speculation for
them. Old Mrs. Rapalje, the mother of John Rapalje,
by virtue of some right in the property, refused to give
possession, which necessitated the oflicial interference
of the sheriff, who put the old lady out into the street,
in her arm-chair.
The Sands Brothers were from Cow Neck, since
called Sands' Point, Queens County, L. I., at which
place their great-grandfather was an original settler.
COMFOET, the eldest, born in 1748, was, during early life, a
clerk in a store of his native village ; went to New York in
1762, and entered a store in Peck Slip. In 1769 he com-
menced business on his own account and also married, and
had amassed a considerable fortune before the opening of the
Revolutionary war. After the Declaration of Peace, in 1783,
he settled permanently at New York. He was an ac-
tive and useful patriot. He served from Nov., 1775, to July,
1770, as a member of the New York Provincial congress; was
then chosen, by the New York convention, as auditor-general
of the State, at a salary of £300. This office he resigned Oct.,
1781, and, with his brothers Richardson and Joshua, took a
contract to supply the northern army with provisions for the
year 1782. In 1783 he became a partner with his brother
Joshua, and carried on an extensive and lucrative mercantile
business, until 1794 ; and represented the city several times
in the assembly. He was twice married, and died at Hobo-
ken, N. J., September 22 J, 1834, aged eighty-six years. As
120
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
a merchant, one of the first directors of the old bank of New
York, and president of the Chamber of Commerce, he held a
high position in the mercantile circles of his day.
His younger brother, Joshua Sands, who became more inti-
mately identified with Brooklyn, by the purchase of the Ra-
palje estate, was born in 1757. At the age of fifteen he com-
menced his business-life as a clerk ; but, in 1776, was invited
by Col. Trumbull, of Connecticut, to accept a position in the
commissariat department of the American army, with the
rank of captain. He contributed very material aid in facili-
' tating the retreat of the American army from Long Island,
after the battle of August 26th, 1776. In 1777 he, together
with his brothers Richardson and Comfort, tendered pro-
posals for the supply of clothing and provisions to the north-
. em army. These were accepted by Robert Morris, and were
faithfully carried out on their part ; but the scarcity of
means at the command of the treasury department not al-
lowing of a fulfillment of the contract on the part of the
government, they became great sufiferers, although afterwards
partially reimbursed by a special act of congress. At the
close of the war he became a partner with his brother Com-
fort in mercantile pursuits, and, in 1784, they were the pur-
chasers of the Rapalje estate, as already stated. In 1786 he
i-emoved his residence to Brooklyn and built for himself, on
his new purchase, a handsome frame mansion, about fifty
feet square, and furnished with remarkable elegance for that
day. This house, situated on the north side of Front street,
about a hundred feet east of Dock street (his coach-house and
stables being on the opposite side of Front street), was the
largest in the village at the time, and was surrounded by a
fine garden, which extended to the river. It subsequently
came into the possession of John B. Cazeaux, Esq. , who, in
1824, converted it into two dwellings, one remaining as No.
25 Front street. About this time, also, Mr. Sands made
another addition to the material interests of the town, with
which he had become identified by residence. Conceiving
the idea of manufacturing the cordage and rigging for his
own vessels, he imported both machinery and workmen from
England, and established here extensive rope-walks, which
became the beginning of a new and most important branch
of industry. Mr. Sands represented this district in the State
senate, from 1792 to 1798 ; was a member of the council of
appointment for the southern district of New York, in Janu-
ary, 1797, and was judge of the county of Kings. In 1797 he
was appointed collector of the customs of the port of New
York, but was removed by President Jefferson in 1801. He
was, also, president of the Merchants' Bank ; and, in 1803-
1805, represented this district in congress, to which he was
again sent in 1825-1827. In 1834 he was chosen president of
the board of trustees of Brooklyn, with which village he was
always prominently connected in political, religious and
social affairs, and which he Uved to see an incorporated and
thriving city. He died in 1835, universaUy respected, it hav-
ing been justly said of him, that "no man enjoyed more
fully the esteem and confidence of the inhabitants, without
distinction of party, andaU his official duties were pert rmed
with singular ability and fidelity."
This was the appearance of Front street during tho
first few years after the Revolution. In 1815, its ap-
pearance had somewhat changed. Beyond the Remsen
house and two vacant lots was a modem brick house,
owned by Mr. John Cox; then, three yellow brick
houses (present Nos. 9, 11, 13 Front street) belonging
to John Fisher, who lived in the corner store "(on
Dock street), his garden extending back to Water
street. On the other side of Dock street was the
substantial brick house built by Augustus Graham,
in 1814 or 1815. On the rear of this property Mr.
Graham subsequently erected his white-lead manufac-
tory. Beyond the Sands mansion and several vacant
lots was an old-fashioned two-story house, said to have
belonged to the Rapalje family, and afterward to have
been occupied by Mr. Adrian Van Bokkelen, merchant,
whose tar-sheds on the rear of this lot have already
been spoken of. Then Robert Bach's house, afterward
occupied by John Benson; and, with another interval,''
the two-story framed dwelling of William Cornwell,
the tailor. On the north-west corner of Front and
Main streets stood a two-story framed grocery, in
which the late Edward Copeland (ex-Mayor) was said
to have commenced business.
On the southerly side of Front street, on the corner
of the Old Ferry road, was the Thomas W. Birdsall
house and store (Guy's picture, No. 1) ; then Abiel Titus'
yard and his slaughter-house (Guy's picture, No. 9), on
the corner of the present James street, which, however,
at that time, was simply a passage-way up from Front
street, containing a few small buildings, mostly occupied
by negroes. On the opposite corner of the alley was
the carpenter's shop and dwelling (Guy's picture. No.
10) of Benjamin Meeker. He was a quiet, unassuming
man; a "good Clintonian" in politics; originally an
attendant at the Methodist Church, but afterwards a
Presbyterian; was a member of the Mechanics Associa-
tion, and died in 1849, much respected. His portrait
is one of those given in Guy's picture. Next, with an
intervening vacant lot, was Mrs. Chester's (Guy's pictm-e.
No. 11), memorable as the "Cradle of the Drama" in
Brooklyn, a two-story house with a long stoop in front;
and then (Guy's picture, No. 12) a large brick house, old
Mr. Cunningham's residence, still standing; then an alley
which is now called Garrison street. Between this alley
and Main street (Guy's picture, No. 13) were about six
lots of ground occupied as a wood and lumber-yard, by
Jacob Hicks, who lived on the corner.
"Wood Hicks," as he was called — the better to distinguish
him from several others of the same name — was a clever,
jolly old man, with a "horse-laugh" that might be heard a
mile off — always clad in a roundabout, and carrying in his
hand the measuring-stick with which he measured his stock-
in-trade. He had two children, Charles and John M. Hicks,
who inherited the ample fortune whicli their father's industry
had accumulated.
Upon the north-east corner of Front and Main streets
was a grocery, and upon the south-east corner a large
tenement-house; but, although Front street was opened
for travel for some five hundred yards farther from
this point, northward to where the sand-hills again pre-
sented themselves, yet there were no buildings of any
importance on its north side, and only a few miserable
ones on its south side.
Main street. Omitting a repetition of the buildings
already mentioned, as on the corners of Water and
BBOOKLTN BEVENTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO.
121
Front streets, simply those of importance on this street
from the river to Prospect street may be noticed.
On the westerly side of the street, and south of Hicks'
wood-yard, were a few small wooden'dwellings, and then
David Anderson's house, whose stone-yard has already
been mentioned as being at the foot of Dock street.
There were no other houses of note on this side but
those near the junction of Fulton and Main, all of which
extended through from street to street.
Along the easterly side of Main street were but few
buildings. On, or near, the present corner of Main and
York streets, was John Moon's house; and his next
neighbor was the house and garden of Capt. John O.
Zuill, master of the good ship Gleaner, in the West
India trade. Next him was James Cornell, butcher,
his slaughter-house in the rear, and adjoining his house
an ice-house — he being, it is said, the first man in Brook-
lyn who put up ice for summer use. Next was the
house and paint-shop of Capt. John Allen, commander
of one of the uniformed military companies of the vil-
lage.
Then some small tenements, and, on the north-east
corner of Prospect street, a large frame building, where
James Burtis kept a grocery and feed-store. Along the
north side of Prospect street, next to Burtis', there
were, on either corner of Stewart's alley, small two-
story frame houses. The north-east corner of Prospect
street and Stewart's alley was most pleasantly associ-
ated, in the minds of early Brooklynites, with a famous
restaurant kept there for many years, by John Joseph,
otherwise better known as " Johnny Joe," and who was
" a character " of the olden times. Then Mr. Stewart's
comfortable double house, and a frame dwelling adjoin-
ing. Then were hills, about as far as the present Jay
street, where there was a two-story frame house, with a
daii-y establishment attached. Beyond this. Prospect
street, although open, did not contain more than ten
small tenements. At, or near, the present Gold street
was a gate, from which a pathway, or lane, led up to
King's hill, as it was then called, to a large mansion
situated on the highest part of the hill, and occupied by
Robert Morris.
At about the termination of the present York street,
were the United States Marine Barracks, which could
only be reached (for York street was not then open or
used as a street) " across lots " from Sands street, or
via Jackson street, at that time a mere crooked lane.
These barracks, substantially built of brick, were occu-
pied in front as the residence of the commandant of the
corps, and the rear (which extended into the navy-
yard) by the inferior officers and privates. The south-
ern entrance to the yard was some fifty feet west of the
present one.
Sands street, from the Old road {Fulton street) to
the Wallabout toll-bridge.
Beyond Drs. Ball and Wendell's office and drug-
store, on the northerly side of Sands street, after leav-
ing the Old road, were vacant lots to old St. Ann's
church, which then fronted on Sands street, with its
side doors on Washington street. It was, at that time,
the new St. Ann's, the first permanent home which the
Episcopalians of Brooklyn had attained, after nearly a
quarter of a century's buffeting about among private
houses, barns, and old barracks. It was erected in 1805,
during the rectorship of the Rev. John Ireland. Heavy
in form, constructed of rough stone, overlaid with a
coat of plaster and painted of a dark blue color, it would
probably be considered, now-a-days, as a miracle of ug-
liness. Even then, the smallness of its windows and
the tout ensemble of its exterior gave point to the jocu-
lar remark of an irreverent wag of a rival denomina-
tion, that, he " had often heard of the church militant,
and its canons, but he'd never before seen its port-
holes." The ground upon which itN^tood had been
given, for the purpose, by Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Sands,
whose benefactions ceased only with their lives; and it
was a deserved as well as graceful compliment to the
latter, which combined her name with that of an ancient
saint, in the naming of the edifice.
It was a goodly company which assembled within the
hallowed walls of old St. Ann's in those days. There
was Joshua Sands, tall and commanding, and with the
air of one whom no amount of business could perplex ;
Major Fanning C. Tucker, still taller in figure, and add-
ing to the strict performance of every church duty the
graces of the highest breeding ; gentlemanly John
Moore; the dignified and courteous Gen. J. G. Swift ;
the Pierreponts ; the Treadwells ; the Clarkes ; Sacketts ;
Ellisons ; Coleses ; Petits ; Smiths ; Van Burens ; Van
Nostrands ; Sullivans ; Hudsons ; Worthingtons ; Stew-
arts ; Gibbses ; Cornells ; Middaghs ; Hickses ; Warings ;
Marches ; Carters ; Spooners, etc., etc. ; indeed, the cata-
logue would embrace a history of Brooklyn !
On the opposite or northeast corner of Sands and
Washington streets was the residence of Fanning C.
Tucker, and next beyond, on the same side of the street,
was a neat and handsome two-story frame house, occu-
pied by old Mr. John Moore and his two maiden sisters.
On the same side of Sands, below Pearl street, was a
large two-story brick house, in which, after about 1818,
George S. Wise, jr.. Purser in the United States Navy-
yard, resided. Between Purser Wise's and the nearest
line of Jay street was the residence of Josey Herbert.
With the exception of a few small tenements, Wise's
and Herbert's were about the last buildings upon the
north side of Sands street. From the end of Sands
street extended the Wallabout bridge to about the junc-
tion of present Flushing and Portland avenues, where
the toll-gate controlled the travel of the Newtown Pike
road, by Sands street, and also by the road running past
Fort Greene, across to the Flatbush turnpike. Near the
Wallabout bridge was Sands' rope-walk, extending from
the south side of Sands street, all along the Wallabout
122
SISTOEY OF KIKTGS COUNTY.
meado-ws, to about the foot of the present Tillary
street, in some places being built upon piles. Around
this walk were several tenements, occupied by the em-
ployes in the walk.
Returning, along the south side of Sands street, to
what is now Bridge street, was nothing but sand-hills,
among which nestled a few negro shanties. On the
corner of Bridge street was a substantial frame dwelling
with a large garden attached; the next most noteworthy
house being that of Panning C. Tucker, which he occu-
pied after he sold his other house to Mr. Carter.
Across by the present Pearl street was Thomas C.
Spink's cottage, and which, like all the residences on
Sands street, was furnished with a large flower and veg-
etable garden. A large two-story dwelling stood on the
south-east corner of Sands and Washington streets,
fronting on the latter, and with stables in rear; and, on
the opposite corner, was Dr. Chas. Hall's house, with a
fine garden attached. Then the Methodist church, com-
monly known as the " Old White Church," occupying
the site of the present Sands street Methodist Episcopal
Church. Next to the church was the residence of one
of the " fathers " of the village, " Poppy " Snow.
After the date of this sketch (about 1816), Sands
street began to fill up rapidly, and was for many years
quite a fashionable avenue of residences. Among these
later comers may be mentioned, on the north side, Mr.
Cunningham, the distiller, who built next to John
Moore, between Washington and Adams; Josiah Bowen,
a printer (of the firm of Pray & Bowen), and subse-
quently a Methodist preacher, next west of Purser
Wise's house; below Jay street, Mr. Jehiel Jagger, a
hatter, doing business in the city of New York. Mr.
Jagger took the house, about 1820, from its previous
owner, Capt. Clarke. On the southern side James B.
Clarke, Esq., and Thomas Kirk, between Washington
and Adams ; between Adams and Pearl, Aime J. Bar-
barin, father of Mr. George Barbarin ; Capt. Angus, of
the navy; John C. Bennett, tailor; James Herbert, gro-
cer, etc.
High street, although opened nearly to the present
Bridge street, had but few buildings. Upon its north
side, near Fulton, was Isaac Moser's grocery store, a
brother of « Uncle Jo " Moser. Then, vacant lots up to
an alley, on the easterly corner of which lived Richard
V. W. Thome. Next him was the Methodist parsonage
house; and, then, a building used by that congregation
for "class-meetings," and, adjoining, the rear entrance
to their burial-ground and church. Beyond this point,
on the north side of the street, were but few houses, the
land being mostly occupied by the grounds and gardens
of the residences on the south side of Sands street.
Along the south side of High street, between Pulton and
Washington streets, were only three or four houses, and,
beyond the latter street, not over six or seven. About
on the line of the present Bridge street, in front of the
African Methodist Church, was a splendid grove of pop-
lars. From 1813 to 1818 there was a great mania in
Brooklyn for this kind of tree, and scarcely a place of
any pretension that did not have its poplar. On this spot
a nursery of these trees was established by an enterpris-
ing citizen, to his ultimate loss.
JVassau street. Beyond Justice Nichols' place, on the
north corner of Fulton street, were but one or two
houses before reaching Washington street, on the north-
west corner of which was Mr. John Green's house, and
a large garden, and next him Evan Beynon's school-
house. Beyond this were but few houses of any note.
On the south side of Nassau street, adjoining Capt.
Sullivan's, on the corner of Fulton street, was Mr.
Samuel Vail's neat two-story frame house, and between
that and Washington street two or three houses. On
the south-east corner of Washington street was the
large frame house built by an Englishman, and after-
ward occupied by J. Fletcher Garrison, Esq., son of old
Judge John Garrison. Adjoining his garden was the
residence of Mr. William Wallace, a cloth merchant in
New York. Beyond, on the south side of Nassau, were
only some ten or fifteen houses, occupied, mostly, by
mechanics and laboring men. The only noticeable
building was the old "Alms House," a large framed
edifice, about one hundred feet from the present Jay
street, and surrounded by about two acres of ground.
A lower room in this building also served the purpose
of a "lock-up" or police station, wherein the village
constables confined those committed to their charge for
safe keeping. The old Alms-house building was sub-
sequently purchased in 1825, by Mr. Josiah Dow, who
converted it into a dwelling-house for his own use; and,
in order to rid it of the odium attaching to the name of
a " poor-house," erected upon it a large sign of " Wake-
field House." The sign, however (while it gradually
effaced from the public mind the stigma of the old
name), provoked numberless calls from strangers, who
very naturally mistook the place for a hotel; so that, as
soon as practicable, Mr. Dow was glad to remove the
sign.
Concord street. On its northern side, at its junction
with Fulton, was Dr. Joseph J. G. T. Hunt's office and
drug-shop, with stable adjoining. Then came an alley,
the present Liberty street. Beyond, on north-west
corner of present Washington street, was Dr. Osborne's
residence and garden. On the north-east corner of the
present Washington street was the large framed house
of Adam Tread well, a New York merchant. Between
this house and the present Pearl street was a consider-
able hill, upon which were no improvements. From
thence to the line of the present Gold street were only
a few small houses, chiefly occupied by laboring men
and mechanics; and the same may be said of the oppo-
site or southern side of the street, on which the school-
house of District No. 1 (where a Public School now
stands) was the only noticeable feature. Concord
street, "sixty years ago," was the last public street,
BROOKLYN SEVENTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO.
123
within the village limits, whicli was opened eastward
from Fulton street.
We next pass through that portioti of the village
lying south and west of the old highway (Fulton street),
now known as " The Heights-" and the streets which
had at thai time been opened in that direction, viz. : the
Shore road (now Furman street), Joralemon^s lane,
Everit, Elizabeth, Hicks, Aert (now Henry street), Mid-
dagh. Doughty and McKenney streets, etc.
Elizabeth street, so named, it is said, after the wife of
one of its old residents, still exists between Fulton street
(just above Carll's stables) and Doughty street. In the
olden time it was the only means of access to the ferry
from the road along the beach, now Furman street.
Doughty street, into which Elizabeth street opened,
extended from Hicks street to the East river, at which
was a public landing used by the butchers of Brooklyn
from time immemorial. On the southerly side of
Doughty street were four or five dwellings; one of
which, a brick and stone house, directly opposite to the
head of Elizabeth street, was originally the residence of
Israe^. Horsfield; and, during the revolutionary war, was
occupied by the Hessians as their main guard-room.
Israel and Timothy Horsfield— men of mark in their
day — were the sons of Timothy Horsfield, of Liverpool, En-
gland, where they were bom. Israel came to this country in
1720, and became a freeman of New York. About three years
after, his brother Timothy arrived and entered into business
with him, as butchers. Their trade (principally with the ship-
ping) increased, in a few years, to such an extent that they
were obliged to seek other accommodations than could be
obtained in the city of New York for the prosecution of their
business. Long Island, which at that time furnished the New
York market with most of its live stock, presented advan-
tages which, together with the offer by the corporation, in
1734, of a favorable lease of a portion of the Brooklyn shore,
near the ferry, induced them to remove there. They imme-
diately bmlt a wharf at the foot of the present Doughty street,
together with a slaughtering place and the necessary buildings
for residence. The next year they leased the two best stands
(Nos. 1 and 2) in the Old Slip market, in the city of New
York ; their dressed meat being brought over daily, in row-
boats, by their own slaves, directly to the " Old Slip," whence
it was carried, in wheelbarrows, to their stands in the mar-
ket. The Horsflelds accumulated a large property and owned
a considerable amount of land on the Heights, near the ferry.
Timothy Horsfield, in 1739, was awakened by the preach-
ing of the celebrated Whitfield, then visiting in America ;
and, in 1741, became acquainted with the Brethren (Mora-
vians), and joined their church. In 1745 (during the French
and Indian war) he was appointed colonel of the Brooklyn
militia, but resigned his commission on account of much
jealousy, which was felt and expressed in certain quarters.
Soon after he was made the executor of the estate of an inti-
mate friend and zealous Moravian, and, in 1750, removed
with his family to Bethlehem, Penn., where he resided in a
stone house, built for him by the brethren, which is still
standing. His ample means enabled him to live among the
Moravians without business cares, except such as pertained
to the oface of justice of the peace, which he held among
them for twelve years. He stood deservedly high among
them, being a man of unblemished character, and was of
much assistance to the brethren in their intercourse with the
provincial government and with the Indian tribes in that
part of the colony, while his acquaintance with business
matters rendered him a kind of legal adviser to his German
friends, who were unacquainted with the modes of transact-
ing matters in this New World.
Israel continued the business until his son Israel, Junior,
became of age, when he transferred it to the young man,
erected a brew-house near the ferry (Map a, 18) and
engaged in the brewing of ale and beer.
At that period it was owned and occupied by George
Hicks, commonly distinguished as "Ferry-master
Hicks." He was originally a Fulton market butcher,
but afterwards ferry-master at the Old Perry, after the
introduction thereon of steam-boats.
A large frame building somewhat westerly of the last
named was probably also a Horsfield house; and, at a
later period, was occupied by John Carpenter. He was
a butcher, of some note, and in 1785 he was the treas-
urer and one of the trustees of an Independent congre-
gation, which was incorporated in the town of Brook-
lyn, and which erected a frame church-edifice in what
was afterwards St. Ann's burial-ground. Fuemak says
(Mss. Notes) that, "disliking the proceedings of his as-
sociates, and the church being very much indebted to
him. Carpenter locked up the church-building, put the
key in his pocket, refused them admission, and after-
wards sold the church and ground to the Episcopalian
congregation, which he joined," and from which he
was a lay delegate in 1788, '90 and '91.
From the southerly side of Doughty street, about one
hundred feet west of George Hicks' house, commenced
a lane or road extending south-westerly, along under
the edge of the Heights, till it met the beach of the
East river, at a little distance beyond the foot of the
present Poplar street. This road, originally opened,
perhaps, by the Horsflelds, was, about 1816, paved
from Doughty street as far as Gaze's factory, and rend-
ered more passable than it had previously been, by
Thomas Everit, Jr., and Caze, whose property fronted
upon it, on either side.
On the westerly side of this road (Map a, 10,
11, 12), was Everit's tan-yard, a wooden storehouse for
hides, and slaughter-houses; and next to them (Map a,
18), were John Doughty's. On the easterly side
of the road was the old Everit house (Map a,
14), where Thomas Everit, Jr., was born. By the side
of the house was the famous Whalebone gate, from
which a lane led up the hill to Mr. Gary Ludlow's resi-
dence.
The Eveeit Family. — Thomas Everit, Sen., came from
an old stock of butchers. About 1720 he commenced busi-
ness in a slaughter-house on a smaU creek which put up from
the East Kiver, in the town of Brookland, at about the inter-
section of Columbia and Doughty streets. On the breaking
out of the Revolution, September, 1775, he was elected second
lieutenant of the Company of Light Horse, of Brooklyn. In
the month of March following (1776), he signed the declara-
124
SISTOBT OF KINGS COUNTY.
tion and took up Ms commission. This troop were first in
service under Gen. Greene, who ordered them to seize all the
fat stock of the disaffected for Commissary Brown. They
next drove off stock under Gen. WoodhuU ; and, after the
defeat at Brooklyn, in August, 1776, as they were proceeding
eastward to join Colonel Livingston, they were ordered off
the island by Colonel Potter. Everit, however, returned ;
and, in the month of November, following, renewed his alle-
giance to King Greorge. He was a man of considerable talent,
strictly honest, and possessed a very kind heart. His sons,
Thomas, WiUiam, and Eichard, were also butchers, and will
be noticed in their proper order.
Thomas Eveeit, Je., born in Brooklyn, in 1764, was re-
markable for his quiet and studious habits; and, an excellent
scholar. He served with his father until he mastered his pro-
fession, when he took charge of his father's stall and business
in the old Fly Market, in New York, where he continued
until about the year 1796, when he quit the market ; became
engaged in farming, near Hempstead ; and joined the Society
of Friends. After the lapse of a few years, he returned to
Brooklyn. Here, with his old bosom-friend, John Doughty,
he formed a partnership in the tanning and wool-business,
and established a successful and extensive trade ; after which
his partner retired from the firm. He was an honest, unpre-
tending, good man, whose simple habits, dress and speech,
were fully and faithfully carried out, in his new faith. He
was always seeking to do his fellow-man some service, either
by advice or assistance, and this, too, in the most unassuming
manner. He continued business, many years, in Brooklyn,
from whence he afterwards removed it to New York, and
died in 1841, leaving many relatives and friends, the latter of
whom yet speak glowingly of his many virtues.
His brother William, in 1775, joined the troop with
Thomas, as a private, and continued with it until it left Long
Island ; and was afterward engaged in the commissary de-
partment of the American army. In 1786 he appeared in the
Fly Market, and was a resident of the city of New York.
RiOHAiiD Eveeit, another brother, also attended the same
market as his father; afterwards became one of the first board
of trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal meeting-house,
established here in 1794, and died of yellow fever in 1798.
Beyond the house, and opposite the slaughter-houses
already mentioned, were the residences of Mike Trap-
pel (Map A, 15), designated in some old maps as
house of Sarah (widow of Isaac) Hicks, and Burdet
Stryker, their entrance heing on an alley which led into
the hill. On the other side of the alley was a large,
old-fashioned building (Map a, 16), at one time
occupied by Caze & Richaud's distillery, afterwards
purchased by Robert Bach, for the same purpose ; and
then, with an intervening space, was a large brick
edifice (Map a, 18), known, from the name of
its occupant and owner, as " the (John) Sedgfield man-
sion."
Along, on the same side of the street, were three or
four small houses, in one of which, about where the
road debouched to the river-beach, resided a man named
Coombs, who once had the audacity to impede the pub-
lic's right-of-way, by erecting a gate across the road, in
front of his place, and allowing no one to pass without
paying toll. This obstruction, however, was speedily
removed, vi et armis, by Hugh McLaughlin, a stalwart
Irishman who lived a few doors below; and, fortunately
for the peace of the neighborhood, was never replaced.
The road which passed by Event's and the distillery
was obliterated, or rather superseded, by the opening of
Columbia and Furman streets to the line of Doughty.
In ] 823 or '24 travel was opened from the northerly
end of Columbia street into Fulton street, by the open-
ing of a short and narrow street called jEverit street;
and, on the easterly corner of its junction with Fulton,
Obed Jackson built a substantial brick building after-
wards occupied as a store by alderman D. D. Whitney.
On the beach road, which extended along the river
under the Heights on the line of the present Furman
street, on the viest side, was a long wooden building
used as a slaughter-house; then the house of Thomas
Goen, who manufactured salt here by evaporation from
salt water. Next were the residences of William
Thompson, the waterman, who supplied the New York
shipping with fresh water, and a tavern kept by an
Englishman, whose sign was a swinging gate projecting
over the street, bearing on its bars the following in-
scription :
"This signiangs high,
It hinders none.
Come, take a nip.
And travel on."
On the east side of the road, a little beyond the line
of the present Middagh street, were Thompson's
pumps.
The beach here was usually strewn with water-butts,
and lined with water-boats, awaiting their cargoes.
Further along, on the west side, between the lines of
the present Cranberry and Orange streets, were the
dock and extensive store-houses belonging to Jonathan
Thompson, one of the pioneers of the warehousing bus-
iness in Brooklyn. In 1797 the firm of Gardinier,
Thompson and Co. purchased a water-lot here, and
erected a bulkhead and warehouse for storage purposes
in connection with their business as West India mer-
chants. In 1800 the partnership was dissolved, and the
storage business was continued, thenceforth, by Jona-
than Thompson, until his death. For a longtime
his warehouses were known as the White Cot-
ton stores ; and it is worthy of remark that a large
number of the cotton-bales used by Gov. Jackson, at
the battle of New Orleans, were there repacked and
stored.
Jonathan Thompson was a native of Islip, L. I. As a pol-
itician, previous to and during the war of 1812, he was prom-
inent in the old Republican party of that period, of&ciating
for ten successive years as chairman of the Republican Gen-
eral Committee, at that time an important position. In con-
sequence of his long service as presiding officer, he received
the appellation of " Everlasting Chairman." He was Collec-
tor of Internal Revenue from 1813 to 1819; and of Customs of
the Port of N. Y. from 1820 to 1839; discharging his financial
duties with remarkable fidelity and accuracy.
Opposite to Mr. Thompson's stores, and on the east
BR 0 OKL YN SEVENTY-SEVJ^N' YEARS AGO.
125
side of the way, was the little house occupied by his
foreman ; and behind it, half way up the bank, was a
notable spring of excellent water.
Between this point and Pierrepont's distillery, at the
foot of Joralemon's lane, five or six small dwellings
nestled along under the Heights on the eastern side of
the road, some of which were coopers' shops, and one,
near the line of the present Clarke street, a tavern kept
by the Widow Yanderveer.
On the west, or river side of the road, we notice next
beyond Jonathan Thompson's stores, at about the
foot of the present Orange street, a dock known
as the Milkmen's dock. Here, every morning,
" rain or shine," came the venders of " lacteal fluid,"
stabled their horses in a row of sheds erected for the
purpose, under the shelter of the Heights ; and, clubbing
together in the hire of boats, were rowed with their
milk-cans over to New York, encountering, not infre-
quently, during the severe winter months, much suffer-
ing, and even serious danger, from fierce winds and
floating ice. Their cans were suspended from yokes
across their shoulders ; and, thus accoutered, they ped-
dled off their milk in the city and returned in the after-
noon, wind and weather permitting, to the Brooklyn
side, where they " hitched up " their teams and started
for their homes. Next were Treadwell & Thome's
stores ; then a storehouse owned by Robert Black, and
which, during the war of 1812, he converted into a man-
ufactory of salt, produced from the waters of the East
river, by evaporation ; the large wooden " Red stores,"
as they were called, belonging to Messrs. Kimberly &
Waring (afterwards to Mr. Henry Waring) ; then a
row of tar-sheds, and another large wooden store be-
longing to the same firm, and near the adjoining slip
stood Tony Philpot's little ale-shop, with its sign rep-
resenting two flagons of ale, one emptying into the
other. Tony was an Englishman, and his place, well
furnished with nine-pin alley, shuffle-board, etc., was a
great resort for the long-shore-men and lower classes, to
whom its semi-secluded position afforded free opportu-
nity for the exercise of unrestrained and often uproari-
ous jollity. In the slip near by, Mr. William Niblo,
the well-known caterer of New York, had a floating
crib in which he kept the turtles, which, from time to
time, he served up upon the tables of his hotel ;
not forgetting to give his friend, Mr. Henry Waring,
at least once a year, a fine green turtle, by way of
rent.
Beyond this was open shore, to a point about half
way between the lines of the present Clarke and Pierre-
pont streets, where was located a public landing called
the Kingston lot ; next to which, and north of the hne
of Pierrepont street, if continued, was Samuel Jack-
son's large dock, upon which were erected three
wooden stores.
From this dock to Pierrepont's distillery, at the foot of
Joralemon street, was an open sandy beach, along which
the tide ebbed and flowed to such an extent as to render
it, at times, impassable.
Pierrepont's Anchor Gin distillery was on the site of
the old Livingston brewery, at the foot of Joralemon's
lane. Mr. Pierrepont had rebuilt the old brewery
building, a large wharf, a windmill, which was
exclusively used for the purposes of the distillery,
and several large wooden storehouses, in which he kept
the gin stored for a full year after it was made; by
which it acquired the mellowness for which it was pe-
culiary esteemed. The distillery was discontinued about
1819 ; was sold to Mr. Samuel Mitchell, who used it as a
candle-factory for a time ; and subsequently was occu-
pied, as a distillery, by Messrs. Schenck & Rutherford.
The old windmill remained until about 1825, though
unused.
JoralemorHs lane was a miserable rutted country-road
between the Joralemon and Remsen farms ; and, to-
wards its lower portion (from Hicks street to the East
river), preserved much of its original character of a ra-
vine, along under the southerly edge of the Heights.
At that time it was little traversed, except by carts
bearing distillery swill, or grain going to be ground in-
to gin. It was originally laid out by Hendrick and
Peter Remsen and Phillip Livingston, Esq., as a road of
convenience or common way between their respective
farms "from the highway and to the river," on the 14th
of December, 1762 ; and was then two rods, or thirty-
two feet, wide, increased by Loss' map, 1801, to fifty feet.
As we emerge from Joralemon's lane we pass, upon
the site of the present First Dutch Reformed church
building, its predecessor, erected in 1810. It was a
heavily proportioned edifice, of gray-stone, with small
windows and a square tower in front, surmounted by a
square cupola. The space in front of it, now occupied
by the City Hall, was then an open field, skirted by the
old highway. Where the lane debouched into the high-
way, and on the site of the stately County Court House,
there then stood the Military Garden, a place of
resort famous in the village annals of Brooklyn. The
small building which many of our readers will remem-
ber to have formed the western part of the Military
Garden was originally occupied, as nearly as can be as-
certained, by Thomas Coe, a blacksmith, who had his
shop adjoining. It passed, about 1810, into the keep-
ing of eccenti-ic old Col. Greene, at which time it first
became known as Military Garden. It reached its max-
imum of reputation, however, during the regim,e of
MoNS. John Pkancois Louis Du Flon, a rosy-cheeked,
cheery Swiss.
He purchased this property in 1823, and although neither
he nor his wife had been bred to this occupation, they soon
developed the tact and enterprise which proved that they
could keep a hotel. He was induced by the Freemasons, who
had hitherto been occupying lodge-rooms in Lawrence Brew-
er's tavern, to erect a larger building, in which suitabla
accommodations could be furnished to the craft. It was the
beginning of a series of pecuniary embarrassments, which
126
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
finally ended in bankruptcy. Yet Du Flon was a general
favorite ; his pleasant Garden, with its superior ice-cream,
its tastefully-appointed viands, its attractions of flowers and
shrubbery — for he and his wife had the characteristic of their
countrymen, a passion for floral pleasures ; his own urbanity
and cheerfulness of disposition, made his place the resort,
par excellence, of the best village society ; and his hall, from
its superior size and accommodations, afforded an excellent
place for the balls, amateur concerts, and traveling shows,
which from time to time visited the village. When Greneral
Lafayette visited Brooklyn, during his visit to America, in
1824, he received his friends at the Military Garden ; and in
Poppy Du Flon (for such was the respectfully familiar nick-
name given him by his fellow-vfllagers) he recognized the
sick man whom he had attended, among others, at a lonely
house on the frontier, during the Revolutionary war, and
whom he had sat up with, watched and nursed, for several
days. Both were affected to tears. Poppy Du Flon's life
was unobtrusive, but useful ; and his death, in his 88th year,
was lamented by all.
In the rear of the garden was the old Potter's field,
now covered by stables and Burnham's gymnasium.
Hicks street was, as will be seen by reference to
Map A, quite narrow at its entrance on the old
road, and climbed the hill (between present Fulton and
Middagh streets), which was so steep as to be ascended,
by loaded vehicles, with considerable difficulty. Be-
yond the John M. Hicks house already mentioned,
on the corner of Doughty street, and garden
adjoining, on the westerly side, was Mr. Brown's; Alex.
Birbeck's blacksmith's shop and his dwelling adjoining;
then, Mr. Haight's, on the corner of Poplar street.'
Between this and Middagh street were six frame
houses, mostly occupied by two families apiece; be-
yond Middagh, three small houses, standing back from
the street; then James Weaver's house, next the corner
of the present Cranberry street. This was the end of
Hicks street— all beyond being fields and orchards.
Along the easterly side of Hicks street were but five
buildings, one of which was occupied by William
Thompson, formerly a negro slave of the Hiokses, from
whom he had received his freedom and the lot upon
which he lived. Next, was the old Hicks mansion
at the corner of Fulton and Hicks street.
In the rear of Hicks street (between Poplar and
Doughty) was McKenney street, a narrow lane, origin-
ally 14^ feet wide, in which were about a dozen dwel-
lings.
From the western side of McKenney street, about
equi-distant from Doughty and Poplar, extended a
short cul-de-sac lane, about 20 feet wide, originally
known as Fyhe street, from its fancied resemblance to
a fisherman's net. About twenty years ago, it was
opened through to Columbia street, and is now known
as Vine street, so named from a huge grape-vine which
covered the front of the house occupied by Polly
Fisher, one of the original residents of that locality
Vme street contained seven dwellings; so that it may
be safely estimated that these three little streets, ^«.
McKenney and Vine, represented about one hundred
souls, in the early enumeration of the village inhabi-
tants.
Middagh was the last street opened on the west side
of the Old Ferry road, within the village limits, with
the exception of a small portion of Joralemon's lane
near the Dutch church, and a small portion of Red
Hook lane. On its northerly side was the Consistory-
room of the Dutch Reformed church. In this humble
building, which then stood in the midst of Aert Mid-
dagh's fields, a school was kept under the direction of
the trustees of the church. There were but five other
buildings on the street; although, on a little lane run-
ning out of it, about where Henry street now is, there
were four or five small dwellings. A few houses (per-
haps not more than six) were to be found on a road
now called Poplar street, extending then only as far as
Buckbee's alley (now Poplar place) ; and three on the,
road, now Cranberry street, between Hicks and Willow.
On what is now the corner of Cranberry and Willow
streets was the house built by Mr. George Gibbs, in
whose garden the Isabella grape-vine first obtained its
notoriety, about the year 1816. His wife obtained it
from North Carolina, and, after its value became
known, she gave cuttings liberally to her neighbors.
A few gentlemen of Brooklyn, in compliment, gave it
her name, Isabella, and exerted themselves to multiply
cuttings, and make its fine qualities more widely
known. By the aid of various publications, in the
Long Island Star, and other papers, it soon became
the cherished ornament and pride of every garden and
door-ya«J, and rapidly spread, not only through Brook-
lyn and Long Island, but even into far-distant States of
the Union.
There were, also, several small houses erected in
different fields of the Hicks, Middagh, and Johnson
estates, none of which, however, were get-at-able, except
by paths across the fields.
Brooklyn Heights.— The estates of the landed
proprietors on Clover Hill or Brooklyn Heights, were:
I. The Cary Ludlow estate (Fig. 1, Map a), on the
north-west corner of the Heights. This was a portion
of the original Horsfield estate. Mr. Ludlow, who
purchased it from the Horsfields, was a prominent
New York merchant, and was not identified with
Brooklyn, except by residence in the house which he
erected on the western line of Willow street, about
one hundred and twenty-five feet north of Middagh.
The only access to it being by the roundabout way of
the Old Ferry road and Hicks street, Mr. Ludlow
secured a right-of-way up the hill-side, from Doughty
street, through the old Whalebone gate, at the corner
of Tommy Everit's house.
IL The Hides estate (Fig. 2, Map a), and
III. The Middagh estate, have been already suffi-
ciently described (Fig. 3, Map a).
IV. The Waring Estate. Adjoining, and running
in the same direction with the southeriy Une of the
BROOKLYN SEIGHTS.
127
Hicks estate, was a strip of land, its western end on
the river, and its east end' reaching nearly to Henry
street, which belonged, at that time, to Mr. Heney
Waring, a native of Greenwich, Conn.
His father had served with considerable distinction as cap-
tain of an artillery company during the Revolutionary war.
Henry, born 1773, was the eldest son ; and in early life came
to New York and became a merchant's clerk. In 1793 he
went to sea, and subsequently commanded a vessel, trading
between New York and the West Indies. In 1795 he was
taken prisoner by a French sloop-of-war, and a prize crew
was placed upon his vessel, which was ordered to Martinique.
"While on the voyage thither, he and a man named Bills rose
upon the prize-crew, retook the vessel, placed the crew (seven
in number) in the forecastle, and steered for the island of
Jamaica. Unfortunately, when within ten days' sail of that
place, he was spoken and boarded by a Spanish frigate. The
suspicions of the boarding-officer being aroused by finding
the vessel in the hands of only two men, he instituted a
search, found the seven Frenchmen imprisoned in the fore-
castle, liberated them and restored to them the possession of
the vessel. Waring and Bills were then taken to the island
of Eustatia, and there imprisoned for several months, when
they were exchanged and sent to New York, ^oon after his
return, a privateer, mounting seven guns, and named the
Adelia, was fitted out by private subscription among the
merchants of New York, and he was placed in command.
His first cruise was successful, taking one or two prizes.
When the United States navy was reorganized he was
offered a commission, but declined it, because his old friend
and messmate (Commodore) Chauncey received a higher
position than was offered to himself. He then became senior
partner in the New York firm of Waring & Eden. Subse-
quently, in 1796, he engaged in business with Mr. Gideon
Kimberly, under the firm-name of Kimberly & Waring.
From him, in 1806, he purchased the property on Brooklyn
Heights, before alluded to, and in 1813 he made Brooklyn his
permanent residence. With his partner, he became largely
interested in the naval-stoi-e business, owning many vessels
iu the southern trade, and receiving large consignments of
southern goods. In 1826, '27, '28, '29 and '30, he was a village
trustee, serving the public interest with great zeal and
fidelity, and possessing a leading influence in the board. In
1832 he was chosen as one of the presidential electors, and
cast his vote for Jackson. In 1836 he sold his property upon
the Heights, and purchased the property bounded by Fulton,
Washington and Johnson streets, upon which he erected a
residence. He was one of the first directors of the Long Is-
land Bank ; but, in 1840, having lost his wife, and being
about to retire from business, he resigned that, and also his
connection with the Brooklyn Savings Bank, of which he
was one of the original trustees. He died in 1848. Mr. War-
ing possessed very pleasant and genial manners, and was
very fond of social enjoyments. Strictly moral and consci-
entious in all duties, he held the entire confidence of the mer-
cantile community. In politics he was an old-hne democrat,
a member of the first regular organized republican (as they
were then called) society in the city of New York, out of
which the present-Tammany Society was organized ; and an
early and steadfast friend of Gov. DeWitt Clinton.
V. Next south to the Waring property was the
Gideon Kimberly estate, a wedge-shaped piece of land,
its broadest end on the river, and its apex reaching the
Old Fort on Henry street.
Gideon Kimberly was born in Vermont, in 1750 ; and in
1768 came to New York city, and became clerk to Messrs.
Bedient & Hubbell, merchants in the Fly Market slip. Mr.
Hubbell died about 1777, and young Kimberly became part-
ner to Mr. Bedient, under the firm style of Bedient & Kim-
berly. In 1791 Mr, Kimberly formed a partnership with his
old fellow-clerk Henry Waring, under the firm name of Kim-
berly & Waring, the business being conducted in Burling
slip, near the present corner of Front street. Mr. Kimberly
married in 1792, and, about the time of his marriage, settled
on what was then known as Clover hill in Brooklyn, upon
property purchased from the executors of Noel John Bar-
barin. This property, which was the old Hamper estate,
commenced at the shore opposite to, and about two hundred
feet south of, the south-west corner of Clarke and Columbia
streets, and extended east from the river to the Old Fort, at
Henry street. The present Mansion House in Hicks street
stands upon a portion of this land. Mr. Kimberly retired
from business in 1815, and died suddenly of apoplexy, at the
Tontine Coffee House, in New York, in February, 1817, aged
sixty-eight years. He was a regular attendant upon the
Dutch Reformed church in Brooklyn ; in poUtics was a
democrat of the JeSersoniau school, and a prominent mem-
ber and officer of the Tammany Society, in New York city.
He was scrupulously honest, and, though a close business
man, was humane and charitable. He had no children, and
his wealth descended to heirs, many of whom he had never
seen, or even heard of, during his life. After his death his
real-estate in Brooklyn was sold in partition in the court of
chancery, and the larger portion of it was purchased by his
neighbors, Henry Waring and Samuel Jackson.
VI. The next estate to the Kimberly property was
that belonging to Samuel Jackson, one of the oldest
merchants in the city of New York, and descended
from an ancient English family, among the first of the
Society of Friends to settle on Long Island.
He was bom at Jerusalem, L. I., and previous to the Revo-
lution became a clerk with his broti.er-m-law, Mr. Milton a
New York merchant ; and after the decease of the latter he
became the trustee of the estate. Removing to Brooklyn
with his widowed sister and her son, to whom he devoted the
rest of his life, he purchased this pioperty. It extended in
width from the Kimberly line to the northeasterly side of
Love lane ; and, in length, from the line of the present Col-
umbia street to the westerly line of Swertcope's estate, which
was about 400 or 500 feet from Fulton street, as it now is.
He also had a large wharf property in front of his dwelling,
known as Jackson's Stores. His house, generally known as
the "Old Stone House," was probably the old Timothy
Horsfield house, afterwards occupied by Gov. Cadwallader
Golden. It faced the river on the line of present Columbia
street, about 250 feet north of Pierrepont. Mr. Jackson had
succeeded to Mr. Milton's business, and successfully carried
it on in South street, between Burling slip and Maiden lane
in the city of New York. The death of his nephew, in 1818,
whom he had intended to make his heir, and, shortly after
that of his mother, left Mr. Jackson alone in the old mansion
with none to keep him company except his two servants
(formerly his slaves), Harry and Susannah. He now turned
his attention to ornamental gardening, and few private gar-
dens in the town were so attractive as his — a walk to Clover
hill and Jackson's garden being, in those days, the favorite
walk of the young people of both sexes. And, to protect
the contents of his garden, when any person entered it, un-
accompanied by himself, his "man Harry" was always on
hand to see that none of the ornamental plants were dis-
turbed. Here the rich old bachelor hved and distributed his
128
HISTOBT OF KlJSraS COUNTY.
hospitality with great liberality, until about the year 1&20
when his favorite servant Suke died, and he shortly after
broke up his bachelor establishment and took board at Moi-
rison's hotel, north-west comer of Columbia and Cranberry
streets. His house he rented to John Wells, Esq., a distin-
guished member of the New York bar, who died in it, of the
yeUow fever, in the year 1823. This old house afterwards
became the asylum for some aged women, gathered together
by the charitable exertions of Mrs. PierrepOnt, Mrs. Richards,
and other ladies — from which enterprise finally came the
noble institution known as The Church Charity Foundation.
It was said of Mr. Jackson that, although he seldom visited
the city of NewYork, he would sit in his parlor, and from in-
formation derived from the New York newspapers, of which
he was a constant reader, could direct purchases and mate
more money than any merchant in that city, in his line of
business, which consisted chiefly of grain, naval stores and
cotton. Mr. Jackson was nearly six feet high, and had a sal-
low complexion ; dressed with remarkable neatness, some-
what after the old style of the Society of Friends ; with cue ;
white top boots in cold weather ; shoes, knee-buckles and
shorts, in summer, etc. He was dignified and retiring, and
made but few intimate friends, and was never known to at-
tend a public-meeting of any description. His income was
very large, and he contributed a large portion of it to private
charities, and, though somewhat stern in his dealings with
men, was always kind and considerate to children. When
Forts Greene and Swift were constracted, in 1813, a commit-
tee called upon Mr. Jackson to request from him assistance
in that important and patriotic work, although with little
expectation that he would render any aid, inasmuch as he
was known to be affiliated with the Society of Friends, who
were opposed to the war. To their surprise he employed six
men, at his own expense, to work on the forts for three
months, during which time he daily inspected their labors.
VII. Next south of the Jackson property was a
tract of 14 acres, extending from the East river to the
Old road (Fulton street), and in width from Love lane
to a line a little north of the present Pierrepont street.
This strip of land was owned by the brothers Robekt
and John De Bevoisb, whose grandfather Jacobus
purchased it from Joris Remsen in 1734. They were
descendants of Carel De Beauvois, who came from
Leyden, in Holland, in 1659, and was the first school-
master of Brooklyn.
Robert, the elder brother, was a stout, strong, broad-faced
man; but having, unfortunately, lost his nose and palate, in
consequence of a cancerous disease, was, although really of a
kindly disposition, quite an object of terror to the village ur-
chins— which was by no means lessened by the savage dis-
position of twenty or thirty dogs which he kept around the
house. John De Bevoise was a strong contrast to his brother
Robert — being thin, pale and consumptive. Both were bach-
elors, and, being well off, occupied their time alternately in
fishmg and gardening. Their dwelling, a small, ancient and
rather dilapidated Dutch edifice (on the Lne of Columbia
street, about 160 feet north of the line of Pierrepont), was
graced by the presence of an exceedingly beautiful girl who
filled the place of a daughter to the two old men, whose name
she bore. Saeah De Bevoise had many admirers, and the
private lane which led down to the house, between the De
Bevoise and Pierrepont estates, is said to have received its
name of Love lane, from the numerous love-lines, initials of
Miss De B. and her love-lorn swains, which were scribbled
and cut upon its fence by the young men of the village. It
is related of old Bob De Bevoise, that his ground was enclosed
by a high board-fence; and, as the trees were thick on the
line of the fence, when the posts gave away, from time to
time, he nailed the boards to the trees. But the winds stirred
the trees, and thereby loosened the boards again; so that, fi-
nally, it became a regular Sunday morrdng job with Bob to
mend up his fences; and his neighbors, without reference to an
almanac, could always tell when the Sabbath came, by the con-
tinual hammer, hammer, hammering which resounded along
the line of partition. To Bob De Bevoise, also, belongs the
honor of first gratifying the New Yorkers with the taste of
garden-cultivated strawberries. Previous to the beginning
of the present century, this delicious fruit had been known
to the New York market, only by the few wild berries which
were brought in by women from Tappan and New Jersey.
But, about 1800-1802, Robert De Bevoise commenced then-
systematic cultivation for the market, sending them to
market in crockery bowls, at two shillings per pint bowl;
and, by refusing to sell any of his plants (people, at that day,
were too honest to steal them), secured, and, for about three
years, retained, the monopoly in the city. As a great favor,
he gave some of his plants to his neighbor, old Swertcope,
the Hessian, and he, too, in a short time made it a profitable
business. The cry of "hot corn !" formerly heard on sum-
mer evenings in the streets of Brooklyn, is associated with
the De Bevoise family. Furman says, "at this season of the
year, when I was a boy of about seven or eight years of age,
1807-8, in the evening, an old colored woman, familiarly
known as De Bevoise's Black Peg, or rather Margaret, or
Peggy, the slave of Robert De Bevoise, made her appearance
in the main street, then called the Old Ferry road, now Ful-
ton street, crying 'Hot cornl nice hot corn! piping hot!'
This was her cry for a time, until the corn got a little too
tough from the ripening effects of the sun (for then we did
not have green corn all the summer through, but had to de-
pend alone on what was raised in Kings county); and, the
large bell pears having attained nearly their fuU size, she
stewed them whole until they were soft, and then poured
molasses over them while they were hot, and carried them
through the streets as 'baked pears,' and very palatable
they were, as I well recollect; but this cry has gone out of
vogue; I have not heard it for years," The selling of hot
corn and baked pears were the perquisites of Black Peg.
When, in 1816, the village was incorporated, and streets and
lots began to be plotted over the old farm-Unes, Robert De
Bevoise took alarm, and expressed a determination to move
out of the reach of the modern improvements. Hearing of
this, his next neighbor, Mr. Hez. B. Pierrepont, inquired his
price, and, $28,000 being named, immediately accepted the
offer, much to old Bob's astonishment, who supposed he had
placed it at so high a figure that no one would buy. He con-
tinued to reside on the place, however, for two years after
the sale, and then removed to the neighborhood of the Black
Horse tavern, and built a dwelling known as the Abbey, in
Fulton avenue. Soon, however, streets and houses made
then- distasteful appearance in the vicinity, and he "pulled
up stakes " and settled at Bedford. Again the city jostled
him, and, in despair, he fled to Jamaica, L. I., where he died
some years after.
VIII. Next came the Pierrepont property, which,
including the above-named De Bevoise farm, com-
prised a tract of sixty acres between Love lane and the
line of the present Remsen street, and extending from
the East river to the Old Ferry road, now Fulton
street.
This, together with the De Bevoise, Remsen and Jo-
BROOKLYN- HEIGHTS.
129
ralemon farms, originally formed the estate of Joris
Remsen, who purchased it in lYoe from his father-in-
law, Dirck Janse Woertman, who had consolidated the
titles of the ancient Hudde, Manje and Ruyter patents.
This Joris Remsen, in 1734, sold to his son-in-law, Ja-
cobus De Bevoise, the fourteen acres known as the De
Bevoise farm.
The Pierrepont mansion (a front view of which we
have given on'page 94) was erected by John Cornell
at the foot of the present Montague street. It was
purchased in 1V95 by James Arden, who added wings,
and about 1804 it became the property of Mr. Pierre-
pont, who, in 1802, had purchased the old Livingston
distillery at the foot of Joralemon street, not far away.
Hezekiah Beers Pierrepont, born in New Haven, Conn.,
in 1768, was the grandson of the Eev. James Pierrepont,
the first minister settled in that colony. The father of the
Rev. James Pierrepont belonged to the family of Holme
Pierrepont in Nottinghamshire, England, descendants from
Robert de Pierrepont of Normandy. The family name being
French, became an-
glicized in this coun-
try and spelt Pier-
pont ; the correct
spelhng being re-
sumed by the sub-
ject of this memoir.
He displayed at an
early age an enter-
prising spirit, and
fondness for active
life. While at col-
lege, he became dis-
satisfied with the
prospect of a profes-
sional life, and pro-
posed to his father
that if he would
permit him to leave
his studies, he would
provide for himself,
and ask no share
of his estate. His father consented, and he fulfilled his
promise, and thereafter provided for his own support. He
first entered the ofiice of his uncle, Mr. Isaac Beers, in New
Haven ; and, afterwards, to extend his knowledge of com-
mercial affairs, engaged as a clerk in the Custom House, in
New York. He then became the agent of Messrs. Watson &
Greenleaf , in Philadelphia, in the purchase of the national
debt, realizing thereby, in a short time, a small fortune. In
1793 he estabUshed, in New York, the commercial house of
LefBngwell & Pierrepont, engaging in shipping provisions to
France, where scarcity prevailed in consequence of the
Revolution. He removed to France, to attend to the ship-
ments of his firm, and resided in Paris, during the reign of
terror, and saw Robespierre beheaded. The seizure of
American vessels, carrying provisions to France, by England,
then at war with France, so embarrassed this trade, that he
relinquished it. In 1795 he purchased, in England, a fine
ship named the Confederacy, and went on a trading-voyage
to India and China, as owner and supercargo. On his return-
voyage, in 1797, with a valuable cargo, his ship was seized by
a French privateer, condemned and sold, for want of a rdle
d'iquipage, contrary to the laws of nations, and ou» treaty
THE CORNELI^PIBRREPONT MANSION. (Bear View,
stipulations. After an absence abroad, of seven years, Mr.
Pierrepont returned, in 1800, to New York; and married, in
1802, Anna Maria, daughter of William Constable, a distin-
guished merchant, and the largest owner of wild-land in the
State of New York. Considering foreign commerce, in the
then disturbed political state of Europe, too hazardous, he
abandoned it. He visited New England to examine into its
manufactories, and, finding distilling of gin very profitable,
he engaged Colonel James Anderson, of Connecticut, to es-
tablish a factory for him. In 1802 he purchased, in Brook-
lyn, the brewery belonging to Philip Livingston, at the foot
of Joralemon street, which had been burnt during the war of
the Revolution, and there established his factory, which ob-
tained a high reputation, and was at that time the only
manufactory of the kind in the State. His attention being
thus drawn to Brooklyn, he purchased, on the Heights, the
Benson farm and spacious residence, and removed to it. The
success of his factory induced competition and diminished
its profits, and, in 1819, he abandoned it, and thereafter gave
his whole attention to the improvement of his Brooklyn
property, and the settlement of his wild-land, amounting to
nearly half a million of acres, situated in the northern part of
the State, in the counties of Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis, St.
Lawrenc e and
Franklin. During
the remainder of
his life, he spent
part of every sum-
mer in visiting these
lands, in company
with his two sons,
William and Henry,
whom he had edu-
cated with special
reference to their
management. He
foresaw,at this early
period, the future
growth of Brooklyn;
was one of a com-
mittee, in 1815, who
framed and pro-
cured the act for in-
corporating Brook-
lyn as a village, and
afterwards served as one of the trustees. The legislature
having passed an act for laying out streets in the village, Mr.
Pierrepont gave his exertions and infiuence to have a proper
plan adopted. He procured Mr. Poppleton, a distinguished
city surveyor, at his private expense, to make a plan, sug-
gesting wider streets and larger blocks, instead of the narrow
streets and one acre blocks of two hundred feet square recom-
mended to the trustees ; and succeeded in getting his plan
adopted for that part of the Heights south of Clark street.
In order to widen Hicks street, between Cranberry and Clark
streets, and stop the extension of leasehold property and poor
buildings of wood, he engaged Mr. Joel Bunoe to purchase
for him, from the Messrs. Hicks, that part of their property.
He then widened the street as far as Cranberry street, by re-
stricting the purchasers to a building-line. With a liberal
public spirit, he voluntarily removed his fence on Fulton
street, widening the street without compensation, while he
was afterwards heavily assessed for the widening of the same
street towai-ds Fulton Ferry. In laying out Pierrepont
street, he adopted a building-line making the width of the
street between the houses eighty feet, and Montague and
Remsen streets seventy-six feet. An intimacy, commenced
130
HISTORY OH KINGS COUNTY.
in Europe, with Robert Fulton, was continued during the too
short Hfe of the latter. He aided Mr. Fulton with his advice
and influence in the establishment of Fulton ferry, in which
he always took great interest. He subscribed towards the
purchase of this ferry, from Fulton's assignee, in whose
hands it had not been conducted with due regard to Brooklyn
interests ; and continued one of its directors till his death.
In 1827 and 1838 Mr. Pierrepont served, with ability, as a
member of the board of village trustees. As chairman of the
street-committee, he exerted himself to secure an open prom-
enade for the public, on the Heights, from Fulton ferry to
Joralemon street. He had a map and plan drawn for the
improvement by Mr. Silas Ludlam, and procured the con-
sent of the proprietors for a cession of the property, except
from his neighbor and friend Judge Radoliff, who opposed
the scheme so violently, that Mr. Pierrepont, rather than
have a contest with a friend, withdrew from the attempt,
and himself paid the expenses incurred for the survey and
plan, though he had ordered it oflicially. He lived and died
in the belief and desire, that the Heights would some day be
made a public promenade, on some similar plan. Before his
estate was divided and sold, his executors gave the oppor-
tunity to the city to take the property between Love lane and
Remsen street and Willow street, the only part of the Heights
that remained unoccupied, for such a public place, and a pe-
tition was signed by a few public-spirited men for the object.
But it was defeated before the city authorities by overwhelm-
ing remonstrances, very generally signed in the large district
of assessment that was proposed. It appears from his diary,
that, as early as the year 1818, he made inquiry as to the cost
of stone wharves. He reluctantly improved liis water-front
with timber, only when he found, from the depth of water,
the cost of stone structures was too great to be warranted
by the small income derived by wharf-owners under our
present port-laws. He persistently declined to sell his lots,
except where good private dwellings of brick or stone were
engaged to be erected, suited to the future character of his
finely-situated property. Time has now proved the sound-
ness of his judgment. His property is now covered by ele-
gant mansions, besides five fine churches, the City Hall,
Academy of Music, Mercantile Library, and other public
buildings, while the front on the bay is occupied by exten-
sive wharves and warehouses. Mr. Pierrepont possessed
great energy of character, and a sound judgment ; was domes-
tic in his habits, and had no ambition for public ofiSce, or
relish for poUtical life. Yet he gave his services freely to his
fellow-citizens, in aid of their local affairs. He died in 1838,
aged seventy years, leaving a widow, two sons and eight
daughters. His widow died in 1859. We add a list of the
children of Mr. Pierrepont, to whom his Brooklyn property
has descended : William Constable Pierrepont, residing at
Pierrepont manor, Jefferson county ; Henry Evelyn Pierre-
pont, Brooklyn ; Anna Constable Pierrepont, deceased, wife
of Hubert Van Wagenen ; Emily Constable Pierrepont, mar-
ried Joseph A. Perry ; Frances Matilda Pierrepont, married
Rev. Frederick S. Wiley ; Mary Montague Pierrepont, died
in 1859, unmarried ; Harriet Constable Pierrepont, married
Edgar J. Bartow, died 1855 ; Maria Theresa Pierrepont, mar-
ried Joseph J. Bicknell ; Julia Evelyn Pierrepont, married
John Constable, of Constableville ; Ellen Isaphine, married
Dr. James M. Minor.
On the beach under the Heights, in front of the man-
sion, was a dock, accessible from the house by means of
a pathway, with two or three flights of stone steps lead-
ing down the face of the bluflf. At this dock always
lay a i-ow-boat, which was Mr. Pierrepont's ordinary
means of travel to and from New York. Aside from
this road along the beach (now Furman street), the
only way to reach the village from his residence was
by a private lane, which opened upon the Old Ferry
road (Fulton street), close by Larry Brewer's tavern.
On the corner of Pierrepont and Henry streets, Mr.
Thomas March, of the firm of March & Benson, the
principal wine-merchants of New York at that day,
built a residence, about 1833.
IX. Between Mr. Pierrepont's southerly line and the
present Joralemon street was the remainder of the
Eemse7i estate, owned by Peter Remsen. After his
death, Maj. Fanning C. Tucker, Robert Carter, Adam
Treadwell, and Mr. Pierrepont, purchased that portion
nearest the river, and bounded by Joralemon, Clinton
and Remsen streets; which streets were laid out and
named by Mr. Pierrepont. The remaining portion of
the estate, that bounded by Clinton, Joralemon and the
Old road (Fulton street), was retained by Henry Rem-
sen and his sister Matilda, children of Peter. The most
easterly extremity of their land was purchased as a site
for the City Hall; and, finally, they sold out all their
property in Brooklyn. The old Remsen house now
forms Nos. 2 and 4 Joralemon street, near Furman, and
the old well is still under the baptismal font of Grace
Church.
The Heights at that day were handsomely wooded ;
at the southern extremity (above the present corner of
Joralemon and Furman streets) was a large grove,
with ravines leading down to the shore, beautifully
shaded with cedars. This was called " Lover's (or Hy-
men's) grove." Under the cliff stood the old (St.
George's) Ferry house, occupying nearly the same site
as the old Eagle tavern.
From Mdton avenue, down Med Hook lane, and
thence along the river-side, to Joralemon^ lane, includes
the district now known as South Brooklyn. This lane
diverged from Fulton avenue, as previously stated, a
short distance east from Du Flon's Military Garden.
It seems to have been laid out, according to record,
about the 6th of June, 1760; appears upon Ratzer's
map (I766-6V) and all subsequent maps; and, although
mostly swallowed up by the growth of the city, a rem-
nant still survives, between Fulton avenue and Livings-
ton street, and is particularly noticeable as containing
the modest retreat of the Board of Education.
This lane passed on the east of the old Potter's field
and along Judge Joralemon's land, until, at about the
junction of the present Court and Pacific streets, it met
a very considerable conical-shaped hill (Ponkiesbergh, or
Cobble-hill, of Revolutionary memory), which reared it-
self above the surrounding corn-fields. Red Hook lane
passed in a westerly direction around and along the base
of this hill for about three hundred feet, then turned
southwardly. Just at this turn, on the west side, com-
menced the private road or lane called Patchen^s lane,
BROOKLYN SEVENTY-SEVEN YEARS A 00.
131
which led down to Ralph Patchen's house, near the foot
of the present Atlantic street, where there was a public
landing-place six rods long at low- water mark. Upon
the incorporation of the village, in 1816, this lane was
absorbed by District street, which followed the same
course and became the southern boundary of the village.
District street, in turn, merged its identity in Atlantic
street.
Near the southei-n boundary of Patchen's land an-
other private road diverged from the easterly side of
Red Hook lane, known as Preeke's lane, or the Mill-
road. From its point of divergence, on the line of
Court street, between East Warren and Baltic, it ran
southerly to the mills of John C. Freeke and Nehemiah
Denton, — thence to Gowanus. Further down the lane,
between the lands of Anthony Worthington on the west
and Jacob Bergen on the east, was a small framed
school-house, built by the farmers of the neighborhood;
and near it, on the west side of the lane (at near the
junction of present Butler and Court streets), was a
gate opening into Cornell's lane, leading down towards
the river to the house of Isaac Cornell, farmer and dis-
tiller.
From this point (Cornell's gate), the Red Hook lane
passed along, still through Bergen's land, in a southerly
direction, towards Red Hook. On its easterly side, in
a retired and beautiful spot, near the line of the present
Carroll, between Clinton and Henry streets, was a small
cottage occupied, for many years in the early part of
the present century, by the well-known actress, Mes.
Chaelotte Mblmoth.
Mrs. Melmoth was much esteemed for her excellent pri-
vate character ; and, compelled at length by advancing age
to leave the stage, she purchased this cottage in the quiet and
beautiful Red Hook lane, and took boarders. Stuart, the
artist, was, for a while, an inmate of her family; and his board-
bills seem to have been paid, in part, at least, with some of
his inimitable portraits, which adorned Mrs. Melmoth's
parlor, and one of which, that of Judge Egbert Benson, after-
wards found its appropriate resting-place upon the waUs of
the Long Island Historical Society. At this time, also, Or
subsequently, Mrs. Melmoth kept a school for young ladies
and children at her residence, her pupils mostly belonging to
the Cutting, Cornell, Pierrepont, (John) Jackson, and Luquer
families. Some of these children, now men and women
grown, arestillliving, and enjoy very pleasant and respectful
memories of their old school-mistress, with whom they
boarded during the week, returning to their respective homes
on Saturday to spend the Sabbath. The nearest neighbor was
Mr. Suydam's, where they took turns in going daily for milk,
wherewith to furnish the suppan and milk, which was a
favorite article of food. Her family consisted of herself, her
friend Miss Butler, and two aged Dutch negro-slaves, a man
and a woman. In person, she was fleshy and heavy, some-
what dignified in manner, but kind in word and deed. She
always spoke with emphasis, and was esteemed by her
patrons as peculiarly successful in advancing her pupils in
reading and elocution. After a residence of some ten or
twelve years in Brooklyn, she died here, in October, 1833, aged
73 years, much regretted by her friends, and was interred in
the burial-ground of St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York city.
After her decease the house was converted into a
tavern, which became a favorite resort for the dissi-
pated young men of the town, who there indulged in
drinking, eating oysters, raffling for turkeys, geese, etc.,
their orgies being carried on with a freedom to which
the retired character of the spot was peculiarly con-
ducive.
Beyond Mrs. Melmoth's, on the westerly side of Red
Hook lane, was a high and beautiful elevation, which
sloped gently off to the river, and which was subse-
quently known as Prospect hill, or Hoyt's hill, from its
owner, Mr. Charles Hoyt, who first (about 1826) pushed
streets through it, and brought it into the market. It
is said that the first lithographic property-maps, since
so commonly used among real-estate men, were made
to illustrate this property. On the highest point of
this, elevation, Mr. James W. Moulton, the accom-
plished historian of our State, erected a very elegant
residence of the Gothic style, which, upon his removal
to Roslyn, L. I., was purchased and occupied by A. J.
Spooner, Esq. The extension of Summit street in-
volved its destruction.
The road made a bend between Rapalje and Coles
streets, on the line of Hicks, around to the residence
and mill of Nicholas Luquer. The long, low and cozy-
looking homestead was surrounded by trees, through
whose branches a pleasant breeze seemed always to
play. It fronted the mill-pond, wherein Mr. Luquer, a
thin French-looking man, raised oysters of extraordi-
nary size and delicacy. His mill (called on Ratzer's
map the I. Seabring mill) was mostly employed for
grinding grain for the use of Mr. Pierrepont's distillery
at the foot of Joralemon's lane. Between Luquer's resi-
dence and mill, and in about the line of the present
Coles street, ran a road down to Jordon Coles' tide-
mills. Coles' mill-pond, like that of Luquer, was con-
structed artificially. Across the road, near Coles' house,
was a gate, which prevented cattle from straying on to
Red Hook. Prom Luquer's mill, at corner of present
Hicks and Huntington streets, the road turned to the
corner of the present William and Columbia streets,
crossed Bull creek, Koenties- kill, or Cow's creek, and,
by a bridge, the stream which divided Red Hook from
the mainland.
Red HooJc was, at that time, in the possession of
Matthias and Nicholas Van Dyke. The southern por-
tion of the Hook was a high hill covered with locust,
poplar, cedar, and sassafras-trees. This hill was cut
down, in 1835, by Messrs. Dikeman, Waring and Un-
derbill, for the purpose of filling up the neighboring
mill-ponds, lower ground and drowned marsh. There
were, on the island proper, only six buildings. On the
extreme south-western point, known as Powder-house
point, was a brick powder-house erected by Messrs.
Jeromus Johnson, Charles J. Howell, and John Hoff
(afterwards surveyor of the port of New York), who
purchased from the Van Dycks an acre of land for that
132
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
purpose. Johnson and his associates had formerly a
powder-house upon a little island, called " Cornell's
island," situated about five hundred yards north of
Bull creek, but this had been washed away by the tide.
On the northern end of the island was the dwelling of
the Van Dyck brothers; on the east side, their two
mills and a small house occupied by the miller. Mat-
thias' mill was known as " Ginger-mill," from its
being used solely in the grinding of that article; while
Nicholas' was called the "Flour," or "Tide-mill."
The large adjoining mill-pond extended to Boomties
Hook, and was famous for its fine oysters. The brothers
Van Dyke always lived together in the same house —
Nicholas being a bachelor. Matthias died first, and his
estate was sold in 1834, under a decree of the court of
chancery, to parties who organized the Red Hook
Building Co., having for its object the sale of the lands,
and the issuing of stocks, at one dollar per share,
redeemable at a half per cent, discount in Wall street.
The undertaking, however, proved too heavy for those
who had undertaken it; and, in 1835, it was taken hold
of by Messrs. Voorhees, Stranahan & Co., who organ-
ized the well known Atlantic Dock Company, and
erected thereon the extensive warehouses and stores
known as the Atlantic Docks.
Along the western side of the Hook, at low water,
was a large flat, extending up to Pierrepont's distillery
at the foot of Joralemon'g lane. Northward, along the
shore of the East river, were the following farms, all
lying between the river and Red Hook lane, viz. :
I. CorweS's, previously alluded to in passing down
Red Hook lane, which formed its eastern boundary.
n. Parmenus Johnson's estate, lying between the
river and the lane, and extending from Baltic nearly to
Congress street. Mr. Johnson came from Oyster Bay,
L. I., about 1818, and purchased sixteen acres of the
old Rynier Suydam farm; to which he added forty or
more acres by filling in and docking out upon his water
front. The old Rynier Suydam house, a venerable
Dutch edifice, stood on the site of Mr. Johnson's pres-
ent residence, on the corner of Hicks and West Baltic
streets, surrounded with pear-trees a century old; and
the water, at that time, came up as high as the present
line of Henry street.
HI. The estate of Cornelius Heeney.
IV. Ralph Patche7i's farm, extending from Congress
to District (now Atlantic) street. He was one of the
old Fly Market butchers, an honest man, but rough in
conversation, and at times very severe and personal; he
had, however, the confidence of his fellow-citizens, who
several times placed him in public office. He purchased
the distillery of Isaac Cornell, and the land of William
Cornell. The large dock near his distillery was long
known as Patchen's dock; and his residence was on the
line of the present Hicks street, a few doors south of
Atlantic.
V. The Joralemon estate, extending from the East
river to the lane, and from about 100 feet north of pres-
ent State street, to Joralemon's lane. This was pur-
chased, in 1803, by Tunis Joralemon, from the executors
of Philip Livingston, Esq.
Tunis Joealemon, a native of New Jersey, was born in
1760, and was, for a while, a harness and saddle-maker near
Fiatbush. After his purchase of the Livingston estate, he
devoted his attention to his garden ; sold milk and vegetables
in the New York market, and was a prominent man in the
Dutch church. He was, at one time, justice of the peace,
and a trustee of the village in 1817, '18, '19, '20, '31. In per-
son he was tall, slim and slightly bent ; his austere features
strongly resembling the portraits of Dante, the great Italian
poet. He was indeed of Italian descent, and his manner ener-
getic and determined. He was most obstinately opposed to
having streets opened through his farm. In 1826 Mr. Charles
Hoyt forced Henry street thi-ough it, which was the com-
mencement of the spread of land-speculation in Brooklyn.
Shortly afterwards Mr. Pierrepont, who had laid out a street
through his own estate, called Clinton street (because it was
projected at the time that that celebrated statesman suc-
ceeded in carrying out his great project of the canal), endeav-
ored to force it through Joralemon's land by action of the
village trustees. Mr. Joralemon opposed it bitterly, mainly
because he disliked Clinton and his hig ditch, and did not
wish a street named after him. He died in 1840, leaving
behind him the name of an honest man, and a property
which, at the time, was estimated as worth from six to seven
hundred thousand dollars. In 1841 the old Livingston man-
sion, which he had so long occupied, was destroyed by fire.
Two mayors of Brooklyn, the Hon. Samuel Smith and Hon.
T. Gr. Talmadge, married daughters of Mr. Joralemon.
Livingston street, and, also, Sidney Place, were laid
out on the old map of 1801, by which the Livingston
farm was sold — but no names were then affixed, they
being simply called new roads.
Along the river-front of Joralemon's property lay
what was called " the Fishing-place," it having been, from
time immemorial, a favorite resort of the towns-people
to draw their nets for fish; and it is said that Mr. Liv-
in ston, the former owner of the Joralemon estate, was
accustomed to grant a privilege to fish at this place, at
a stipulated price per day.
The region along the Broohlyn and Ilatbush turn-
pike {Fulton and Flathush avenues), to the town-line;
along the Brooklyn and Jamaica Turnpike [Fulton
avenue), to Bedford Corners; and, down the Fort
Greene road to the Wallabout, may now be noticed.
The old Ferry road has been described as far as the
junction of the present Fulton street, Myrtle avenue,
and Washington street. Myrtle avenue had not been
opened, although its germ existed in a little street
called Myrtle street, which extended only a short dis-
tance eastwardly from the main road. A little way
from this Myrtle street, on the north side of the road,
and elevated several feet above its level, on the site of
the Halsey buildings, was Nicholas Rouse's grocery
store and garden. Nicholas was a German, who had
been for many years a resident of the village, and was
much respected. His whole yard was covered by a
BMOOKLYN' SEVENTY-SEVJEN' TEARS AGO.
133
fine grape-vine,wliicli bore abundantly ; and the citizens
of Brooklyn were wont, during the warm summer
months, to resort here in great numbers to partake of his
excellent mead-cakes ; while, in autumn, they sought the
grateful shades of his arbor, to enjoy the delicious
grapes and the fine prospect; there being, at that time,
no houses between his place and the Wallabout. After
Brooklyn began to improve, and new streets were
opened and old ones repaved, it disturbed Mynheer
Rouse so that he removed to New York.
Beyond Rouse's, near the point of the present Wil-
loughby street, stood the large and pleasantly willow-
shaded residence of Mr. Nathaniel Howland, father of
George S. Howland. On the point, now occupied by
Jones' Building, where the L. I. Savings Bank is located,
stood Ralph Malbone's grocery. Immediately adjoin-
ng this was Rowland's rope-
walk, extending along the north-
erly line of the Duffield estate,
from Fulton to near Bridge
street. From this point, the
Duffield estate extended along
the northerly side of the turn-
pike to about the present junc-
tion of Duffield street and Ful-
ton avenue. This estate, like
the Johnson property, was of a
triangular shape, its apex rest-
ing on the site of the present
City park.
The old Duffield house (No.
4, Map b) stood near the west-
erly corner of the present Duf-
field street as it enters Fulton
avenue, and its portrait is well
jDreserved in the view of the
old Brooklyn Church elsewhere
given. During the Revolu-
tionary war it was occupied by
the British; and its door-posts
bore the broad-arrow mark which indicated appro-
priation to army uses. Its owner, at that time, was
Mr. Johannes De Bevoise, who received it as a
wedding-day gift from his father. He was clerk of
the town, and, for many years also, of the old Dutch
church, which stood near by ; and his residence very
naturally became the Dominie's house, where the minis-
ters were always expected to stay for rest and refresh-
ment between church services on the Sabbath ; for
receiving applications for baptism, membership, etc. ;
for meeting the consistory, church-masters and others,
and for attending generally to their official duties when-
ever they visited Brooklyn. Mr. De Bevoise's wife is
said to have burned in her oven a large quantity of the
old church papers and documents, alleging, with house-
wifely hatred of such lumbering trash, that old papers
always made so much trouble. Margaret De Bevoise,
the daughter of the worthy town-clerk Johannes, married
Dr. John Duffield, an American army-surgeon.
The private burying-ground of the Duffield family
(No. 5, Map b) formerly stood upon the southerly side
of the road, a little westward of the present Gold street.
When the road was straightened into the present Fulton
avenue, the little burial-place found itself in the very
centre of the avenue, and was blotted out of existence.
From the corner of the present Duffield street, to the
junction of the present Fulton and De Kalb avenues,
the Samuel Fleet estate fronted on the turnpike, stretch-
ing back to the site of the present City park.
The name of Fleet seems to have been a slight change
from that of the English ancestor of the family, Admiral
Fleetwood. During the emigration which followed the
troubles between Charles T. and his Parliament, one of that
Thk Fleet Mansion.
(Fulton Avenue, corner of Gold Street).
The erection by the Fleet family of a row of handsome stone-front stores on Fulton avenue, has
obliterated this fine old-fashioned homestead, with its beautiful lawn and trees, which had so long
formed a most attractive feature of Brooklyn's principal thoroughfare.
family, Capt. Thomas Fleet, came from London, accom-
panied by his family, in his own vessel, and located near the
head of Huntington Bay, which oflEered peculiar advantages
for the prosecution of trading operations with the West
Indies. Some idea may be formed of the growth and extent
of his business, from the fact that, as early as 1675, he was
assessed on the rate-list of the Town of Huntington for forty
vessels, beside land and stock. From 1681-85 he became an
extensive freeholder ; and, in 1688, was one of the patentees
named in the patent for lands granted by Governor Dongan.
Samuel Fleet, the owner of this mansion, was a farmer,
and made a snug property during the war of 1813, when grain
and produce were very high ; and, by the purchase of this
farm, and other property in Brooklyn, became a very wealthy
man. His life furnished a bright example of uprightness
and punctuality.
A little above the present junction of De Kalb and
Fulton avenues was the Black Horse tavern, kept, for
many years, by Isaac De Voe, and afterwards owned by
134
SISTOBT OF KllSraS COUNTY.
Robert De Bevoise. Just this side stood the old sycamore
tree which marked the place where the earth-work line
of defense crossed the turnpike, in the Revolutionary
war, and, also, in the war of 1812.
Beyond, and on the corner of a road which ran east
to Fort Greene, stood another tavern kept by Charles
Poling, who was connected with the horse-artillery of
the county, the members of which generally assembled
here before parade, etc. Opposite the tavern, which
7-, ^
MAP B.
Showing (by dotted lines) the
course of the old Brooklyn and
Jamaica Turnpike, between the
present City Hall and Bond
street.
References.
1. Du Flon's "Military Garden."
2. The Willoughby Mansion.
3. Site of the Old Dutch Church.
4. The Duffleld House. (See also
picture ol the Old Dutch
Church— chapter on Ecclesv-
skmUcal History nf. Kings
County.)
5. The Duffleld family burial-
place.
N. B. — The squares, in light
lines, indicate the sites of old
houses removed by the opening
of the present Fulton avenue.
(.01-°'->V\q6
.*'-»■.
¥\..
o
p.?.^^'
1^
^^K
lUj (HOYTST
iir
; /CALL'NPI-
; I
■^ I SMITHS'
i.
faced on this side of the road, was a hay-scales, bear-
ing, in an niche, high upon its front, in an oval, an
excellent profile, designed for, and understood to be,
during the Revolution, that of King George III. When
peace was again restored, however, it was found to be
expedient, in order to save it from harm, to inscribe
upon it the name of Franklin, and it ever after passed
for a bona-Jide representation of that American.
The road before mentioned as passing eastward, past
Poling's tavern, led to a house on Fort Greene occu-
pied by a milkman named George McCloskey, who was
the father of the present Roman Catholic Cardinal
archbishop of New York.
From McCloskey's house the road ran northwardly
until it entered the Newtown turnpike, near the east-
erly termination of the Wallabout bridge, about at the
junction of the present Flushing and Portland avenues
where a toll-gate controlled the travel over both roads.
A little south of the easterly end of the bridge was a
mill ; and over the Wallabout Flats was another wind-
mill. Proceeding along the Newtown turnpike, on the
south side was the dwelling of William Cornell (son of
old Whitehead Cornell), who owned a valuable farm
lying east of the toll-bridge, and which included a part
of Fort Greene.
Beyond Uncle Billy's house, on both sides of the New-
town turnpike, to the town line between Brooklyn and
Bushwick, there were only some ten houses, occupied
by farmers, milkmen, and gardeners.
Beyond Poling's tavern, on the Jamaica turnpike,
were three or four small dwellings and a carriage-shop,
before coming to the estate of John Jackson, extending
along the easterly side of the turnpike, from a point .
opposite the junction of Livingston street and present
Flatbush avenue, to the southerly side of Hanson place.
His residence was located on the north-east corner of
the present Navy street and Lafayette avenue, while
back, on the line of Raymond street and Lafayette ave-
nue, were his barns, stables and gardens.
Retracing our steps, now, to Red Hook lane, we find
on the southerly side of the turnpike, at the corner
of Boerum and Fulton streets, a short distance back
from the street, a two-story framed house, occupied at
that time by Christopher Codwise. It was built by Dr.
Benjamin Lowe, brother of the Rev. Peter Lowe,
interred at Flatbush.
Beyond this was the residence of Tunis Johnson; then
the grave-yard belonging to the Dutch- church ; then,
with a considerable intervening space, an old frame
house, shaded in front by two enormous black- walnut
trees, and occupied by one Voorhis, who kept a carriage
and blacksmith -shop nearly adjoining his residence.
Then, opposite the Jackson estate, the residence of
George Powers, who purchased this farm from Michael
Grant Bergen, who emigrated to Nova Scotia, with many
other loyalists, shortly after the close of the Revolu-
tionary war.
GrEORGE Powers, Senior, demands at least a line of record.
Although tradition says he was a Hessian soldier during the
Revolution, an examination of the subject proves that he was
not of those hirelings ; but, on the other hand, he was among
those who suffered much for their love of country. Before
the Revolution he was a butcher in the old Fly Market, from
which, in 1774, he advertised a run-away. On the breakiug
out of the Revolution, he took sides with the Sons of Liberty,
and joined the Brooklyn Troop of Horse, under Capt. Adolph
Waldron, then an inn-holder, at Brooklyn Ferry. When
BROOKLYN SEVENTY-SEVEW YEARS AGO.
135
his company was ordered off Long Island, Powers and several
others crossed the sound, from Huntington to Norwalk,
leaving their horses behind, which were lost to them ; and
we find these men in Dutchess county, in October, 1776, in
destitute circumstances ; when they received their pay from
the Convention. In 1782, before the termination of the war,
although it was known to be near. Powers returned to Brook-
lyn, where he again commenced business. His early return
gave him many advantages in establishing a profitable busi-
ness before the British troops left tlie country ; also, there
were offered many opportunities for investing a small amount
of money in various ways, as in teams of horses and cattle,
wagons, etc., which the retreating British troops could not
carry away with them. These investments, after a few years,
returned large profits. His gains were laid out principally
in landed property in the town, which afterwards became
very valuable.
Just beyond Powers' was the old toll-gate before
mentioned, which stood a little south of the present
Hanson place, and about seventy-five feet west of St.
Felix street. Some one hundred and fifty yards to the
southward of the toll-gate stood the old John Cowen-
hoven house, a large heavy building of the Dutch type,
with hump-backed roof, shaded by enormous willows and
fronting south. Its location may be described as being
on the west side of Fort Greene place, about one hundred
and sixty feet north of Atlantic avenue, and with its
gable on the Flatbush turnpike; it was pulled down
only a few years since.
About two hundred feet south of the Cowenhoven
house stood Baker's tavern, associated with the battle of
Brooklyn, as being the point at which the long flanking-
maroh of the British army finally ended on that day. A
fine view of this building, more lately known as the old
Bull's Head tavern, will be found in the Srooldyn Cor-
poration Manual for 1867.
From the southerly side of the Flatbush turnpike, be-
yond the toll-gate, a road branched off, at about the
present junction of Flatbush and Fifth avenues, to
Growanus. The Flatbush turnpike swept along, through
fields and woods, up to the top of Flatbush hill, through
what is now Prospect Park, and down the hill to a
building in the hollow known as the "Valley Grove tav-
ern"— nesEr the boundary line between Flatbush and
Brooklyn. At this point (about the corner of present
Eleventh avenue and First street, as laid out on city
maps, before Prospect Park was designed), it met a road
running westward (nearly in line of the present First
street), to a point in the middle of block now bounded
by Fourth and Fifth avenues and Macomb and First
streets, where it met the Gowanus road, just mentioned,
as well as the road to Denton's and Freeke's mills.
This, known as the old Post-road, from a very early
period, and memorably connected with the history of
the battle of Long Island, was also familiarly known,
by latter generations, as the Shun-pike road; for, by
travelling this route to Red Hook lane, the inhabitants
of Flatbush, and others going to and from Brooklyn,
avoided the toll-gate upon the Flatbush turnpike.
On the Flatbush turnpike, between the toll-gate and
the Flatbush and Brooklyn boundary line, the only
buildings were the " Valley Grove tavern," above men-
tioned; another about five hundred yards to the west-
wai-d, called the "Farmer's Resort and Citizen's Retreat;"
a small building in the woods on the top of the hill; a
small house about half-way down the (Brooklyn) side of
the hill; and another near the junction of the Flatbush
and Jamaica roads, now Elliott place and Atlantic
avenue. These were all on the easterly side of the road.
Of that portion of the road which passed through what
is now Prospect Park, it may be said that it was then
almost uninhabitable on account of the agues, fall fev-
ers, and other malarious diseases arising from the several
stagnant ponds, hidden among the thick woods, which
covered this locality.
At the junction of the Flatbush and Jamaica roads
(present Atlantic avenue and Elliott place) was the
site, afterward, of the extensive horticultural garden of
Mr. Andre Parmentier.
He was a native of Belgium ; was of a highly respectable
family ; had enjoyed the advantages of a liberal education,
and was a relative of Anthony Parmentier, who introduced
the potato in France. Pecuniary losses induced Mr. Parmen-
tier, who was a merchant, to come to this country, in 1824.
Stopping a while in New York city, he was finally induced,
by his passion for botanical pursuits, to devote himself to
gardening on a f cale heretofore almost unknown in this sec-
tion. Refusing the superintendence of the once famous Bo-
tanical Garden of New York, which was urgently pressed
upon him by Dr. Hosack and others, he selected and pur-
chased in Brooklyn, this tract of twenty-five acres, lying be-
tween the Jamaica and Flatbush roads, on the 4th of Octo-
ber, 1825, for the sum of |4,000. Although beautifully and
advantageously located, the surface of these grounds was a
bed of rocks, some of which were used in enclosing the garden
with a wall. Mr. Parmentier erected a dwelling and garden-
house, and stocked the land with a great variety of trees and
plants, useful and ornamental, indigenous and exotic. The
garden soon grew into importance and attracted large num-
bers ot visitors, from all quarters. In it theMorus MuUicau-
lis plant was first introduced into America by Mr. Parmen-
tier, whose enthusiastic devotion to floral pursuits promised
brilliantly for his own interests, as well as for the public
benefit. But, to the great regret of all who knew him, he
was cut off by death, in 1830. His widow strove hard to
continue the business ; but failing in consequence of the
death of her only son, was finally obliged to dispose of the
trees and plants ; and the grounds, once occupied by their at-
tractive garden, were cut up into building-lots and streets.
Mr. Parmentier was, also, an excellent musician, and pos-
sessed artistic powers of no mean quality.
From this point the old Jamaica turnpike ran through
fields, farms and woods, to Bedford-Corners, which was
a simple, forest-environed cluster of ancient, low-browed
Dutch houses, presenting a scene of quiet beauty (See
page 99) which has but lately, and reluctantly,
yielded its charms to the rude embrace of city im-
provements. Bedford-Corners was especially the seat of
the Lefferts family, the principal member of which,
sixty years ago, was Leffert Lefferts, Esq., or Judge
136
HIST OB T OFKmOS COUNTY.
Lefferts, as he was usually called, who resided in the
old Lefferts house on the south-west corner of the cross-
roads. His biography will be found in the chapter in
this volume devoted to " The Bench and Bar; " and a
genealogy of the LefEerts family is given in ^tiUs' His-
tory of Brooklyn..
From Bedford-Corners the Crippkbush road ran
north-easterly to Newtown; the Clove road (called by
the British "the Bedford pass") southerly through the
clove or cleft in the hills, and the Brooklyn and Jamaica
road, or " Kings' highway," ran easterly.
That portion of Brooklyn along the Old Qowanu.s
road to the Denton and Freeche mill-ponds, and thence
along the Bay shore to the New Utrecht tovm-line, re-
mains to be described.
This road, which was established in 1704, left the
Flatbush turnpike just above the toll-gate, and ran
southerly in the same general direction as the present
Fifth avenue, until it reached the vicinity of the present
Fifth street, where it deflected south westerly towards
the present junction of Middle street with Third avenue,
thence following the line of that avenue along the
shore. The first house was a low one-story building on
the westerly side of the road, in the vicinity of the
present Dean and Bergen streets. It stood on the low
ground, at some distance from the road; and, together
Map of Bedford-Corners in 1766-67.
(From Ratzer's Survey of 1766- '67, and shows the farm-liues, roads, houses, etc., etc., as then existing.)
REFERENCES TO THE LARGE FIGURES.
P. Reid (?). I 4. Jeremiah Meserole.
Teunis Tiebout, 1776. 5. — Johnson.
Peter Stothoff. | 6. Jacob Ryerson.
Rem Remsen, afterwards Barent Lefferts. House pulled down
about 1840.
Barent Lefferts.
Michael Vandervoort, 1776: afterwards Jacobus DeBevoise. House
pulled down recently.
Cornelius Vanderhoef, afterwards Leffert Lefferts.
Jeronimus Remsen, afterwards Barent Lefferts and Rem Lefferts
House pulled down 1838.
Lambert Suydam, afterwards Daniel Lott, now Chas. Betts House
pulled down 1856.
Abraham Van Anden, afterwards Benjamin Hinchman. House
pulled down 1819.
Nicholas Blom, afterwards Charles Turnbull, Leffert Lefferts sr
1791, and John Lefferts. House rebuilt about 1787. '
Peter Vandewater. " ' ■ ■ ~ -
1835.
Andris Andriese, Leffert Lefferts, sr., 1774; Leffert Lefferts, jr
Benjamin and Jacobus Vandewater to Hendrick Fine, 1743 • Fine
to Jacobus Lefferts, 1753; L. Lefferts, sr. and jr. '
H. Fine to Jacobus Lefferts, 1763. Partly from Executors of Andris
Andriese. House built about 1760.
Peter Vandewater, Robert De Bevoise.
Isaac (?) Selover.
Rem Cowenhoven, Teunis Tiebout, Nicholas Cowenhoven
Hendrick Suydam, 1791; Leffert Lefferts, jr..
32. Rem Vanderbeck and Lambert Andriese, afterwards Barent Lef-
ferts.
33. John Cowenhoven, Isaac Cortelyou, and others, being part of first
division Brooklyn Wood-lands.
REFERENCES TO THE SMALL FIGURES.
1. The Tiebout house, afterwards occupied by Nicholas Cowenhoven,
subsequently by Robert Wilson.
3. The Selover house.
3. Hem Vanderbeck, afterwards Eobert De Bevoise.
4. Judge Leffert Lefferts' house, built in 1838, now the residence of J.
Carson Brevoort, Esq.
B. Judge Leffeit Lefferts' old house, built about 1753.
6. N. Blom'a house, rebuilt, 1787, by Charles Turnbull, an officer of the
r » British army, afterwards occupied by John Lefferts.
I. Abm. Van Enden's, then B. Hinohman's, and more recently J. P.
Brinckerhofl's.
8. Lambert Suydam, afterwards Daniel Lott.
9. Jeronimus Remsen, then Barent Lefferts, then Rem Lefferts.
10. The old Bedford village school— afterwards Public School No. 3.
11. Old house pulled down in 1841.
12. Michael Vandervoort, afterwards Jacobus De Bevoise.
13. Bedford village burial-ground— the Lefferts' family burylng-ground
in the rear.
If- Old Remsen (?) family burylng-jfround.
15. Two acres bought by Brooklyn and Jamaica Turnpike Co., for a
gravel-bank.
16. Negro burying-ground^
BROOKLYN SEVENTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO.
137
witli the farm attached, was the property of Thomas
Poole, who had purchased it from Thomas Baisley. At
this period it was occupied by Van Houten, a milkman.
A little beyond, on the easterly side of the road, and
in the vicinity of WyckofE and Warren streets, was the
two-story house of Mr. Willetts, a retired merchant,
built in a style, and with pretensions, above the ordinary
farm-houses.
The next house on the same side of the road was an
old one-story building, standing several hundred feet
back from the road, and with a fine cherry-orchard in
front, occupied by tenants of Adolphus (or " Dolph ")
Brower, whose residence stood next, on the same farm,
near the road. ISTearly opposite, on the west side of
the road, John Ham built a fine two-story house,
standing several hundred feet back from the road; and
there he resided in style so long as the money lasted to
which he had fallen heir — finally ending his life in pov-
erty— his last occupation being that of driving a swill-
cart. Ham's house, erected after 1815, was burned a
few years j-go. Brewer's and Ham's houses were
located near the line of the present Butler street.
On the same side of the road, after passing Brower's
(near the present Degraw street), was the residence and
premises of Tom Poole, farmer, milkman and keeper of
a small grocery and tavern. On the same side of the
road, close to Poole's, and belonging to him, stood an
ancient stone house, occupied by tenants.
On the same side of the road, between the present
Union and Sackett streets, was Jeremiah (or Jerry)
Brower's, who owned a few acres, afterwards bought
by Jaques Cortelyou.
Next, on the easterly side of the road, in the vicinity
of President street, was the house of old Theodorus
Polhemus.
On the corner of the Gowanus road and the Post road
leading to Flatbush (near Macomb street), stood a long
one-story building, one end occupied as a school-room,
and the other by a farm-laborer's family.
On the opposite corner stood William (or Bill)
Furman's tavern.
Branching off westerly from the Gowanus road, at
this point, was the road leading to Denton and
Freeke's mills. On this were the fine houses, first of
Xehemiah Denton, near the intersection of the present
Powers and Carroll streets, and next that of John C.
Freelce, near the intersection of Nevins and Union
streets; each having a tide-mill attached to his prem-
ises. Both of these were flour-mills. Both Denton
and Freeke had been merchants ; were rich ; and
among the first in Brooklyn to use coaches, or barouches.
Freeke's mill, otherwise known as "Brower's," or the
"old Gowanus mill," was the oldest in the town; and, un-
til recently, portions of its dam were easily discernible
between Third and Fourth avenues. Both Denton's
and Freeke's mill are closely associated vsdth the tragic
incidients which marked the closing rout of the Ameri-
can forces, at, the battle of Brooklyn, August 2'7th,
me.
Denton's pond was the subject of a curious contract
about 1709, between its original proprietors, Abram
and Nicholas Brower, and Nicholas Vechte, the builder
and occupant of the old 1699, or Cortelyou, house.
With the strong predilection of his race for canals and
dikes and water-communications, old Vechte added
the traits of eccentricity and independence. His house
stood on a bank a few feet above the salt-meadow, at a
distance of a hundred yards from the navigable waters of
the creek. To secure access, to them, from his kitchen
door, Vechte dug a narrow canal to the creek, but the
ebb-tide often left his boat firmly sunk in the mud,
when he wished to reach the city market with the pro-
duce of his farm. He therefore contracted with the
Browers to supply him with water from their pond;
and a channel was dug, in furtherance of his scheme, to
a water-gate, through which his canal was to be flooded.
The old Dutch farmer was accustomed to seat himself
in his loaded boat, while it was resting in the mud of
the empty channel, and hoist his paddle as a signal to
his negro-servant to raise the gate. The flood soon
floated his boat, and bore him out to the creek, exulting
with great glee over his neighbors, whose stranded
boats must await the next flood. The contract for this
privilege, as well as another, by which Vechte leased
the right to plant the ponds with oysters, are in posses-
sion of Mr. Arthur Benson.
On the south-west corner of the Gowanus road and
the road leading to these mills was the house of Joe
Poole, a shoemaker. Farther down, on the east side of
the road, was the Cortelyou or Vechte house, already
described.
On the block between Second and Third streets, and
about a hundred feet east of Fifth avenue, was a small
private burial-place, apparently that of the Cowen-
hoven family. The earliest date of the one or two re-
maining monuments is that of Nicolms Kowenhoeven,
February, 1792.
■ Next, on the west side of the road, and between the
present Fifth and Sixth streets, was a house, originally
built by Tunis Tiebout, belonging to Theodorus Polhe-
mus.
Next beyond, on the same side of the road, between
Ninth and Tenth streets, was the house of Cornelius
Van Brunt, on a farm which he purchased from the
Staats family. Opposite to his house, and between
Eighth and Ninth streets, was the residence of his
father-in-law. Rem Adriance.
Next, on the west side of the road, between Thir-
teenth and Fourteenth streets, was the house of Mr.
Walter Berry, who, in 1813, was gored to death by a
bull which he was fattening. In 1816 it was occupied
by his son Richard.
On the same side of the road, about on line of present
Fifteenth street, on the adjoining farm, stood a house
138
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
formerly occupied by Derrick and Deborah Bergen, and
afterwards by their son-in-law, Joseph (or Josey) Smith.
This building was originally erected on the Cortelyou
property, at the Narrows; but was taken apart and
removed by water to its present site, on the purchase
of the property by Derrick; his wife, Deborah, being a
daughter of one of the Narrows' Cortelyous.
Opposite to Smith's, on the east 'side of the road, stood
a small house occupied by Tiesje Carson, another
daughter of Derrick and Deborah Bergen, and widow
of Ebenezer Carson.
The next house on the east side of the road, and still
standing on Sixteenth street, was that of Rachel Derry,
widow of Walter, before named, who, after her hus-
band's death, built upon her share of her father's (Der-
rick Bergen) farm.
On the west side of the road, at the corner of Hamil-
ton and Third avenues, was the house of Peter Wyc-
off, occupied by one of his grand-daughters. It stood
upon the site of the old Van Duyne mansion.
The next house stood on the east side of the road,
between the present Twentieth and Twenty-first streets,
and was occupied by Anthony (or "Tony'") Hulse, the
owner of a large farm adjacent. A little beyond this
house, on the same side of the road, stood a one-story
house, erected before the Revolution, for his son John.
Across a bridge, which spanned a small stream of
water that drained the swamp above, was the house of
George Bennet, on the west side of the road, and, a
little beyond, the elevation known as Blokje's Bergh.
Next, on the east side of the road, was the one-story
stone house of Wynant Bennet, a one-armed man. It
was built at a very early date, and stood on the edge of
the road (on the very brink of the cove) on the line- of
the present Third avenue and Twenty -seventh street.
The next house was that of the brothers Simon and
Peter Schermerhorn (see cut on page 84), erected by
the Bennets prior to 1695, on what is now Third
avenue, near Twenty-sixth street. A little farther, on
the same side of the road, in the vicinity of Thirtieth
street, stood the house occupied by Stephen Hendrick-
son, son-in-law of George Powers.
On the adjoining farm, on the westerly side of the old
road, on the present Third avenue near Twenty-third
street, stood the house of Garret Bergen— erected, it is
supposed, some years before the Revolution, by one of
the Bennets; but enlarged and rebuilt about 1800, after
the property came into possession of Teunis Bergen
father of Garret. This Garret was generally known as
Squire Bergen, having for many years held the office of
justice of the peace, as also that of anassistant judge of
the county. He was noted for keeping peace among his
neighbors; always refusing a warrant while the appli-
cant was in a passion, and putting him oflf, until he had
cooled down, after which an amicable settlement was
generally effected with ease. He was an elder in the
church, and a truly upright man, whose word was as
good as his bond, and whose conscientious life was ad-
mired and respected by all who knew him. His sons
were the late Hon. Tunis G., favorably known as a pub-
lic man, and an industrious genealogist ; Peter G. a
merchant in New York ; John G., the late able and
popular police commissioner ; and Garret G., a farmer.
His only daughter married Mr. Tunis S. Barkeloo.
At the time of the Revolution, the Bennets owned
the water-front on the Gowanus cove, from Twenty-
fifth to Thirty-seventh streets, inclusive, and it was
probably between Thirty-second and Thirty-seventh
streets that the British reinforcements landed during
the progress of the battle of Brooklyn.
The next house was that of the children of John
Cropsey. It was a one-story framed building, with a
wing on its easterly side, and stood near the easterly
corner of the Gowanus road and Marten's lane, at a
point on the present thirty-fifth street about half way
between Third and Fourth avenues.
In the wing of the house they kept a store and a
small tavern, and had a blacksmith's shop on the corner
of the road. It is believed that a tavern, known as " The
Red Lion," was kept in this building during the Revolu-
tion.
On the opposite corner of Marten's lane stood a small
house occupied by Gysbert Bogert, a fisherman.
Next, on the same side of the road, on a plot of
about an acre, stood the house of Abraham Bennet, de-
ceased, occupied by Caty, his widow.
Beyond Abraham's house stood that of his brother
Anthony, also, on a lot of about an acre, afterward
owned by Abraham Tysen, a Jerseyman, who carried
on shoemaking and tanning; his vats being located in
the low ground near the edge of the meadow.
On the land of Simon Bergen, on the same side of
the road as the last house, and about a hundred feet
beyond it, stood the school-house of District No. 2, an
old one-story framed building. The predecessor of
this school, and the first in the district, was a log
house, which stood near the swinging-gate leading to
John S. Bergen's, between Second and Third avenues,
near Forty-fourth street. About seventy years ago
the school was kept by an Irishman named Hogan, who
fell in love with one of his female scholars, and made
an unsuccessful attempt to commit suicide, by cutting
his throat, because neither she nor her parents would
listen to his proposals. After Hogan, the school was
taught by a man named Cisley, who, to punish his
scholars, made a fool's-cap, with a red face, ram's
horns at the sides, and a cow's tail hanging down be-
hind (the latter articles procured at Tysen's tannery),
which he placed upon the head of the offenders, and
then had him, or her, escorted around the neighbor-
hood by two of the larger scholars. This, however,
did not operate long ; for, one day, while they were
thus exhibiting a daughter of Stephen Hendriokson,
Mrs. Headrickson happened to meet them, and straight-
THE VILLAGE OF BROOKLYN, 1817-18SJi..
139
way seizing the scarecrow cap, rent it into tatters, and
threatened the pedagogue with her direst vengeance, if
such a punishment as that was ever tried on again.
After the failure of his fool's-cap experiment, Cisley
used to punish the children by locking them up in the
garret, or loft of the school-house, which had no win-
dow, and was entered by a trap-door. This, however,
was no great punishment for the youngsters, who
amused themselves during confinement in various ways ;
among others, by chasing and arousing the flying-squir-
rels which had their nests behind the chimney.
Next, was the old De Hart house (see cut, page 83),
owned by Simon Bergen, who had previously built on
the hill, west of the old house, a new habitation in
modern style. Both houses stood on the shore of the
bay, on the westerly side of the road, and were
approached through a common lane. Simon was con-
sidered a rich man, and a good horseman, generally
driving a spirited team in such style as, on some
occasions, to excite the apprehensions of his wife
Jannetje, whose remonstrances he would effectually
silence by offering her the reins.
Next was the swinging-gate, leading to a small house
on the shore of the bay, near Forty-third street, the
residence of John S. Bergen, a brother of Simon.
The next house was that of Wynant Van Pelt,
which stood on the east side of the road, between Forty-
seventh and Forty-eighth streets — a small building,
which had never been troubled by the painter.
After passing this we come to the lane leading to the
old Van Pelt mansion, a low roofed one-story house,
then occupied by Henry Van Pelt; and, also, to a
small modern-built house occupied by Tunis Van
Pelt, both located near the bay and Forty-seventh
street.
On the main road, on its east side, near present Forty-
eighth street, was a shabby-looking dwelling, the house
of Christopher (or " Chris."), another of the sons of
Wynant Van Pelt.
Further along, on the west side of the road, was the
swinging-gate and lane leading to Peter Bergenia,
whose house, a modern two story erection, with a base-
ment, stood on the banks of the bay, near Fiftieth street.
Then a lane led to the house of Michael Bergen, a
modern one-story building, standing on the bay, near
Fifty-third street.
The next lane led to the house of Theodorus, a son of
Michael, and cpmmonly known as Dorus Bergen, an
ancient one-story building, partly constructed of stone,
on the bay, near Fifty-first street.
Beyond his lane was that leading to Tunis (or Major)
Bergen's, the last house within the bounds of the town
of Brooklyn, a two-story building, with a wing, yet
standing on the bay, near Fifty-eighth street.
The most fashionable style of houses among the
wealthier farmers of the county, about the beginning of
the present century, and of which there are many speci-
mens yet extant, was a main building of about one story
and a half in height, without attic windows, the second
story gaining its light from gable windows; the roof,
with a double pitch, extending over the eaves some four
or five feet, in a curved manner, so as to form a piazza
and cover the front and rear stoops, but without
columns for support. A wide hall ran through the
centre of the house, with two, and in some instances
three, rooms on each side of the hall, the upper story
being somewhat similarly divided. A wing was gener-
ally added for a kitchen. On this general plan were
the Tiebout, WyckofF, George Bennett, G. Bergen, J.
Bergen and M. Bergen houses.
THE VILLAGE OF BROOKLYN,
1817-1834.
ISlY. — The winter of this year was unusually severe.
The harbor was at one time dosed by ice, both at the
Narrows and at Hell Gate ; and foot-passengers crossed
on the ice near the ferry.
There was much distress among the poor, and a
Brooklyn Humane Society was formed for their relief.
It was dissolved within a year, because, as was believed,
" habits of imprudence, indolence, and dissipation, and
consequently pauperism," were engendered by its well-
intended efforts.
Town meetings were held during the year to take
measures against the storage of powder at Fort Greene,
and with reference to ferry-rights, concerning which
disagreements arose between the people and the ferry-
company.
The name of " Old Ferry street " was changed to IM,-
ton street by the trustees. At the first municipal elec-
tion, William Furman, Henry Stanton, Tunis Joralemon,
and Noah Waterbury were chosen trustees. In June
the village was visited by President Monroe.
1818. — A survey of the village was made by Jeremiah
Lott and William M. Stewart, assisted by Gabriel Fur-
man, the historian, and John Cole. The boundaries
were, on the south. District street (since Atlantic
street), Red Hook lane, Fulton street, and thence a
straight line to the head of Wallabout Bay. This sur-
vey, which was adopted by the trustees, was completed
at a cost of five hundred dollars. Sign-boards were put
up at the corners of the streets at an expense of $50.
1819. February. The village was visited by General
140
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Andrew Jackson. In March of this year the County
Clerk's office was removed hither from Flatbush. The
danger from powder-magazines at Fort Greene again
agitated the public mind, and a committee to abate the
nuisance was appointed. Thomas Birdsall succeeded
Joel Bunce as postmaster in October of this year. An
Agricultural Society was formed in the county.
1820. — The population of the village was .5,210,
according to the census. Daily mails were established
in May between this village and New York, as well as
Jamaica.
It is recorded that several whales appeared this year
near Sandy Hook, and that one, nearly seventy feet in
length, was taken and towed into a slip at the foot of
Pineapple street, where it was exhibited to those who
wished to feast their eyes and regale their noses, till the
stench became unbearable.
1821. March. The first number of the Long Island
Patriot appeared. It was edited and published by George
L. Birch.
Levels of the village were taken by Jeremiah Lott,
and a compensation of $250 was awarded by the
trustees.
The number of buildings in the village this year was
867. Of these 96 were groceries and taverns. Accord-
ing to Furman there were, within the same limits, at the
close of the Revolution, fifty-six buildings.
1822. — Sands street was this year paved, and in
March, in compliance with a petition from the inhabit-
ants, the trustees directed that the houses on Fulton,
Main, Front, Hicks and High streets, should be num-
bered, at the expense of their owners. It was, also, an-
nounced that a graveled side-walk and curb-stones
would be made in Fulton street, to the extremity of the
village, near Military Garden. Fifty dwelling-houses
were erected in the village this year.
March 13th, the First Presbyterian Ghurch was
incorporated.
In May of this year Alden Spooner published the
first BrooJdyn Directory. A Medical Society was
established in Kings county.
On the 25th of July the corner-stone of the Jirst
Roman Catholic Church (St. James) was laid in Jay
street, the society being incorporated on the 20th of
November following.
In September precautionary measures were adopted
by the trustees to prevent the introduction into the vil-
lage of the yellow fever, then just making its appear-
ance in New York; and the business of that city being
necessarily transferred to Greenwich village, the steam
ferry-boat Nassau plied regularly between that village
and Brooklyn.
1823. March 3d, a severe storm occurred, which blew
away the rope-walks of Joshua Sands and N. L. Mar-
tin, and did much other damage.
June 5th. Spooner's Brooklyn Directory, second
issue, estimates a gain of 190 families during the year
The population of the town at this time was
about 9,000 ; that of the village 7,000. During this
spring Henry street was opened.
In July, also, one of the public stores attached to
the Custom-house of the port of New York was moved
to the village of Brooklyn, and kept in a three-story
fire-proof building, on Furman street, erected by Jona-
than Thompson, collector of New York. This was the
first, and for many years the only, bonded warehouse in
Brooklyn, and was situated on the dock on Furman
street near Cranberry street. (Map c, i). Another
addition to the prosperity of the place was the erec-
tion of a laboratory for the manufacture of whiting
and colors, by Hiram & Arthur Hunt, situated near
Isaac Cornell's distillery, and named The Nassau Whit-
ing and Color Manufactory, and Furmanh Mss. record
that, on the Ist of August, there were no less than 53
vessels at the wharves of Brooklyn, besides eight
vessels in the United States Navy-yard. On the 28th
of this month the Apprentices Library was organized,
which may be considered the event of the year.
The village had been visited, in 1803 and 1809,
by epidemics of yellow fever. The first, which oc-
curred in a year of uncommon salubrity, broke out at
the Wallabout settlement, near the navy-yard, where
two vessels from infected ports had discharged their
bilge water. In this epidemic seventeen persons were
attacked, of whom six died.
In the summer of 1809, another remarkably healthy
season, the second epidemic occurred, traceable to a
ship from Havana, which landed at Sands' lower dock,
between Fulton and Catherine street ferries. In this
case much discussion arose as to its cause, not all of
which was entirely courteous in its character. Twenty-
eight deaths occurred.
During this summer (1823) Brooklyn was again
visited by the yellow fever. It was supposed by some
to have been imported into the village by the ship
Diana, or the brig Trio, which had lost her mate at
sea by the same disease. The Diana, however, seems
to have been fairly cleared, by concurrent testimony,
from the imputation. Many inhabitants were disposed
to trace the infection to certain stores belonging to
Samuel Jackson and George Hicks, in which were
stored large quantities of fish, from which arose an al-
most insupportable stench. The first case occurred on
August 22d, in a house on Furman street (Map c, s),
and was fatal. In the same dwelling seven persons
subsequently sickened, two of whom died ; and two
who had removed from the house were attacked and
died at a place in Nassau street near the Alms house in
the back part of the village. Another who was ascer-
tained frequently to have passed through the infected
district, and, as it was believed, had frequently visited
the house on Furman street (Map c, g), died at the
Mansion house on Columbia street. On the same street,
also (Map c, d), John Wells, Esq., an eminent member
TSE VILLAGE OF BROOKLYN, 18 17-1831
141
of the New York bar, expired on the 7 th of September.
Another fatal case occurred on Furman street (Map
c, e), above the cooper's shop of F. Tuttle (Map o, m) ;
another on the same street, near Caze and Richaud's
distillery, which recovered ; and a case at Toby Phil-
pot's, a public tavern on Furman street, recovered. A
young woman, also from Furman street, died in Pearl
near Nassau street ; and two cases of sickness occurred,
one without the infected district, and one who sickened
on board the Diana, of which her husband was captain,
and was reported to the New York Board of Health,
and the health-officer attributed her illness rather to
the atmosphere of that part of Brooklyn where the
Map C— of Yellow Fever District, 1822,
OopiecJ from one, in Gabriel Furman's Mss. Notes.
References.
A.— Wharf and store of Samuel Jaoksoa and George Hicks.
11.— Where the ship Diana lay.
G.— House where the fever appeared.
D.— Residence of John Wells, Esq.
E.— House where Thomas Orx sickened and died.
X.— Mansion house, owned by Alex. Robinson, Esq., and in which John Ward, Esq,
died,
gff.— Fences erected by the Trustees.
H.— Toby Philpot's,
T.— Stone store of Henry Waring.
K. — Thomas Armstrong's tavern.
1.— Jonatlian Thompson's brick store.
M.— Furman Tuttle's, and Mrs. Vanderveer's.
N. — Residence of S. S. Newman.
0.— Henry Waring's house.
"^P.— David Kimberly's house.
QQ.— Step-ladder to ascend the hill, from Furman street.
R.— Road up the hill.
ship lay, to which she imprudently exposed herself in
the night, than to any infection in the ship. The last
death occurred on September 22d, just one month from
the day of the iirst death, and on the same day the
fences (Map c, g, g), which had been erected at each
end of the infected district, were removed by the
trustees. The ravages of the disease may be briefly
summed up, as follows : 19 cases, of which 10 were
fatal.
Oct. 15th, the' Mr St Baptist Church in BrooJdynvfBts,
incorporated.
1824. This year Brooklyn's career of progress may
be said to have fully commenced. Awaking suddenly,
as it were, to an appreciation of the resources and ad-
vantages which they possessed, and flattered by the
evidences of prosperity everywhere apparent, its inhabi-
tants agitated great improvements. Streets and roads,
hitherto considered as good enough, were now voted to
be insufiicient, and nuisances ; and, as vast mounds of
earth vanished before the steady approach of pick and
spade, new avenues and streets, nearly all of which
were re-graded and paved, sprang into existence with
the suddenness of magic. Here and there, also, at pri-
vate expense, a lamp was hung out, serving only to
make darkness more grimly visible ; and the imperfect
water-courses, which ran through the middle
of the streets, were replaced by carefully con-
structed side gutters. A commodious market
was built, a village watch was organized, a
municipal court established, and the eflScient
force of the fire-department nearly doubled.
More attention was paid to everything relat-
ing to the village government; and the village
authorities, whose functions had previously
been quite limited, were reassured by the
growing public interest, and strengthened by
various subsequent acts of legislation, so that
their action became gradually more decided
and eflicient. On every side, buildings arose
of higher architectural pretensions and beauty
than those which had preceded them ; and,
led on by the enterprise of Dr. Charles Ball,
followed by Z. Lewis, A. Van Sinderen, and
others, the village began to assume a more
elegant and creditable appearance. Every-
where the evidences abounded that the hither-
to shiftless stand-still village was too near the
heart of the leviathan metropolis, not to feel
its throb, and be quickened by the rush of the
life-current that circulated through its im-
mense arteries. From this period the march
of the village was impetuously forward, never
stopping, never wavering till its rapid career
culminated in its incorporation, ten years
later, as a city. In quick succession, one street
after another was opened, graded, paved and
■ lighted ; and radiating countrywards in every
direction from the Fulton ferry, were daily-increasing
evidences that there was a reality and a soundness in
all this prosperity, that fully attested its permanence.
Brooklyn had now come to be the third town in
the State, and the sixteenth in the United States ; hav-
ing in its incorporated part a population of more than
7,000. An urgent necessity was felt for a bank. Ac-
cordingly, the Long Island Bank was chartered and
established during this year, with a capital of $300,000.
Furman says : " An error will not be committed in
saying that the growth and prosperity of Brooklyn
have been largely promoted by this bank."
142
MIS TOBY OF KIJSrGS COUNTY.
January 6th. Brooklyn was designated, in a report
of the Secretary of the U. S. Navy, as one of the places
at which the ten first-class navy-yards were recom-
mended to be established. The BrooUyn Fire Insur-
ance Company was also incorporated, and the first
Baptist church established here.
By acts of the legislature the trustees were consti-
tuted a Board of Health, and the Brooklyn Fire De-
partment was incorporated. It was stated that in 1824
the village contained 865 buildings, and the town 160,
making a total of 1025, of which 146 were of stone or
brick. The number of buildings erected during the
year was 164. The village then contained seven
churches, eight rope-walks, seven distilleries, two chain-
cable manufactories, two tanneries, two extensive white-
lead manufactories, one glass factory, one floor-cloth
ditto, one card ditto, one pocket-book ditto, one comb
ditto, one seal-skin ditto, seyen tide and two wind-mills,
an extensive establishment for the preparation of drugs,
and articles required for dyeing and manufacturing,
conducted by Dr. Noyes, late professor of Hamilton
College, seventy grocery and dry-goods stores, two
printing establishments, lumber and wood-yards, master
masons and carpenters.
The rope- walks manufactured 1,130 tons of cordage
annually, at an expenditure of |260,000, and employed
200 persons. The distilleries consumed, on an average,
'780 bushels of grain per day, at an expense of |368,200
per annum. The seal-skin factory employed 60 men ;
pocket-book factory 40 persons ; comb factory 20; the
card factory, 300 persons ; and other branches in all
400 to 500 persons. Immense quantities of naval-stores,
hemp, cotton, India goods, hides, provisions and lumber,
were stored at Brooklyn.
Not least among the improvements, which indicated
that the hitherto shiftless village had woke up, was the
care which the authorities began to exhibit for the
removal of nuisances, the cleansing of the streets,
and other measures pertaining to the health, appear-
ance and welfare of the place. On tn3 19th of May,
the trustees passed a law to regulate the cleansing
of Fulton, Main, Front, Water, Elizabeth and Doughty
streets, which required that said streets should be
swept, and the dirt and rubbish collected in heaps
every Tuesday and Friday morning, between the
first day of April and the first day of December,
before ten o'clock, under the penalty of $2 for every
offense.
In May of this year a distillery of spirits of turpen-
tine was erected at the corner of York and Adams
streets, by David F. Cooper, Esq.
Measures were instituted for the establishment of a
poor-house and hospital. A site near Fort Greene, in-
cluding 19| acres, was purchased of Leffert Lefferts,
Esq., for $3,750. The existence of six powder-maga-
zines in the vicinity of this site was considered objec-
tionable, and measures were taken to petition the
legislature for the passage of an act forbidding the
storage of gunpowder at Fort Greene.
During the month of June several improvements
were made in the village. Orange street was opened
into Fulton street, by taking down the small, ancient
wooden dwelling-house No. 153 Fulton street. Water
street, between Main and Washington, and which was
previously an almost impassable slough, was raised and
regulated. Prospect street was also regulated. " Here
the hills literally bow their heads, and the valleys are
exalted." The rocks in the vicinity of this street, form-
erly an incumbrance on the ground, were blasted and
converted into building-stone ; and the ground on the
hills, before considered of little account, became so
valuable that boards were erected thereon, inscribed,
" All persons are forbid taking any of this earth."
July 1st. Joseph Sprague and Alden Spooner gave
public notice, by advertisement in the Long Island Star,
that they, in behalf of themselves and their associates,
would make application to the legislature of the State,
at their next session, for an act of incorporation, under
the style of The Brooldyn Gas light Company, with
a capital of $150,000, for the purpose of lighting streets,
dwellings and manufactories with gas. Mr. Sprague
gives, in his Mss. Autobiography, an interesting account
of the inception of this enterprise. " About this time,"
says he, " Alden Spooner and myself, for amusement,
made application for a Gas Light Company, fully aware
that Brooklyn could not then sustain it. We inserted
a notice for it, without the least thought of asking the
legislature to grant it, desirous only to create a little
sensation. After our notice appeared, another set of
gentlemen demanded a withdrawal of it, asserting that
they only were the rightful heirs to such a privilege,
and declaring that they would drive us from the field.
Such impertinence roused our Yankee blood to yield to
no such demand, believing that as citizens we had
rights. The demand being persisted in, it was deter-
mined that I should go to Albany for a charter, which
I did ; and without delay procured its passage through
the Assembly, when the other gentlemen appeared, with
counsel, and assured me that I might go home. Know-
ing that one charter could not be sustained, and two
much less, I allowed them to pass their bill through the
Assembly. We were now both in the Senate, where I
had enough friends, clearly ascertained, by whose ad-
vice I was warranted in saying to the other gentlemen
that they might go home with their counsel. They fin-
ally retired, while I remained, adding by agreement a
part of them as directors, and thus passed a bill that is
now giving light to Brooklyn. The stock was all taken
up and immediately sold at ten per cent, advance, such
being the misguided zeal, at that time, for any kind of
stocks. It was amusing to see the estimation of direc-
tors, claiming great sagacity in counting up the fortunes
to be made by gas ! It was doubly amusing to see the
infatuated dignity of the directors in their meetings,
THE VILLAGE OF BROOKLYN, 1817-183^.
U3
over a worthless charter ; yet to them a rich placer of
gold. The directors monopolized nearly all the stock,
and resolved that no one should sell a share without the
consent of the board. Various committees were put in
motion, lots bought for gas-works, plans and estimates
examined, until the great men of the day became con-
vinced that to proceed would end in something more
than gas. At this juncture, I moved that the money
paid in be refunded, and all operations be discontinued,
until the increase of Brooklyn should afford a reasonable
prospect of supporting a gas company, which sugges-
tion was adopted, and the money honestly returned,
with interest."
In July of this year the first iron-foundry in Brook-
lyn was established by Alexander Birbeck, on Water
street, between Pulton and Dock streets.
On the 10th of August, the village was honored by
a visit from General Lafayette.
1825. In January a portion of the ground near Fort
Greene, lately purchased by the town of Brooklyn, was
appropriated for a cemetery, and divided into conven-
ient parcels, which were allotted to tlie different relig-
ious denominations of the town, viz. : Dutch Reformed,
Friends, Presbyterians, Roman Catholic, Methodist
Episcopalian, Universalist, Episcopalian, Baptist, and a
Common Plot.
February. A flag-stone walk was laid from the gate
of the Old or Fulton ferry, to the Steamboat Hotel, a
large wooden building, which stood on the easterly
corner of Fulton and Water streets, in Brooklyn. It
was the first walk ever laid to the ferry.
At this time the five trustees of the village held their
meeting in a room over a grocery-store (about No. 23),
within a few doors of Fulton ferry. " It was the cus-
tom," says the late Mayor Sjarague, one of the trustees,
" as soon as the board assembled, to order decanters of
] um, brandy, gin, and crackers and cheese. At the
close of the year there was an animated discussion,
-n hether we five trustees should eat a supper of oysters
a1 the public expense. It was finally decided to be not
01 ily impolitic, but illegal, and so we ate at our own ex-
p inse, of one shilling each." Corporation proceedings
were now first published in the Star; but a motion to
a llow the editors to copy the minutes of the board for
publication, was negatived.
The corner-stone of the new Apprentices Library was
laid July 4th, of this year, by Gen. Lafayette.
On the 5th of December, a public meeting was held
for the purpose of considering a bill proposed by a
committee for the organization of a city government.
It was rejected by the meeting, which was adjourned for
twenty-one years.
According to the census, the population of the village
in 1825 was 8,800. The Brooklyn White Lead Com-
pany, the oldest in the State, was established by the
brothers Graham.
1&26. In March the new market in James street was
commenced. It was completed, and in successful oper-
ation, about the last of November. Erastus Worthing-
ton was appointed Postmaster in place of Thomas
King.
On the 3d of May the board of trustees assembled
for the first time in the new and recently finished Ap-
prentices Library building in Cranberry street. The
erection of this edifice seems to have given a considerable
impetus to the literary interests of the village, as we find
that, in August, a library was being collected for col-
ored people ; and in November following, a free reading
and conversation-room was established in the basement
of the library building.
On the first of May an election took place, under the
provisions of the amended village act, which gave two
trustees to each of the five districts, instead of one, as
before.
The height known as Mount Prospect was this year
greatly improved by Dr. Evans. Several cottages were
erected, surrounded by handsome fences, side-walks, etc. ;
fruit-trees were planted, and the land, by a systematic
and liberal expenditure, was brought into a high state
of cultivation.
A fruitless movement was also made by Mr. Hez. B.
Pierrepont and others, for the establishment of a park,
or promenade, along the Heights, which then retained
much of their original appearance.
1827. April 1st, the daily publication of the Brook-
lyn Evening Star was commenced ; but at the end of
six months it, was discontinued for want of suflicient
patronage. The Brooklyn Savings Bank was also
chartered, principally by the eilorts of the friends and
directors of the Apprentices Library, with a view to
benefit adult mechanics.
The first night hoat on the Fulton ferry commenced
running September 28th of this year.
1828. In March the proposition was made to light
Pulton street ; the cost of each lamp being estimated at
$4.23 per annum.
April. An ox-cart, owned by the village, and used
for collecting and removing dirt and garbage from the
streets, was found so economical, as to cause a proposi-
tion for the purchase of another. Two months later
these ox-carts (the suggestion of the worthy president
of the village, Mr. Sprague) were stated to have fairly
paid their cost and the labor of gathering the manure.
May. A theatre was erected, about this time, on Ful-
ton street, between Nassau and Concord, but was subse-
quently abandoned, and converted into dwelling-houses.
1829. May. The Kings Goicnty Sabbath-school
Society was formed and comprised twenty-three schools
within the county. Its officers were Nehemiah Denton,
of Brooklyn, president ; John Terhune, vice-president ;
N. W. Sandford, 2d vice-president ; Abraham Vander-
veer, treasurer ; Evan M. Johnson, secretary. Man-
agers for Flntbush, Messrs. Rev. Meeker, Rouse,
Strong, Butie, Crookshank and Carroll ; for Klatlands,
144
HISTORY OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
John LeflEerts, Dr. Vanderveer, David Nefus, Johannis
Remsen ; for Gravesend, B. C. Lake, John S. Garrison ;
for New Lots, John Williamson, John Vanderveer ;
for BrooUy7i, Eliakim Raymond, Adrian Hegeman,
Richard M. White ; for Bushwick, Peter Wyokoff,
James Halsey. This society was auxiliary to the
Southern Sabbath-school Union of the State.
At this time the village contained some 300 youth,
200 of whom attended the public schools.
June 4th, the steam frigate Fulton, which had since
the war been used as a receiving ship, was destroyed at
its moorings at the Navy-yard by the explosion of the
magazine. By this accident thirty -three were killed and
about thirty were wounded.
In the same month a Temperance Society was organ-
ized in Brooklyn, with A. Van Sinderin, president, and
F. T. Peet, secretary.
In October the corner-stone of the Collegiate Insti-
tute for Young Ladies was laid. The building, which cost
$30,000, stood on Hicks street. The institution, after a
few years of evanescent prosperity, was closed because
of a lack of patronage, and was afterward converted into
a hotel and boarding-house, under the name of the
" Mansion House."
1830. The events of the year were unimportant.
The County Supervisors purchased a poor-hov^e farm
at Flatbush ; a Dispensary was established ; and a
Brooklyn Colonization Society, and a Brooklyn City
Tract Society. The Hamilton Library Association
was founded.
1831. An application was made for a charter of a
railroad from Brooklyn to Jamaica. Samuel E. Clem-
ents was appointed Postmaster, vice Erastus Worthing-
ton, deceased ; and, on the resignation of Mr. C, in
December, he was succeeded by Mr. Joseph Moser.
Meetings were held in December by the inhabitants,
and a committee reported in favor of uniting the town
and village of Brooklyn under a city government.
1832. February Ist. The Star of this date contains
a letter from a Mr. G. B. White, of 1 00 Fulton street,
to Mayor Sprague, on the subject of providing water-
works for Brooklyn. He proposes the formation of a
company, to be called the " Brooklyn Water Company,"
with a capital of 125,000 (in 1,000 shares of |25 each) ;
for which sum Mr. White agrees to unite the requisite
number of springs on the East River shore, and by tide-
power to raise it to a sufficient height above the highest
point on Clover hill, at the end of Cranberry street; and
to construct a reservoir of the capacity of 1,000,000
gallons.
The Brooklyn and Jamaica Railroad was incorpor-
ated on the 25th of April; though not completed and
opened till April 18th, 1836.
June 20th. The dreaded cholera made its appear-
ance in New York, and a-medical board was established
for the village of Brooklyn. Up to July 25th, when it
ceased, there had been ninety cases, of which thirty-five
died. These cases occurred in Tillary, Jackson, Hicks,
Willow, Fulton, Marshall, Gold, Front, Furman, Main,
and High streets, and Red Hook.
It is noteworthy, as illustrating the early progress of
the temperance reform in Brooklyn, that there were in
the village, in 1832, with a population of 12,302, 178
licensed and unlicensed houses, where liquor was
retailed. In 1833, a determined effort was made by
the trustees to reduce the number of licenses ; and
the movement, in spite of the opposition which it met,
so far succeeded that, in 1835, with a population of
nearly 30,000, there were only fifty taverns in the city.
October. The Brooklyn Bank, the second in town,
commenced operations, Samuel A. Willoughby, Presi-
dent.
1833. January. The principal measures at this time
before the public, were, the location of the County
Court House, the establishment of the South ferry, and
the widening of Fulton, near Front street. The locat-
ing of the Court House in Brooklyn, long discussed and
often attempted, had at length been rendered probable,
owing to the fact that the old one at Flatbush had been
destroyed by fire the December previous. In view of
the rapid increase of property and population which had
taken place in Brooklyn, it seemed most appropriate
that the new edifice should be erected here. This town
then had 2,266 electors; whereas, all the rest of the county
had only '710 ; 554 jurors, and the other towns 270 ; and
taxable property assessed at $7,829,684 while that of
the rest of the county was only $1,600,594. The propo-
siti on, however, to locate the court here, and to increase
the representation of the village in the board of super-
visors, met with strenuous opposition from the other
towns of the county. An act was finally passed, in the
month of April, authorizing its location in Brooklyn, and
appropriating Messrs. L. Van Nostrand, Joseph Moser,
and Peter Conover, as commissioners to fix upon the site.
April. The plottings and plannings for a city in-
corporation, which had so long interested the citizens of
Brooklyn, culminated at length in a determined effort to
secure the coveted boon from the legislature of the
State. A bill for the incorporation of the City of
Brooklyn, and the erection of the Town of Gowanus,
in Kings county, was introduced and passed the Assembly
(April 12); but, owing to the strenuous opposition made
by the city of New York, was lost in the Senate (April
27). The Brooklynites, however, received (May 15th)
a sort of placebo for their disappointment, in the shape
of an amended village charter, obtained through the
efforts of Judge Greenwood, which embraced several
sections of the proposed city charter. So desirous, how-
ever, were a portion of the citizens, of being under a
city government, that they proposed the annexation of
Brooklyn to the city authority of New York.
In the Autumn of this year land speculation in
Brooklyn came to be, in some cases, almost a mania ;
and lots were purchased and sold at what then appeared
THE FIRST CITY OF BROOKLYN, 18SJi.-185^.
145
to many extravagant prices. Mount Prospect lots, two-
and-a-haK miles from the ferry, were mostly above
$100 per lot. The Parmentier garden (junction of the
Jamaica and Platbush roads), purchased for $57,000,
was sold inlots at auction, for between $60,000 and $70,-
000 ; ten acres at Red Hook, owned by the heirs of
Rynier Suydam, sold for $47,000 ; the R. V. Beekman
farm, at Gowanus, comprising over 26 acres, was pur-
chased at auction by Charles Hoyt, for $25,000. About
the same time, also, the old John Spader farm was pur-
chased by Pine and Van Antwerp, auctioneers in New
York. They soon laid out the beautiful avenue now
known as Clinton avenue, from the river to the Jamaica
road, lengthwise through the farm. The land on either
side was sold in sections of half an acre each, or lots of
eighty by one hundred feet. The first settlers were
Messrs. Baxter, Van Dyke, Halsey, Hunter and others ;
St. Luke's (then Trinity) church was erected in 1835,
and the avenue soon began to assume the beautiful
appearance which now characterizes it.
During the period which elapsed from 1830 to 1835,
a settlement, then called Wallabout village, was spring-
ing into existence along the shores of the Wallabout
bay. At about 1840 the farms there were traversed by
the Newtown turnpike, which entered into Brooklyn
proper, through a toll-gate and over a bridge, built on
the outlet of the mill-pond, which then covered the
Park, lying west of the Navy-yard. An old road was
also traveled from what was called Cripplebush, pass-
ing the old stone house of Mr. J. J. Rappalye, and
thence through Nostrand avenue and Bedford avenue
to Jamaica turnpike. From about the year 1832, streets
were laid out from time to time, not all at once; and, in
1835, Myrtle avenue was graded and paved from the
City Hall to Nostrand avenue, which afforded a new
facility of entrance from the Wallabout into the older
part of the city. Not long after, a section of Flushing
avenue was paved ; extending from the Navy-yard Hos-
pital-gate to Bedford avenue; and also Bedford avenue,
Skillman street, Franklin and Kent avenues from Flush-
ing to Myrtle avenue, and Classon avenue from Flushing
to Willoughby avenue. None of these streets were cut
through, except Bedford and Classon avenues, which
had been ploughed up and leveled like a country-road.
The rope-walk of Fricker and Cooper (burned in
1845) was built in 1830, on the open space between
Classon avenue and Graham street. About the same
time a large, stone tenement-building, for the operatives
in the rope-walks, was erected near. A few dwellings
were soon scattered along Flushing avenue, and the
other avenues north of Myrtle avenue; and, in 1836, the
public school-house was built near the corner of Classon
and Flushing avenues.
To illustrate the rapid growth of this part of Brook-
lyn, it is only necessary to say, that in 1842 there were
three churches between Fort Greene (on the west) and
Division avenue (on the east). On the same territory in
1860 there were twenty-eight.
That the thoughts and aspirations of Brooklynites
were tending hopefully toward a future civic dignity
is manifest from a proposition made to the Corporation,
in March, to furnish the village with a supply of water
from springs at the Wallabout. A committee thereon
finally reported the plan as feasible, and that the mod-
est sum of $100,000 would cover all expenses of reser-
voir, steam-engine, and eleven miles of pipe. They
further expressed their opinion that the village could be
amply supplied with the purest water at an annual ex-
pense of $10,000 for interest and cost. The financial
aspect of the times, however, probably forbade any at-
tempt at a realization of the project, as it seems to have
been dropped from the public mind.
THE FIRST CITY OF BROOKLYN,
1834-1854.
1834. January. The Brooklyn people, undaunted by
previous defeats, and confident in their own resources,
and the justice of their claims, again renewed their ap-
plication to the legislature for a city charter. The city
of New York, with the spirit of " the dog in the man-
ger," still threw the whole weight of her wealth and in-
fluence against the movement ; objecting that the limits
of the city of New York ought to embrace the whole of
the counties of Kings and Richmond ; that all commer-
cial cities are natural rivals and competitors, and that
contentions, inconvenience, and other calamities, grow
out of such rivalries ; that the period was not far dis-
tant when a population of 2,000,000 would be comprised
within the three counties of New York, Kings and
Richmond ; that the limits of the city of New York
already extended to low-water mark on all the shores of
Brooklyn, east of Red Hook ; that an act of legislature,
passed in 1821, relative to the village of Brooklyn, was
virtually an encroachment on the rights of New York,
inasmuch as it provided for the election of a harbor-
master, whose duty in Brooklyn would be within the
city-limits of New York ; and further, that the sheriff
and civil ofiicers of Brooklyn were allowed to execute
processes on board of vessels attached to the wharves
of Brooklyn, etc., etc.
The real key, however, to the opposition made by
New York, was undoubtedly to be found in the fears
of her real-estate speculators, and her municipal author-
146
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
ities. The former, wlio held large quantities of land in
the upper portion of the city, foresaw that the incorpor-
ation of Brooklyn, as a city, would give a new impetus
to her growth and population ; and that Brooklyn lots
would soon become formidable rivals to their own in the
market. The latter saw, in the energy of their youth-
ful neighbor, a power which, when grown to maturer
strength, might wrest from New York her long-con-
tested and profitable water and ferry-rights. So capital,
speculation and monopoly joined hands in a most for-
midable league against the aspirations and endeavors of
Brooklyn. Despite their exertions, however, Brooklyn
triumphed; and, by an act passed on the 8th of April,
was fully invested with the name and privileges of a
city.
The first election under the new charter was held
on the fifth of May, and in several of the wards a union
ticket was elected. The following gentlemen composed
the FiEST Board of Aldermen : First Ward, Gabriel
Furman, Conklin Brush ; Second Ward, George D. Cun-
ningham, John M. Hicks ; Third Ward, James Wal-
ters, Joseph Moser ; Fourth Ward, Jonathan Trotter,
Adrian Hegeman ; Fifth Ward, William M. Udall,
Benjamin R. Prince ; Sixth Ward, Samuel Smith, Wil-
liam Powers ; Seventh Ward, Clarence D. Sackett, Ste-
phen Haynes ; Eighth Ward, Theodorus Polhemus, John
S. Bergen ; Ninth Ward, Robert Wilson, Moses Smith.
This board, on the 20th of the same month, elected
Q-eorge Hall as the first mayor of the city of Brooklyn.
Georgk Hall was born in New York, September 21, 1795.
In 1796 his father purchased the Valley Grove farm, near
Flatbush, where he lived for a short time, and then removed
to Brooklyn. George was educated at Erasmus Hall, Flat-
bush; and, after he left school, took up his father's trade of a
painter and glazier. In early life he was noted for his con-
vivial habits, yet he displayed that frankness, energy, per-
severing industry and active spirit of benevolence, which
soon rendered him the chosen and trusted counsellor of all
his associates, the friend of the poor, and the warm and ef-
fective advocate of every measure calculated to benefit his
fellow-men. In his business, which he commenced on his
own account, in 1820, his talent, integrity and straightfor-
wardness won for him a mercantile credit, which brought
him success. Mr. Hall was chosen, in 1826 and 1833, trustee
of the Third ward of the then village of Brooklyn. lu Oct-
ober, 1833, he was elected president of the village, in a closely
contested election brought about by his strenuous endeavors
to exclude hogs from the streets, and to shut up the shops
of unUcensed retailers of rum. As the first mayor of the
city, he most honestly administered its affairs. In 1844 he
was defeated as the temperance candidate for the mayoralty;
and again in 1845, as the "Whig nominee for the same office.
On both of these occasions the vote polled showed, at least,
that he was personally regarded by the people of Brooklyn
as most worthy of the office. In 1854 Mr. Hall was elected
to the mayoralty by the Know-nothing party, though an en-
deavor was made to defeat him by asserting that he was
born in Ireland. But Mr. HaU proved that, though his pa-
rents were Irish, he was born in this country. He thus be-
came the first mayor of the incorporated cities of Brooklyn
and Williamsburg. During his term of office the cholera
raged with considerable virulence in the city. There seemed
to be no one with sufficient courage to face the epidemic un-
til Mr. Hall literally took it in hand. He went right into it;
superintended the removal of victims, cleaned out houses,
took responsibility after responsibility, and his efforts met
with deserved success. The epidemic seized him also ; but
apparently by his determination not to succumb to the dis-
ease, he fought it off. A report was circulated that he was
dead, which report brought him to the front of the City HaU,
that people might see he was not dead. His fellow citizens
so much admired his courageous efforts that they presented
him, as a testimonial, the house No. 37 Livingston street, in
which he died. The testimonial avowedly took this shape,
for the reason that his friends knew that he would not keep
money in his possession while there was distress to be re-
lieved. In 1861 he ran for the office of registrar as a Re-
publican candidate, and, though he received a very compli-
mentary vote, was defeated, and never after took any part in
politics. There was scarcely a Brooklyn institution of public
benefit in which Mr. Hall was not interested, either as one of
its founders or as having helped its progress. He was, for a
number of years, president of the Association for Improving
the Condition of the Poor ; and for some time president of
the Fireman's Trust Insurance Company, a position that se-
cured him a modest competency without overtasking his
strength. He died on the 16th of April, 1868, and his funeral,
on the following Sabbath, was such a scene as Brooklyn has
seldom, if ever, witnessed. The flags upon the City Hall
were displayed at half-mast, and, long before the hour of the
services, the dwelling was crowded to excess; and a crowd of
three or four thousand collected in the street, in front of the
house, and were addressed by Eev. Henry Ward Beeoher, in
one of his characteristic and eloquent addresses. As the ad-
vocate of the temperance cause, it is almost superfluous to
speak of George Hall. He was the first man in his city in
the field for temperance; the first to sign in Brooklyn the
Old Temperance Pledge, and the first to sign the Washington-
ian Pledge. Even in his last sickness, when his medical attend-
ants prescribed brandy for him, it was with the utmost diffi-
culty he could be got to try it; and when the taste of that was
in his mouth, which he had fought against all his fife, he spat
it out again, and died as he had Hved. G jorge HaU possessed
strong physical health, sound practical sense, and true moral
energy. He never shrank from the performance of any
known duty. He was a faithful counsellor, a wise man, a
disinterested, unambitious and truly patriotic citizen; a man
who took straight paths of action and was fearlessly in ear-
nest. But while he was a stern magistrate, there was never
a softer heart beat in woman's bosom than his. When the
presence of want was made known to him, he would swing
a basket on his arm and take food from his own larder to
feed the suffering poor. Large numbers of poor widows and
families were accustomed to apply to him for assistance. Yet
his name was very seldom seen on any published or printed
subscription list.
Under the provisions of the charter with which the
new city of Brooklyn commenced its existence the
municipality was divided into nine wards, the first five
of which corresponded to and were identical with the
five districts of the former village, and retained the
same limits and numbers as said districts. The
legislative power was vested in a mayor and a board
of aldermen. This board, constituting and denomi-
nated the Common Council, was composed of two
aldermen, elected annually from each ward, and a pro-
vision was made whereby no member of the Common
THE FIRST CITY OF BROOKLYN, 183^-1864.
147
Council could hold office as mayor and alderman at the
same time. The Mayor was to see that the ordinances
of the Common Council were complied with, and offend-
ers against the same prosecuted ; and he was to be as-
sisted in his duties by an inspector or inspectors, who
should report all such breaches of law to him, or to the
attorney of the board, as the Common Council might
direct. He was to have no vote in the Common Council,
although he possessed a qualified veto power. The
Common Council were to have the management and con-
trol of the finances, and of all property, real and per-
sonal, belonging to said corporation, and within the
said city; they could make, establish, publish, alter,
modify, amend and repeal all ordinances, rules, regula-
tions and by-laws, usual a.nd necessary for the regulation,
protection, etc., etc., of the various city interests, in-
cluding the powers of a board of health, of police and
of excise.
In July it was resolved, at a public city meeting, of
which the mayor was chairman, that $50,000 should be
raised to purchase ground for a City Hall at the junction
of Fulton and Joralemon streets.
The South ferry was proposed, about this time, but
was met with the usual. opposition fromlSTew York city.
This, and the condition of the Brooklyn ferries general-
ly, kept up an agitation; and public meetings and news-
paper articles seem to have been then, as now, a fa-
vorite, though ineffectual, method of warfare.
September. Permission to occupy Atlantic street
was granted by the corporation to the Jamaica Railroad
Company; and this, we may add, proved an unfortunate
bone of contention, until the change of terminus in
1861.
1835. In January, the project of purchasing the low
grounds at the Wallabout for a city park received a fav-
orable report from a committee of the corporation.
During this year speculation in real-estate reached
its culminating point. Eight acres of the Jacob Bergen
farm were sold at $1,000 per acre, and the real-estate of
Samuel Jackson, deceased, brought $570,000.
Jonathan Trotter was elected mayor in May, by the
board of aldermen.
Hon: Jonathan Teotter, born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
England, in 1797, emigrated to this country in 1818, and be-
gan business in Roosevelt street, New York city, as a morocco
dresser. Subsequently his business was in Ferry street. In
1826 he built an extensive factory for the dressing of leather,
in Stanton street, near Gold, now the 5th Ward, Brooklyn ;
and, a few years after, in 1829, became a resident here ; was
very successful, and became a very prominent citizen of the
village of Brooklyn. His residence was in Bridge street, be-
tween Tillary and €hapel. In 1834, under the new city char-
ter, then a village trustee, was elected alderman of the 4th
Ward. In May, 1835, Mr. Trotter was chosen mayor, and
re-elected in 1836, and held the office until May, 1837. While
mayor he laid the corner-stone of the City Hall, as originally
planned, on the 28th of April, 1836. During his term, also.
Myrtle avenue was opened, and extensive anangements were
made for opening up the outlying portions of the city. In
1837 Mr. Trotter was among those unfortunates who were
caught with outspread sails, when the great financial storm
burst upon the country, and went down from wealth to a
very moderate competence. He returned to New York, in
1840, and re-established himself there, but never again was
enabled to assume a prominent position in either politics or
business. His death, April 5th, 1865, closed a long life of
earnest work, in which was permanently developed a good,
courteous, practical manhood. Mr. Trotter was the first presi-
dent of the Atlantic Bank of Brooklyn, and, at one time, vice-
president of the Leather Manufacturers' Bank of New York.
The small-pox again visited the city, and the poor
were gratuitously vaccinated.
In September, Fulton street, from Front street to
Water street, was widened by the demolition of the
buildings on the east side. >
The population of the city was found to be 24,310,
a gain of 9,015 in fifteen years.
The close of this year found a City Hall in process
of erection, the Lyceum building nearly completed, the
Jamaica railroad finished, and several boats almost
ready for use on the new South ferry.
1836. A permanent water-line for the city was
reported, in January, by General J. G. Swift, and was
afterward adopted by the city authorities ; but all records
and documents concerning this line suddenly disap-
peared from the ofBce of the Common Council; and, in
their anxiety to extend lots into the water, people made
encroachments beyond that line.
The Apprentices Library (subsequently known as
the City Buildings) was this year purchased by the city.
Its site was afterward occupied by the City Armory.
The corner-stone of the new City Hall was laid on
the 20th of April. The sanguine spirit of speculation
and extravagance, which prevailed at that time, led to
the planning of this building on a magnificent scale.
Unfortunately for the pride of Brooklyn, yet perhaps
a blessing in disguise, the walls of this ambitious struct-
ure were suddenly arrested, when they had scarcely risen
above their foundations, by the lack of means conse-
quent upon the severe commercial revulsions of 1836-7.
And when, after ten years of jDatient waiting, they began
to rise towards completion, it was on a reduced scale of
architectural grandeur, and consequently at a much
diminished rate of expense.
The corner-stone of the City Jail, in Raymond street,
near Fort Greene, was laid, and the Brooklyn Lyceum
was completed and occupied, and during the following
year was furnished with a reading-room, library, and
museum.
Jonathan Trotter was re-elected mayor, in May of
this year, by the board of aldermen.
1837. In May General Jeremiah Johnson was elected
mayor by the board of aldermen.
Jeremiah Johnson, aptly styled "Brooklyn's first and
foremost citizen,'' was a descendant, in the fourth generation,
of Jan Barentsen Van Briest, who came, in 1657, from Zut-
phen in Guelderland, and settled at Gravesend. His father,
Barnet Johnson, born in 1740, was distinguished as an active
148
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
patriot during the Revolutionary straggle. He was encamped,
in command of a portion of the Kings county militia, at Har-
lem, in 1776, and in the following year was captured by the
British, and only obtained his parole (from Gen. Howe)
through the kind interposition of a masonic brother. In or-
der to help on the cause to which he was devoted he shrank
not from personal and pecuniary risks, but suggested loans
from friends in his county to the American government; and
himself set the example by loaning, first £700, and afterward
sums amounting to $5,000, all the security for which was a
simple private receipt, given, too, in times of exceeding peril
and discouragement— a noble and memorable deed. Jere-
miah, his son, was born January 33, 1766 ; was, at the time of
the breaking out of the war, in his eleventh year, and old
enough to understand the full meaning of passing events.
That these stirring scenes made an indelible impression upon
his mind and character is evident from the fact that his
reminiscences, descriptions, maps, etc., have since formed
the largest and certainly the most valuable portion of the
Revolutionary lore of Kings county handed dovm to our
day, and has been largely drawn upon by every local and
general historian of Long Island. His father dying before
the peace, young Johnson was thrown the more upon him-
self ; and, though the times were very unfavorable to regu-
lar education, he improved his opportunities as he was able ;
attended night schools ; taught himself, and gradually disci-
plined and developed the elements of a manly, self-made and
self-reliant character. Then, as a good, quiet citizen, he
lived upon his farm in faithful industry ; married (1) Abigail,
daughter of Rem. Remsen, in 1787, who died in 1788 ; (2),
Sarah, daughter of Teunis Rapalye, in 1791, who died in 1825.
He had ten children (two sons, Barnet and Jeromus; and two
daughters, Sarah Anne, married to Nicholas Wyckoff, and
Susanna, married to Lambert Wyckoff), all of whom well
sustain the paternal reputation of benevolence and useful-
ness, patronizing every worthy cause. The old homestead
was taken down and the fine substantial mansion, now occu-
pied by the family, was erected near the same spot, in 1801.
In 1796 he became a trustee of the town of Brooklyn, an
office which he held for twenty years. Naturally of a social
turn, of benevolent impulses, and public-spirited withal, and
from his very character, position and associations, he be-
came early connected with public afifairs. From 1800 until
about 1840 he was a supervisor of the town, during a large
portion of which time he was chairman of the board. In
1808, and in 1809, he represented Kings county in the State
Assembly. He took an active part, also, in military matters.
During the war with Great Britain, from 1312 to 1815, he was
at first only a junior captain ; but, when one was solicited to
go out in command on the frontier, others declining, he vol-
unteered for a dangerous duty, and so took precedence by
consent, and early became colonel. Meanwhile he was very
active in military affairs, and held himself ready at call.
He was then honored with a brigadier-genei-al's'commission,
and was in the command (of the 22d Brigade of Infantry,
numbering 1,750 men) at Fort Greene, in Brooklyn, for three
months. Whilst there he was conspicuous for his soldier-like
ability ; proved himself an excellent disciplinarian ; and was
a great favorite with officers and privates. He was fortunate
as well, for, in that three months' time, no one of his soldiers
died. After the peace he was promoted to be a major-gen-
eral, an office which he held during his life, though not in
actual command of a division. When (in 1816) Brooklyn
became a village his residence was left outside of the village
bounds, and, of course, he could not (except by his own in-
fluence in a private capacity, which he ever largely exer-
cised) participate in its public affairs ; but, in 1835, the City
Charter was obtained, and the bounds included the 8th and
9th wards, which brought his home again within the lines.
In 1837 he was elected mayor of the city of Brooklyn, and
re-elected in 1838 and 1839. As a public officer he was faith-
ful, prompt and indefatigable, while his punctuality was
proverbial. In 1840, and again in 1841, he was elected again a
member of the State Legislature. At one time, also, he was
judge of the Common Pleas. In 1848 he was chosen the first
president of the St. Nicholas Society of Nassau Island, an
office which he held until his death. In 1849 he was unani-
mously elected an honorary member of the American Insti-
tute (having been a member since 1836), and at the time of
his death was chairman of its board of agriculture. As
chairman of this committee he was quite active in urging to
its final passage the act for the encouragement of agriculture
in the State of New York. Besides all these there was hardly
an occasional or incidental duty in the business of agricul-
ture, of education, of improvements, of reference, of man-
agement, to which he was not summoned, by reason of his
business capacity and experience, as well as the reputation
and high confidence he maintained amidst the community.
He made no pretensions to literature, and seldom wrote any-
thing for the public eye ; he nevertheless wielded an efficient
pen, when his feelings were aroused, or his sense of justice,
and propriety were violated by official malpractices, or the
wrong-doing of others. He was fond of putting down mem-
oranda and scraps of history, and interesting facts which his
observation and experience had gathered ; though in an in-
cidental way, rather as materials for a more labored attempt.
Well acquainted with the language of Holland, he was fond
of making translations from its writers ; as, for example, his
excellent translation of Von der DonKs History of New
Netherland. Indeed, there has not been an author meditat-
ing a work upon Long Island, or publishing one, who has
not conferred with General Jeremiah Johnson, or who has
not borrowed and used his communications and his notes,
and made grateful mention of him and his assistance. He
was a modest, consistent, obedient, habitual, conforming
Christian. He belonged to the old Dutch Reformed congre-
gation, in Brooklyn. In that congregation for fifty years he
was a communicant ; and a standing member of the consist-
ory, in and out, alternating, according to the parish method,
continually ; and the clerk of its consistory for forty years,
until his resignation in 1848. Gen. Johnson was remarkably
active, prompt, decided ; never idle ; of indefatigable indus-
try ; kindly to all, warm-hearted and affectionate ; generous
in all his instincts, sympathizing with the young. He was
of a social, genial mood ; was fond of his pipe, even to the
last, and handled it from his seventeenth year to within a
quarter of an hour of his death. He was fond of his gun, of
walking, and of manly exercise ; from youth up an early
riser, and early to bed. His free, easy, unreserved manners,
made him ever a welcome and delightful guest. He could
give information upon the gravest and most important
themes ; he could sympathize with the most common. If
there was an ancient tree, or stump, connected with some
memorial of the past, he knew of it, and he was the one to
mark it by a monumental stone. His perception was quick
and clear, and his tact admirable ; and well nigh to the last,
his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated, and his
voice continued full and strong. His death, which occurred
on the 20th of October, 1852, was in harmony with his life
— calm, trustful and serene — and caused a wide-spread
and profound sensation of sorrow throughout the city of
Brooklyn.
May. The three banks of the city, in accordance
with the advice of a public meeting of citizens, sua-
THE FIMST CITY OF BROOKLYN, ISS^-ISS^.
149
pended specie payment. It was a season of great
pressure in the money-market, and small bills or shin-
plasters, issued by corporations and individuals, were
extensively circulated.
1838. General Johnson was re-elected Mayor of
Brooklyn. The year proved a very dull one for the
city, in which business was prostrate, because of the
financial crash of the previous year.
Greenwood Cemetery was this year incorporated as a
joint-stock company, and in April, 1839, was incorpor-
ated as an association of lot-owners.
1839. Cyrus P. Smith, Esq., was chosen mayor by the
. aldermen.
Cykxis Porter Smith, born at Hanover, N. H., April 5th,
1800, spent his boyhood on his father's farm. Later, by
teaching district-schools every winter, from his eighteenth
year, he paid his way through college, graduating from
Dartmouth in 1824, with honor. He then commenced the
study of law with chief -justice Williams, in Hartford, Conn.,
and was admitted to practice in 1827. Locating in Brooklyn,
he connected himself with Dr. Cox's (Presbyterian) church,
of which he was chorister from that date until 1859. In 1828
he began to come into notice as an active Whig, in the Jack-
son presidential campaign; from 1838 to '35 was clerk of the
village board of trustees; corporation counsel of the new city
1835 to 1839, enjoying, meanwhile, a fine legal practice.
Chosen (the fourth) Mayor of Brooklyn by the Board of Al-
dermen in 1839; he was re-elected by the people in 1840, and
held office until 1842. In 1836 and '37 he was supervisor, and
city alderman in 1848. He was deeply interested in public
education, the whole system of Brooklyn's public schools
being put into operation during his thirty years' connection
with the Board of Education, twenty-one of which he was
its president. In 1856 and '57 he represented the city in the
State Senate, holding the chairmanship of the committees
on commerce and navigation. At an early date he became
one of the associates of the Union Ferry Co., of which,
from 1855 to the time of his death, he was managing di-
rector, superintending its vast interests with rare skill and
fideUty. In January, 1869, he became acting president of
the Brooklyn City R. R. Co. ; nor must it be forgotten that,
in 1839, during his first year of Mayoralty, in connection with
Gen. Robert Nichols, he founded the City Hospital. He is
further mentioned in Chapter on Bench and Bar.
This year was memorable for the completion of
the labors of the commission, which had been appointed
in 1836, for laying out the city. These commissioners
were Samuel Cheever, Isaiah Tiffany, and Alonzo G.
Hammond. Fulton and South ferries were this year
consolidated.
1840. April 14th. The first election of the mayor
by the people, in conformity with an act of the legis-
lature, resulted in the choice of Cyrus P. Smith, Esq.
The city of Brooklyn, at this time, covered a district
of twelve miles square, having a population of 30,000;
thirty-five miles of regulated, paved and lighted streets;
two markets; a large police; an efiicient fire-department,
a good government; twenty-three churches; three banks,
whose united capital was 11,000,000; one savings-bank;
two lyceums (one for apprentices, the other at the Navy-
y^rd);good schools; libraries, etc.
The Atlantic Dock Company was this year incorpor-
ated, with a capital of $1,000,000.
1841. Mr. Smith was re-elected mayor. In this year
the Brooklyn Eagle was established.
1842. Henry C. Murphy was chosen mayor. His
biography will be found in our chapter on The Bench
and Bar. The grounds occupied by Greenwood Ceme •
tery were purchased, and several churches were estab-
lished.
1843. At the charter election, Joseph Sprague
(democrat) was chosen mayor.
Joseph Sprague, bom in Leicester, Mass., 1783, was the
son of a wealthy farmer; at the age of twenty-one he became
clerk in a wholesale store at Boston. Two years after he
commenced, on loaned money, as a country merchant, but
the unsettled condition of business, arising from the Euro-
pean war, rendered the effort unsuccessful. He sold out,
paid his debts, and occupied his temporary leisure in enlarg-
ing his education at Leicester Academy. Next he tried farm-
ing, on a small farm given him by his father; but soon real-
izing that this was not his forte, sold out, and invested the
proceeds in wire cards for carding wool and cotton, with
which, in 1809, he came to New York. There he immedi-
ately engaged as school-teacher, quickly disposing also of
his little stock of cards. Two years later (1811) he married
into the De Bevoise family, of Bedford, and for several years
thereafter resided partly in Bedford and partly at New York.
The war of 18 1 2 increased the demand for domestic manufact-
ures, and woolen cards rose to an unprecedented price. His
father and brothers established a card-factory at Leicester,
and he managed their sales in New York city, with varying
profit, for some years. In 1819 he purchased a home in
Brooklyn (now 115 Fulton street); in 1822 he was one of the
founders of the First Presbyterian Church; in 1823 his per-
sonal efforts at Albany secured a charter for the Long Island
Bank, and the Brooklyn Fire Insurance Co. In 1825 he was
chosen a village trustee, and, in 1827, its president, being re-
elected annually until 1832, when, worn down with his ard-
uous duties during the cholera season, he was superseded by
George Hall. In 1826, with Col. Alden J. Spooner, he secured
Fort Greene for the village. In 1833 he was the means of
procuring a city charter for Brooklyn; and became, 1834, first
president of the Long Island Insurance Co., holding the office
for ten years. During this time speculation and politics ran
high, and he had to contend persistently against the making
of loans on property, then rated far above its normal value,
for which action he was often soundly berated. But the fi-
nancial crash of '37 proved his sagacity, inasmuch as, through
his foresight and caution, the capital of the company
(1200,000) was saved entire. In 1834 the Brooklyn Bank went
into operation, but received a severe blow in the dishonesty
of its first teller. It was, however, upheld by the exertions
of several individuals, among whom Mr. Sprague was con-
spicuous. In 1843 he was elected Mayor of the city of Brook-
lyn, and again in 1844, over George Hall (temperance candi-
date), and Hon. William Rockwell (whig). During his first
term the whig members of the common council refused to
attend the meetings of the board, whereupon Mayor Sprague
had them arrested upon the charge of misdemeanor in the
neglect of public business, and compelled their obedience.
In 1848 he was one of the foremost advocates for the opening
of Washington Park on Fort Greene. He was repeatedly,
and as late as 1851, a member of the board of supervisors, al-
ways commanding a large amount of influence. He was one
the most zealous and efficient members of the board of con-
150
SISTOBT OF KINGS GOUJSTTT.
solidation which perfected the plan of union between Brook-
lyn, WiUiamsburgh and Bushwick, and, also, chairman of
of the police committee in that body. He was, at the time
of his death, a director of the Mechanics Bank, a member of
Hohenlinden Lodge of F. and A. Masons, and for many
years Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of the State. Ren-
dered independent by the industry of his earlier years,
crowned with the esteem of his feUow-citizens, and occupied
in the duties of the many offices of trust and honor which
they conferred upon him, he passed pleasantly and gently
down the vale of years. In politics he never allowed his
consciehce to become subservient to the claims of party. In
his public duties he was rigidly honest, evincing a firm de-
termination to have every department of the municipal gov-
ernment carried out with efficiency and economy ; and,
while these duties fully occupied his days, his own work, in
his factory, was performed at night. As a Christian he was
a most sincere believer in the truth and mercy of God, and
a humble and conscientious follower of his word. Life closed
to him on the morning of the 12th of December, 1854, in the
seventy-second year of his age. The universal expression of
sorrow, which was heard on every hand, testified to the re-
spect which was felt for his public services, and his eminent
personal character.
A bill was prepared and presented to the legislature
during this year, by the Common Council of New York,
for taxing the property of citizens of Brooklyn doing
business in that city. Against the passage of this
law the Common Council of Brooklyn remonstrated.
A line of omnibuses was established, in September of
this year, between Fulton Ferry and East Brooklyn.
From a report made to the Common Council (in Jan-
uary, 1844), it appears that the whole number of build-
ings erected and in process of erection during the year
1843, was 570. These buildings were chiefly of brick,
and stores were in seventy-five of them. Fourteen were
in the places of buildings destroyed by fire, and four
were church edifices.
1844. Joseph Sprague was re-elected mayor, over
two opposing candidates.
April 4tli was rendered memorable by a riot
between the native Americans and the Irish in the
neighborhood of Dean and Court and Wyckoff streets.
The disturbance was finally quelled, but two compa-
nies of uniformed militia were kept under arms during
the night, and the public feeling continued in an ex-
cited state for some time thereafter.
On the twenty-fourth of May the corner-stone of the
Long Island Railroad tunnel was laid, and the tunnel
was opened for travel on the third of the following
December.
1845. The ferry question, and the establishment of
a permanent city hospital, were, at this time, the
leading topics of interest and public discussion among
the citizens of Brooklyn : resulting in the passage of an
act (May 14), vesting the power of granting ferry-leases
in an independent board of commissioners; and the incor-
pol-ation (May 8th) of the Brooklyn City Hospital.
• April 8. The charter-election resulted in the choice
of Thos. G. Talmadge (democrat) for mayor.
Thomas Goin Talmadge, bom in Somerset, N. J., in 1801,
came, in 1819, to New York city, where he became a clerk in
the mercantile establishment of Mr. Abraham Van Nest, and
from 1833 to 1836 was engaged in the wholesale grocery busi-
ness. In 1823 he married a sister of Hon. Jacob W. Miller,
United States Senator from New York, who died in 1884; and,
in 1835, he married a daughter of Cornelius Van Brunt, of
Brooklyn. In 1836 he was a foremost supporter of Van Bu-
ren, and was elected a representative from New York city,
in the State legislature. From 1888 to 1839 he was a member
of the New York Common Council, and at one time, presi-
dent of the board of aldermen of that city. In 1840 he be-
came a citizen of Brooklyn, and, at once took a prominent
position in public life, from 1843 to 1848 representing the 8th
ward, and from 1844 to 1845 the 6th ward, in the board of
aldermen of that city. From 1845 to 1846 he was (democratic)
Mayor of Brooklyn, and, in 1846, was appointed judge of the
county court by Gov. Wright. In 1848 (his second wife hav-
ing died in 184a) he married the youngest daughter of Judge
Teunis Joralemon, of Brooklyn. In 1845 he was appointed
by Gov. Bouck, and without his previous knowledge, as Loan
Commissioner of the United States Deposit Fund, for Kings
county, and, in 1858, became the president of the Broadway
Eail Road Co. of Brooklyn. He was, also, a member of the
Chamber of Commerce. During his mayoralty the new City
Hall was erected, and the 8th ward (Gowanus), to which he
removed after his third marriage, was much indebted to his
enterprise in developing its progress and growth — the Third
avenue being the first one opened, about 1840, along the bay,
and the second one being the Fifth avenue, both of which
passed through the Van Brunt and Talmadge farms. Build-
ings soon commenced in that vicinity, and its subsequent
growth was rapid. He was a politician of the old school,
latterly a National Democrat and chairman of the Demo-
cratic National General Committee. Upright and sincere in
his dealings, dignified and courteous in bearing, he held the
esteem of all who knew him. He died May 4th, 1863.
A line of omnibuses was established, in July, be-
sween Fulton and South ferries, by George Van Brunt.
1846 and 1847. Francis Stryker (whig) was elected
mayor of the city, April 14, 1846.
Francis Burdett Stryker, son of Burdett Stryker, was
born in Brooklyn, December 11th, 1811, and was educated,
partly at the primary department of Erasmus Hall, at Flat-
bush, and partly by other teachers in his native village. At
the age of fourteen, shortly after his father's death, he be-
came an apprentice to Jeremiah Wells, carpenter, doing busi-
ness in Poplar, between Henry and Hicks streets, who was,
also, at that time, the chief-engineer of the village fire-de-
partment. Having served his time, he continued at his trade
as a journeyman until 1838, when he was elected one of the
three tax-collectors of the city. In April, 1839, he commenced
working at his trade for his brother Burdett, until, in 1840,
he was chosen sheriff (on the whig ticket), serving for three
years; returning then to his trade in his brother's employ.
While thus working as journeyman, at twelve shillings per
day, in the spring of 1846, he received the whig nomination
for mayor, to which office he was elected over the then in-
cumbent (T. G. Talmadge), and re-elected the next year, 1847,
(against Thos. J. Gerald), and the year following, 1848,
(against Wm. Jenkins). During the first term of his mayor-
alty the only noticeable event was the purchase and erection
of Washington Park (Fort Greene) as a public park. In Jan-
uary, 1847, the ship-fever broke out in Hudson avenue, near
Tillary street, having been imported by a ship-load of Irish
emigrants, and continued to rage in that and other locahties.
THE FIRST CITY OF BROOKLYN', 183^-186^.
151
in the 1st, 2d, 5th and 6th wards, during 1847 and 1848.
Though the mayor and the board of aldermen, at this time,
constituted the board of health, Mr. Stryker did not call them
together officially to act upon the matter, not deeming it best
to arouse any alarm in the public mind, or to raise any ques-
tions as to the legal pi-opriety of making appropriations for
the sick. Calling into practice the lessons of active practical
benevolence, which he had learned from his father in the
earlier epidemics which visited the village, he took upon him-
self the burden of personal visitation, superintendence and
relief of the sick and dying. Unsupported by the medical
faculty, who, indeed, dissuaded him from exposing himself
to contagion, Mr. Stryker, during the long continuance of
this epidemic, unremittingly visited the sick, watched with
them, cared for them, defrayed all expenses from his own
pocket, so that no costs accrued to the city; and, aided only
by voluntary exertions of William Hewitt (then one of the
street inspectors), and Staats Dawson (mayor's marshal),
carried on in his own person aU the functions of a health
board. In the cholera season of 1849, during the term of his
successor, Mayor Copeland, Mr. Stryker devoted himself
largely to the relief of the sick, and in the fall of that year
was elected county-clerk (on the whig ticket), which office
he held for a three-year term. In 1860 he received from the
commissioners the position of superintendent of sewers.
These years were not rendered memorable by any
unusual events. The steady growth of the city con-
tinued, churches, societies and industries were estab-
lished, and tbe march of improvement kept its regular
pace.
1848. In March gas was for the first time intro-
duced into Brooklyn.
July 4th was rendered memorable in the annals of
Brooklyn, by the munificence of its venerable and
worthy citizen, Augustus Graham. The Brooklyn City
Hospital, sorely crippled by lack of means, and strug-
gling wearily against the apathy of the public, was
unexpectedly placed upon a permanent foundation by
a donation, from Mr. Graham, of bonds and mortgages
amounting to $25,000 ; and the Brooklyn Institute was
endowed with the ownership of the elegant granite
building, in Washington street, which had been origi-
nally erected for the Brooklyn Lyceum.
August '8. The Cypress Sills Cemetery was incor-
porated under the general cemetery act.
The principal event of the year was the disastrous
conflagration of the 9th of September, which is still
remembered, and spoken of as the great fire of Brook-
lyn. Three church edifices (the First Universalist,
Baptist, and the Sands street Methodist-Episcopal);
two newspaper ofli-ces (the Star and Freeman) ; and
the post-oifioe building, were burned in this great con-
flagration, which was finally only stopped by blowing
up several buildings (by marines from the U. S. Navy-
yard), and which devastated a thickly-settled part of
the city, of several acres in extent, and destroyed
property to the amount of $1,500,000. The accom-
panying map shows the area over which this conflagra-
tion swept.
Serious as was the calamity which thus befell this
young and growing city, it afforded but another op-
portunity of developing that peculiar elasticity of the
Map of BtTBiTED District, 1848.
American mind and character, which not only leads to
the inception of great undertakings, but enables it to
surmount all obstacles and every disaster. Scarcely
had the ruins ceased to smoke before the burned district
became the scene of the busiest activity. New buildings
were erected. Fulton street was widened by setting
back the building-line, on the west side, from Henry to
Middagh streets ; and, on the east side, from Sands to
Concord streets; and in every direction were seen the
well-directed labors of citizens to retrieve their losses.
In November of this year the idea of a union between
the two cities of Williamshurgh and JBrooklyn appears
to have been, for the first time, broached. A meeting
of the citizens of the former place was held, at which
the subject was discussed ; but, aside from some news-
paper sparring, it seems to have been unproductive of
result.
The benefits accruing to that portion of the city,
known as South Brooklyn, from the erection of the
Atlantic docks, began to make themselves apparent, in
the rapid progress, and increase of population, in that
vicinity. In March, 1848, Mr. Daniel Richards, the
originator of that magnificent enterprise, petitioned the
common council for permission to open thirty-five
streets in its immediate vicinity. During this year and
the next, a plan was also devised by Mr. Richards and
others, and received the legislative approbation, for the
construction of a large navigable canal, from Gowanus
bay to Douglass street, through the centre of the mead-
ows, into which the sewers from the elevated ground
on either side should empty. It was to be five feet
deep below low- water mark, four feet above high-water
mark, 100 feet in width, and 5,400 feet (or about a
mile) in length, draining some 1,700 acres of land in
the southern part of the city.
The great object to be attained by this improve-
ment wg,s the removal of the marsh-miasma which
hung about Prospect hill, and other portions of the city,
making them liable to intermittent fevers and other
diseases, and thus shutting them out from improve-
152
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
ment ; also to lay the lands open to use, and to render
that portion of the city valuable for commercial and
mechanical purposes. The estimated expense of this
canal was $78,600, and at its termination it was proposed
to construct a large basin for vessels, costing $8,000
additional. Other basins, along the course of the canal,
were to be erected by private enterprise, furnishing
large and ample depots for timber, coal, lime, cement,
brick, etc.
These liberal provisions and plans so stimulated the
growth of Brooklyn that, during 1848 and '49, it was
estimated that no less than 2,100 buildings had been
erected, 700 of which were in the Sixth ward, or South
Brooklyn.
1849. April. Edward Copeland was elected mayor.
Edward Copeland commenced business in Brooklyn, as
a retail grocer, on the corner of Front and Main streets. He
was a graduate of Columbia College, and first introduced to
public notice by his efforts and speeches in aid of the Greek
and Polish revolutions, in the years 1828 and 1830. He be-
came a member of the village board of trustees in 1832, and
established so fair a reputation as to induce his fellow-citi-
zens to tender to him the presidency of the village, in 1833 ;
and a nomination to Congress, in 1834, which, however, he
declined. In 1844, he was elected city-clerk, without solici-
tation on his part, and by the special request of the whig
and native American members of the common council. To
this oi£ce he was re-elected in 1847 and 1848. In the mayoralty
to which he was called in 1849 he carried the same urbanity,
dignity, decision and careful attention to the details of official
business. As a scholar, especially in polite litera.ture, few in
our city surpassed him in varied acquirements. Through his
oifloial papers, and in his frequent contributions to literature
and science, he fully sustained this reputation ; while he was
a most pleasing speaker, polished and winning in manner, of
an eminently social disposition, liberal, accessible at all
times and by all persons ; and in habits, refined and unosten-
tatious. As chairman of the Whig General Committee he
was largely instrumental in contributing to the success of
1837, '38, '39 and '40 ; and, as a judge of the Municipal Court,
from 1839 to 1840, aided by such men as Judges Eames and
Rushmore, he gave to that tribunal a degree of force and
dignity which made it everywhere respected. He was, for
many years, a member of the Board of Education, aiding
powerfully by his efllorts and influence to give character and
efficiency to the system of public instruction, and to establish
the reputation of the board. He died June 18, 1859.
The corner-stone of the United States Dry Dock was
laid on the 4th of July in this year. The Cemetery of
the Evergreens was also organized and incorporated.
The idea of connecting Brooklyn with New York by
means of a bridge was not only broached, but seriously
discussed, in public, and in the New York papers. The
Tribune thus expressed itself, " The bridge is the great
event of the day. New York and Brooklyn must be
united, and there is no other means of doing it. The
thing will certainly be achieved one of these days, and
the sooner the better." Among other plans was one
of a floating-bridge, with draw, etc.
The principal event of this year was the visitation of
that dreadful scourge of the humanrace, the epidemic
cholera. It appeared in Brooklyn on the 26th of May
1849, from which time it prevailed here until the 22d
of September. During this period there were 642
deaths, being in a ratio to the population (100,000) of
one in every 155 persons. In New York, during the
same period, with a population of 425,000, there were
4,957 deaths, being a ratio of 1 to every 86 persons.
This epidemic commenced in Court street, and was
not confined to any particular part of the city, although
nearly four-fifths were in different, well-defined locah-
ties, in the neighborhood of Hoyt, Bond, Butler, Doug-
lass streets ; Blake's buildings. State street ; Furman
and Columbia ; Squire's buildings in Hicks, near Paci-
fic street ; Hall's alley, Furman street ; Clark's build-
ings, Kelsey's alley, Hamilton avenue and Columbia
street. These localities were in the neighborhood of
low ground and stagnant water, or where the filth was
abundant, and were too crowded, being occupied by a
population at least one-half or one-third larger than
was consistent with either comfort or health.
Of the victims of this epidemic, a large portion were
intemperate; and, among those who were temperate, the
attack could, in almost every instance, be traced to some
error or excess in diet.
1850. In July another disastrous fire occurred, sec-
ond in destructiveness only to the great fire of 1848,
It consumed several large storehouses on Furman
street, and destroyed property valued at not less than
$400,000. The most prominent feature of the fire was
the terrific explosion of a large quantity of saltpetre,
which was stored in one of the warehouses, and which
occasioned the utmost consternation, blowing one fire-
engine, and those who were working it, entirely off the
dock, into the water. Luckily, however, no lives were
lost.
In April Mr. Samuel Smith was chosen mayor, to
serve from May 1st until the close of the year, in ac-
cordance with an amendment to the city charter, which
made the term of this and the other municipal officers
commence with the civil year.
Samuel Smith was born at Huntington, L. I., in 1788.
His boyhood was spent upon his father's farm ; and his edu-
cation was obtained at the Huntington Academy. In 1803 he
began to learn the cooper's trade, and in 1806 removed to the
village of Brooklyn. In 1809 he abandoned his trade ; and,
with Mr. Richard Bouton, hired the John Jackson place, and
went to farming. A year later they left this location and
hired "the Post farm " (which took in a portion of the pres-
ent Fort Greene). In 1811 Mr. Smith married Eliza, daugh-
ter of Judge Tunis Joralemon, and the next year purchased
the easterly portion of the Tunis G. Johnson farm, on the
southerly side of the Old Road (now Fulton avenue). For
this property, comprising nearly fourteen acres, he paid
$6,000 ; in 1815 added to it, by purchase, the southerly por-
tion of the original Johnson farm, about six acres, at $500
per acre ; and, in 1818, bought the remainder (bounded by
Red Hook lane, Schermerhorn street and a line one hundred
feet east of Smith street), eight acres, for the sum of $10,000.
Here he pursued the farming and milk business until about
1835, when he turned his attention exclusively to the im-
THE FIRST CITY OF BROOKLYN, 183Jf-185l
153
provement and sale of his real-estate, the value of which was
then fast increasing — with the rapid development of the vil-
lage. He managed his property with an ability and success
which made him very wealthy. He was commissioner of
highways and fence-viewer of the old town of Brooklyn
from 1821 to '35, and also in 1837, '33, '34 ; assessor from 1837
to 1830 inclusive ; justice of the peaceinl831, and for several
years thereafter ; supervisor for several years, and for two
years chairman of the board ; and was appointed (by the old
council of appointments) a county judge, going out of ser-
vice on the adoption of the new State constitution. He was
also one of the three County Superintendents of the Poor ;
and, in connection with his associates, David Johnson, of
Flatbush, and Michael Schoonmaker, he selected and pur-
chased the present county-farm at Flatbush, and erected
thereon buildings suitable, at that day, for the accommoda-
tion of the poor. Descended, as he was, from an old-fashioned
democratic family, Mr. Smith has always been found in the
ranks of that party. When the city of Brooklyn was char-
tered, in 1884, his farm was brought within the limits of the
Sixth ward (now cut up into the Sixth, Tenth and Twelfth
wards), which he represented in the board of aldermen from
1884 to 1888, from 1843 to 1844, and 1845 to 1846, a portion of the
time as president of the board. In 1850 he was unanimously
elected mayor by a democratic naajority of three to four
hundred votes, over Mr. J. T. S. Stranahan ; also overcom-
ing the two thousand majority by which his predecessor, Mr.
Copeland, had distanced his competitor in the previous char-
tered election. As mayor, Mr. Smith always possessed the
confidence of the public as one who would deal with public
affairs justly and faithfully as with his own. He was
selected as a vigorous economist, endeavored to do his duty
to the best of his ability, and always commanded the respect
and confidence of the better classes. At the time of the war
of 1818, Mr. Smith was a member of the mihtia-company
known as the Washington Fusileers, and served a while in
camp on Fort Greene. After the war he was commissioned
ensign in the 44th (Col. Joseph Dean's) Regiment, and subse-
quently was promoted to a captaincy in the same. He wor-
shipped with the congregation occupying the old Dutch
church, and, in 1830, he became a member of that com-
munion. Mr. Smith was, for a considerable portion of his
life, identified with the inception and interests of the princi-
pal moneyed institutions of Brooklyn, having been a director
of the Brooklyn Bank ; a director, and, for two years, presi-
dent of the Atlantic Bank ; an original incorporator of the
Nassau Insurance Company, and a director in the Mechanics
Insurance and Home Life Insurance Companies. Mr. Smith
died May 19, 1873.
1851. With this year began the mayoralty of
Conklin Brush, who served during two years.
CoNKLlN Brush commenced business in the city of New
York, at the close of the war of 1813, and, with no
resources but a good character, and remarkable business
tact and energy, he very rapidly acquired the reputation
of a safe and successful merchant. From 1816 to 1840,
embracing all the periods of great commercial disaster,
he was at the head of nine successful mercantile firms, no
one of which ever failed, and all of which were highly pros-
perous. Mr. Brush came to Brooklyn m 1837. His services
were eagerly sought by the Brooklyn people of that day, and
he served in the board of trustees in 1830 ; and in the com-
mon council from 1834 to 1835, serving as president of the
board. When he retired from the presidency, he received a
unanimous vote of thanks for the manner in which he had
filled the office. Mr. Brush took an active part in every lead-
ing public measure which has advanced the growth and pros-
perity of Brooklyn. When he moved to Brooklyn theie
was not a public lamp in the village. In 183'2 he took meas-
ures to place them in Hicks and Willow streets, and since
then they have been gradually extended so as to light all the
populous quarters of the city. In 1834 he was chairman of a
citizens' committee, which secured for Brooklyn, against the
opposition of New York, the establishment of the South (or
Atlantic) ferry. He also led the movemtnt to widen Fulton
street, telcw its junction with Main street, against a most
violent opposition. Mr. Brush was appointed, by a public
meeting of citizens, on a committee to select and secure a
site for a City Hall. They obtained the site on which the
City Hall now stands, and proposed the erection of a hall
substantially like the present building, to cost about $1C0,-
000. Unfortunately, other counsels prevailed, and a building
to cost from a half to three-quarters of a million was planned
and commenced under a democratic majority in the common
council — an egregious blunder which finally resulted in a
ten years' delay in the erection of this much-needed public
edifice ; and, what was worse, in the formation of nearly
one-half of the debt which subsequently burdened the city of
Brooklyn. To Mr. Brush, also, in connection with Mr.
Daniel Richards, Brooklyn is indebted for the projection and
inception of the great Atlantic docks, which was incorpor-
ated in 1840, and of which company he was a director, dur-
ing some six years. In 1848 he erected a grain-elevator and
several stores connected therewith. In the fall of 1850 Mr.
Brush was elected by the whig party as mayor over John
Rice (democratic), and George Hall (independent). He
served as mayor during 1851 and 1853. The city never had a
mayor better versed in all the details of thorough practical
service. His perfect familiarity with financial affairs secured
for him the confidence and support of the large property in-
terest, which sensitively requires all due knowledge and cau-
tion on the part of public servants. After the expiration of his
term of office he accepted the presidency of the Mechanics'
Bank of Brooklyn. By no means least, among the many im-
portant services which he rendered to the city, was his con-
nection, from the first, with the great movement for procur-
ing a supply of water ; his valuable efforts having been pro-
perly recognized in his selection, by the mayor, as one of the
board of construction, of the water commissioners. He died
July 4, 1870.
That part of the city known as South JBrooMyn began
to make rapid strides in the development of commercial
resources, industries, and density of population, which
have since distinguished it. Sand-hills were levelled,
marshes were filled, streets were laid out, graded and
paved. Dwellings were erected, docks, piers and ware-
houses were established, and a great impetus was given
to the prosperity and growth of the region.
There were in Brooklyn, at this time, many distiller-
ies, rectifying estahlishments, etc., the annual products
of which added very considerably to the material
wealth and commercial prosperity of the city.
The combined statistics of this branch of Brooklyn
industry showed that 6 distilleries, 3 rectifying estab-
lishments, and a brewery, employing altogether 179
persons, and consuming grain and fuel to the value of
$993,300 annually, produced during the same period
5,459,300 gallons of whisky, valued at $1,364,825, be-
sides $40,000 worth of slops and swill. 2,964,000 gal-
154
HISTOnr OF KINGS COUNTY.
Ions of whisky were rectified and manufactured into
domestic liquors, pure spirits, etc.
At the same time there was also more white-lead
manufactured in Brooklyn than in any other city or
town in America (and probably as much as was made
in all parts of the United States), consuming nearly one-
third the product of all the then-existing lead-mines of
the country. The Brooklyn White Lead Works, loca-
ted in Front street, between Washington and Adams,
was the oldest in the city and State, and one of the old-
est in the country, having been established in 1822, and
incorporated in 1825, with a capital of $53,000, by J.
B. & Augustus Graham, and other enterprising capital-
ists. It occupied an entire block of 230 by 200 feet,
employing 90 men ; and producing annually 2,500 tons
of white-lead, red-lead, litharge, etc., valued at
$425,000.
The whole united product of the white-lead works
of Brooklyn, at this time, was from 6,000 to 12,000 tons
annually, and their united capital was over one million
of dollars.
The above statistics illustrate the rapidly-increasing
value and importance of the city at that period of its
existence.
July 1st. Not to be forgotton, also, in the annals of
Brooklyn, was the laying of the corner-stone of the Old
Ladies' Home, a charity which owed its inception, and
its subsequent perfect development, to the Christian
philanthropy and liberality of the late John B. Gra-
ham, Esq.
During this and the following year many churches,
benevolent associations, and business corporations, were
established. In January, 1852, the Brooklyn Athence-
um and Beading-room was incorporated ; aijd, during
the same year, an elegant and commodious edifice was
erected on the corner of Atlantic and Clinton streets,
for its occupancy.
1853. Edward C. Lambert was chosen mayor for
this and the succeeding year. In his communication
to the common council, on the 3d of January, he pre-
sented a summary of the progress of the city during
the year 1852. "Well may we rejoice," he says, " in
the increase of population, numbering at the present
time some 120,000, and ranking us as the seventh city
in our union: in the increase of taxable property,
amounting to nearly twelve millions of dollars during
the past year; and in the many improvements which
have taken place in various parts of the city, evidenc-
ing a solid and permanent growth." Fifteen schools
were mentioned as under the control of the board of
education, giving instruction to 18,307 scholars, while
two evening-schools had been opened, which were at-
tended by 809 scholars. Twenty-two miles of street
mains had been laid down by the Brooklyn Gas Com-
pany, being nearly half of the whole number put down
smce the formation of the company ; and 1,202 gas-
lamps had been erected. The number of buildings
erected during the year 1852 was 2,500. The move-
ment, first agitated in 1835, for the securing of a full
and permanent water-supply for Brooklyn, was this
year advanced by the investigations of Mr. Wm. J.
Mc Alpine, an engineer appointed, in 1851, to make the
necessary examinations; and his report and plans were
recommended by the mayor in his annual report.
Edwaed Augustus Lambert was born in the city of New
York, June 10th, 1813. His father, master of a merchant-
ship in the service of one of the old South street shipping-
houses, was lost at sea with his vessel ; and his son, from the
age of twelve years, was obliged to depend upon his own
efforts. As clerk, he served in an importing-house until 1832
entering then into the stationery -business. In 1849 he was
chosen on the democratic (free-soil) ticket, as alderman from
the Sixth ward of Brooklyn ; and, on the division of that
ward, in 1850, was elected alderman of the (new) Tenth ward
(formed from the Sixth), and was honored by the presidency
of the board. In November, 1853, he was elected, on the
democratic ticket, mayor of the city of Brooklyn, for the
years 1853 and '54. During the term of his mayoralty the
affairs of the city were administered with strict economy,
and the laws enforced with an impartiality and strictness
which secured the universal approbation of his fellow-citi-
zens ; while his personal devotion to all the duties of his sta-
tion, whether at or outside of the oflSce, was conspicuous.
During his term of ofiBce, charters were granted to, and
contracts made with, the horse-railroads which now form so
important an element of Brooklyn interests ; the introduc-
tion of a permanent supply of water was assured to the city,
by the purchase of ponds, etc. ; the Truant Children's Home
was established and the Sunday-law rigorously enforced to
the great satisfaction of all good citizens. In the spring of 1854
Mayor Lambert's health failed, under the pressure of his
official labors, and the common council granted his request
for a leave of absence. He accordingly spent about six weeks
ia Europe, and returning home, June the 1st, found the city
of Brooklyn in a state of excitement. Riots had broken out
between the Irish and parties affiliated with the Know-
Nothing party, and prompt and energetic measures were
required to suppress them. These measures were at once
adopted by Mayor Lambert, whose characteristic firmness,
decision and impartiality rendered him exactly the man for
the emergency ; and he was admirably seconded by the civil,
police and military force which he immediately summoned
to his aid. The power of the law, the rights of free speech
and the proprieties of the Sabbath were promptly and fully
vindicated.
During the war of the rebeUion Mr. Lambert was among
the first to promote volunteering, etc., and called the first
great war-meeting, on Fort Greene, in April, 1861. He was
also the recording-secretary and an active member of the
committee appointed by the citizens of Brooklyn, in June,
1863, to provide for the reception, care and relief of wounded
and sick soldiers forwarded from the field by government ;
and, when the great Sanitary Fair was organized uil864, was
chairman of the committee on benefits, entertainments and
exhibitions, in which capacity, as well as by his labors as a
member of the War Fund committee, he rendered most excel-
lent service.
Mr. Lambert has been, for many years, prominently identi-
fied with the Presbyterian denomination, as delegate to its
synods and treasurer of the Presbyterian committee of Home
Missions ; and was one of the most active and influential orig-
inal members of the Lafayette avenue Presbyterian church
THE FIRST CITY OF BROOKLYN, 18S4.-18B4.
155
(Rev. Dr. Cuyler's). He was at one time the president of the
Craftsman's Life Insurance Company, of New York city; and
is now engaged in the wholesale stationery business.
December lYth, 1853. The JBrooklyn City Railroad
Company was incorporated under the general law of
the State of New York, and set immediately to work
to lay the rails on the several routes designated by
their contract with the city authorities.
On the 20th of the same month, the Colonnade-row,
on the Heights, was destroyed by fire. It consisted of
eight four-story brick buildings, having on their fronts
large wooden columns and balustrades; and, being con-
spicuous from the river, were much noticed and ad-
mired, especially by strangers.
During the year, the common council, acting under
authority of the act passed June 19th, 1851, purchased
several streams and ponds of water on the island, at an
expense of some $44,000; and which sources, it was es-
timated, would furnish a sufficient quantity of water to
meet the wants of the city for a period of years, while
the quality of the water, for purity, was unsurpassed.
In June an act was passed, by the legislature, entitled
"An Act for the supply of the city of Brooklyn with
water;" which act required, that, before the adoption
of any plan, the same should be submitted to the elec-
tors for their approval. A special election was, there-
fore, held in the month of July, which resulted in the
rejection, by a majority of 3,700, of the plan proposed
by the common council. A strong opposition was found
to be arrayed against the plan, while many citizens, too
confident of the success of the undertaking, did not in-
terest themselves in its favor. As, however, the act
empowered the common council to submit other plans
and estimates, until an approval was obtained, this de-
feat was but a temporary delay to the progress of the
important and beneficent work of procuring a supply
of wholesome water for Brooklyn.
1854. In May, persons connected with the Bridge
Street Primitive Methodist church inaugurated public
religious exercises in the open air. These meetings
were disturbed by New York roughs, who came over
for that purpose; and, on Sunday, the 4th of June, a se-
rious riot occurred at the Main street ferry, as a party
of these roughs were about to embark on their return.
Sticks, stones and other missiles were hurled by the
crowd collected near the ferry, at the New Yorkers,
who, in return, fired on the crowd, wounding several
and killing one. Some damage was done to the ferry-
house and boat, but the mob was finally dispersed by
the police and military, and order was restored. No
subsequent disturbance occurred. The right of free
speech was vindicated, and street-preaching and ill-feel-
ing gradually subsided.
June. On the 13th the cholera made its appearance
in Plymouth and Pacific streets. It numbered 656 per-
sons among its victims, before the close of the season.
July. On the 3d of this month the cars of the
Brooklyn City Railroad Company made their first trips
over the Myrtle avenue, Flushing avenue and Fhdton
^street, and Fkdton avenue routes; their first paying
trips being made on the following day, the 4th. On
the Yth of August cars began to run over the Green-
wood route.
September 11th. Memorable in the educational his-
tory of Brooklyn, as marking the commencement of
the Packer Collegiate Institute for Girls, which super-
seded the former Brooklyn Female Academy.
As a counterpart to the Packer Institute, another
educational establishment, for boys, called the Brook-
lyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute, was incorpo-
rated during this same year.
In November was incorporated the Union Ferry
Company of Brooklyn, with a capital of $800,000.
This new corporation superseded the former Union
Perry Company, which had existed since 1851. There
were previously two associated companies: the New
York and Union Ferry Company, from 1839 to 1844,
and the Brooklyn Union Ferry Company, from 1844 to
1851.
On the 17th of April, of this year, the Legislature of
the State, three-fifths being present, had passed an
"Act to consolidate the cities of Brooklyn and Wil-
lianisburgh, and the town of Bushwick, into a munici-
pal government, and to incorporate the same^'' the said
act to take effect on the 1st of January, 1856. With
the last day of 1854, therefore, ended the history of
the First City of Brooklyn.
HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF GRAVESEND
Bt Rev.
A.M.
GEOGRAPHY, Topography, Soil, etc.— The
town of Gravesend, by age and position, is
wortliy a prominent place in the History of
Kings County.
Containing within its boundaries, probably the most
popular seaside resort in the country — viz.: Coney
Island — it has assumed of late an importance entirely
unknown to the first two hundred and thirty years of
its existence.
It is triangular in form, its base resting upon the
Atlantic Ocean on the south, its apex adjoining Flatbush
on the north, and is bounded east by the town of
Flatlands, and west by New Utrecht.
Its nearness to two of the largest commercial cen-
tres in America promises, in the near future, a growth
vastly more rapid than during any period of its past
history ; while its healthful climate, and present rapid-
transit accommodations, will doiibtless render it an
attractive place of residence for the business men of
New York and Brooklyn.
It occupies the most southerly portion of Kings
county, and is some seven miles from Fulton ferry ;
while its northern boundary is only about two miles
from the southern city limits of Brooklyn.
Its surface is mostly level, yet with a suiEcient slope
towards the sea to make possible a complete system of
drainage.
The soil, though somewhat light and sandy, is yet
very productive ; and, with careful tillage and gener-
ous fertilizing, will, under favorable circumstances,
produce two fair crops.
The climate is remarkably healthful and agreeable.
The inhabitants are rarely, if ever, exposed to any
dangerous epidemic, and notable longevity is the rule
rather than the exception.
The atmosphere is so modified by the influence of the
sea that the temperature is usually cooler in summer
and warmer in winter, by several degrees, than we find
it further inland. The weather must be extremely
cold for the mercury to fall below zero ; while, in
summer, the cooling, delightful sea-breeze, which
invariably springs up in the afternoon, generally makes
the hottest days tolerable, and even comfortable.
Settlement. — It was, probably, upon the soil of
Gravesend that the foot of white men first trod in this
State. (See chapter on Coney Island). The first per-
manent settlement of the town dates back to the year
1643; although there may have been individuals who'
occupied land within the town-boundaries a few years
earlier, as we shall have occasion to notice hereafter.
While all the other towns in Kings county were
settled by the Dutch, who came over from Holland
under the auspices of the Dutch West India Company,
Gravesend was first settled by a colony of English,
under the leadership of Lady Deborah Moody, a woman
of considerable wealth and education, who afterwards
took a prominent part in the administration of pubUc
affairs.
The free enjoyment of opinion in religious matters,
the mild laws, the " freedom and exemptions " offered
to settlers, the richness of the soil, and the salubrity of
the climate, all rendered the Nieuw Netherlands an at-
tractive place of settlement to those who, having left
Old England for the purpose of obtaining religious
freedom, had found, to their surprise and grief, in New
England, the same intolerance from which they had
thought to escape. The persecuted in England had, in
turn, become the persecutors here, as soon as circum-
stances afforded the opportunity. As has been well
said by J. W. Geeaed, Esq., in a discourse on " The
Lady Deborah Moody," before the New YorJc Histori-
cal Society, M.&J, 1880, "the practice and the princi-
ples of the Puritan fathers became far from harmoni-
ous. The rigid lines of their ecclesiastial faith were
drawn as strictly and maintained almost as ruthlessly
as in the fatherland ; and the governing authority ex-
acted conformity in spiritual matters as the condition
of civil freedom. Those who had been branded as
heretics stigmatized others as heretics, for differences
in theological abstractions, and even for non-conformity
SETTLEMENT OF THE TO WN.
157
to church-routine. * * * Inquisition was
made into men's private judgments as well as into their
declarations and practice. * * * Tolera-
tion was preached against as a sin in rulers which would
bring down the judgment of heaven upon the land.
* * * Non-conformists were scourged
and fined for their ideas, no matter how mildly ex-
pressed; and even if they met together privately, to par-
take of communion, they were disenfranchised and im-
prisoned. * * * Any sympathy expressed
for the sufferings of the victims, or criticisms made on
the severe action of the magistrates, was visited with
fines and scourgings. Any question of the authority of
any part of the Biblical history was visited with scourg-
ing ; and a second offence with death. Many of the
English colonists removed to the Dutch colony for
freedom of conscience and liberty of worship."
Among those thus compelled to seek a new home was
the Lady Deborah Moody, widow of Sir Henry Moody,
of Garsden, in Wiltshire, and one of the baronets
created by King James, in 1622. She was the daughter
of Walter Dunch, a member of Parliament in Queen
Elizabeth's time; as, also, was her uncle, at a later pe-
riod. Both in and out of Parliament her father's fam-
ily had been open and avowed champions of popular
liberty and constitutional rights. Sir Henry Moody
died about 1632. It is related in Lewis' History of
Lynn, Mass., that in 1635, about five years before leav-
ing England, Lady Moody had made herself obnoxious
to the law by violating a penal statute which forbade
any person residing beyond a specified time from their
own home. This produced from the Court of the Star
Chamber an order that " Dame Deborah Moody and
others should return to their hereditaments in forty days,
in the good example necessary to the poorer classes;"
her offence being that she had simply gone from her
country residence to live for a short time in London.
It is not strange that she chafed under the unlawful
restraints of such a civil and ecclesiastical despotism,
and that she longed for a home in a land and among a
people where the most sacred rights of humanity
were properly respected. In 1640 she emigrated to
Massachusetts, and April 6th united with the Church at
Salem. May 13, 1840, the General Court granted her
500 acres of land for a plantation ; and, in 1641, she
purchased the farm of Dep-Gov. John Humfrey, called
Swampscott, near Lynn, for which she paid £1100. She
soon found, however, that her hopes of religious peace
and freedom were delusive ; for, having imbibed the be-
lief taught by Roger Williams, that infant baptism was
not an ordinance of divine origin, and that it should be
restricted to adults, she was duly " admonished." Being
still unconvinced of the erroneous nature of her views,
she was excommunicated. In 1642 she was "pre-
sented " by the Quarterly Court for holding these views.
Harrassed, annoyed, "admonished," excommunicated,
"presented," in 1643 she, with her son Sir Henry, John
Tilton and wife, and a few close friends, bade farewell
to Massachusetts, and sought, among the strangers of
Nieuw Amsterdam, speaking a language as foreign to
her as were their manners and customs, an asylum
where she might enjoy peace and happiness, without
sacrificing her conscientious convictions. An extract
from Gov. Winthrop's Journal indicates the high re-
gard in which she was still held among her New Eng-
land neighbors, although " disfellowshipped " by her
own church. " The Ladye Moodye, a wise, an anciently
religious woman, being taken with the error of denying
baptism to infants, was dealt with by many of the eld-
ers and others, and admonished by the Church of Salem
(whereof she was a member) ; but persisting still, and
to avoid further trouble, etc., she removed to the Dutch,
against the advice of her friends." Here she found, to
her surprise and joy, a number of her own countrymen,
who had sought, near the fort, an asylum from savage
hostilities. On the eastern shore of Manhattan Island,
about opposite the lower end of Blackwell's Island, and
at the place known as "Deutil Bay," had sprung up
quite a settlement of English residents. Among the
earliest of these was Nicholas Stillwell, or " Nicholas,
the Tobacco Planter," as he is often called in the old
records. His experience of England's and New Eng-
land's intolerance had been similar to that of Lady
Moody ; and he had secured here a plantation, on which
he had erected a stone house, which became the nucleus
of an infant settlement, known as " the English settle-
ment at Hopton." But the policy of the Dutch Direc-
tor-General, Kieft, toward the Indians, had precipi-
tated a general war ; and the English settlers at Hopton
had fled for safety under the walls of the fort at Nieuw
Amsterdam. Here they were found by Lady Meody
and her associates, and the two parties naturally fusing
together, were invited by the Director-General to select
from the unappropriated lands of the W. I. Co., a loca-
tion for a new settlement. The present town of Grave-
send was the site selected for their new home, by a com-
mittee of their number appointed for the purpose, and
a patent was issued by the Director-General and Coun-
cil in the summer of 1643. Of this patent but little is
known, as the original cannot be found ; but it is so re-
ferred to in subsequent documents as to leave no doubt
of there having been such a patent.
Thus began the settlement of the town, under the
leadership of a woman of education and refinement,
whose force of character, combined with her up-
rightness of life, made her a power for good with those
among whom she moved. Both by nature and grace
she was fitted to be a pioneer in such an enterprise.
For sixteen years she went in and out among the people,
prominent in their councils, and often intrusted with
important public responsibilities, which prove the re-
spect and confidence of her associates. She seems, also,
to have enjoyed the friendship of Gov. Stuyvesant,
who several times sought her advice in matters of
158
SISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
great public importance. Even the nomination of the
three town-magistrates was, on one or two occasions,
intrusted by the Director-General to her good judg-
ment. He also availed himself of her kind offices, on
another occasion, in quelling an incipient rebellion,
raised by some of her English associates against the
Dutch authority.
She owned a large tract of land in Gravesend, as we
shall hereafter see; and we find, by the old town-rec-
ord, that in November, 1648, she rented all her " broken
up " land, for three years, to one Thos. Cornewill, re-
serving, however, one piece for her own use. She also
furnished him with 4 cows and 4 oxen, receiving as
rent, per year, 10 skipples of wheat for the land, and
60 gilders for the use of the animals.
Much doubt has existed as to the time and place of
Lady Moody's death.
Some have thought it possible that she went from
Gravesend to Virginia, with her son Sir Henry, and
ended her days there. Others, that she went to Mon-
mouth Co., N. J., with a colony from Gravesend, who
obtained a patent for a large tract of land in the above
county in 1665.
Among the old records of the town we have found
some data which seem clearly to determine the fact of
her death and burial in Gravesend. The record of the
probate of the will of one Edward Brown, November
4, 1658, states that Lady Moody, with two other per-
sons named, was " granted power by the Court to ad-
minister upon the estate of the said Edward Brown."
She must, therefore, have been living at the above
date, and in Gravesend. It is also recorded that Sir
Henry Moody, some seven months later, May 11, 1659,
conveyed a piece of land to John Johnson, which is de-
scribed as being " the gift of inheritance from his de-
ceased mother, Deborah Moody, patentee."
Facsimile of signature of Sir Henry Moody, Junior.
This fixes, beyond question, the time of her death
within seven months, viz., between Nov. 4, 1658, and
May 11, 1659. The strong probability is, therefore,
that she died at Gravesend, about the beginning of the
year 1659, and was buried in one of the nameless graves
of the old burial-place, which now, after more than two
and a quarter centuries, retain no vestige of inscriptions
to indicate whose dust slumbers beneath the sod.
Name. — With regard to the name, Gravesend, given
to the town, Thompson, in his History of Long Island,
states that it was so called, by the early English set-
tlers, from the town of that name in England, from
which they sailed on their departure for America.
This theory is plausible only upon the supposition
that Lady Moody and her associates actually made
Gravesend their point 'of departure for New England.
Whether this be true or not, since Gravesend was an
important commercial town on the river Thames, in the
County of Kent, it would not be strange if the early
English settlers should be desirous of transmitting the
name to the new settlement which they were about to
found on this side of the ocean. This seems all the
more probable, since they evidently intended to make
the modern Gravesend, from its favorable position, a
commercial town of no little importance. There is,
however, no corroborative evidence of this origin of the
name. Another supposition, which we believe to be
the true one, is that Gov. Kieft, when granting them
permission to settle here, or later, when he issued the
patent for the land, called the town Gravesend, from
the old Dutch town, Gravensande (the Count's beach),
on the river Maas, in Holland, which may have been
dear to the Governor as being the place of his nativity,
or from early associations.
Pioneer Settlers. — Before the proper settlement
of Gravesend by Lady Moody and her associates, there
were two persons who took up farms within what
afterwards became the town-boundaries, and for which
they held individual patents.
The first patent, or ground-brief, was issued by Gov.
Kieft, May 27, 1643, giving possession (retrospectively
from August 1st, 1639) to one Antonie Jansen Yan
Salee, 100 morgen (200 acres) of land, one part to he
called the Old Bowery, and the other the 12 morgen.
W'M
Facsimile of Anthony Jansen's mark.
According to an old map, now on file in the town-
clerk's office at Gravesend, the " Old Bowery " part of
this farm was situated at the western part of the
town, now covered wholly, or for the most part,
by the village of Unionville ; while the "12 mor-
gen " (by which name the land is known to this day)
lay a little distance from it in a south-easterly direction.
Between these parcels of land lay a large strip of marsh
or meadow-ground, worthy of special mention in con-
nection with a certain " Neck " of land (or rather at
that time of sand-hills) running south from the "Old
Bowery," because of the legal efforts afterwards made
for the possession of both.
This neck and meadow became a bone of contention
for years afterwards between the inhabitants of Graves-
end, on the one hand, who claimed it as belonging to
their original patent ; and, on the other, Francis De
Bruyn (afterwards called Brown), the successor of An-
EARLY SETTZEJRS AND PATEN IS.
169
tonie Jansen Van Salee (Anthony Johnson), -who also
claimed it as included in the 100 morgen granted to the
latter.
Finally, June, 1669, by request of both parties to the
suit, the matter was referred, by the Court of General
Sessions, to Governor Lovelace, for decision. John
Glanning and Jacques Corteleau, the two referees
appointed by the governor, reported that Mr. Brown
" hath no meadow in his patent, but is short of his
100 morgen of land which he purchased, and we
do verily believe it doth not, in right, belong to
Gravesend." They recommended, therefore, that one-
third thereof be allowed to Brown," to make up his
100 morgen of land, and lying before his door, within
a stone's throw, he paying for the ditching which is yet
to be done; that one-third go to Gravesend " for the
ditching they have done," and the remaining one-third
was left to his Excellency's disposal. In accordance
with this report of the referees. Gov. Lovelace issued
his " Edict," as it was called, a certified copy of which
is before us, and is as follows :
" The Grovernrs Judgement & Determination
concerning ye land in question, between
ye Inhabitants of Gravesend and Francis
Brown."
" Whereas there hath been a Controversary or Matter in
Difference between ye Inhabitants of ye town of Gravesend
& Francis Brown, alius de Bruyn, concerning a parcell of
Meadow ground adjoining to Twelve Morgen of upland in ye
pattent of ye said Francis Brown, speoifyed, as also about a
certaine Neck of land endorsed upon ye old ground brief of
ye said Brown, but claymed [by] ye [said] Gravesend as granted
to them longe before, & being wthin ye lymitts of their pattent.
Upon Examination and due consideration had of ye prem-
ises, 1 do adjudge that if Francis Brown have his complemt
of Twelve Morgen of upland, he hath no right or clayme to
ye meadow, yett in regard a third parte or proportion thereof
is already layd to him, he is to have and quietly enjoy ye
land, and ye remainder or othr two third partes are to con-
tinue and be to ye Inhabitants of Gravesend. And as to ye
Neck of land Endorsed upon ye old pattent of the said Fran-
cis Brown, & also claymed by ye said Inhabitants of Graves-
end as aforesaid, I doe think fitt, since it hath hitherto or
most usually been enjoyed in Common between ye Town &
ye said Farm that it continue so still, and this shall be ye
conclusion and final determination of ye said controversy or
Matter in Difference unless both or either of ye partys think-
ing themselves agrieved do sue for redress therein at ye next
Cort of Assizes, where ye law is open for them, but after that
tyme it shall be a barre to any further pretences.
Given undr my hand and seale at Fort James in New York,
this 23d day of August, in ye 31 yeare of his Magties Raigne,
Anno Dom. 1669. g^^ S^ancis Lovelace."
This, however, did not prove to be the " conclusion
and final determination" of the matter; for, 120 years
later, Albert Voorhees claimed an exclusive right to
this ground, by virtue of purchase from Brown. He
also attempted to enforce his claim by preventing
Gravesend people from erecting their fish-huts, drying
their nets, etc., on the beach along the property. This
brought him in direct conflict with his fellow-citizens;
who claimed, by virtue of their patent, the right to
"fish, hawk and gun along and upon" the property.
To determine their several rights, Mr. V. brought an
action for trespass against sundry townsmen, which
was tried the 18th of September, 1789, in the Supreme
Court, at Flatbush. Aaron Burr was the town's attor-
ney, and the case was tried before a jury of seven
Queen's county men. The town was willing to con-
cede to Mr. V. a patentee's right, viz., 1 39 part of the
commonage, but not the exclusive right which he
claimed. The trial resulted in a verdict for the town;
the judgment being affirmed by the October term of
the court, with costs. Col. Burr's summing-up, as
shown by his minutes, was clear and forcible; his
charges (as per receipts, now extant) were £20, besides
£15 "for advice lately given and as a general retainer."
Mr. Crosby, hotel-keeper at Flatbush, also receipted for
£30 " for entertaining the people of Gravesend;" and
"also the account of Col. Burr;" and " 40 shillings"
from Mr. Roger Strong (a lawyer who assisted in the
case in behalf of the town), " for wine, punch, &c."
How will this compare with some recent civic law-
suits ?
Thus the matter rested for about 50 years longer,
when, in 1843, another law-suit was tried upon the
question of title. David Davis, then in possession of
the property, began an ejectment suit against Thomas
Hicks and Coart Van Sicklen, as representing the town.
At a special town meeting held January 13th, 1843,
a committee was appointed to defend the suit, and
$350 voted for legal expenses. This trial, like the
other two, was a complete vindication of the right of
the town to use the ground for fishing-purposes.
In this case Gabriel Furman was attorney for the
town. The plaintiff, however, appealed the case, and
the town, for some reason, failed to meet it, and judg-
ment was obtained against them by default. The mat-
ter was finally settled by the town paying to the plain-
tiff a sum of money suflicient to pay his cost of litiga-
tion.
For the present time, and indeed for the last fifteen
or twenty years, the town seems to have given up, by
tacit consent, all her right and interest in the land in
question; and the successors of Francis de Bruyn and
Albert Voorhees to-day hold quiet and undisputed pos-
session. Indeed, the few who have used the ground
for fishing purposes, for the last few years, have paid,
without remonstrance, an annual ground-rent of from $5
to $30. It is probable, therefore, that whatever rights
the town formerly had in this property, are now gone
past recovery. Some of the suits which have arisen
out of this matter are still pending.
The next patent, in order of time, was that granted
by Gov. Kieft to Guysbert Op Dyck for Conyne (Coney)
Island, and Conyne Hook, afterwards called Guysbert's
Island. This patent bears date 1644, and was for 44
morgen, or 88 acres. This land was also claimed after-
160
HIST OR T OF KINGS CO UNTT.
wards by the town as included in the patent of Graves-
end. Op Dyok came to this country in 1635 ; in 1642
was Commissary of Provisions for the colony, and for
some time had charge of the fort on the Connecticut
river, where he made much trouble with the English.
We mention him again, in connection with Coney
Island.
Then came the patent of Robert Pennoyer, dated
Nov. 29, 1645. (State Secretary's office, Butch Booh
of Patents, page 144.) We learn from a certified trans-
lation of this patent, found among the old papers of the
town, that the farm was "situated between the land of
Antony Jansen and Meladie [My Lady] Moody, amount-
ing together to eighty-nine Morgen four hundred and
forty rods," and the grant was made, " with this express
condition and agreement, that he, Robert Pennoyer,
shall acknowledge the noble Lords Directors to be his
Lords and Patrons under the Sovereignty of their High
Mightenesses, the States-General, and hereto be obedi-
ent to their Director and Council, as it becomes good
and faithful citizens."
First Town Patent. — We now come to the
first, patent of the town of Gravesend, granted by
Gov. Kieft, and dated Dec. 19, 1645. It is remark-
able for being, probably, the only one of its kind, where
a woman heads the list of patentees named. It is
another evidence, also, of the prominent position which
Lady Moody held among the early settlers, and of the
respect shown her by the Dutch authorities. It is wor-
thy of note that liberty of conscience was also freely
conceded to the first settlers of Gravesend ; they were
granted by Gov. Kieft freedom of worship " without
magisterial or ministerial interference."
This first patent of 1645 was confirmed by Gov. Love-
lace in the year 1670, with the evident design of more
clearly defining the town-boundaries, which had long
been a matter of dispute because of the vagueness with
which they were expressed in the first general patent of
Gov. Kieft. After describing the town-bounds, in gen-
eral terms, very similar to those used in the previous
patent, it adds : " And all the meadow-ground and up-
land not specified in the former Pattent, concerning
which there has been several disputes and differences
between the Inhabitants of Gravesend and their neigh-
bor, Francis Brown, the which in parte were settled
both by my predecessor and myself, but since fully con-
cluded and determined between them by Articles of
Agreement, The which Articles I do hereby confirm
and Allow."
Thus was this trouble, which had so disturbed the
peace of the town, quieted for the time, only to break
out again with unabated fury, a century further on.
Another confirmatory patent was issued, later still,
by Gov. Dongan, in 1686, by which the town-lines were
made definite and permanent; while, at the same time,
they were somewhat extended beyond the limits des-
cribed by the preceding patent. This patent also fixes
the amount of quit-rent to be paid yearly by the town
instead of the one-tenth of the product of the soil de-
manded by Gov. Kieft, as follows: "paying therefor
yearly and every year, on the five and twentyeth day of
March, forever, in liew and stead of all services, dues
and demands whatsoever, as a quit-rent to his Majesty's
use, six bushels of good winter merchantable wheat
unto such officer or officers as shall be appointed to re-
ceive the same at the City of New York."
These three original patents, written upon parchment
in an excellent state of preservation, are still to be
found in the town clerk's office at Gravesend ; and
(with the other town records), unlike those of the sur-
rounding towns, are in the English, instead of the
Dutch, language.
Thus furnished with the requisite authority, Lady
Moody and her associates began in earnest the work be-
fore them. In view of the natural advantages which the
town possessed, they no doubt hoped to make it, at some
future day, a large and important commercial center.
From its situation at the mouth of " The Narrows," and
with a good harbor of its own; with the ocean on the one
side, and the then-flourishing village of New Amster-
dam (New York) on the other, there did indeed seem
to be good ground for such an expectation. But un-
fortunately, as the event proved, Gravesend Bay,
though affording secure anchorage for smaller craft,
would not permit vessels of large tonnage to enter its
quiet waters with perfect safety. And so the idea of
building a " city by the sea," which in extent, wealth,
and business enterprise, should at least rival New
Amsterdam, was reluctantly abandoned.
However, with this end in view, as the work begun
would seem to indicate, they commenced the laying out
of the village. Selecting a favorable site near the cen-
ter of the town, they measured off a square containing
about sixteen acres of ground, and opened a street
around it. This large square they afterwards divided
into squares of four acres each, by opening two streets
at right angles through the center. The whole was
then enclosed by a palisade-fence, as a protection, both
against the sudden attacks of hostile Indians, and the
depredations of wolves and other wild animals which
were then common upon the island. Upon one of the
oldest maps of the town, on file in the clerk's office, we
find a perfect representation of the village-plan as orig-
inally laid out. From this we learn that each of the
four squares was divided into equal sections, laid off
around the outside of each square and facing the outer
street. These were numbered from one to ten, in each
of the four squares. This gave forty sections iil all;
and thus one section was allotted to each of the forty
patentees. By this arrangement every family could
reside within the village, and share alike its palisade-
defence. In the center of each square was reserved a
large public yard, where the cattle of the inhabitants
were brought in from the commons, and herded for the
DIVISIOJV OF QRA VESEND LANDS.
161
\u\uh~'')h '?,
"^J^C /C^8^ Wi4^4y
Q.
o
a CZ3
-^
Q%
X
1 u
D ^
/\
1 *
4-
777
/o
(-l
c-<
I —
'O
ox, J
.-J
1 1
<3
0^
■*
^ Co)ni)loH ^
.0
K □
0.
I
JO
r— ::
_^ L_ L
1
- — \ — \ '\ "V
Y® /\[nIcie[sij Ploj of ye Jov/[nie of s'Qr/^Vesepe
16-45
(Copied from the Original in the Town-Clerli's Office.)
162
HISTORY OF KIISTOS COUNTY.
night, for their better protection. At a later period,
if not at this early date, a small portion of each square
was devoted to public uses; on one was the church,
on another was the school-house, on another the town-
hall, and on the fourth the burying-ground. The orig-
inal plan of the town is preserved, in its main features,
to this day, after almost two hundred and fifty years.
The farms, or "planters' lots," as they were then
called, were also 40 in number, and were laid out in
triangular form, with the apex resting upon the village,
and the boundary -lines diverging therefrom like the
radii of a circle. This plan would thus enable each
man to go from his house within the village-defences
to his farm, with least trouble and exposure to himself,
and without trespassing upon his neighbor. Several
town-farms have retained to the present time this
peculiarity of outline.
From the fact that the village was divided into 40
sections, and that 40 farms radiated therefrom, we have
naturally inferred that there were 40 patentees. If
this be so, one of them, very early in the history of
the town, must have dropped out of the original
number, either by death or removal ; or, as tradition
has it, forfeiting by his profligate life all his right,
title and interest, in the property allotted him. This
would seem to be more than mere conjecture; for, in all
subsequent divisions of lands lying beyond the home-
farms, there were 39 sections in each division, and only
39 names as including all the patentees.
By reference to the old map above mentioned, we
are able to locate precisely the land allotted to Lady
Moody, which has been to some, of late, a matter of
doubt and inquiry. In the original allotment of land
to the patentees, a majority of them were granted
what were called "plantation lots," as we have seen;
but to Lady Moody a "Bowery," or farm. On the
map this " Bowery " is located north-east of the town-
square, embracing the land belonging to the late Judge
Barent Johnson, and possibly a part of the present
Prospect Park Fair Grounds. But her land must have
extended west of the village also, probably by subse-
quent purchase, although this is not indicated upon the
map. We so judge, from the fact that Robert Pen-
noyer's land, as we have already seen in considering
his patent, is therein described as lying " between the
land of Antony Jansen and Meladie Moody," which
could not be true except upon the above supposition
The late Tunis G. Bergex, in his Harly Settlers of
Kings County, thinks it probable that her land in-
cluded the farm of the late Ex-Mayor Smith, of
Brooklyn, together with the farms of Jacobus Lake
and CorneUus D. Stryker, all west of the village If
this be true, her "Bowery" covered a large area of
what IS now most valuable property. But whatever
property these Gravesend settlers possessed whether
much or little, they held with a clear title' from its
original owners.
Indian Purchases. — Gravesend, at the time of its
settlement, was, like the rest of Kings county, the
property of the Canarsie Indians ; and, from them, at
different times, all the land within the present town-
boundaries was fairly purchased. The earliest of these
purchases is recorded m a deed (one of the few town-
documents written in Dutch), on file in the Gravesend
town-clerk's office, dated September 10, 1645, three
months before the issue of Governor Kieft's patent.
There are two other Indian deeds, dated in 1650 and
1654, being both for land on the present Coney Island
(see chapter on Coney Island). In 1684, in view of the
frequent changes of government, and preparatory to a
confirmatory charter which they proposed to obtain
from Governor Dongan, the people of Gravesend forti-
fied their Indian title by the following conveyance, the
original of which is still among the Gravesend records:
" Know all men whome these presents may anywayes
concerne, that we, Crackewasco, Arrenopeah, Mamekto,
Annenges, the right and true proprietors of a certain parcel
of land commonly called by the Indians Mdkeopaca, begin-
ning at the most eastward end of the beach called by the
Indians Moeung, bounded on the westmost side by the land
heretofore purchased from Chippahig, and on the eastward
side by the creek commonly called the Strome Kill, and soe
along from the head of said creek, through ihe middle of
the meadow and valley, till they come to a white-oak tree
standing by the Flatland wagon path and soe running to
another white oak tree standing by Utrecht wagon path,
and soe upon a direct line to the Flatbush fence, and upon
the west side bounded by the field of Utrecht, Doe hereby
acknowledge and declare, that, for and in consideration of
one blanket, one gun, one kettle, to have sold, assigned and
made over all our right, title, interest and claim, to the said
parcel of land, from us, our heirs, executors, administrators
and assigns forever unto the freeholders and inhabitants of
Gravesend in Kings County, their heirs, executors, adminis-
trates and assigns forever, for them the said inhabitants to
have, hold, possess and enjoy the same as their own free
land of inheritance or otherwise to dispose of as to tliem
shall seem meet without any molestation from us or any
other. "Witness our hands the 20th of the 5th month, called
liis his his
July, 1684. Cake N wasco, Areun y^ apoech, Arma/J nat,
iiiark mark mark
Ws Ms hto
Mus V kheok, witnessed by us Pense u mend, Wope 7 sa,
""'■''^ mark mark
tis his
Jack \ kahna, Slip C amore, Wer ;3 ransobUng, John
mark mark
Tilton, Senior, Samuel Spicer, Barent Juriansen, Joachim
Guylerk. Recorded by me John Emans, Clercke.
This fair and honorable dealing won for the settlers
the respect and friendship of their Indian neighbors,
with whom at first they maintained most pleasant and
familiar relations. But familiarity bred contempt, and
the savages finally began to demand, as their right, what
had previously been granted as a matter of kindness or
policy. Little resentments arose on both sides, and so
it happened that private and personal wrongs were
committed by both parties, paving the way for the open
and bitter hostilities which soon followed. Undoubt-
edly, the ill-advised policy of Director Kieft tended (as
DIVISION' OF ORA VESEND LANDS.
163
was openly charged against Mm. at tlie time), to precip-
itate upon the colony the Indian war which broke out
in 1643-44, and resulted in great distress and destruc-
tion of life and property.
Upon the Gravesend people, then in the first year of
their settlement, and but illy prepared for such attacks,
this new danger fell with great force. But they
stoutly defended their village against several very sud-
den and fierce attacks. During these perilous times,
every settler was compelled, by town ordinance, to
share in building and keeping in repair the palisades,
which surrounded the town-square and formed its de-
fence. Each man \fas also obliged to keep, constantly
on hand, one gun, and^a certain quantity of powder
and lead, in order to be prepared for any sudden emer-
gency. During the year above mentioned, the Indian
raids upon the town were unusually frequent and se-
vere, and the inhabitants were kept in constant fear.
The house of Lady Moody, according to Gov. Win-
throp, seems to have been the principal point of at-
tack; perhaps, because it was the largest and most
conspicuous, and better fitted than the rest for a com-
mon rallying-point.
On one occasion her house was bravely defended by
forty men (probably the whole number of able-bodied
men in the settlement), some of whom had the reputa-
tion of being expert Indian-fighters. At another time
the inhabitants, greatly outnumbered by the Indians,
were compelled to flee to Amersfort (Flatlands), where
they remained till the danger was passed. It is proba-
ble that, at this time, the town had not been put in a
proper condition of defence, for want of time to build
their palisade-fortifications. During this year, how-
ever, a treaty of peace was made with Pennowits, the
crafty chief of the Canarsies (See Thompson's Hist.
Long Island), ending, for a time at least, all open hos-
tilities between the settlers and the Indians upon Long
Island.
It is probable that the dangers and anxieties of this
first year led Lady Moody to think seriously of re-
turning to Massachusetts; for there is extant a letter
from Deputy-Gov. John Endicott to Gov. Winthrop,
dated "Salem, 22 of the 2d month, 1644," referring to
a request which she had made for permission to return,
and strongly urging the Governor to refuse her unless
she would confess her previous error, and leave her
opinions behind her.
After this time we hear of but little disturbance f rdm
the Indians till the year 1655, when occurred probably
the fiercest attack from the Northern Indians which
the town had yet sustained. Dr. Steong's History of
Flathush says:
"In 1655, a large body of Indians from the north, follow-
ing the course of the Hudson river to the south, left death and
desolation in their track along the Jersey shore, then crossed
over to Staten Island, and here killed sixty-seven white set-
tlers, beside destroying much property; they then crossed
the Narrows, and made a fierce attack upon Gravesend.
The inhabitants were unable to drive away the invading foe,
but bravely stood their ground until relieved by a detach-
ment of soldiers sent from Fort Amsterdam."
So far as we know, this was the end of all the Indian
troubles in which the people of Gravesend were con-
cerned.
Division of Lands. — As we have already seen, an
allotment of land was made to each of the patentees,
and those who were associated with them. In each
grant of land made, we find in the early records an
entry like the following : " To Thomas Cornish was
granted a planter's lott with all the privileges thereunto
appertaining." These were undoubtedly the lots radi-
ating from the village-center, to which reference has
already been made. We have no data for determining
the precise area of a " planter's lott;" but, from the con-
dition of things at this early period, we infer that it
contained only a few acres at most. It happened in
some cases, however, that a larger tract of land, or
" bouwery," came into the possession of certain individ-
uals by special grant, as in the case of Lady Moody, for
what reason we are not told.
The grant for a Bowery contained 30 acres of upland,
with more or less meadow, according to their need of
pasturage. The following town-record is in point :
Sept. 27, 1646. " It was agreed by the town that for
such as should have Boweries, should have fifteen mor-
gen of upland with meadow proportionable to their
stocks." This meadow-land was also made inseparable
from the farm, for, at the same meeting, " It was then
agreed upon that none of the said inhabitants should
dispose or sell awaye his meadow from his lott, but that
it should remain entire to it."
Whatever the number of acres originally allotted to
each settler, their possessions did not remain the same
for any length of time. Farms and town-lots rapidly
exchanged hands. The town-records, for the first fifty
years, are largely taken up with the transfer of real-
estate, either by purchase or exchange. After a few
years, as we can readily see, the amount of land which
each one individually possessed was large or small, as
his enterprise or necessities led him to buy or sell. In
every subsequent sale of land, however, the town
reserved the first right to purchase; "but if the town
would not buye it, then said inhabitant had leave to sell
to any one unless he was notoriously detected for a scan-
dalous person, or a publicke disturber of the common
peace."
In order to secure permanent and useful citizens,
rather than mere adventurous speculators, at a town-
meeting held Sept. 7, 1646,
"It was then and there ordered and agreed uppon by ye
major parte of ye said Inhabitants that in case they did not
build a habitable house by the last of Maye next, which will
be in ye year 1647 — that the said inhabitant that should be
defaulted therein should forfeitt his lott to ye town."
In 1647 the meadow-land, probably that undivided
164
HIS TOBY OF KIRGS COUNTY.
portion lying between the village and Coney Island, was
divided and assigned, so that every man might know
his own ; and Sergeant Hubbard was appointed to do
the work at the expense of the town.
In the year IBS'? another division of land was agreed
upon. One thousand acres, supposed to be that lying
adjacent to the town-lots, were divided, according to
the record, among thirty-eight families. The north-
quarter, as it was called, was divided into 12-acre lots,
and the west-quarter into 20-acre lots. The eastern
part of the town, then and since known as the " ISTeck,"
was at this time called also " the general corn-field."
This seems to have been, as its name indicates, the com-
mon property of the town, where, under certain restric-
tions, each inhabitant was at liberty to choose and cul-
tivate such a number of acres as he could properly
manage. Ten or twelve years later this land was also
divided, and either sold or given to the inhabitants.
The land on the south side of the present highway lead-
ing to " Gerretsen's Mill " was divided into thirty-nine
12-acre lots, and some of them remain to-day as they
were originally laid out. The land on the north side
of the highway was divided into the same number of
lots, but containing probably a larger number of acres.
This division was made in 1668-9, as seen from an old
map, dated 1674.
The north part of the town, then thickly wooded, as
were other portions of it at the time of its settlement,
was called the "North Woods." This was also di-
vided in 1684, and distribution made to the inhabi-
tants.
Within forty years of its settlement, therefore, the
most valuable part of the town was thus disposed of.
Town Organization. — In 1646 the inhabitants
availed themselves of the privilege granted by their
patent "to erect a body politique and civil combina-
tion," and to " elect, nominate and choose three of the
ablest, approved honest men," who should act as justi-
ces in the town-court, when confirmed by the Gov-
ernor-General. The three men first elected and so
confirmed were Lieut. George Baxter, Edward Brown
^^
ccx'(-^/l^
Facsimile of George Baxter's Signature,
and William Wilkins. Sergeant James Hubbard was
f,^^^^-^/zy^
Facsimiie of Jamea Hubbard's Signature.
chosen schout or constable, and John Tilton, "town-
dark," with a salary of one gilder (40 cts.) from every
inhabitant of the town.
s^
Facsimile of John Tilton's Signature.
Jan. 9, 1651, a town-order was made regulating the
manner in which the magistrates should be chosen,
thus: the town was to choose the first man, and he was
to choose the second; these two a third, and so on un-
til six had been chosen. The first three chosen were
to act as magistrates for one year; the second three as-
sisting in court when necessity required. The next
year, the second three were to act ofiicially and the
first three to assist; and so they were to alternate.
All were to be approved by the town, and confirmed
by the Governor.
The Board were empowered to fill all vacancies oc-
casioned by the death or inability of any of its num-
ber.
Town-meetings were, at first, held monthly, at some
private house, as evidenced by the following town-
order, ," May 3d, 1652, voted to hold regular town-
meetings the last Saturday of every month at ye house
of James Hubbard at 12 o'clock, M., and ye drum to
beat one hour before ye time." Also, it was voted
to choose at every meeting a person who should act as
" speaker for their more orderly proceedings, peace
and credit." Fines were imposed upon those who were
absent from these meetings, without sufiicient excuse.
After the purchase of a school-house in 1728, it was
probably used for this purpose.
The first record of a town-meeting is dated in the
year 1646. From that time the records are regularly
and carefully kept. Public meetings, in case of emer-
gency, were assembled by the beating of the drum,
and general gatherings for town-work by the blowing
of a horn.
In those days it w.as deemed to be not only the
privilege, but the duty of every man to be present at
these public gatherings, and have a voice in the man
agement of town -affairs. Hence, in 1666, a man was
chosen to warn the inhabitants of all general and pri-
vate meetings of the town ; and those failing to appear,
without good excuse for their absence, were liable to a
fine of 5 gilders for each offence. At the same meet-
ing it was agreed that six men present at any meeting
should form a quorum for the transaction of all town-
business.
In 1646 the town "allotted to each man ye juste
pportion of fence every man was to maintain for his
peculiar lott, which is 20 poles."
Peremptory measures were sometimes necessary to
prevent the careless from neglecting this part of their
public duty. So, in the following spring, when one
EARL T TEMPERANCE LA W8.
165
Applegate failed to put up his fence according to law,
the town voted " to hyer a man to doo it and paye
him, and Applegate to answer to ye town."
In 1652 three men were chosen as "fence-viewers,^''
who were to go their rounds once every fortnight, and
compel all owners of land to keep their fences in or-
der, under a penalty of 5 gilders. In 1674 the penalty
was fixed at 20 gilders.
In 1646 a public pound was made, and 2 stivers
(4 cts.) were allowed for pounding cattle or swine.
In 1640 it was ordered, by town-vote, "yt every
man shall provide himself of a ladder of 20 foot or
above by New Yeare's day nexte," under penalty of
two gilders and 10 stivers per week while in default.
It was also ordered, at the same meeting, that each man
should provide himself with arms within two "months,
and also one pound of powder and two pounds of lead
" to lye in Bancke."
The following vote was also passed: that " ye pasture
att y'e end of ye lotts shall be for ye use of any of ye
inhabitants for a calf or cow yt is sick, or for a horse
in case a stranger comes to ye town." In the last
clause of this enactment we find the evidence of that
warm-hearted Dutch hospitality, for which their de-
scendants are still noted.
The fines collected for violation of law were at first
put into the " common or poor stock" of the town; but
in 1652 it was voted that the fines should be used in
defraying the common charges, or town-expenses.
A Bureau of Vital Statistics was established in
1650. The record is as follows: "It was also agreed
unto that all burials and marriages and for all yt shall
be borne, notice should be taken thereof and recorded."
For the first half century of the town's existence
marriages were performed by a magistrate; but those
intending marriage, whether by a Justice or minister,
were obliged to have the banns published from the
nearest church, as prescribed by law. A marriage is
recorded with the following endorsement, dated 1689:
"A certificate of ye minister at Flatbush. Isaac Hassel-
berg and Elizabeth Baylis have had their proclamation in
our church as commonly our manner and custom is, and no
opposition or hindrance come against them, so as that they
may be confirmed in ye banns of matrimony, whereto we
wish them blessing.
MllTwouT, ye 17 March 1689.
, EuDOLPH Vaerick, Minister.'"
In accordance with the above permission, they were
married in Gravesend by Justice Nicholas Stillwell.
In 1664, Dec. 31, Sergeant James Hubbard was
married, by a magistrate, to Elizabeth Baylis.
This was his second marriage. At the same time, as
justice, he united in marriage James Bowne and Mary
Stout.
The following are the first entries under the new
law. " Aug. ye 2d. Peter Simson was by publick au-
thority married." " Aug. ye 11. The sonn of William
Wilkins was borne, and Aug. 18, he was buried."
" Sept. 9. Thomas Cornwell deceased and was buried."
His widow seems to have been speedily consoled, how-
ever, for the very next record, and bearing the same
date as the above, is as follows. "Sept. 9, 1650. John
Morris and Elizabeth Cornwell, widow of Thomas,
were married."
Cattle and Fences. — All horses and colts turned
into the common pasture at Coney Island were, by
law, marked, and a description of them kept on the
town-records.
In 1675 three men were chosen, by the town, to go
to the " fllys " (marshes) about the 2d hour, and see if
any beasts were mired, and if so, help them out. If
any beast should die through their neglect, they were
to pay the damage; and if any man should be warned
to go and help these men and should refuse, he was to
be fined 5 shillings and pay all damage resulting from
his neglect.
Early Temperance Laws. — The liquor traflic oc-
cupied the attention of the people considerably at a
very early date. A license law was passed regulating
its sale to the white population, and a stringent prohi-
bitory law preventing its sale to the Indians. The lat-
ter is as follows:
' ' April 16, 1656. Att an assemblie of ye Inhabitants uppon
a lawful warning given, it was inacted, ordered and agreed
uppon that hee, she or they whatsoever, that should tapp,
draw out, sell or lett any Indian or Indians in this corpora-
tion have any brandie, wine, strong liquor or strong drink,
should, if so foctd, paye the summ of fifty gilders, and for
the next default one hundred gilders, according to the law
of the country."
The law also provided' that not more 'than one pint
should be sold, at one time, to the whites.
Before the Town Court, Oct. 8, 1663, "Richard Stout
declareth that Nathaniel Brittain hath slandered him
that he hath sould wine to the Indians. The said
Nathaniel denyeth it, but said that the Indians told his
wife that they had bought wine of Stout." The Court,
however, ordered Nathaniel to pay the cost of prosecu-
tion.
Prosecutions were not uncommon under these laws,
not only before the Town Court, but also before the
Court of Sessions. Ambrose London was before the
Town Court, charged with selling more than a pint of
wine at once. The defence was the same weak plea
that men so often make now to satisfy their conscience
and justify their violation of law, viz.: that people
would have it, and if he did not furnish it some one
else would; but the Court fined him to the full extent
of the law. Being afterward tried and found guilty of
selling liquor by false measure, he was again heavily
fined.
Sunday Laws.— On the 7th of Oct., 1666, "Thomas
Whitlock and John Griggs were presented before the
Town Court for buying and selling land on the first day
of the week. John Griggs said he did not remember
such a covenant. The Court, however, ordered that
166
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
the bargain be declared void, and each be fined 15 shil-
lings and cost of Court."
The records furnish another law equally decisive
upon this point.
" Whereas there is a prohibition express by an order from
the Governor of all such exercises upon ye first day of ye
week as gunning, ball-playing, horse-racing, nine-pins, ex-
cessive drinking and ryotting with other ye like which
greatly tends to ye dishonor of God, ye hindrance of many
from and in religious duties to ye reproach of ye Government
and ye shame of ye place, for ye preventing whereof the oiS-
cers of this town according to their dutye have given due
notice that what person soever shall in the like transgress,
shall pay 10 shilUngs and answer it before the Governor.
This act proclaimed the 13 of 8 month 1675."
Sundry Orders and Contracts. — The town at
this early period seems to have suffered much from the
depredations of wolves. This part of the island, being
in some portions thickly wooded, furnished, for a time,
a secure lair for these wild beasts, from which they
could make their nightly raids upon the unprotected
flock and fowls of the settlers.
To encourage their extermination, therefore, the
town, in 1657, ordered a bounty of 5 gilders to be
given for every wolf killed within the town corpora-
tion. This extra inducement, added to the self-interest
of each individual, led to such a determined effort
against the common enemy as greatly held them in
check, and in due time caused their entire disappear-
ance.
The woods, to which we have referred as covering a
large area of the town, were at first common property,
and at the disposal of any one who might be at the
pains to cut fire-wood or timber therefrom. And to
protect every man in this right, a town-order was made
about this time, laying a fine of 20 gilders upon any
one who should take for himself the wood or timber
which another had cut. There must have been some
dishonest men, even in those days, to make such a law
necessary.
Houses of the Olden Time. — It may be inter-
esting to know the style of house which afforded
shelter and protection to the early settlers. If the fol-
lowing is a fair specimen, it will not strike us as being
too elaborate or expensive, even for that early day.
Here is the contract for a dwelling, as entered by the
town-clerk upon his record :
"Ambrose London bargained and agreed with Michah
Jure for his building him a house by the middle of June
nexte, and to paye the said Michah 40 gilders for it— at the
time he begins a skipple of Indian come, at the raising of it
10 guilders, and at ye finishing of it ye rest of the said
summ. Ye house to be made 32 foote long, 12 foote wide, 8
foote stoode with a petition in ye middle, and a chimney, to
laye booth rooms with joice, to cover ye roof, and make up
both gable ends with clabboards, as also to make two win-
dows and a door."
This man, London, was rather a speculator, and soon
disposed of this house, and made another contract for
a larger and still more commodious one ; the contract
price for building it being $44.00. John Hawes was
the builder, and his contract was to build " 1 house
framed uppon sills of 26 foote long, and 16 foote
broad and 10 foote stoode, with 2 chimneys in ye mid-
dle and 2 doors and two windows, and to clabboard
only ye roof and dobe the rest parte." The price was
110 gilders, or instead, " one Dutch cow."
Household Furniture, etc.— But, if their houses
were built more with reference to their comfort and
actual necessities than for display, the same was true
of their household furniture and personal effects, as
will be seen from the following inventory of the estate
of John Buckman, deceased, dated in the year 1651,
and signed by Lady Moody as one of the witnesses.
Among a few other articles appear the following : " 1
Kettle, 1 Frying pan, 1 Traye, 1 Jarre, 1 pair breeches,
1 Bonett, 1 Jackett, 1 Paile, 2 Shirts, 1 Tubbe, 1 Pair
shoes, 2 pair ould stockings, 9 ould goats, money in
chest, 32 gilders."
The Town Court. — This court (see' p. 164) was
established in 1646, by the election of three men, act-
ing as justices, to hear and settle all complaints brought
before them. It took cognizance of cases of slander,
trespass, theft and debt ; and in all cases coming
within their jurisdiction, where the damage did not
exceed 50 Holland gilders (|20), the decision of any
two of the magistrates was final. But, in all cases
where the damage was in excess of $20, an appeal
could be taken from this to a higher court. At first
the time and patience of the court was severely taxed,
in being compelled to listen to complaints of the most
trivial character, which obliged them to hold frequent
and otherwise unnecessary sessions. To remedy this,
and, so far as possible, relieve the court, in 1650, at a
general town meeting, " Itt was then and there agreed
unto that a general Court should be held once or twice
a year, and that ye town should make choice of two or
three men to sitt with ye Court att these times and to
adjudicate with them about such matters as maye con-
cerne ye good of ye general and every one in particu-
lar, and yt ye present pattent be read att these
times to ye whole Inhabitants." It was also ordered,
by public vote, that those found guilty of " slander,
laying violent hands upon any to the breach of the
peace, theft," &c., should be punished, "Either by
fining, imprisoning, stocking or standing in a publick
place." The latter became the common mode of pun-
ishment for these offences. There are those still living
among us who remember well the old stocks, which
were placed near the town-hall, where prisoners con-
victed of petty crimes were made a public show, and
were hooted at and pelted by the boys of the neigh-
borhood.
As already observed, the records of the town for the
first fifty years were largely taken up with the transfer
of real-estate; which may find explanation in the fact
TSE TOWN COURT.
167
that breach of contract was, during all this time, a com-
mon cause of complaint before the Court, and great
trouble and annoyance was caused in settling these difS-
culties for the want of a written agreement; so that, in
165.1, the court ordered " that for the future, all bar-
gains and sales should be recorded by the town-clerk,
or be in writing with sufficient witnesses, or the Court
would give them no hearing.''
Cases of theft were not entirely unknown, even in
those days of primitive simplicity and honesty. We
quote the following as a fair specimen of many of the
grave complaints which taxed the wisdom and patience
of the court.
Thomas Cornwell was plaintifE, and Ambrose London
defendant, in an " action for taking awaye his henn and
selling it. Order of ye Court was that ye said Ambrose
Should restore again ye henn, which he promised to
doe.'' But failing to comply with the order, in Jan.,
1649, the court again ordered "that he should forth-
with paye to the said Cornwell 3 gilders and 8 stivers
with the Cost of Court."
The most common offence with which the court was
called upon to deal was slander. So troubled was the
court with cases of this character, which were brought
without any just cause, or upon insufficient evidence, or,
as the court expressed it, " caused by certain buise
bodyes, persons insendiaries of mischief and trouble,"
that at length a fine of 50 gilders was ordered against
any man who should bring such action without the nec-
essary proof. Sometimes the punishment was made se-
vere in aggravated cases, if the charge was proved.
Again, satisfaction was rendered by the accused making
a suitable acknowledgment of his wrong-doing, and
apologizing therefor, with promise of future amend-
ment. It would be unjust to suppose that the offenders
formed any large portion of the little colony. The
great majority were honest, thrifty, law-abiding citizens.
We thus judge, because only a few names appear, and
these repeatedly, as defendants in these actions. The
severity of the punishment sometimes imposed may also
be taken as a fair interpretation of the contempt with
which the better portion of the community looked down
upon these disturbances of the common weal. Judg-
ment, too, was pronounced without respect of person;
and female gossips received no better treatment at the
hands of the law than their male companions. The fol-
lowing are fair specimens of the many that fill the court
record. In 1650 Nicholas Stillwell brought an action
for slander against Thomas Applegate, for saying, " he
thought if plaintiff's debts were paid he would have lit-
tle left." As he had nothing to say to the charge, the
court admonished him, and fined him 12 gilders and
the cost of court.
The next year Sergeant Hubbard, in behalf of his
wife, brings a similar charge against the same Apple-
gate. Here it is :
"Defendant is charged with saying ye plaintif had
but half a wife. Being questioned by the court if he
could disprove the fact, said, he never said it. Never-
theless, the Court sentenced him to make publick ac-
knowledgment of his error, and to stand at the publick
poste during the pleasure of the Court, with a paper on
his breast mentioning the reason : that he is a notorious
scandalous person; whereupon, he again confessed his
guilt, and desired her to pass it by, and remit it, which
she freely did, and he gave her thanks."
In the case of Ann Goulder, evidently an old offender,
found guilty of slander, she was ordered " to stand in ye
yrons half an hour, with a paper on her breast declaring
her to be a publick disturber of ye peace, and if any
further trouble from her, she to be put out of ye town."
Ambrose London brought suit against the wife of
Thomas Applegate, for saying "his wife did milk her
cows. The Deft saith she said no otherwise, but as
Penelope Prince tould her, yt Ambrose, his wife, did
milk her cows. Penelope Prince being questioned, ac-
knowledged her fault in soe speaking, and being sorrie
for her words, she spoke satisfaction on both sides."
That it was a serious thing in those days to speak
evil of those in authority, is evident from the following
case:
Thomas Applegate, Sr., it appears, had brought a
case before the Governor for adjudication. As the
decision had been against him, he felt himself greatly
wronged; and had, in his anger, said that undue influ-
ence had been brought to bear upon his Excellency to
effect this result. Consequently, at a court held Dec.
26th, 1650, he was charged with saying that the Gover-
nor " took bribes." Although he positively denied the
charge, " yett nevertheless the Court being sufficiently
satisfied in their consciences according to the evidence
yt ye said Applegate had spoken ye said words, the
which being soe contrarie to all rules and laws divine
and human, not to scandalize or to speak evil of any
person much more of ruler and Gov. ye Court doe
therefore adjudge ye said Applegate doe deserve to
have his tongue bored through with a red hott yron
and to make publick acknowledgement of his great
transgression therein, and never to have credit in anye
of belief in any testimonie or relation he shall make
either in court or countrie, and for ye execution of ye
said sentence doe refer him to ye mercy of ye Gover-
nor."
When this sentence was publicly read, the said Ap-
plegate confessed his guilt, and asked forgiveness of
the Governor, and begged the court to intercede for
him ; at the same time expressing the hope that this
would be a warning to him in the future. We have
every reason to believe that through the repentance of
the offender, and the kindly intercession of the court,
the tongue of the slanderer escaped the judicial perfo-
ration, and that the remainder of the sentence was also
remitted.
The above examples from Town-Court records will
168
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
suffice to show with what judicial wisdom and severity
the minor offences against law and order were treated
over two hundred years ago, in protecting the rights of
our citizens and maintaining the public peace.
This brings us to the
Court of Sessions.— This court, in the year 1668,
was moved from Flatbush to Gravesend, where it re-
mained for seventeen years. The original court-house is
said to have been built in 1668, and stood near the
present Dutch church.
We find this interesting record of the court while
held at Gravesend :
" Whereas there hath been several misdemeanors commit-
ted in contempt of authority in the town of Gravesend, by
throwing down the stocks, pulling down fences, and such
like crimes ; the court also find there was no watch in town
which might have prevented it, and being the offenders can-
not be discovered, it is ordered that the town stand fined in
5 pounds till they have made discovery of the offenders."
A watch-house had been built about ten years before
this, but the authorities had evidently become careless
about keeping suitable guard at night. It would be an
excellent thing if our local authorities, now-a-days, could
be made, in like manner, responsible for good govern-
ment.
Then, in 1685, by act of the Second Colonial Assem-
bly, it was removed to Flatbush again; the latter place
being considered the more central and convenient loca-
tion for the transaction of county business. It remained
here until its final removal to Brooklyn, where it is now
held. The old record of the Court of Sessions, while
it was held at Gravesend, may now be found in a fair
state of preservation in the Register's ofiice in the city
of Brooklyn. The first entry in the book is as follows :
' " Att a Court of Sessions held att Gravesend the 17 day
of March, By his Royal Highness' authority, in the 25 year
of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles the Second, by
the grace of God, of Great Brittain, France and Ireland
King-defender of the faith, &c., and in the year of our Lord
God 1608-9."
" Present,
Cornelius Van Rdyder, )
James Hubbard, [ Justices.
Richard Lott, )
The record of every regular session of the court is
begun in the same language as the above, changing
only the date of its sitting, or the names of the presid-
ing justices.
It was customary in this court for the Secretary of
the Colony, or a qiember of the Council, or the High
Sheriff, if present, to sit with the justices and preside
over their deliberations.
The following case, tried here before a jury, shows
that they were unwilling to have justice miscarry
through any technical defect in the indictment, or to
have any artful schemer profit by another's ignorance
of the law :
•'Samuel Dennis, PVtf. John Van Cleef, Deft— The
Plantif produced the Def ts obUgacion wherein hee was to
pay him severall parceUs of come in Nov. last. The Deft,
owned it was his act and deed, but objected that the action
was not legally entered, nor a declaration given in. Where-
upon, it being left to the jury they brought in their verdict
as foUoweth. That seeing the pl'tf is a stranger, and is un-
acquainted with the laws so as to observe every circumstance
which is proper for ourselves, but hath observed the end and
substance of the law, though not every circumstance, that
therefore hee have a present determination or hearing, seeing
the law in folio the fourth, doth not make a negative excep-
tion in this case."
" The Worsbipl Court allow the verdict, and order present
payment of the debt, with two pounds damage and costs of
Court."
The following case shows a hospitable regard, on the
part of the court, for the comfort and welfare of
strangers :
"The Constable of Bush wick presented Heumphry Clay
for Retayhng of Liquor without a license, but the Court
being Informed that hee keeps an inn att Marspath Hills for
the accommodation of Strangers they have thought best to
grant him a license and remit the fine."
We will mention but one other case, worthy of note
because of the peculiar punishment inflicted. We have
been able to find no evidence of this case in the records
of the court, but find it stated in Thompson's Histor'j^
of long Island. From the date given we think there
must be some mistake as to the locality, but we give it
as we find'it. A soldier was convicted before the Court
of Sessions in Gravesend for leaving his post while on
guard, for the evident purpose of indulging his appetite
for strong drink. He was condemned to sit upon a
wooden horse during parade, with a pitcher in one hand
and a sword in the other, to signify that he loved his
beer more than his duty, and that his courage was
determined by the quantity consumed.
Quit-Rent, — The patent of Gov. Kieft exacted from
the settlers one-tenth of the revenue of the soil, as quit-
rent, to be paid yearly to His Majesty. By the Dongan
Patent of 1686 this yearly tax was commuted to six
bushels of good merchantable winter-wheat, to be paid
every 25th of March to some offieer of the government
duly appointed to receive it. This certainly was not an
exorbitant demand for the favors the town had received;
nor have we heard that complaint was ever made.
There are, among the old papers of the town, several
receipts (the earliest dated 17 76) for this quit-rent, given
by the Receiver-General, or by his deputy, which show
that the town continued to pay the six bushels of wheat
as late, at least, as 1780.
After the Revolutionary war, and in the year 1786,
the legislature passed an act providing that any indi-
viduals or corporations in arrears for quit-rents, who
should pay such arrearages, less eight years (the period
of the war), and a sum equal to fourteen years addi-
tional quit-rent, should receive a certificate from the
treasurer of the State and be thenceforth forever ex-
empted from the payment of any quit-rente. That
ASSESS OUS— C 0 UNTY TREA SURERS^ GENS US
169
Gravesend met its obligations fully is shown by the
following :
" Patent granted to the inhabitants of Gravesend in Kings
County date 10 Sept 1686. Quit rent six Bush Wheat pr ann
Paid up to 25 Mar 1775
From 25 March 1775
To 25 Dec 1786
11:9
BUS.
BUSH.
3:9
6
22i
6/-
£6.15
14
yrs
Comut.
6
84
6/-
25.
4
£31.19
Rec'd 12 Deo. 1786 From Ohbert Terhune Supervisor of
Gravesend Public Secui'ities Which with the Interest AUo wed
Thereon amount to Thirty one Pounds Nineteen Sliillings lu
Full for the Arrears of Quit Rent and a Commutation of the
future Quit Rents that would have asrisen on the Above Des-
cribed Patent.
Geeabd Banckee, Treas'r.
Assessors and County Treasurer. Assessors
are first mentioned in 1691. The next year a County
Treasurer was chosen to look after the m.oney thus col-
lected. He seems to have been chosen by representa-
tives from the various towns, as is inferred from the
following :
"At a general town meeting held Jan 23, 1692, John Poland
and John Lake were chosen to meet other townsmen at Flat-
bush to choose a County Treasurer, next monday being ye 25
of January. Also William Goulding and Daniel Lake to pre-
sent our assessment to ye justices at Flatbush ye first of Feb.
next ensuing, because ye assessors were absent."
A Port of Entry. — In 1693 Gravesend was one of
the three ports of entry on Long Island.
Census. — The first attempt at a census of the town,
which we have been able to find, was made in 1675
[Documentary Histriry, Vol. II), as follows :
" The Accounpts from Gravesend this 14 of the 7th mo'th
Anno 1675, of all personns Rateable according to ye law, as
also of their Lands both upland and meadow ground, with
the number of their cattle, uamely^Oxen ; Cows ; horses ;
Mares ; and Sheep as follows : Of persons the troopers ex-
cepted 30 : of oxen there is 26 : of cows there is to ye number
of 107 : of cattle 107 : of horses and mares 62 : of colts 29 :
of sheep to ye number of 60 : of acres of upland and Meadow
ground 932.
By me Nicholas Still well. Constable, and ye Overseers.
Rate £13 14s 5d. (Endorsed.)
Gravesend valuacons Brought in Sept. 20, 1675.
Exd. Rate £13 14s 3d."
1675. " Feb. Ist. At a general town meeting ye
Inhabitants made choice of Nicholas Stillwell to be Con-
stable ye present year. 13 voters." This could hardly
have been the full number of voters in town, even at
this early day.
1683. In a return of the persons, lands and cattle
ratable according to law in Gravesend, we find there
are 32 persons taxed ; number of acres, 1,356 ; horses,
59 ; colts, 9 ; cows, 121 ; calves between 1 and 3 years,
119 ; and 2 hogs kept by John Tilton, Sr.; 14 sheep.
This shows a gain in some respects, and a falling ofE in
others.
1698. In a list of the freeholders, their wives, chil-
dren, apprentices and slaves, within Kings coimty, we
find Gravesend credited with 31 men, 32 women, 124
children, 6 apprentices, and 17 slaves, making a total
population of 210. At this time Brooklyn had a popu-
lation of only 511, and all Kings county contained but
2,013 inhabitants.
1738. In another list of the inhabitants of Kings
county, both white and black, the census of Gravesend
is given asfollows : " Total population, 268 ; white men,
women and children, 218 ; blacks, 50." Thus showing
an increase in total population, in forty years, of only 58
persons, and of these 33 were blacks. Brooklyn had,
according to this census, a total population of 721, and
King^ county 2,348, as follows : Whites, 1,784 ; blacks,
564.
1788. In an old tax-list of this date, found among
the town-papers, we find the number of inhabitants
taxed in Gravesend to be 58. Only 47 of the above
were real-estate owners, the others being taxed for per-
sonal property. Number of acres, 2,211 ; number of
horses, 95 ; cattle, 227 ; sheep, 42 ; slaves, 65.
1789. In a paper, similar to the above, there were but
42 real-estate owners on the list, and the number of
acres given as 3,079. This paper is signed by Cornelius
Stryker, John Emmans and Stephen Emmans, Assessors.
The following returns, sent to the Secretary's oflice
in 1790, are valuable for the sake of comparison.
NAMES OF TOWNS.
Freeholders
w
£100.
ill
w
a
B
CD
CO
CD
to
97
87
34
42
52
43
105
40
87
46
53
46
98
4
15
4
20
8
582
137
313
160
194
170
537
148
394
134
169
159
437
141
390
131
164
204
Flatbush
Flatlands
Busliwick . ....
New Utrecht
/
355
376
149
1556
1396
1471
1791. We also have before us an old paper enti-
tled : " The second payment of the tax for building
Kings county Court House, apportioned to the Inhabi-
tants of, or Ratable estates in the Town of Gravesend,
26 day of September, 1791." In this list we have 51
ratable estates, with their valuation, and the tax laid
upon them. The highest valuation is put upon the
estate of Richard Stillwell, Jr., it being £1,451, and his
tax £4 68 U^d. The smallest valuation was £1, and
the tax Id.
1800. The census for Kings county gives a total
population of 5,749.
170
HISTORY OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
1810. The census by towns was as follows: Brook-
lyn, 4,402 ; Bushwick, 798 ; Flatbush, 517 ; Flatlands,
517 ; Gravesend, 520 ; New Utreclit, 907 ; total, 8,303.
The gain in the county in ten years, from 1800 to 1810,
was 2,563. The gain for Gravesend for the same time
was only 3. It is probable that these returns cannot be
relied upon as perfectly accurate in every particular,
but they furnish a fair approximation.
In 1828 Brooklyn had a population of 7,475. In
1840, 36,233.
1835. The census gives the number of inhabitants
of Gravesend as 695 ; or only 427 for nearly a century's
increase of population ; not a very remarkable growth
for 97 years. In 1864 there were 99 voters.
1880. The census shows a much more rapid increase,
the number of inhabitants being given as over 3,500.
1883. The tax-list gives the names of 1,307 resi-
dent tax-payers, beside a very large number of non-
residents who pay taxes on parcels of land ranging
in size from city building-lots to several acres. The
great increase in population has been made in the last
decade. The benefits to be derived from living in a
place where taxes are low, the climate most healthful,
and the surroundings altogether delightful, are begin-
ning now to be appreciated as never before. We may
justly look for a still larger increase in the next ten
years.
Highways. — The first highways were narrow, un-
fenced lanes, rightly designated upon the old records
as "wagon-paths." As the cattle of the inhabitants
gradually increased, it became necessary for every man
to fence his land adjoining the lanes, according to a
town-order; and where the wagon-paths passed through
the various lots of the farmers, as they very frequently
did, the bars were to be carefully put up after every
ingress and egress, under penalty of a fine for every
neglect, and the damages which might result from
stray cattle.
Four gates w^ere also put up in the four quarters of
the town, at the ends of the lanes, separating the com-
mon pasture-ground from the cultivated fields. If the
children, even, left these gates open, the parents were
held responsible for the consequences.
The streets through the town-square were the first
opened, and were considered, in these early times, re-
markably fine roads. Those leading to the "12 liior-
gen" and Unionville on the southwest, and to the
"Neck" or "General Cornfield" on the east, were
scarcely more than simple wagon-tracks. But little
labor was required in making these roads, beside that
of cutting the trees or clearing the underbrush, which
covered this part of the island.
The first town-record we find, relating to highways,
is dated April 21, 1651, viz.:
" Att an assemblie of ye inhabitants of ye town it was or-
dered and agreed unto that every inhabitant who is possessed
of a lott shall be ready to go by ye blowing of ye horn on
Thursday next to clear ye common ways uppon ye pennaltie
of 2 gilders for every one yt is defective."
There is another record of a highway laid out "to
and from the Beach," dated Dec. 11, 1660, evidently
the present road to Unionville, scarcely twenty feet
wide, and known to this day as the "Beach Lane."
Highways were frequently changed for the accom-
modation of individuals; in those days, a matter of no
great labor. We find several records like the follow-
ing:
"March as, 1678. It was proposed in a legal meeting, and
in presence of Judge Nicholas Stillwell, unto ye inhabitants
and freeholders of our town, by Abraham Emans, whether
ye said Abraham might take unto his lott ye general high-
way going down to ye mill, aod he ye said Abraham aUow-
ing to ye town a sufficient highway at ye east side of hislott
and more convenient to ye town, which was consented unto
by ye pluralitie of ye freeholders."
In the following instance the town propose the ex-
change: April 1st, 1697. The town propose to ex-
change with Nicholas Stillwell .their highway " next to
his habitation at the end of our lane, he allowing unto
the town a sufficient highway in the same place where
formerly it was."
As the early highways were opened for the purpose
of reaching more easily their outlying farm-lots, rather
than for the convenience of travel, it would sometimes
happen that farmers from the neighboring towns, to
save themselves time and lessen the distance to the
point aimed at, would open short-cuts across their
neighbors' fields without leave or license, to the great
damage of property. This was done several times by
the farmers of Flatlands and Flatbush, until the people
of Gravesend, at a general town-meeting called for the
purpose, drew up and presented to the above towns a
strong remonstrance against such unauthorized tres-
pass; and finally, in 1691, appealed to the Court of
Sessions to confirm a town-order making such an
offence a misdemeanor and finable.
The records furnish a description, dated 1696, of the
highway between Flatlands and New Utrecht, which
would now be utterly unknown but for this record. It
seems to have followed the line of the towns, rather
than a direct course, making a travel of five miles nec-
essary to accomplish an air-line distance of three. The
direction and width are as follows:
'•Ye way from ye end of ye lane to Amersfort is 4 redds
m breadth, and from thence along Flatbush and New
Utrecht fence one rodd, and at New Utrecht lane it takes
the breadth of that lane, and so runs till it comes to our '
lane, and then it is three rodds breadth, and further between
every range of lots is a way one rodd and a half. The line
of ye highway to Amersfort is north x east, about half a
point north."
At a very early date, also, probably not long after
the above, another road was opened, running east and
west, through the northern part of the town, from Flat-
lands to New Utrecht, which has been known, for a cen-
tury at least, as the " King's Highway," and, like all
HIGHWAYS, BO ADS AND AVENUES.
IVI
roads of that period, is narrow and winds about in a
most arbitrary manner.
Rider avenue, in the northern part of the town, running
from Gravesend avenue to the Coney Island avenue,
was opened about 1850 or '51 ; and Rider's lane, in the
extreme eastern part, extending from the " Neck " road
to King's highway, was opened about 1831. They are
both narrow streets.
Coney Island Causeway. — Previous to 1823, in
order to reach Coney Island, it was necessary to ford
the Coney Island creek, which could be done only when
the tide was out. To meet the need of a good high-
way to the shore, a company was formed by act of the
legislature, passed March 22, 1823, whose corporate
title was " The Coney Island Bridge and Road Com-
pany." Their capital stock was $6,000, all paid ; 300
shares at $20 per share. Van Brunt Magaw, George
Stillwell, Garret Stryker, Jacobus Lakes and Lawrence
Ryder were appointed a commission " to lay out a
causeway from Gravesend village to the sea-shore."
This was a continuation, toward the south, of the
street originally laid out through the village-center.
The company, by 1824, had their causeway constructed
over the meadow, their bridge built, their toll-gate
erected, and everything in running order. Van Brunt
Magaw was elected first president, and John Terhune
secretary and treasurer, and held their respective
offices for sixteen years ; when, September 4, 1839,
James W. Cropsey was elected president, and B. I.
Ryder secretary and treasurer. The road subsequently
came into the hands of Mr. John Lefferts, of Flatbush,
by the purchase of the stock ; he kept the road in re-
pair and collected the toll, until about the year 1876,
when it was purchased by Andrew R. Culver, president
of the Prospect Park and Coney Island railroad. The
road is still in good condition, although sometimes
covered by the high tides. It has virtually ceased to
be a toll-road.
Gravesend Avenue. — In 1838 an effort was made
to open a free road, four rods wide, " from the Coney
Island Bridge road, in the town of Gravesend, over the
town of Flatbush to the Clove in Flatbush hill, at the
Patent-line between the towns of Flatbush and Brook-
lyn." This was an extension to the north of the village-
center road, as the Coney Island causeway was an ex-
tension towards the south, and met with considerable
opposition.
It was four rods wide, for about two miles from the
village, and then terminated in a narrow lane as it
turned towards the north-east, and passed into the town
of Flatbush.
This street, in 1875, by act of the legislature, was
widened to 100 feet, and extends directly north to the
city-line of Brooklyn, where its connects with 20th St.
It cost the abutting property-owners in the town of
Gravesend about $40,000 for these improvements, and
it is now known as Gravesend avenue.
Coney Island Plank Road, extending from I5th
Street, Brooklyn city-line, to Coney Island, with a toll-
gate at each extremity of the road, was surveyed by
Hon. Tunis G. Bergen, and map filed October 12, 1849.
In 1850 it was laid out, 66 feet wide, completed, and
long known as the Coney Island Road. After ten or
twelve yeai-s' service, the planks were removed and the
road turnpiked. It was the main thoroughfare to Coney
Island for many years, or until the completion of the
Boulevard. It was often thronged, of a fine afternoon
in summer, with every description of carriages and
horses ; and was noted as the drive where the sporting-
men of twenty years ago were accustomed to exhibit
the fine qualities of their thoroughbreds.
On May 11th, 1869, an amendatory act was passed
widening this road to 100 feet, and an assessment laid
upon the property along the street in 1871. The next
year, 1872, the work was accomplished ; people were
warned to set back their fences, and the large assess-
ment was collected. But, of all the money levied and
collected, not one dollar was ever expended to put the
road in proper condition, and the few who refused to
move their fences have never been compelled to do it
to this day. This road is now known upon the county
map as Coney Island avenue.
The Neck Road to Sheepshead Bay was, in 1865,
extended and widened from a narrow lane to a width
corresponding to the increasing growth and travel of
the town. Wm. H. Stillwell, surveyor.
In the year 1876, 60th street was opened, beginning
at Gravesend avenue and terminating on 3d avenue,
South Brooklyn.
A year or so later 86th street was opened. This
street begins on the old Coney Island causeway, south
of the village, and runs in a direct course through New
Utrecht to Fort Hamilton. These streets are all down
in the recent county survey, and are 60 feet wide.
Ocean Avenue. — It extends from the Willink en-
trance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn, to the Atlantic
Ocean: 100 feet wide and a little over five miles long.
It affords the eastern part of the town of Gravesend,
especially Sheepshead Bay, a beautiful and convenient
drive direct to Brooklyn. There is a strong probabil-
ity that the inlet at the bay will be bridged, making
Manhattan Beach its southern terminus.
It is, without doubt, the cheapest road of its kind
ever built in Kings county. The commissioners all
being men of honorable standing in the towns interested,
and themselves owners of abutting property, were
therefore careful that no extravagant outlays should be
made. It was located by an act of the legislature,
April 19, 1871; the map filed July 3d, 1875; and the
road completed in 1876. The sidewalks are laid out
fifteen feet wide, and the roadway seventy feet. The
contract for construction was $12,500 ; the cost of
removing buildings, law and incidental expenses, mak-
ing the sum total $15,000. No public work of such ex-
172
MIS TOUT OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
tent has ever been done in this part of the country at
so little expense. The commissioners were Benjamin
G. Hitchings, Robert Magaw, and Philip S. Crook.
The superintendent of survey was Samuel McElroy.
Ocean Parkway. — We come finally to speak of
Ocean Parkway, fully acknowledged to be the finest
drive in America. It is simply the extension of Pros-
pect Park, in one broad magnificent avenue to the At-
lantic Ocean. The idea of a drive on such a grand
scale, for the benefit of Brooklyn and New York, had
its origin in the fertile brain of J. S. T. Stranahan, then
president of the Park Commissioners of Brooklyn. Ap-
plication was made to the legislature, and an act passed
May 11, 1869, amended May 14, 1872, giving to the
Brooklyn Park Commissioners the necessary authority
to " lay out, open, and improve a public highway or
avenue from Prospect Park, in the City of Brooklyn,
towards Coney Island, to the lands of the Prospect
Park Fair Grounds Association." The understanding
was, that while it stopped at King's highway, in
Gravesend, for the present, it should ultimately be con-
tinued to Coney Island. It was therefore rightly called
" Ocean Parkway."
The whole affair was placed in the hands, and under
the full control, of the Park Commissioners, with power
to fix the assessment district and levy all necessary as^
sessments for the opening and construction of the road.
The construction of this part of the avenue was begun
in 1874, and completed at the beginning of the follow-
ing year. The extension from King's highway to the
ocean was begun in the early spring of 1876, and
November 18th, of this year, the completed road, from
Prospect Park to Coney Island, was thrown open to the
public. The whole length of the road is five and one-
half miles to the concourse, with a continuous width of
210 feet, and a reserve of thirty feet on the outside
lines of the avenue; upon which, according to the legis-
lative act, " no buildings or other erections, except
porches, piazzas, fences, fountains and statuary, shall
remain or be at any time placed ; which space on each
side of the avenue, and in addition thereto, shall be used
for court-yards only, and may be planted with trees,
shrubbery, and otherwise ornamented, at the discretion
of the respective owners or occupants thereof ; but
such use and ornamentation shall be under the direction
of the said Park Commissioners.'' The center-road, de-
voted to pleasure-driving, is seventy feet wide. Side-
roads on each side the center-drive, twenty-five feet ■
and sidewalks, each fifteen feet. Between the main
road and the two side-roads is reserved a space of
thirty feet for ornamentation. Six rows of trees adorn
the avenue, one on each side of the three drives. The
assessment-district was laid at 1050 feet on each side
the avenue. The parkway contains about 125 acres.
The road terminates at the beach in what is known as
" The Concourse." This consists of an area 2720 feet
in length, and running 1000 feet back from high-water
line. A beautiful drive has been constructed across it
lengthwise, seventy-five feet wide, with a sidewalk
twenty-five feet on the ocean side, and the whole cov-
ered with asphalt pavement. Two shelters have been
built in the centre of this concourse, one on each side
of the spot where the road enters it. These are each
seventy-five feet long and twenty-five feet wide, and
open toward the sea, giving a most beautiful and unin-
terrupted view of the ocean and the opening of the
" Narrows." The cost of this boulevard is something
startling, especially to those who were compelled to bear
the larger part of it. The following is a copy of the
figures taken from the books of the County Treasurer,
by Mr. Martin Schoonmaker : Cost of opening, $265,-
705 ; Cost of construction, $295,525. This covers the
expense of avenue only from Prospect Park to King's
highway. The cost of opening the avenue, viz., $265,-
705, was paid entirely by the property-owners within
the assessment-district, as follows : $108,068 in cash;
1157,637 in land, for which the owners did not receive
one cent. To meet the expense of construction, viz ;
$295,525, the county of Kings was authorized by the
legislature to issue bonds to the amount of $300,000,
bearing interest at the rate of seven per cent., to he
paid on or before the expiration of ten years, the inter-
est payable semi-annually. Reckoning the interest on
the cost of construction for ten years, at seven per cent,
we shall find the whole cost of the avenue, from Pros-
pect Park to the King's highway (the section first built),
will reach the enormous total of $768,097.50.
The cost of the extension from King's highway to the
ocean, though much less per lineal foot than that first
constructed, was : Amount levied for opening (for lands
taken, including awards), over $100,000 ; Cost of im-
provement, grading, etc., $75,000.
This, with interest, added to the cost of the first
section, would swell the total cost of the five-and-a-haK
miles of Ocean parkway and concourse to about om
million dollars.
The property-owners within the assessment-district
earnestly and persistently petitioned the legislature to
relieve them from this heavy burden, which amounted
virtually to a confiscation of their property ; for the
1,000 acres, more or less, which were assessed to pay
$375,000 for constructing the whole length, with inter-
est, if sold by public auction, would not pay the amount
levied upon them. No relief was obtained, however,
until 1882, when the legislature passed a law, laying
two-thirds of the amount to be raised upon the county
of Kings, and the other third upon the property bene-
fitted. This gave general satisfaction, and the people,
glad to be freed from this overshadowing burden, gladly
paid the one-third cost which was levied upon them.
The amended act of 1872, section 11, reads as follows :
"After the said avenue shall have been opened, the
said avenue, together with the court-yards fronting
thereon, shall be under the exclusive charge and man-
POST OFFICE— PUBLIC SCHOOLS
173
agement of the said Park Commissioners, and they shall
make and enforce rules and regulations for the proper
use thereof, * * * * its subsequent maintenance shall
be a charge npon the city of Brooklyn," &c. In accord-
ance with this provision, in March, 1883, the Park Com-
missioners passed a law compelling heavy wagons to
leave the center-drive for the side-roads, but a strong
police-force will be necessary to carry it into effect.
Notwithstanding its great width and three drives, it is
hardly too wide to accommodate the vast number of
carriages that throng it every pleasant summer after-
noon. The common verdict is, that no finer drive of its
length can be found in this country.
The same session of the legislature which passed the
Ocean Parkway act, passed another, appointing com-
missioners for laying out streets and mapping the towns
of Kings county. In 1870 this commission began ac-
tive operations, and completed the work in about three
years. Consequently we find our town covered with
streets and avenues on the county map, in many
instances sorely conflicting with the existing order of
streets. To meet the present pressing demand for
building-lots, many land-owners have opened these
legalized streets upon their property ; and others are
opening streets which suit the situation of their land,
without regard to the county survey. So we expect it
will continue until all our farming-land is turned into
building-lots, and we become a constituent part of what
is destined to be the largest city in the world.
Post-Offices. — Previous to the year 1842 all mail
matter intended for Gravesend was sent to the Flat-
bush post-oifice, and from there obtained by individuals,
as best they could. It was considered, in those days,
a neighborly duty for any one who happened to pass
tiie office to call for the letters intended for his neigh-
borhood, and see that they were delivered at his earli-
est convenience. Sometimes, however, the stage-driver
was pressed into the service and made to do extra duty
as postman. In the same manner, also, letters were
taken to Flatbush to be mailed.
The probability is that few letters were written or
received in Gravesend for the first 200 years. The peo-
ple lived mainly within themselves. They married
mostly among their own relatives and towns-people,
and quietly settled down where they were born, very
few having relatives more than a day's journey from
their homes; and, since their business was mostly done
in Brooklyn or New York, they had very little occasion
to communicate by letter with the outside world. But
the time at length came when a larger correspondence
became necessary, and when this slow and often uncer-
tain means of communicating with the post-ofiice be-
came very irksome to the people.
Therefore, in the year 1843, upon petition of the
people, and through the influence of the late Henry C.
Murphy, who was then serving his first term in Con-
gress, a post-oflice was established at Gravesend, and
Mr. Martin Schoonmaker was appointed the first post-
master, keeping the office in his store, next to the Re-
formed church, on Gravesend avenue. After servmg
as post-master ten or twelve years, he resigned, and
Mr. Gilbert Hicks, then a young man, was appointed to
succeed him, July 12, 1854.
Mr. Hicks retained the office for several years, when
he removed to Flatbush, and was for many years, till
1882, the able and faithful post-master of that village.
Mr. John Bergen, then the village merchant, succeeded
Mr. Hicks. He continued in office until July 16, 1869,
when Dr. R. L. Van Kleek was installed as his suc-
cessor, and still holds the position.
It speaks well for the popularity of Dr. Van Kleek,
that, being a pronounced democrat in politics, he was
yet appointed by, and has so long retained his position
under, a republican administration, having now entered
upon his fourteenth official year. During his term of
service the business and efficiency of the office have
been largely increased. It is now doing a thriving
business, especially in summer, owing to the large num-
ber of summer-residents.
In 1800 another post-office was established in town
at " Hotel Brighton," on Brighton Beach; but this was
discontinued after a trial of one season. A system of
lamp-post boxes was established at the same time, con-
fined wholly to the Coney Island district, and this still
continues in operation. The letters are regularly col-
lected and distributed daily by a city carrier. For this
purpose the post-office department appropriates $600
annually. The whole arrangement is under the imme-
diate supervision of the Brooklyn Post-Office.
A third post-office has also been established in the
eastern part of the town, in the flourishing village of
Sheepshead Bay. There has been here such rapid
growth in population, within the last three or four years,
that the distance of a mile and a half to the Gravesend
Post-Office seemed an unnecessary tax upon their time
and patience, and so a post-office in this village became
a public necessity. Consequently their petition for
one was favorably considered, and, in July, 1882, Dr.
James F. Morgan was appointed first post-master.
Public Schools. — Whatever interest may have at-
tached to the subject of education, and however import-
ant it may have appeared to the early settlei-s, their
advantages in this direction were necessarily limited
for many years, owing to the difficulties presented by
the unsettled condition of things around them. It is
fair to presume, however, that when the increase in
population made such a step necessary, they met the
wants of the rising generation with such facilities for
learning as the needs of the hour required, and their
circumstances would permit.
However, it was not until about eighty years after
the first settlement of the town that we find any defi-
nite attempt to establish a permanent public-school
system. Then, a joint stock company of nineteen per-
174
BISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
sons was formed, and an acre of ground puroliased,
with a house already upon it, to be devoted exclusively
and forever to public instruction. We have before us
the original deed of this house and ground, found
among the old town-papers.
Its date and heading are as follows :
" The eighth day of April, in the first year of the
Reign of our Sovereign Lord, George the Second, and in
the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and twenty-
eight." It was given by Jacobus Emans, and was
signed, sealed and delivered, in the presence of Aaron
Emans and Samuel Hubbard, as witnesses.
This deed describes the property as " one house and
two garden spotts," and is given to the " freeholders
and inhabitants of Gravesend, whose names are signed
upon the back side hereof, to be used and employed to
the use of a school by the owners thereof at all times
forever hereafter, and for no other use or employment
whatsoever."
It bounds the property " on the south by Nicholas
Williamson, on the north by highway, west by high-
way, and east by the common yard, containing one acre,
be it more or less."
The " common yard " was an acre in the center of
each square, to which reference has already been made,
where the cattle of the settlers were herded for the
night for safe-keeping. A gate opened into this " com-
mon yard" from the rear of each dwelling, for the
greater convenience of the house-holders.
The boundary of this school-lot fixes its precise loca-
tion where the town-hall now stands. On the back of
this venerable document are the names of the nineteen
purchasers, with the sum each was to pay as his pro-
portion. Attached to it is the following memorandum :
"Eighth day of April, anno 1728, memorandum that
the persons whose names are hereinunder signed, are
the owners of the within-named house and garden-spots,
each one to have Right according to the value of money
he hath paid, as doth appear in proportion as is herein-
under noted down." The consideration in this transfer
was £19.
This school-house accommodated the town for sixty
years; when, in 1788, a new and larger building was
erected upon the same site. It was a low, one-story
wooden structure about 25x35 feet, without the slightest
attempt at architectural display, and has been, until
within a few years, a familiar landmark of the town.
The date of its erection is ascertained from the follow-
ing receipts in the town-clerk's ofiice. The first is as
follows: "Received, Gravesend, 27 Aug. 1788, of
Roger Strong thirty-six shillings and three pence, in
full, for the freight of boards, shingles, &c., bought for
the school-house in said town, per me, John West,"
The second is dated in January of the following year,
and is for work done on the new school-house : " Re-
ceived, New Utrecht, 15 Jan. 1789, of Capt. Isaac
Denyse, fourteen shillings and sixpense in full for
work done to Gravesend school-house, per me, Johanes
Johnson."
This building is still in existence ; it was used for a
school-house for about fifty years, when a new site was
purchased and a new house erected. It was then, by
common consent, turned into a town-hall, where the
public business of the town was transacted ; although
this, as we have seen, was in direct violation of the pro-
visions of the original deed. It continued to serve this
purpose for about thirty-five years longer, when it was
considered too small and mean in appearance to serve
the needs of a rapidly-growing town. Thus it stood on
one of the most public sites in all the town, a familiar
object to the eyes of nearly three generations. The
whipping-post and public stocks, which formerly stood
beside it, had long since disappeared, leaving the old
building alone to tell the story of the past.
However, in the year 1873 the old house was sold to
give place to the present large and commodious town-
hall, and it was purchased at public sale by Charles M.
Ryder for $26.50 ; moved to his property near by, and
fitted for a tenement-house. And thus keeping, for the
most part, its old outward form and appearance, after
almost a hundred years, we find it still doing faithful
service in furnishing shelter to this remote generation.
In 1838, as before mentioned, a new school-site was
purchased of Cornelius Emans, on the north-west side
of the town-square, and a new school-house erected bet-
ter suited to the needs of the district. In 1874 it was
enlarged by the addition of a wing, to be used for a
primary-department. Thus stands District No. i to-day,
with a good school-building, a primary and grammar-
department, two teachers, and a large number of
scholars.
Teachers. — The following list is taken from the old
records, supplemented by the memory of several of the
oldest inhabitants, and the names given as nearly as
possible in the order of their service.
Messrs. Proctor ; Garahan ; Barnardus C. Lake; Pat-
rick Noonan ; Benj. Mercer ; David TurnbuU ; John-
son ; Abram Emmans ; John Wyckoff ; Charles Good-
rich ; Richard Kyles ; Dr. C. H. Schnopps ; James M.
Fulton ; Spafford ; Brown ; Pillings ; Geo. Berget ;
Norton ; Edward Benjamin; Rowell ; Requay; Bates;
Wm. H. Stillwell ; Andrew Hegeman ; Gilbert H.
Wickham ; Le Grand Payne.
Assistant Teachers were Miss Aletta Ditmars and
Miss Nellie Storm.
Judge Wickham was for 21 years the faithful teacher
of this school, until the close of 1876, when he resigned
to take the position of Associate Justice of the Court
of Sessions. In 1877 Mr. Payne became principal, with
Miss Storm as assistant, and they still retain their posi-
tions.
District No. 2. — In 1811 it became necessary, for the
greater convenience of the spreading population, to di-
vide the district, or create a new one in the eastern part
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
175
of the town. Accordingly the residents in that neigh-
borhood combined together for the erection of a new
school-house. Land was purchased of Mr. Isaac De-
nyse ; a building erected 18x30 feet, and paid for by
subscription. In 1847, to meet the demand for more
room, an addition of 10 feet was made to the length of
the house, at a cost of some $200, makin , a long, low
building, uninviting in external appearance, and very
gloomy within. Therefore, one row of seats only was
made next to and facing the wall ; thus enabling the
pupil to give his undivided attention to his studies;
while at the same time it afforded the teacher the oppor-
tunity to keep, unobserved, a watchful eye over those
who were more inclined to be mischievous than studious.
This old building continued to serve the purpose of a
school-house till 1879, when it was abandoned for the
new one.
The deed of the lot was made out in the name of Mr.
John S. Garretson, and it remains in possession of his
heirs to-day.
In 1879 a new site was purchased on Ocean avenue,
and a large and convenient school-house built, which
does credit to the district. It is a two-story wooden
building, 35x55 feet, well painted, and kept in good
repair. Jacobus Yoorhees was the architect and
builder. Its cost was $2,700. Teachers of this school,
from the beginning, have been Messrs. John D. Wat-
kins; Martin; Mercer; Benson; John S. Fulton; Isaac
S. Perry; R. H. Stanton; Joulon; Gorman; Edmund
Williams; W. H. Stillwell; Kelley; P. D. Voorhees; B.
F. Ladd; Rev. Charles Battersby; William Vraden-
burgh; Btown; Rev. J. H. Battersby; John B. France;
A. H. Battersby; Johannes Kouwenhoven and Edward
Bennett. The two latter are now in charge of the
school.
Districts N'o. 3 and 4- Application was made Octo-
ber 25th, 1870, for a division of District No. 1, and the
establishment of a separate district in the village of
Unionville; and also, at the same time, for a division of
District No. 2, and a new school opened at Sheepshead
Bay. Mr. Voorhees Overbaugh, who was then school-
commissioner, granted the application and set off from
Dfstrict No. 1, the Unionville District, called No. 3.
A neat one-story school-house was at once built in a
cedar-grove, and for the past twelve years has been in
a flourishing condition. The names of the teachers are
as follows: A. Ketcham; Reynolds; Miss Addie Sin-
derin; Miss Elizabeth Campbell; Wra. Span; Miss
Maggie Thompson; Miss Kate Voorhees; Benjamin
Wallace, and Miss Cora Morris — the two last named
now in charge of the school.
In the same year Mr. Overbaugh divided District
No. 2, making a new one at Sheepshead Bay, called
No. Jf.. The old M. E. church building was purchased
October 31st, 1870, by the new trustees, and a school
immediately started. This arrangement continued un-
til the year 1878, when (October 1st) a new one-story
building was completed on a new site upon the same
avenue. This house was neat in appearance, and
ample for the accommodation of the district. The
trustees, by a system of wise economy, while maintain-
ing a first-grade school, at the same time have saved
money enough from the annual town-allowance, and the
State money, to pay every dollar of their indebtedness
for the new house, without tax upon the district. The
following teachers have been here employed: Rev. Mr.
Morris; Rev. J. H. Battersby; John B. France, and
the present teacher, Isaac McKane.
District No. 5. In 1874 a branch school from Dis-
trict No. 1, and under the care of the trustees, was es-
tablished at Coney Island, and an extra allowance of
$500 was made to the district for its support. The
school was first held in the little Union Chapel, for-
merly built for religious services, but which at this time
was unoccupied. In 1876 the town appropriated $500
for its purchase, which was accordingly done. In 1878
application was made by the residents of Coney Island
to be set off as a district by themselves. The applica-
tion was granted by the school-commissioner, C. Warren
Hamilton. They immediately elected trustees from
their own number, and took matters into their own
hands. The chapel continued to be used for school
purposes until the year 1882. In the early part of this
year a beautiful two-story house was erected, with
blinds and a handsome cupola, at a cost of some $8,000.
The work was done by our enterprising builder and
town supervisor, John Y. McKane. This is one of the
largest and finest school-buildings in town.
District No. 6. — About the same time another
school was started in South Greenfield, the northern
part of the town, as a branch of District No. 2, and
$500 were annually appropriated to carry on the work.
In 1878 or 1879 this portion of the town was, upon
application, set off from District No. 2, and assumed
the dignity of a school-district, known as N'o. 6. The
trustees very soon built a fine, two-story brick school-
house, which, from an architectural point of view, is,
without doubt, the handsomest public building we have
in town. The cost, when furnished, will probably not
be less than $10,000. Owing, however, to what would
seem to be a most unjust and foolish opposition on the
part of a portion of the district, the new school-house
remains empty and useless; while the scholars are
crowded into a small, ill-ventilated building, which
would better become the enterprise and finances of
two hundred years ago.
Mrs. Jane Wise was the first teacher, followed by Mr.
Thomas Taylor, and he in turn by the present teacher.
Seversil private schools have been, from time to time
established, which have fulfilled their mission and
passed into history. There are now, at least, two flour-
ishing private schools for younger children, in addition
to the six school-districts to which attention has been
given.
176
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
The salary of the teachers was formerly raised by a
direct tax upon each scholar, in addition to the State
allowance. In 1860, however, we learn that a portion
of the money received for liquor licenses was devoted
to school purposes. But, after a time, this money was
applied to the support of the Inebriates Home, at Bath;
and from that time a portion of the town revenue,
arising from the rental of the common lands at Coney
Island, has been annually set apart for this worthy pur-
pose. One thousand dollars is the annual allowance to
each school-district, a sum which, in the aggregate, if
wisely used, would be sufficient to meet our present
needs.
Despite its financial advantages, the educational in-
terests of Gravesend have not kept pace with the
growth and importance of the town. No town in Kings
county can offer a finer location or better inducements
for an institution of a high order than Gravesend.
And yet, there is neither academy or high-school of
any grade above the common district-school. The rev-
enue of Coney Island should, in the hands of honest
commissioners, furnish ample means for a most liberal
endowment of such an institution, without a dollar of tax
upon the people, as is necessarily and willingly done in
other towns, where no such resources are available.
Revolutionary Incidents. — The landing of the
British forces, August 22, 1776, was made at Gravesend
Bay, within a mile of the village ; through which
passed the column under Lord Cornwallis, towards
Flatbush. An encampment was made by a British de-
tachment, on the march thither, in the large farm-yard
of Joost Stillwell, now owned by his grandson, Nicholas
R. Stillwell. The old homestead of that day still re-
mains in good preservation. In the disastrous battle of
L. I., on the 27th, there were a number of Gravesend
men among the soldiers who were surrounded by Gen-
eral Clinton's flanking movement, but their acquaint-
ance with the hills and woods enabled them to escape
safely to their homes within a day or two after. Nicho-
las Stillwell, Rutgert Stillwell, Barnardus Ryder, Peter
Williamson, Stephen Donly and John Voorhees, were
active patriots during those days.
During the British occupation of Kings county,
which followed the battle of Long Island, the people of
Gravesend were much troubled by lawless tories, or
" plunderers " as they were called, who made frequent
marauding forages upon the farms of the villagers.
One of these expeditions was defeated by the vigilance
of a young maiden, Altje Stillwell (afterwards the
grandmother of Mr. Jacobus Lake), who displayed a
signal light ; and the villagers, rallying, gave the tories
such a warm reception that they fled in dismay, leaving
one of their number dangerously wounded. He con-
cealed himself among the drift on the shore at Fort
Plamilton until morning, when a farmer going to the
shore for drift found him, and, pitying his suffering
condition, took him home, and concealed him in his own
barn till he was able to be taken to the English
camp.
On another occasion Mr. Court Lake discovered an
English soldier coming from the Old Mill — the ruins of
which may now be seen — carrying a bag of meal, which
he had stolen. In attempting to stop him by force, a
hand-to-hand encounter took place, in which, at length,
both fell to the ground, with the soldier uppermost.
The latter drew from his pocket a large knife, which he
attempted to open with one hand and his teeth. Mr.
Lake, by a desperate effort, threw the soldier from him
and gained his feet. Then, seizing the enemy's gun,
which had fallen near by, he quickly fired. The charge
entered the soldier's neck, making a terrible wound.
Mr. Lake at once informed the nearest neighbor, by the
name of TurnbuU, who came with his wagon and took
the wounded man to his own camp within the English
lines. Whether the shot proved fatal or not, Mr. Lake
was never able to learn.
There are still extant, among the town-records, two old
papers, one of which is dated in 1778, and reads as fol-
lows: "A return of the ofiicers and an exact Acct. of
what every Inhabitant of Gravesend has against each
oftioer, for his Board at six shillings N. Y. currency,
and weeks from the time they were Billited until the 31
day of March, 1778, inclusive." It gives the name of
each officer, his rank, time billeted, name of the inhabit-
ant where quartered, time he had been there and amount
due. In this " Return " we find the names of eighty-
eight officers, in rank from ensign to captain, and the
names of thirty inhabitants where they were boarding.
Some of the officers were charged with over a year's
board. It is signed by Joost Stillwell, Captain.
A similar paper, dated 1782, reads as follows : "A
list of the money due the Inhabitants of the township
of Gravesend for the Boarding of Continentals and
other officers. Prisoners, and some friends, as will here-
unto appear -by the following accounts. Gravesend,
July 13, 1782." Only forty officers are mentioned in
this paper, and about the same number of inhabitants
as before. The board of these officers eventually be-
come a State charge ; as we find that in August, 1790,
Congress voted $38,000 " towards payment of persons
in Kings County for subsisting American prisoners dur-
ing the late w'Sr."
During the Revolutionary war the rebel freebooters,
Pleyler and Marriner, were a terror to the tories in the
neighborhood of New York, and doubtless rendered
material aid to the American cause, on many occasions,
although we would not attempt to justify their mode of
procedure.
Heyler's most brilliant exploit was the capture of a
British sloop-of-war, of 20 tons, off Coney Island. He
had only two whale-boats, but, spying the sloop lying
quietly at anchor in a secure place, as they supposed, he
sent one boat to reconnoitre. They found the officers
careless and playing cards in the cabin, and with no
WAE OF 1812— MISCELLANEOUS.
Ill
watch set. The other boat being signalled to, came up.
Capt. Heyler and his men boarded the sloop from both
sides, taking them all prisoners without loss of life, and
even without resistance. A few articles were removed
and the ship fired. There were on board $40,000, with
many valuable articles, all of which were lost. It is
said that the captain of the ship, while being conveyed
a prisoner to the American head-quarters, loudly
lamented his folly and carelessness. These facts rest
on the authority of Gen. Jeremiah Johnson, who
received them direct from one of Heyler's men.
After the war was over, the farmers were obliged to
appear before the Governor at Albany and prove their
loyalty to the Colonial government, before they could
retain their lands; or, pay a certain sum of money to
keep them. Samuel Stryker, of this town, whose farm
lay west of the village, started for Albany for this pur-
pose (as related by his great-grandson), but was taken
at Poughkeepsie with a severe attack of typhoid fever.
Before he had sufficiently recovered, to be able to give
the matter his attention, the appointed time for proving
his loyalty had passed, and the consequence was he
had to pay twice for his farm. Though afterwards
assured by competent legal authority that he could
recover, under the circumstances, he never made the
attempt.
In the year 1V89, on Tuesday, October 20, as we learn
from his private diary. General Washington visited
Gravesend on his general tour of inspection throughout
Long Island. He stopped in the center of the town-
square, near the school-house, where the town-hall now
stands; and the school-children were all dismissed that
they might pay their respects to His Excellency the
President of the United States. Mr. Coert Lake was
one of those fortunate enough to shake hands with him;
an honor which he never forgot, and which he was
always proud to relate to his children and grand-
children.
Several Hessian soldiers remained after the war was
over, married and settled in Gravesend, and made hon-
est and respectable citizens.
War of l8l2. — There were also several residents of
Gravesend actively engaged in the War of 1812, some
of whom lived to a great age, and have but lately passed
away. The last one, Evert Stellenwerf, died March,
1883, having reached the ripe age of 97 years.
The following is a partial list, probably including
nearly all, of those who served in the War of 1812 :
Richard Stillwell ; Nicholas Stillwell ; Rutgert Still-
well ; Rutgert Stillwell, 2d ;' Garret Williamson ; Isaac
Van Dyck ; Henry Van Dyck ; John Donly; Rem Van
Cleef ; Coert Lake ; Hendrick Van Cleef ; Evert Stel-
lenwerf ; Stephen Ryder. "Aunt Katie Ryder," widow
of the last-mentioned, Stephen Ryder, was buried April
29,1883, having reached her 93d year. She regularly
drew her husband's pension for services in this war up
to the present year. And now, so far as this town is
concerned, there is no living connecting link between
the present generation and the War of 1812.
Some amusing anecdotes are told of camp-life in
Brooklyn. The soldiers had looked with envious eyes,
for some time, upon a flock of geese which pastured
near their camp, and longed for a change of diet from
the common soldier's fare. So, one day, a man named
Conklin, full of fun and fruitful in expedients, procured
a fish-hook, to which he attached a strong cord ; hav-
ing baited well the hook, he sallied forth among the
flock, trailing his baited hook. The old gander of the
flock, seeing the rare opportunity for a relish, embraced
it without unnecessary delay. His object accomplished,
Conklin started upon a run for the camp; the gander
following, with out-spread wings, at an equal pace. An
old lady, near by, seeing the man running and the
goose in full chase, but not observing the strong attract-
ive power which compelled the following, cried after
him: "Don't be afraid, my good man, he won't hurt
you ! " Although thus kindly assured of his safety, the
soldier continued to flee and the goose to pursue, until
both disappeared in the camp.
In our late Civil War the town furnished her full
quota of men, either by enlistment or by furnishing
substitutes, as the law provided.
In the year 1700 we find, in the list of officers of the
State militia, the following : " Of ye foot Company
in ye town of Gravesend, John Lokes, Capt. Chr.
Bemoyns, Lieut. Albert Coerten, Ensign."
Miscellaneous. — An obituary notice from one of
the Brooklyn papers of sixty years ago read thus:
" Died in Gravesend Aug. 23, 1823, Rutgert Stillwell, aged
78. It is a remarkable fact that he has not been off his own
farm in more than 40 years. No persuasii^u or inducement
could move his resolution in this particular, which is sup-
posed to have been caused, in the first instance, by some
hasty determination. He was a bachelor, and devoted much
of his time to reading and study; possessing a strong mind
and memory singularly retentive, so much so as to be often
consulted in doubtful cases. He was pleasant in manner,
very fond of company and conversation, and apparently as
well acquainted with the city and country in his neighbor-
hood as if he had really visited them."
This statement has been authenticated by relatives
now living.
Church History. — The oldest and most prominent
church in town is the Reformed (Dutch) church,
located in the village, on one of the town-squares. Its
early history is somewhat obscure, and historians widely
differ in their opinion as to the date of its organization.
Dr. Corwin, in his Manual of the Reformed Church,
covering the period between 1628 and 1878, puts the
date as far back as 1655. But, from the data before us,
we cannot accept such a conclusion.
After much careful research, we have been unable
to find anything which would warrant more than a mere
inference of its possibility. On the contrary, there is
sufficient evidence, amounting to a very strong proba-
178
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
bility, that there was no regular organization until the
latter part of the 18th century.
In the first place, as we have already seen, the early
settlers of Gravesend were English; and, consequently,
could not be supposed to have any special leaning
towards the Dutch church. Indeed, if the early ac-
counts we have of their religious belief be true, we must
regard them as lacking some of the most essential ele-
ments of Dutch theology. In a report of the state of
the churches in New Netherland, made to the Classis of
Amsterdam in 1657, by Dominies Megapolensis and
Drisius [Boc. Hist., Vol. III., 1850), we find the religious
condition of the Gravesend colony summed up as fol-
lows : " Those at Gravesend are reported Mennonists ;
yea, they, for the most part, reject Infant Baptism, the
Sabbath, the ofiice of Preacher, and the Teachers of
God's word, saying that through these have come all
sorts of contention into the world. Whenever they
meet together the one or the other reads something to
them." This, if it be a statement of fact, as no doubt
it is, does not strongly favor the theory of a Dutch
church in Gravesend at this early date.
We know, also, from other sources, that Lady Moody,
while, perhaps, not denying the ordinance of infant
baptism, was yet accused of denying that it was an
ordinance of God. It was this that brought her in con-
flict with the Puritan religious sentiment of Massachu-
setts, and afterwards, for a tirae at least, somewhat dis-
turbed her amicable relations with the Dutch authori-
ties of New Netherland. We are well convinced, also,
that there was a strong free-thinking or atheistic ele-
ment among them, which doubtless prepared the way
for Gravesend to become early one of the strongholds
of Quakerism on Long Island. We do not suppose, as
has been erroneously believed, that Lady Moody and
her fellows settled Gravesend as a colony of Quakers ;
for George Pox, the founder of that body, had not yet
entered upon his public ministry, nor did the order
assume the dignity of an organized body until some
years after this time. But, we may well believe, that
their previous religious experience fitted them to take
kindly to the peculiar principles of that society upon
its first introduction among them.
We can find no record of this order in Gravesend
before the year 1657. In August, of that year, an
English vessel landed in New Netherland, having on
board eleven Quaker preachers. While they scattered
in different directions, it fell to the lot of Richard
Hodgson and two companions, to come to Gravesend.
His preaching here seems to have met with success, as
he declares his testimony was received. This, accord-
ing to Hodgson's journal, was the first Quaker meeting
on record in America.
This visit of Friends to Gravesend seems to have cre-
ated no disturbance ; although the watchful Dutch
Governor, Stuyvesant, was on the alert to detect such
heresies. Six months after, however, John Tilton, the
town-clerk, was called to account for entertaining a
Quakeress, a female preacher. He pleaded, however,
that she got into his house in his absence; and he was
permitted to go with simply a fine of £12 and cost of
court. About a year after Hodgson landed, two other
Friends, Cole and Thurston, came from Virginia. Gov.
Stuyvesant had them arrested and sent to Staten Is-
land, from whence they soon escaped, and came in an
Indian canoe to Gravesend. Here, according to their
own testimony, " they found some Friends in the truth,
by whom they were much refreshed." They further
state that " meetings were held at the house of Lady
Moody, who managed all things with such prudence
and observance of time and place as to give no offence
to any person of another religion." Thus, in 1658, just
before she died, Lady Moody seems to have adopted
the peculiar tenets of the Friends.
In the following year, Mary Dyer and John Taylor
made a tour of Long Island, and terminated their jour-
ney at Gravesend. From this time, it has been said,
this town became the " Mecca of Quakerism." In 1661
a Quaker meeting was held in Gravesend, and Gov.
Stuyvesant sent his Sheriff, Waldron, to arrest the
preacher. He, however, escaped, and left only his
cloak, which the officer bore in triumph to the fort.
Samuel Spicer was arrested for entertaining him, and
fined £12 for his grievous offence. John Tilton and
wife were again arrested, and, by sentence, banished for
harboring Quakers. The sentence was probably never
carried into effect; for, in two years, he was again
called to account for the same thing.
The mother of Samuel Spicer was also arrested,
and charged with trying to entice even young girls
to join the Quakers.
Up to this point we can see no evidence of a Dutch
church in town. Neither could they have had a minis-
ter, as appears from the following fact: An appeal was
made, April 12, 1660, to Gov. Stuyvesant, probably by
the few Dutch settlers who had come among them, for
a minister, basing their appeal upon their gi-eat need of
a religious teacher, " because the people led such God-
less lives, on account of the diversity of religious opin-
ions among them." Gov. Stuyvesant replied that meas-
ures would be taken at once to supply their spiritual
need; but there is not the slightest evidence that he
ever fulfilled his promise.
In 1672 Geo. Fox, while on his first visit to this coun-
try, came direct from Maryland to Gravesend. He says,
in his journal, that after a long and tedious journey
through the wilderness of Jersey, they came to the
house of Richard Harthorn, at Middletown, in East
Jersey. After a night's rest, Mr. Harthorn took them,
horses and all, in his own boat, and set them upon Long
Island. He continues: "That night we got to friends
at Gravesend, with whom we tarried that night, and
then, with some friends from Gravesend, started next
day for half-year's meeting at Oyster Bay." After vis-
EARL Y CHUR OH HISTOR Y.
179
iting Rhode Island, he returned again to Long Island.
He says: "we passed from Flushing to Gravesend,
where we had three precious meetings." This was in
the latter part of July, 1672. Up to this time there is
no evidence whatever that there was a Dutch church,
or any other, in town.
From 1677 to 1684 the records of the Flatbush church,
the oldest Dutch church on Long Island, give, in un-
broken line, the election of elders and deacons for the
four Dutch churches of Kings county — Flatbush, Flat-
lands, New Utrecht and Brooklyn — and mention no
other church. Had there been, at this time, a church
at Gravesend, it would certainly have been mentioned.
In a census of Kings county, dated 1698, in a list of 31
freeholders in Gravesend, we find that nearly two-thirds
of all, or 19 out of 31, are represented as English. This
fact militates somewhat against the theory of a Dutch
church at this time.
We furthermore learn that, even in- 1704, there were
still but the four Dutch churches above mentioned in
Kings county, from the following report on the state of
the Church of England in the province of New York,
as laid before the clergy convened at New Yorjt, Octo-
ber 5th, 1704, by appointment of Lord Cornbury. In
reference to Long Island, the report says: "Kings
county, consisting of four Dutch congregations, sup-
plied formerly by one Dutch minister, but now without
any, by the death of the late incumbent (Dominie Lu-
pardus) ; they are sometimes supplied by the Rev. Mr.
Vesey (rector of Trinity, New York), when he finds all
the English, and some of the Dutch, well affected to the
Church of England."
The English settlers in Gravesend may therefore have
availed themselves, occasionally, of the services of Rev.
Mr. Vesey; but up to this time, 1704, we are satisfied
there was no Dutch church, or stated preaching, in
town.
Two years after this, however, they began to hold
regular services under the ministry of Dominies Free-
man and Antonides, who were then acting (though not
in harmony) as pastors of the Dutch churches of Kings
county. These services continued from 1706 to 1741.
As evidence of this, we have found, on a detached
fly-leaf of one of our old church 'books of record, the
following entry made by Abram I. Labagh, who be-
came pastor of the church in 1842. He there states
that " receipts for Dominie's salary, most of them men-
tioning Mr. Freeman's name as minister, are preserved
from May 13, 1706, in unbroken succession, down to
December 25, 1714." Since this latter date, the receipts
are in the names of Revs. Freeman and Antonides, and
reach to July 1st, 1741. Mr. Labagh further states
that, among the old papers of the church, has been
found one in the words following :
" Know aU men by these presents, that, we the Inhabit-
ants of the Town of Gravesend, in Kings County, on the Is-
land of Nassau, here underwritten, do nominate, constitute
and appoint John Lake and John Simonson Elders of said
town, and by these presents have nominated, constituted and
appointed the said John Lake and John Simonson to com-
pound a league with Mr. Cornelius Van Brunt and Mr. Peter
Cortelyou, deputies of the town of New Utrecht, for the
third part of all their divine service, which they have or
shall have of Mr. Freeman and Mr. Antonides, ministers of
the Gospel of Jesus Christ ; that is to have the said services
in our said town of Gravesend, and as the said inhabitants,
do promise and engage ourselves to hold for good faith, what
said Elders shall do in agreeing for said service, and other
considerations in the town's behalf, and for benefit of said
ministers ; and we promise to perform every article or ar-
ticles as the said Elders shall conclude of with said deputies.
In witness our hand the 4th day of January, anno 171|^."
Signed:
Samuel Gerritsen, Cornelius Van Cleef, Daniel Griggs,
Stephen Corten, Ferdenand Van Sicklin, Jan. Ryder, Nicho-
las Williamsen, Thomas Stillwell, Benj. Griggs, Barent Jan-
sen, Seger Gerretson, Jan. Lucasson, Wm. Williamson,
Adam Nickelson, Samuel Polings, Bernardus Ryder."
These papers, above referred to, were long ago lost or
destroyed, as they can now nowhere be found among
any of the church papers, and all we have to show is
the copy above given.
But these facts prove two things, first, that regular
divine service began to be held in Gravesend in 1706 ;
and second, that in 1714 a formal arrangement was
entered into, between the inhabitants of Gravesend and
the ofiicers of the church of New Utrecht, for one-
third of the regular services of the two Dutch ministers
on Long Island. The question now arises, had they a
church building at this time ; or, did they hold their
services in private houses after the manner of the
Quakers ? Our theory is, that, about the time they
began their regular church services, they also erected
their first house of worship. We know that, in 1720, a
church building was already in existence. We are
indebted to Judge William H. Stillwell for the dis-
covery of an old deed {rec. in the Kings county Regis-
ter's ofiice), dated June 25, 1720, whereby Samuel
Poling conveyed to Thomas Stillwell, among other
property, " two garden spots, bounded northerly by land
of Thomas Stillwell, and southerly by ground whereon
the meeting-house stands. East by the highway, and
west by the common yard and the street leading to the
common yard." He also sells " one right in the meeting-
house and ground."
It is clearly evident, therefore, that a building
existed at this time, and the strong probability is that
it was built about the time regular preaching began.
The description of the above property fixes the precise
location of the first Dutch church upon the property
now belonging to that body, and occupied by the
present lecture- room. The location of the church
property, therefore, has never been changed since it
was first purchased, although it has been since some-
what enlarged. Consequently, the theory that the first
house of worship was moved, after it was built, to the
site of the present church, we consider untenable.
180
SISTOR T OF KINGS CO UKTY.
We further conclude there was no church organiza-
tion until more than 50 years after regular preaching
began. The grounds for this conclusion are as fol-
lows :
First. The authority granted in 1714 to John Lake
and John Simonson, as we have seen, to negotiate with
Cornelius Van Brunt and Peter Cortelyou, elders of
the New Utrecht church for the services of Dominies
Freeman and Antonides, was given by sixteen of the
inhahitants of Gravesend. Now, had there been an
organized church here at this time, this arrangement
would have been the legitimate work of the consis-
tory, and not of the inhabitants of the town.
Secondly. The old deed of 1720, above referred to,
evidences that the church building then standing did
not belong to a corporate body, as would be likely, had
there been a church organization, but to private indi-
viduals ; else how could Samuel Poling sell to Thomas
Stillwell " one right in the meeting-house and ground."
Thirdly. In the oldest record we have of the
Gravesend church, we find entered, under the heading
of "Communicants," June 27, 1763, the names of
21 members, 15 male and 6 female. In another part of
the same book, and under the same date, we find the
names of 3 elders and 3 deacons elected. These entries
are the first indication we can anywhere find of either
consistory or communicants.
We consider it, therefore, a warrantable conclusion,
that 1763 is the date of the regular church or-
ganization. It is true that the names of baptized chil-
dren began to be entered upon the record in 1714, the
date of the New Utrecht compact; but, beside this,
there is no record of any kind till the date we have
supposed to be that of the formal organization of the
church in 1763; and from this time the list of commu-
nicants, and that of elders and deacons, continues un-
broken to the present day.
The old church record was kept in the Dutch lan-
guage till about 1 823, when it first began to be written
in English.
A second church building was erected, most probably
about the time the church was formed, in 1763. Judge
Nicholas Stillwell, now advanced in age, tells us he
well remembers hearing his uncle, Rutgert Stillwell,
speak of the building of the second church upon the
site of the old one; and of its smaller dimensions. The
circumstances connected with its erection were indelibly
impressed upon his mind, from the fact that he was
then a school-boy, and during intermission was accus-
tomed to cross the street and watch the builders at
their work. Mr. Stillwell was born in 1751; and, if the
building was erected, as we have supposed it, in 1763,
he would then be a school-boy of 12 years, just the age
to be forcibly impressed with an event of this char-
acter.
We have been thus particular, because, hitherto, this
whole matter has been involved in doubt and uncer-
tainty, and if the result of recent investigations can
throw any light upon the subject, it will be heartily
welcomed.
There are many still living who remember well the
second house of worship, and who will recognize the
following description : It was somewhat different froia
the ordinary style of church architecture among the
Dutch of this date, viz., the round, or six, or eight-
square style, which was most commonly adopted. This
was oblong in shape, very low, with double-pitched roof,
facing the south, and having double doors in the cen-
ter. The sides, as well as the roof, were shingled, ac-
cording to the custom of those days. The inside was
ceiled, top and sides, with boards, and painted a dull,
dingy brown. There was but one aisle, and this ex-
tended through the center of the church. In this aisle
were two strong pillars supporting the roof, one of them
only about 10 feet in front of the pulpit. A gallery
crossed the south end, where, it is said, the young men
were wont to congregate. Under the gallery, on the
west side, were the negro-quarters, having the appear-
ance of being fenced in, and belonging exclusively to
them. In the north end of the church was the pulpit,
a plain, octagonal, box-like structure, only large enough
to accommodate one man at a time. Upon the building
was a spire, which contained a belfry and bells; and
over all, a weather-cock of burnished brass, no doubt to
warn the devout worshippers against the sin of Peter.
This old church, within the memory of those now living,
was without stoves, or any other heating appliances.
The women carried their foot-stoves, which, before ser-
vice, they were very careful to fill at the nearest neigh-
bor's; while the men were compelled to sit, during all
the long service, with nothing to generate heat but the
grand old Calvinistic preaching of the Dutch Dominie,
or the anticipation of a warm dinner after the service
was over.
In this church the celebrated Whitfield preached on
two occasions while in this country. Mr. Rutgert Still-
well, above mentioned, remembered hearing him, and
the text he used on one occasion was from John xii: 32.
"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all
men unto me."
This building continued to be used for worship until
the close of the year 1833, when it gave place to the
present edifice. The subject of building a new and
more modern house of worship was first officially con-
sidered at a meeting of consistory, held Nov. 30, 1832,
at the house of Elder George Suydam, in the first year
of the pastorate of Rev. I. P. Labagh.
The consistory then appointed a committee consist-
ing of Garret Stryker, Nicholas S. Williamson, and
Samuel I. Garritsen, " to estimate the cost of a suitable
house, and what, in their opinion, each individual ought
to subscribe towards it." After various meetings in
reference to it, and the appointment of several commit-
tees, it was finally resolved, at a meeting held Feb. 5,
THE ORIGINAL DUTCH CHURCH.
181
1833, " to build a house 45x62 feet; to build it by day's
work and not by contract; and that Henry Yan Dyck
should be the builder."
The above committee of estimate were appointed a
building-committee, to take full charge of the whole
matter, and draw upon the treasurer as necessity re-
quired. The sum of $3,833 had already been raised
among the congregation.
An effort was at first made to change the location,
but the matter was finally settled by enlarging their
present ground by the purchase of some adjoining
land of Mr. C. A. Emans.
The third house of worship was completed near the
close of 1833. The building-committee were appointed
to take charge of the sale of the pews, and also, as soon
as convenient, to procure a bell from the city of New
York.
The pews were rated at $6,550, but the subsequent
sale realized $8,062 ; so that this church began its his-
tory free from debt, and has so continued to the present
day.
The first Sunday in January, 1884, was appointed
for the dedication, and Rev. Dr. De Witt, of New York,
was invited to preach the sermon.
The Consistory of the church at this time was com-
posed of the following members : Rev. Isaac P. La-
bagh. President; Garrett Stryker, John S. Gerritson,
John S. Voorhees, Stephen Stryker, Elders; John Yan
Dyck, Samuel I. Gerritsen, Nicholas S. Williamson,
Richard J. Stillwell, Deacons; Samuel G. Stryker,
GUrh.
In 1849, in consequence of the cracking of the old
bell, through the instrumentality of the ladies of the
congregation a new one was procured, remarkable for
its clear silvery tone. It can be heard for miles around,
calling the devout to worship, and rebuking the great
tide of Sabbath desecration which flows past it to the
sea.
Although the present building is exceedingly plain in
external appearance, yet its interior presents a pleas-
ant, home-like attractiveness, which gives universal
satisfaction.
Ministers. — The church was supplied, as we have
seen, by Revs. Freeman and Antonides from 1705-41 ;
Arondeous from 1741-6 ; and occasionally supplied by
Yan Sinderin from 1 746-65. In 1767 Martinus Schoon-
maker, who was two years before licensed to preach,
became pastor of the church of Gravesend and Harlem.
In the old church book are his half-yearly receipts for
salary, written in Dutch, invariably given for seventeen
pounds and ten shillings, making his yearly salary for
Gravesend, £35. In 1783 he became pastor of the six
Dutch churches in Kings county, and could then give
this church only one Sabbath in six. In 1787 Rev.
Peter Lowe became his colleague, and occasionally
preached in Gravesend, andls now most affectionately
remembered by some of our oldest inhabitants,
Dominie Schoonmaker preached in the Dutch language.
Rev. Mr. Lowe in the English. In 1808 the collegiate
arrangement between the churches of Kings county
was dissolved ; and each church carried on its own work
in its own way. Dominie Schoonmaker continued to
supply all the Dutch churches in the county, until he
died, in 1824. Dominie John Bassett preached in
Gravesend from 1811-'24. In 1832 the church made a
formal call upon Rev. Isaac P. Labagh, who accepted,
and became the first settled resident pastor of this
church. He was called at an annual salary of $500.
He remained till 1843, when he was succeeded by Rev.
Abram I. Labagh, who had been pastor of the Reformed
church at St. Thomas, W. I. He continued pastor for
seventeen years. In 1859 Rev. M. G. Hansen, a recent
graduate of Rutgers College (1856), and New Bruns-
wick Seminary (1839), became pastor of the church. He
resigned in 1871, and the pulpit was vacant for nearly
a year.
In 1872 Rev. A. P. Stockwell, a graduate of Am-
herst College (1862), and Union Theological Seminary
(in 1865), and at that time associate pastor of the Re-
formed church at Millbrook, Dutchess county, ac-
cepted a call to the pastorate of this church. He was
installed February 29, 1872, and still remains pastor,
having entered upon the twelfth year of his ministry
to this people.
The financial condition of the church was never better
than at present, 1883 ; with not a dollar of debt, and
with $500, a legacy recently left the church by Walter
Nichols, Esq., of Jamaica, now in bank. The benevo-
lent contributions for the past few years have also been
largely in excess of any previous period of the same
length in the history of the church.
The additions to the membership for the past eleven
years have been about 125 ; and we are happy to say
that the church at the present time shows a very
united, prosperous and progressive condition.
Parsonage. — At a meeting of the consistory, held
September 21, 1844, the question of building a parson-
age was taken into consideration, and a resolution
passed, that it was expedient to proceed forthwith to
build, and a committee was appointed to find suitable
location. At a subsequent meeting, held September
28, they reported in favor of two acres of land belong-
ing to Mr. John I. Lake, which could be purchased for
$600. This report was adopted, and the committee
granted full power to purchase. The old church build-
ing-committee were appointed to take charge of this
work, and authorized to proceed at once to business.
The parsonage was to be built, like the church, by
day's work, and Lawrence and Jacobus Ryder were
appointed builders. The house was completed during
this year — a substantial wooden-building, two stories
and basement, and shows to-day the honest and thorough
labor done upon it.
Chapels. — At a meeting of consistory, held June
182
SI8T0BY OF KINGS COUNTY.
13, 1853, Mr. John Bergen and Mr. John Lake were ap-
pointed a committee, with power to act in conjunction
with the ladies of the congregation, in taking the neces-
sary steps to secure a site and build a lecture-room in
the village.
After much opposition, and a strong protest against
it, on account of lack of space, the site was finally
located on the church-grounds, and on the very spot
where stood the first and second church-buildings. It
was completed in 1854, a neat and comfortable house,
about 25x45 feet. In 1879 a gallery was made across
one end, and fitted up for an infant-class-room, having
sliding-doors so arranged that the upper and lower
rooms can be thrown into one, during the opening and
closing exercises of the Sabbath-school.
In 1868 another lecture-room was built in the eastern
district, in which to hold the sessions of the Sabbath-
school of that neighborhood, the weekly prayer-meet-
ings, and a monthly preaching-service. The land, 5 Ox
125 feet, was donated by Mr. Simon C. Gerritsen, and
a neat building, 25x36 feet, was erected thereon.
James S. Voorhees was the builder, and the cost
$1,820.
The Sheepshead Bay M. E. Church was organ-
ized in 1840 with five or six members, at the house of
Samuel Leonard. The first church-building was a
small wooden edifice, costing about $800, and erected
in 1844, the lot being purchased in September of that
year. It was afterwards sold to District No. 4, and
used as a day-school until the erection of a new school-
house. In 1869 the present church-building was
erected on McKane avenue. It is a small frame-build-
ing like the first, with seatiog capacity for about 150 or
200 persons. The society, when first organized, was
called the Methodist Protestant Church, and so con-
tinued till 1862, when it became the Independent Metho-
dist Church ofGravesend. Rev. Charles Battersby was
then the pastor. It retained this name for three years,
and then became the Methodist Episcopal Church,
which is its present status. The first superintendent of
the Sabbath-school was Samuel Leonard. This office
has been, for many years past, and is now, most credit-
ably filled by Mr. John Y. McKane, supervisor of the
town. The school numbers about fifty scholars, with
300 volumes in the library.
Regular pastors : Revs. Messrs. Russell ; Stancliff ;
Baker ; Morris ; C. Battersby ; N. Orchard ; Morris
(second time) ; J. Henson ; J. H. Battersby ; J. Nel-
son ; Fawcett ; C. Backman ; and the present pastor, C.
W. Powell. During a part of this time the pulpit was
supplied by local ministers, whose names are not re-
corded.
The present condition of the church may be consid-
ered favorable, and there is a movement already on
foot to build a new church in a more suitable and con-
venient location.
The M. E. Church, at Unionville, was organized
in 1844, and the house of worship erected the same year,
It is called " The Fisherman's Church." The name was
taken from the fact that many fishermen, from farther
east on Long Island, were accustomed to seek the quiet
waters of Gravesend bay to spend the Sabbath; and to
give these men a place and encouragement to worship
on the Sabbath, seems to have been a strong induce-
ment to build the church and give it its present name.
The church was dedicated by Rev. Henry Chase, of
the N. Y. East Conference, for many years pastor of
the Mariner's church, in Rosevelt street. New York.
The first pastor of the church was Lorenzo D. Nicker-
son, still living. He belonged to the circuit which in-
cluded Unionville, two years before he joined Confer-
ence, and two after. He stands on the minutes as hav-
ing charge of New Utrecht, which included the Union-
ville members, in 1844. The next year Fort Hamilton
was substituted for New Utrecht.
The first superintendent of the Sunday-school was
Mr. Randall, of Gravesend. It is a live church, enter-
ing heart and soul into every good work.
Pastors: 1846-7, E. O. Bates; 1848-9, J. D. Boutan
1850, James McBride; 1851-2, Benjamin Redford
1853-4, Edward K. Fanning; 1855-7, John F. Booth
1858-9, William Wake; 1859-60, Ezra K. Mmer
1861-3, Robert Roberts; 1864-6, H. C. Glover; 1867-8,
Wm. H. Russell; 1869-70, Lorenzo D. Nickerson (sec-
ond time); 1871-2, Nicholas Orchard; 1873-5, Samuel
A. Seaman; 1876-8, Alexander McAlister; 1879-81;
Henry C. Glover (second time); 1882-3, Wm. H. Rus-
sell (second time).
Coney Island Chapel. — In the year 1868 a Sunday-
school was started upon Coney Island, the first sessions
being held in the basement of the Wyckoff hotel. The
need of a more suitable place for holding their services
soon became apparent; and a chapel was suggested,
where both Sunday-school and preaching-services could
be held. The idea was brought to the ■ notice of
Thomas Bell, Esq., of Parkville, a kind-hearted and
liberal man, who at once seconded the suggestion; and,
to make the enterprise an immediate success, offered to
advance the money to begin operations without delay.
Accordingly, Messrs. Wm. H. Stillwell, John S. Ryder,
and Edmund Williams, were constituted a building-
committee, and immediately set to work. Oscar D.
Way received the contract for building the new chapel,
at a cost of $850; the bell, fencing, painting, etc.,
bringing the sum total up to $1,250. Of this sum $600
was raised among the people, and $650 advanced by
Mr. Bell. After a trial of six or seven years the enter-
prise was, for a time, abandoned, and the chapel sold
to District No. 1 for a day-school. After a few years
of suspended animation the Sunday-school has again
revived, and now is prospering under the efficient su-
perintendence of Mr. Peck. A larger and more com-
modious chapel is in process of erection in a much
pleasanter part of the island, and the future of the
CEMETERIES— LIBRARIES— L OD GES.
183
present movement seems brighter than ever before. In
1868 Mr. Bell was also instrumental in having another
church built in the vs^estern part of the town, near
IJnionville, for the colored population, called The Af-
rican Zion M. E. Church.
Catholic Churches.— About i860 a Catholic
church was erected at Sheepshead Bay. It is a frame
edifice, and, externally, inviting in appearance. Father
James McKiverton is the oiEciating priest. In 1880
another handsome Catholic church was erected at Co-
ney Island. Both of these churches are well attended
by the Catholic element of the community.
Thus we have, in all, seven churches in the town of
Gravesend.
Cemeteries. — The oldest in Gravesend is the old
town burying-ground, dating back very nearly, if not
quite, to the early settlement of the town. It is situ-
ated nearly in the center of the south-west town
square, and is for public use, being used mostly by the
old inhabitants, whose families have for many years
been buried there. Eventually it will, probably,
cease to be used for burial-purposes; since many fami-
lies now own lots in Greenwood,^ and the number is con-
stantly increasing.
The earliest record we find, relating to this cemetery,
is the recorded will of John Tilton, one of the early and
prominent settlers of Gravesend, and for many years
town-clerk. This will is dated Jan. 15, 1687, wherein
he devises land in Gravesend for a burying-ground,
" for all persons in ye everlasting truth of ye gospel as
occasion serves, forever to have and to hold, and to
make use of to bury their dead there."
This land is known to cover a part of the present
burial-ground, as no other has been used for this pur-
pose since the first settlement of the town. It is also
probable that this land of John Tilton's was adjoining,
and intended to enlarge, the original burying-ground.
Some of the slabs marking the resting-place of the
quiet sleepers are very old. One rough stone bears, as
near as we can read it, the date of 1076-. Many of the
old inscriptions, are in Dutch. For example: "Hier
Legt her Lichamran Ann Yoorhes Yrou Barrent Voor-
hes, D. 1760." Some stones are also distinguished with
a stanza of poetry, which speaks the usual hope for the
dead, and warning to the living, which are common to
the elegiac poetry of the present day. For example:
" Heere liyes the Body of Benjamin Steimeist. Born Oct.
13, 1702. Departed this life April 12, 1763,
"His flesh in hope
Rests in the dust;
His soul departing hence, we trust
Is praising God among the Just."
There is to be seen here, also, a common field-stone,
hardly appearing above the ground, which Hon. Tunis
G. Bergen thinks may probably mark the grave of
Lady Moody.
Another burial-place in the north part of the town
was incorporated Sept. 7, 1860, under the name of
Washington Cemetery. It contains 100 acres, or more
than 10,000 lols, of 400 square feet each. It was
founded by James Arlington Bennett, LL. D., to whom
the land then belonged. It has become now almost ex-
clusively a Jewish burying-ground. It is governed by
a board of trustees, composed of six members, two of
whom are elected annually. Henry D. Bennett, son of
the founder, is the superintendent. Its situation is
beautiful, fronting both upon Gravesend avenue on
the west, and Ocean parkway on the east.
Libraries. — In addition to the Sunday-school libra-
ries, which consist of a thousand or twelve hundred
volumes, every school-district has a library of from two
hundred to four hundred volumes, open to all residents
of the districts, and replenished from year to year by
money appropriated by the State.
In this connection it will be a matter of interest to
look over the list of books contained in the library of
Sir Henry Moody, while he was a resident of Gravesend.
This library shows him to have been a man of extensive
education for the time in which he lived. We give
below the catalogue as we find it, in Documentary
History, Vol. IV.
"A latyn Bible, in folio.
A written book in folio containing private matters of State.
A writteneth book in folio containing private matters of
the King.
Seventeen several books of devinite matters.
A dictionarius Latin and English.
Sixteen several latin & Italian bookx of divers matters.
A book in folio containing the voage of Ferdinand Mendoz.
A book in folio KoUeth Sylva Sylvarum.
A book in quarto eolith bartas' six days worck of the lord
and translatt in English by Joshua Sylvester.
A book in quarto Kalleth the summe and substans of the
Conference which it pleased his Excellent Majsti to have
with the lords bishops &c. at Hampton Court contracteth by
William Barlow.
A book in quarto Kalleth Eoolesiastioa Interpretatio, or
the Expositions upon the doubtful passages of the Seven
Epistles callet Catholique and the Revelation collecteth by
John Mayer.
Eleven several bookx more of divers substants.
The verification of his fathers Knights order given by King
James.
Anno 1661."
Lodges. — A lodge of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows was organized February 2d, 1859. The
meetings are held weekly. The present oflicers as fol-
lows: ]SroUe a., Abram E. Stillwell; Vice G., G. H.
Wiokham; Rec. Sec, Dr. R. L. Van Kleek; Permanent
Sec, Washington Willis; Past Grand, Edmund Wil-
liams.
Villages. — Sheepshead Bay. One of the most thriv-
ing villages on Long Island is Sheepshead Bay, situated
in the south-east part of the town of Gravesend.
There are those now living who well remember when
there was but one house, and that a small, inferior one,
on any part of what is now Sheepshead Bay.
184
SISTOBY OF KINGS COUNTY.
The quiet waters of the inlet offered a secure anchor-
age for the small fishing-craft so common along the shore
of Long Island; and, consequently, the fishermen gradu-
ally congregated here in the generation past, built their
humble homes and enjoyed a peaceful life, as they fol-
lowed their profitable but dangerous occupation. The
population increased but slowly at first, and for many
years the village consisted of only a small cluster of
houses.
Some fifty years ago, however, some of the old resi-
dents of Brooklyn and New York discovered that here
was just the place to spend a hot summer-day, both for
pleasure or for health ; or to satisfy a craving appetite
with a clam-chowder, or a regular fish-dinner. But, for
all this, it continued for years its undisturbed slumber.
About 40 or 45 years ago a hotel was built, known as
Tappan's hotel, justly celebrated ever since for its ex-
cellent accommodations and courteous treatment of
guests. It has always been a favorite resort of those
who sought the " abundance of the sea," every variety
of which they could find here upon shortest notice. A
few years later Linderman's Hotel was built, and soon
found also a host of enthusiastic friends and visitors.
The Washington House, formerly owned and kept by
Mr. Hendrickson, is also among the oldest and best
known. Another hotel, whose claim of celebrity should
not be overlooked, stood formerly in the middle of what
is now Ocean avenue; and was kept by the genial and
hospitable host, well-known of late years in city and
country by the familiar name of "Pop Fagan." This
house was burned; and, in 1875, another, known as Dela-
no's hotel, took its place. In 1862 Mrs. McMahon built
a fine hotel, which was greatly enlarged and beautified
in 1882. In 1868 Osborn's hotel was erected; and, in
1882, the Hotel Jerome, perhaps the finest hotel at the
Bay. These hotels are now filled with summer-board-
ers, who find a most excellent tonic in the cooling sea-
breeze, combined with the finest sea-bathing, boating
and fishing, anywhere to be found.
Like other parts of the town, the Bay has grown
wonderfully in popular favor within the last ten years.
To those who visit the Bay but seldom, the changes
noticeable, even in a short time, are perfectly surprising.
Houses are building, new streets are opening, and the
march of general improvements constantly advancing.
The first marked advance of Sheepshead Bay in popu-
ularity, and increase of valuation, dates from the year
1877, when a farmer by the name of Emmer, owning a
farm of some 50 acres near the Bay, died ; and his
widow had the farm surveyed, divided into building-
lots, and sold by public auction. The following year a
neighboring farm, owned by Daniel D. Stillwell, was
also sold in the same manner. Building immediately
began upon these lots, and now the whole hundred acres
or more are nearly covered with dwelling-houses; and,
since then, the few lots left unimproved have quadrupled
in value.
Perhaps the finest and most fashionable part of
Sheepshead Bay is what is called "Lincoln Beach-"
formerly low marshy ground, which, a few years ago,
could not find a purchaser at $100 an acre. It lies a
little to the east of the village, and along the shore of
the bay; having before it the beautiful Manhattan
Beach, and, on the left, an uninterrupted ocean-view.
The pioneer in building up and beautifying Lincoln
Beach was Alanson Treadwell, Esq., the head of the
celebrated clothing-house of Treadwell, Jarman &
Slote, corner of Broadway and Chambers street N. Y
His fondness for fishing and boating had frequently
led him, during former summer-seasons, to visit Sheeps-
head Bay, where he could indulge, without hmit, his
favorite sport. With prophetic instinct he saw the
future value of this unimproved low-ground as a place
for summer-residences, provided a suitable outlay of
money and labor should first be made. Consequently
in 1877, Mr. Treadwell purchased two building-lots for
$350 apiece, and began the work of filling in with soil
to make a solid foundation for a summer-cottage.
Never before had man dared to dispute with the ocean-
tides the question of title to this property. Hence
there was many a shrug of the shoulders and shake of
the head among the neighbors when they saw this rash
and expensive work undertaken. It was, however, ac-
complished in due time, in spite of every obstacle, and
a neat and very pleasant cottage erected upon one of
the lots in the spring of 1878. This was the starting-
point of an enterprise which has grown beyond all ex-
pectations. Other lots were soon bought by wealthy
men, and handsome buildings erected, until now there
are, lining the shore-front, ten or twelve beautiful cot-
tages, costing from five to seven thousand dollars; and
it has become the finest part of Sheepshead Bay.
To show the almost fabulous increase in value of this
once nearly worthless marsh, we may cite the fact that
one of the lots originally bought by Mr., Treadwell, he
sold to his partner, for the purchase-price, $350. This
gentleman, after keeping the property four years, not
wishing himself to build upon it, sold it, unimproved
as he found it, for over $6,000.
In 1880-1, the brothers, J. B. and Kobert Voorhees,
owners of two beautiful farms adjoining the village,
began to sell lots for building-purposes, and also to
erect fine houses themselves, which have found ready
lease. This, also, has greatly added to the improve-
ment of the place. There are now, probably, 200 or
250 houses where, a little more than a generation ago,
there was but one. Mrs. Elizabeth Clute, a wealthy
lady from New York, coming to the Bay for summer
recreation, found it so delightful and healthful a place
to live, that she has made it her permanent residence
since 1877. She has done much for the place in build-
mg handsome houses, and otherwise creating much en-
thusiasm in village improvements. Her own residence,
Manhattan Villa, is one of the finest in town.
UNIONVILLE—S UPER VIS 0R8— TO TF2V- CLERKS.
185
John T. McKane, our efficient and hard-working
supervisor, is one of our most enterprising business-
men, and resides here. Aside from his official duties,
he has in his employ, as a builder, some 100 to 150 men,
and is in constant demand, both in and out of town.
We would also mention the Lundy Bros., Corson
Bros., John Miller, Mr. Teets, and many others, as en-
terprising business-men.
The village is connected, by foot-bridge, with Man-
hattan Beach; and contains a church, post-office, four
stores, a meat-market, and also many hotels and ex-
cellent boarding-houses, where the finest fresh fish,
clams, oysters, and every desirable kind of sea-food
can be had in abundance. Two steam-railroads afford
excellent communication with Coney Island, and also
with New York and Brooklyn.
And thus our growth continues; and, we venture to
say, that no village in Kings county can show a better
record of material prosperity for the past few years, or
brighter prospects of the future. With the great bridge
uniting the two largest cities of America, now thrown
open to the public ; and the problem of rapid transit
about to be solved, it is not rash to prophesy, for this
part of Long Island, at no distant day, a future which
will far eclipse the wildest dreams of its most enthusi-
astic inhabitant.
Unionville. — This village is built, partly, as we have
before seen, on the site of the old bowery of the first
patentee, Antony Jansen. There are some fifty houses
along the shore of Gravesend Bay, overlooking Coney
Island Point, and the beginning of " The Narrows."
There are several hotels, among the finest of which,
for situation and royal hospitality, is the hotel of Capt.
James Stillwell. Near by is also the ruin of the first
tide grist-mill ever built in town, some 230 years ago.
There is also a church, several stores, and a thriving
lumber-yard, owned and run by A. & T. M. Hageman.
The fishing and boating here are most excellent, and
it is a favorite resort for summer-boarders, who desire
the full benefit of the sea-shore, combined with the
quiet and rest of country-life.
Chmther's Steam Railroad furnishes quick and com-
fortable communication with the city. We predict for
Unionville a future enlargement and importance, of
which she need not be ashamed.
General History. — Until within the past ten
years there has been very little variation in the history
of the town. The population has slowly increased, and
property has advanced in value little by little. The
people have pursued the even tenor of their ways, and
livfid to a good old age.
The' record of deeds and transfers of property has
been made in the Register's office in Brooklyn since
about 1707; and, hence, the town-records have been
taken up generally with the reports of town-officers
elected, and resolutions passed, which, for the most
part, relate to Coney Island.
Supervisors. — The first recorded election of Super-
visor took place in 1754, Samuel Gerritsen being the
successful candidate. Since then the following gentle-
men, among others, have filled the office with honor
and ability, some of them for nearly or quite 20 years.
John Terhune; Nicholas Stillwell; Samuel G. Stryker;
B. I. Ryder; William Bennett; Jaques J. Stillwell;
and John Y. McKane, at the present time President
pro tern, of the Board of Kings county, an honor
worthily bestowed. Others also have faithfully served,
whose names are not now at hand.
Town-Clerks. — In the early history of the colony
this office was the most important in the town. John
Tilton was the first "dark;" serving the town in this
capacity for about twenty years. The names of Ed-
ward Brouse and Symon Lane also appear as filling, for
a short time, this office. Will Goulding was also town-
clerk for some twenty-two years; and John Emans for
thirteen. Among many others we note the names of
Samuel Hubbard; Samuel Gerritsen; and, more re-
cently. Judge Nicholas Stillwell; Jacobus Lake, and
the present clerk, John L. Voorhees. Mr. Stillwell
held the office, without doubt, longer than any other
man. For thirty-five years he carefully kept the town-
records, in a clear, legible hand, and to-day is probably
better versed in town-aflfairs than any man living. He
served from 1835-70. He was also, for three years.
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, until this court
was abolished; and, for six or seven years, Associate-
Justice of the Kings county Court of Sessions.
Within the past ten years the town has advanced
more in material prosperity than in the whole century
preceding the last decade.
The popularity of Coney Island, and the millions ex-
pended there in fine hotels and other improvements,
have brought the town at once into notoriety. Why
this vast mine of wealth remained so long undeveloped
is a mystery. The town received some benefit from
Coney Island at least seventy-five years ago.
The first record we find of the appointment of com-
missioners of common lands is dated 1811, when, at a
public town-meeting, it was resolved, that it would
promote the interests of the town to lease Coney Island.
According to this resolution, Nicholas Stillwell, Van
Brunt Magaw and John Terhune were chosen commis-
sioners for granting leases " upon such conditions and
terms of years, as to them should seem fit, and the most
to promote the interest of said town."
This speaks well for the honesty and good judgment
of the first commissioners, and the confidence the town
reposed in them.
Magistrates' Pew in Church. — In the early part
of this century the town-justices, being the chief dig-
nitaries, were honored, and, at the same time, encour-
aged, to attend divine-service on the Sabbath, by having
a pew set apart for their special use. But in 1813, at
a public town-meeting, it was " Resolved, to sell the
186
SISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
pew in ohurcli in said town, commonly called tlie jus-
tices' bench, by public auction." Stephen Stryker was
declared tbe successful bidder. ,
Town-Hall.— Among public buildings we would not
forget to mention tbe town-hall, built in 18V3. In the sec-
ond story is a large public hall, with stage, ante-rooms,
&c. The first floor contains a court-room and room for
public town business, and several smaller side-rooms for
the use of town-officers; and in the basement are four
cells for the confinement of criminals, which (in sum-
.mer time) are generally well patronized.
Water Supply. — In January, 1880, an application
was filed before the Town Water Board to form a
"Water Works Co.," for the purpose of supplying the
town with pure, fresh water. The board granted the
franchise in May of the same year. The following
persons form the company: C. W. Schofield; S. Rich-
ardson; Benj. Richardson; Benj. S. Stephens; J. A.
Brainard; William Bennett and Harmanus B. Hub-
bard. The company have erected a large brick engine-
house; a large iron water-tank, 75 feet high by 15
or 20 feet in diameter, and have sunk several fine
wells on their property, near the Brighton Beach rail-
road. They have run a main to Sheepshead Bay and
one to Coney Island; and it is hoped will soon, accord-
ing to their promise, run another to the village of
Grravesend.
The town, for the last few years, has had a hard, ex-
pensive and constant struggle to save any of her valu-
able common-lands from the hands of grasping corpor-
ations, which have already seized much of it for rail-
road purposes. What the future will develop in this
direction yet remains to be seen.
One thing, however, is evident, — that the quiet slum-
ber which this good old town has enjoyed for more than
two hundred years, has at length been forcibly dis-
turbed and broken up ; and, with all her natural advan-
tages, and the impetus she has already gained in the
way of progress, we cannot help predicting for Graves-
end a magnificent future.
Race-Courses. — Horse-racing on Long Island is
said to have been first introduced by Gov. NicoU, in
1665. The first course was at Hempstead Plains, and
a piece of plate was the stake. The object, as set
forth by the Governor, was to improve the stock, and
encourage the breeding of superior animals. The
sport was countenanced and continued by Gov. Love-
lace, who, in 1669, authorized the inspectors of Hemp-
stead to receive subscriptions for a sweepstakes.
Gravesend seems to be specially favored (?) in this re-
spect, there being no less than four race-courses in the
tovra. The first one was the Prospect Park Fair
Grounds Association,, incorporated 1868, containing
about 60 acres. A mile-track was made, and a large
club house built near Gravesend avenue, which
was afterwards moved to Ocean Parkway, when this
magnificent avenue was opened through their ground.
The property has now come into the hands of the fol-
lowing gentlemen: George Powers; Samuel Payson*
E. O. Read and Henry Dodge.
The club-house is in charge of the celebrated ca-
terer, Hiram W. Howe.
About 1874, a half-mile track was built near Park-
ville, containing some 40 acres. The hotel was
first erected on Coney Island avenue, at that time
the principal thoroughfare to Coney Island. When
the Ocean Parkway was opened it was removed to the
latter avenue ; and, after being to some extent re-
modelled, it now makes a fine appearance. After a
few years of prosperity it ceased to be profitable as a
race-course, and was consequently used for other sport-
ing purposes. The property belongs to Ex-Mayor W.
R. Grace of New York. The management of the con-
cern has this year (1883) passed into the hands of the
New Yorh and Brooklyn Driving Club. William Mc-
Mahon has charge of the hotel.
Coney Island Jockey Club. — In 1880, the Coney
Island Jockey Club bought 100 acres of land, in what
was commonly known as the " Neck Woods," at a cost
of $110,000. Subsequently they added about twenty
acres more, at an expense of $25,000, making the total
cost of purchase about $135,000. At great expense, all
the trees not needed for shade or ornament were taken
out by the roots, and the grounds were graded, seeded,
and otherwise greatly beautified. A grand-stand was
built, with solid, brick foundation, upon which rests a
well-proportioned and highly ornate edifice. It has been
handsomely painted; and, with the sloping, grassy lawn
in front, presents altogether an attractive appearance.
Its cost was nearly $50,000. Everything about their
vast grounds is kept in perfect order.
Spring and fall meetings, of ten days each, are held,
and the most celebrated race-horses in the country are
then put upon exhibition. This is the most fashionable
resort of the kind in the vicinity of New York. Thous-
ands of people are brought by railroads and caridages
every day of the races, and it is said that as much as
$30,000 have been taken, as gate-money alone, during
a single meeting. Their beautiful and extensive grounds
are freely thrown open to the public, except during the
racing-season, and a drive through them well repays
the trouble.
It is a stock-company, and the present officers are :
Leonard W. Jerome, President ; Gen. Butterfield,
Treasurer ; J. G. K. Lawrence, Secretary.
The fourth course, that of the Brighton Beach Fair
Ground, will be mentioned more particularly, in con-
nection with Coney Island.
ADDENDA.
On pages 162 and 189, reference is made to a confirma-
tory deed given, in 1654, to the people of Gravesend,
by the former Indian proprietors of Coney Island.
The following is the deed in question;
ADDENDA— ANCIENT HOMESTEADS.
187
Gbavesend, May the seventh, 1654. Certain Indians, v^iz.,
Mattenoh, Saahemaoho [Sachem] of Niocko [Nyack] being
demanded against a certain parcel of land, viz., a neck of
land from Antonie Johnson's house southward and on Inland
called Conye Island, to whom it did belong unto, they did all
declare that it was to their knowledge the right and true
proper land of one Outtaquoh, and called by them Narrioch,
that is to say, the Island; and the neck of land is called by
them Manahanning, and in testimony of the premises have
hereunto set their hands.
^^:
l^luS^^^^
The above sd quantitie of land being within the bounds
and limits of the land granted by pattent to certain patent-
ees and inhabitants of Gravesend, by the late Gov. Kieft, the
above said Outtaquoh doth, hereby, acknowledge and de-
clare to have sold all his right, interest and claims to the
above said quantities of land, called Narriockh and Mana-
hanning, unto the honourable the lords Bewint Hebbers of
the West India Company of the Chamber of Amsterdam,
for the use, right and propertie of the above said patentees
and inhabitants of Gravesend, as having received fifteen
fathoms of sewan, two gunns, three pounds of powder, for,
and in, consideration of the said land, of the said patentees
and inhabitants and doe hereby by virtue hereof assigne, sell
and make over all my right, title and interest unto the said
land unto them, their heirs, executors, administrators and
assigns to enjoy as their own proper land, together with all
the meadow land and marsh land thereunto appertaining.
In confirmation whereof I have hereunto set my hand the
seventh of May 1654.
^A.
Subscribed and acknowledged in the presence of us
Geo. L. Right. A. Randell.
Jno. Willson. Juet, Interpreter.
The following deeds recorded in the ofSce of the Secretary
of State, at Albany, N. Y., also possess interest as touching
materially on early Gravesend history.
Papomora, Chief of ye Indians,
To
James Hubbard, JohnBowne, John Til-
ton, Jr., Richard Stout, William
Goulding and Samuel Spicer.
Taplawappammund, Mattamahicka-
niok, and Yawpoohammund, Kack-
enham, also Mattanoh, Norchon and
Qurrmeck,
To
John Tilton, Samuel Spicer, William
Goulding, Richard Gibbons, James
Grover and Richard Stout.
Manavendo, Emmerdesolsee, Pap-
pomera, Ohecawsemm, Shan-
hemun, Cramanscun, Wineger-
meca, Macca,
To
James Grover, John Bowne,
Richard Stout, Tohn Tilton,
Richard Gibbons, William
Goulding, Samuel Spicer, and
the rest of the company.
Jan. 85, 1664.
Lib. 3, page 1.
April 7, 1665.
Lib. 3, page 3.
Dated June 5, 1665.
Liber 3, page 5.
Correction of Error. — It may be well here to cor-
rect a ridiculous misprint made in Thompson's History
of Long Island, ii., 76, which reflects somewhat upon
the fair fame of Gravesend. It occurs in this quotation;
on the 14th of April, 1649, John Furman agreed with
the town to keep their calves for three weeks for sixty
guilders, "to be paid in money, tobacco, or corn, and
some bitters, if desired." In the original manuscript the
word " bitters " is found to be butter 1
Ancient Homesteads. — But few of these remain,
the most notable being the following :
The Stillwell House. — This house was formerly in
possession of the Yan Sicklen family. Ferdinandes
Van Sicklen was the first owner of the property, to
whom we can distinctly trace it; although it may have
been in the family for several generations before.
After the death of Ferdinandes, who was a man of
considerable note in the town, and died some time in
the latter part of the last century, the property, includ-
ing the house (then new), was inherited by his son Cor-
nelius, the grandfather of Henry and Abram Van Sick-
len, now large property owners on Coney Island.
Cornelius sold it to one Richard Stillwell, from which
time the Stillwell interest in the property begins. It is
said of Cornelius Van Sicklen that, after he sold the
property, he went to Pleasant Valley, Dutchess county
"^^fc.
THE STILLWELL HOUSE.
and bought a farm. Soon his wife died, and he re-
turned to Gravesend. Happening one day to meet a
worthy maiden, Katrina Stillwell, while she was in the
act of milking the cow, being struck with her modest
beauty, and perhaps also with her worth as a frugal
helpmeet for a farmer, he at once proposed marriage to
her on the spot; and after one night for careful de-
liberation, he was accepted. From this marriage
sprang the present Van Sicklen family, which is the
third generation.
Richard Stillwell, whom we left in possession of the
property, occupied the old house till his death, when it
was conveyed to his son Daniel, whose heirs still hold
it. Mr. Stillwell lived in the old house for some years,
when he built a fine residence in striking contrast to
the low-roofed, side-shingled house of his fathers.
SISTOBT OF KINGS COUNTY.
After this the old house was occupied by his farmer,
and continues so to be used to this day. It is a vener-
able structure, probably over a century old, and is still
in a fair state of preservation.
The Strtker House. — This is another of the old
land-marks of Gravesend. We can only trace it back
three generations, to Cornelius Stryker, who, at his
death, left it to his son Derick.
After his death, it continued to be the family resi-
dence for over 30 years. In 1861, when the youngest
child, Cornelius D. Stryker, became of age, the farm
was divided, and the widow bought the interest of the
other heirs in the old house.
Some ten or fifteen years later, she sold the house to
her son-in-law, Mr. David Jones, the present owner.
It begins to show plainly the marks of age. Its history
-*S*^fci^%^^?y^»^ljy|^_^^ * _
THE STEYKER HOUSE.
must reach back nearly, if not fully, a hundred years.
Like the Stillwell House, it is built after the Dutch
fashion of the early times; it is one story, with extend-
ing eaves -on either side which form a kind of piazza,
and with the living, sleeping and working rooms mostly
on the ground floor.
What is remarkable about this house is that the roof
has never been renewed, and the shingles, though very
much dilapidated and open to the weather, are still the
same that were laid when the house was first built ;
probably long before the oldest person in town was
born. An outlay of a few hundred dollars would
make it good for many years to come.
The Johnson House.— This house was built by
Barrent Johnson, from whom it descended, through his
son, to the late Barrent Johnson, for many years Asso-
ciate-Justice of the Court of Sessions, whose heirs now
hold it. This house, though not so old as the others
mentioned, is far older in appearance and more dilapi-
dated, and shows the sad neglect of years. It is fast
passing into an uninhabitable condition.
To look at these old houses, one would think they
were built to last, not for years, but centuries.
The large, heavy timbers then used, which were cut
a year before needed, and well seasoned, would now be
considered almost too cumbersome for a five-story fac-
tory.
THE JOHNSON HOUSE.
This old house is especially noteworthy, because it
stands, on what will be seen by the old map, to have
been originally the " Bowery of ye Lady Moody," and
is no doubt very near the site of her early residence.
It is situated, like the other two mentioned, near the
center of the village.
It cannot fail to awaken in the mind of one who
knows anything of its history, grateful thoughts of the
noble woman who took so grand and memorable a part
in the early settlement, defence and prosperity of the
town.
Cottage op Rev. A. P. Stockwell. — This cottage
is situated a little distance from the village, and near
the Ocean parkway, which connects Prospect Park with
the ocean. It was built by Rev. A. P. Stockwell, pas-
tor of the Reformed Church at Gravesend, in 1882, for
his private residence. Mr. Dixon of Brooklyn was the
jiyjilJ'ju,^ _
THE RESIDENCE OP REV. A. P STOCKWELL
architect, and Mr. John Y. McKane, of Gravesend, the
builder.
It has been greatly admired for its architectural
beauty, and the convenience of its internal arrange-
ment. It also specially shows the contrast between the
present style and arrangement of dwellings, and that
of a hundred years ago, and the advance which has in
these years been made.
DISCOVERT AND SETTLEMENT OF CONEY ISLAND.
189
HISTORY OF CONEY ISLAND
Esq.
TOPOGRAPHY. About 7 miles southerly from
New York city, at the extreme entrance to its
harbor, facing the Atlantic Ocean, and separated
from Long Island by a narrow creek, is an island
about 5 miles long, varying in width from a few hundred
feet to three-fourths of a mile, which, within the last few
years, has become celebrated as the watering-place of
New York and Brooklyn — Coney Island. It com-
prises about 80 acres of arable land; its southerly bor-
der is an ocean-washed beach of fine white sand, and
its northerly border, along the creek, which divides it
from the mainland, is mainly salt-marsh or meadow.
The present Coney Island has been formed by the grad-
ual aggregation, in times past, of several separate tracts;
and, until the beginning of the present century, the
western portion of the present island was the only part
known by that name. Its Indian name was Narrioch,
and it extended from Norton's Point easterly, to near
the site of Rich. Ravenhall's establishment; and, when
first discovered, was much broader north by south than
now, (see the Narrative of the Labadists, 1679-80, and
Thompson's History of Long Island). This Narrioch,
the original Coney Island, was bounded east by an in-
let connecting the bay and ocean, and separating it
from Coney Hook, a peninsula of the mainland extend-
ing.south to the ocean. A ditch was dug through the
salt-marsh of Coney Hook, from Brown's creek east to
Hubbard's creek, making Coney Hook an island; thence-
forth known as Pine Island, from its being rather heav-
ily timbered with pine, oak and cedar. Eastward from,
and adjoining Pine Island, was Pine Island Inlet, sep-
arating Pine Island and Guisbert's Island. Paul Bauer's
West Brighton Hotel occupies part of the site of this
inlet, which was an almost direct southerly continuation
of Hubbard's creek. Next easterly to this inlet was
Guisbert Island, the largest of all the divisions of Coney
Island, and which contained all the arable land; being,
therefore, often called in the Gravesend records " the
island." In front, and on the southerly side of Guis-
bert's Island, was the "Great Pond," a considerable
sheet of water, discharging into the ocean at its west-
erly end, nearly in front of Bader's Hotel at the Ocean
Parkway; and, at the other end, opening into Sheepshead
Bay, east of "Windmill Hill," on Manhattan Beach.
This pond and these inlets were the main approaches
into Sheepshead Bay from the ocean. The outer shore
of this pond was a low, flat sand-bar, skirting the entire
front of Guisbert's Island, on the ocean. Easterly of
this bar and Guisbert's Island, was another inlet, known
as Plumb Beach Inlet, and separating these portions of
Coney Island from Pelican Beach, then a part of Barren
Island. By the filling up of Plumb Beach Inlet, and
the breaking through the beach of another inlet much
further east. Pelican Beach has become a part of Coney
Island.
Discovery. Coney Island was first visited by Ver-
azzano, in his discovery of this region, in 1527 and 1529.
It would seem, from De Laet's, and also from Juet's
narratives of the voyage and discovery of Henry Hud-
son, in 1609, that this was one of the places at which
they landed and had interview with the savages.
Settlement. In 1643 Gravesend was settled by
Lady Moody and friends; but, before the date of the sec-
ond or confirmatory patent granted them in 1645, several
persons took up farms within what became afterwards
the town-boundaries, and for which they held individual
patents. In May, 1643, Antonie Jansen Van Salee
took a patent for land, of which the larger portion was
at the extreme westerly part of the town (near IJnion-
ville), and the balance was a strip running southerly
therefrom, which the English settlers also claimed. They
had also undertaken to extinguish the Indian title to
the land granted the town, by direct purchases from the
natives. The earliest of these, November 1st, 1649
had been that of Narrioch (the original Coney Island),
from Cippehacke, sachem of the Canarsies. But the
Nyack Indians also claimed ownership of this; and
Francis de Bruyne, who had succeeded to the owner-
ship of the Jansen Van Salee farm, insisted upon his
right to the strip, which lay between its two portions.
Anxious to fortify their claim to this, as well as to Nar-
rioch, which they had come to look upon as their own
(though Kieft's patent only gave them the privilege of
pasturing on it), they obtained from the Nyacks, May
7th, 1654 (for 15 fathoms of seawant, 2 guns, 3 lbs.
of powder), a conveyance of Coney Island, and the dis-
puted neck of land; which latter was an inheritance of
litigation to the town of Gravesend, some of the suits
arising from it being yet pending in the courts. Guis-
bert Op Dyck, the original patentee of Coney Island,
being Commissioner of Provisions for the colony of
North America, neglected to occupy his patent; but,
190
HISTORY OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
FAC-SIMILIE COl-^^^OF A PORTION ^^.^^ ™TTE OFF VE SITUATION OF YE TOWNS AND PLACES ON YE WEST END OF
i^uni, ibLAWD TO HEMPSTEAD BOUNDS. LAID DOWNE BY ME, HUBBARDE, JULY 3d 1686
Scale, 2J^ inches to the mile.
DIVISIOK OF THE ISLAND, BY EARLY SETTLERS.
191
afterwards, being thrown out of public employment,
began to tbink how he could realize upon it. In Au-
gust, 1661, he presented to the Director and Council a
petition setting forth that the people of Gravesend
were in the constant use of " a certain little island, sit-
uate between the tide-creek and Coney Island, and now
called Guisbert's Island," and were very anxious to pur-
chase it for pasturage of their cattle, and praying that
he might be allowed to dispose of it to that town. But,
as the Council took no notice of his petition, and the
Gravesend people apparently were less anxious than he
represented, to purchase land of which they were already
vutually in possession, Op Dyck finally, October 20, 1661,
having failed to sell to them part of the ground claimed
in his patent, sold the whole of it to Dick De Wolf, a
merchant of New Amsterdam, who had obtained from the
Amsterdam Chamber of the W. I. Company, the exclu-
sive privilege of making salt in the Nieuw Netherlands.
De Wolf promptly established his salt-works on the is-
land, and his agents ordered the Gravesend people to cease
■ pasturing their cattle, or making hay th ereon. This rous-
ed the ire of the Gravesend settlers, who " laid waste his
garden, tore down the surrounding palisades and burned
them completely, threatening to throw the foreman of
the work, who reproved them, on the top of the burn-
ing pile." The matter, being brought before the Direc-
tor and Council, was by them decided favorably to the
English ; but, on reference to the Council of the W. I.
Company, at Holland, that body (jealous of English in-
fluences, as is evident from their instructions to Gover-
nor Stuyvesant) called for all the papers in the case,
desiring meanwhile that a guard of " two or three
soldiers " should be sent to take possession of De
Wolf's house, etc., in the name of the Company, and to
" prevent further robberies and outrage." Stuyvesant,
however, who was no friend to Guisbert Op Dyck, the
original patentee, and who had good reason to keep on
the best of terms with the Gravesend people, mani-
fested no especial haste to comply with the orders of
his superiors. For, in January, 1664, the directors of
the W. I. Company again wrote to him complaining of
his delay ; which, however, continued until the transfer
of the Nieuw Netherlands to the English in September
of that year, disposed finally of the fortunes of the first
manufacturing enterprise ever established within the
limits of the present Kings county.
By the new charter which the English Governor
Nicolls granted Gravesend in 1668, Coney Island (Nar-
rioch) was not embraced within the town-limits ; and
this, with similar defects relating to the town's disputes
with De Bruyne, was sought to be rectified in a patent
obtained by the town, in 1671, from Governor Love-
lace. Having thus considerably enlarged their bounds
and perfected their title, the Gravesend people (1670)
entertained the project of dividing Guisbert's Island ;
which was not done, however, until October, 1677, when,
by Samuel Spicer, Samuel Holmes and Ralph Cardall,
appointed a committee for the purpose, it was divided
into thirty-nine parts or shares, of about two acres each.
The inhabitants then agreed " that the said island shall
be fenced and planted only with Indian-corn, tobacco
or any summer grain, and not else ; that the cattle
may have the benefit of feeding until the beginning of
the third month, or until the meadows are through, and
then in the latter part of the year, when tobacco and
Indian corn are housed, and the said land is to be
thrown open to commons, when the major part will use
their land no longer, as being worn out." The lots and
names of owners in this division were: — 1, Thomas TU-
ton ; 2, Samuel Holmes ; 3, John Lake ; 4, William
Compton ; 5, Samuel Spicer ; 6, James Hubbard ; 7,
John Tilton ; 8, John Bowne ; 9, John Griggs ; 10 ,
John Lake; 11, Barent Juriansen ; 12, Obadiah Wil-
kins ; 13, Samuel Holmes ; 14, Ralph Cardell ; 15,
John Bowne ; 16, Thomas Delavall ; 17, John Tilton,
Jr. ; 18, John Cooke ; 19, Nicholas Still well ; 20, Peter
Symson ; 21, Richard Still well ; 22, John Tilton, Jr. ;
23, Thomas Delavall ; 24, Samuel Spicer ; 25, Barent
Juriansen ; 26, John Griggs ; 27, Samuel Spicer ; 28,
Charles Bridges ; 29, Thomas Delavall ; 30, John Lake ;
31, Ann Wilkins ; 32, William Williamson ; 33, John
Emans ; 34, Ralph Cardell ; 35, John Poland ; 36,
John Applegate ; 37, Samuel Holmes ; 38, Samuel
Spicer ; 39, William Goulding.
By the new conveyance from the Indians, in 1684,
and the confirmatory charter obtained from Governor
Dongan, 1685, Coney Island was fully secured to Graves-
end.
The Lahadist travellers have left us a clear descrip-
tion of Coney Island, as they saw it in 1679; "The
outer shore of this [Long] Island has before it several
small islands and broken lands, such as Coney Island
('< Gonijnen Eylandt), a low sandy island of about
three hours circuit, its westerly point forming with
Sandy Hook, on the other side, the entrance from the
sea. It is oblong in shape and is grown over wdth
bushes. Nobody lives upon it, but it is used in winter
for keeping cattle, horses, oxen, hogs and others, which
are able to obtain there suflBcient to eat the whole win-
ter, and to shelter themselves from the cold in the
thickets. This island is not so cold as Long Island, or
the Manhatans or others, like some other islands on the
coast, in consequence of their having more sea-breeze,
and of the saltness of the sea breaking upon the shoals,
rocks and reefs, with which the coast is beset."
Subsequent Divisions of the Island. — Follow-
ing the rule established in the original division of the
Gravesend settlement, viz : thirty-nine shares or por-
tions (there were in the first division forty shares, one
of which was for a school-house), the balance of the
present island was, from time to time, divided among
the Gravesend inhabitants, always in thirty-nine shares ;
viz.: as we have seen, in 1677, Guisbert's Island ; 1761,
meadow at east end of Guisbert's Island ; Plumb Is-
192
SISTORT OFKIJSTGS COUNTY.
land; 1766, "Sedge Bank" (Manhattan Beach) ; 1Y66,
the " middle division of the island " (present W. A.
Engeman, Brighton Beach and Race Track), etc. The
two latest divisions were made in 1815 and 1821.
The Town's Commonage Leases of Coney
Island. — By agreement of its inhabitants and free-
holders in town-meeting assembled, the town had, from
time to time, leased Fine and Coney Islands, in seven-
year leases (reserving for the freeholders " the privilege
of fishing, grazing, fowling, hawking, gunning, hunting,
cutting off and carting off any sort of timber," etc.), to
the following persons : 1V02, John Griggs ; 1720, Rich-
ard Stillwell ; 1727, Thomas Stillwell ; 1731, Richard
Stillwell ; 1733, Capt. John Cannon, mariner, of New
York ; 1789, the islands were let in three divisions, to
the highest bidders, viz., Abraham and John Emans,
and John Van Cleef ; this arrangement continued an-
nually (the lessees being Emans, Van Cleef, Jones and
Voorhis) until 1803, when the town directed the Com-
missioners of Highways to " let, for one season, at pub-
lic vendue, to the highest bidder, all the undivided
mowing-meadows or commons" in the town, etc.; "the
sand on Plumb Island and Pine Island beaches '' to be
let by contract, the rights of Gravesend people to sand
being protected.
Roads on Coney Island. — A road- to the island
was made in 1734, from the record of which it appears
that the inlet between Coney Island and Coney Hook
(Pine Island) had, by this time, become so shoal that
the road was laid right along the beach without regard
to it, and yet the two islands are divided by it — thus
fixing the time when the process of filling up this inlet
was going on ; and that Coney Hook had become sep-
arated from the main land and had become an island.
Thomas Stillwell, a very prominent citizen of Graves-
end in that day, and who had become the owner of all
the thirty-nine lots on Guisbert's Island (constituting
all the arable land on Coney Island), conceived the idea
that, by cutting a ditch from Hubbard's to Brown's
creek he Avould secure an excellent pasturage for his
cattle, near his farm. At this time a considerable trade
had arisen between New York and the residents on
Jamaica Bay, whose boats went outside of Coney Is-
land, in their trips to and from New York. Stillwell,
by personal visitation of his Jamaica friends, convinced
them that the opening of a ditch or canal through his
property would give them an inside route to New York ;
and finally, they all assembled, on a given day, and dug
the canal — known to this day as " Jamaica Ditch." It
was a success — giving the market-boats not only a
shorter, but a much safer and easier way to the city.
By successive town-orders it was ordered (1735 and
'49) that no one should mow sedge, or grass, upon Coney
Island before the 1st SeiDtember ; in 1752, that no wood
or timber should be cut off; and, in 1761, a division
was made of the meadow on east end of Guisbert's
Island. In 1763 another road was laid out along the
north side of middle division of Coney Island. About
the year 1820, the project of a new and more direct
road to Coney Island began to be agitated ; for, up to
that time, the only route to Guisbert's or Johnson's
Island was by fording the creek (if the tide happened
to be low), and then westerly along the southerly side
of Guisbert's Island. John Terhune, then Supervisor
of Gravesend, proposed that the town should build
what is now popularly known as " the shell road ; " but
it was eventually done by private enterprise.
The Gravesend and Coney Island Road and Bridge
Company was incorporated March 22, 1823, by legis-
lative act, with a capital stock of 300 shares of $20
each, and empowering John Terhune, Van Brunt
Magaw, John S. Gerritson, and their associates, to open
a road three rods wide through the meadows (between
land at present of James A. Williamson, and land late
of Stephen H. Stillwell, deceased,) and to construct a
bridge over the creek. The enterprise, however, grew
upon the hands of the projectors, who soon saw the
necessity of providing a hotel for visitors to the Island.
Additional capital-stock was authorized by act of legis-
lature in 1826 ; five directors were authorized by an
amendment act, in 1829, and the road and bridge were
built, and a site procured from Court Van Sicklen, on
which they erected the " Coney Island House," and
leased the same to a Mr. Tooker for three years. This
property, in 1827, was sold to John Terhune, who, the
same year, sold a half to his brother Abraham, and
it ultimately passed, with John's half, into the hands of
Peter Lott.
Piracy. The Tragedy of the Brig Vineyard.
— Coney Island -is connected with a tragedy of the sea,
well-nigh forgotten by even the older residents of the
vicinity, but which was the cause of intense excite-
ment at the time. On the 9th November, 1830, the
brig Vineyard cleared from New Orleans for Phila-
delphia with a cargo of cotton, sugar and molasses,
and 154,000 in specie (all Mexican dollars), consigned
to Stephen Girard, Esq., of the latter city. The
officers and crew of the brig were William Thornhy,
Captain; Mr. Roberts, Mate; Charles Gibbs (ahas
Thos. D. Jeffers), Aaron Church, James Talbot, John
Brownrigg, and Henry Atwell, seamen ; Robert Dawes
(age 18 or 19), cabin-hoy, and Wansley, a young
Delaware negro, steward and cook. When the brig
had been five days out at sea, and was off Cape
Hatteras, the negro steward informed some of the
others of the money on board ; and, with Gibbs,
Church, Atwell and Dawes, planned to kill the captain
and mate, and possess themselves of the specie. On
the night of March 23d, between 12 and 1 o'clock, as
the captain was on the quarter-deck, and the boy Dawes
was steering, the negro Wansley came up on deck,
and, obeying a pre arranged call from Dawes to come
and trim the binnacle-light, as he passed behind the
captain felled him with a pump-brake, and killed himhy
THE TEA OEB Y OF THE BRIO VINEYARD.
193
repeated blows. G-ibbs then coming up, lie and
Wansley flung the captain's body overboard. Roberts,
the mate, who was below, came up the companion way
to ascertain the cause of the commotion, and was
attacked by Church and Atwell, who failed, however,
(through nervousness) to accomplish their design upon
him. He retreated to the cabin, where he was followed
by Gibbs, who, not being able to find him in the dark,
returned to the deck for the binnacle-lamp, with which
he re-entered the cabin, accompanied by Church,
Atwell, and the boy Dawes ; and Roberts, being
speedily overcome by their blows, was dragged upon
deck and hurled into the sea— still alive, and able for a
while to swim after the ship, begging for mercy.
Talbot, who, in his terror at what was going on, had
sought refuge in the forecastle, and Brownrigg, who
had fled aloft, were now called by the conspirators and
ofEered their lives and equal share in the booty if they
kept silent. It is needless to say that they joyfully
accepted the terms thus unexpectedly oflEered them.
The conspirators then rifled the vessel, divided the
specie; and, under direction of Gibbs, who, from his
being the only one understanding navigation, assumed
command of the vessel, their course was laid for Long
Island. When within 15 or 20 miles off Southampton
light, the vessel was scuttled and fired, and they took
to their ^boats ; Gibbs, Wansley, Brownrigg and
Dawes, with about $31,000 of the money, in the long-
boat, and Church, Talbot and Atwell, with about
$23,000, in the jolly-boat. The wind was blowing a
gale, and in attempting to cross Duck (or Rookaway)
Bar, the jolly-boat upset, and its occupants, with their
share of the booty, were lost. The occupants of the
other boat were compelled, by fear of a similar fate,
to lighten their boat by throwing overboard all but
$5,000 of their stealings ; but finally succeeded in
reaching the shore of Pelican Beach, then part of
Barren, now of Coney Island. Their first care was to
dispose temporarily of the specie by burying it in a
hole (dug with an oar) in the sand at a considerable
distance from the shore, each taking out sufficient for
his immediate wants. Food and lodging were their
next most pressing wants, and meeting, on Pelican
Beach, with Nicholas S. Williamson, of Gravesend,
they told him a pitiable tale of shipwreck, and, getting
from him the needed directions, they passed on to
Dooley's Bay, on the northwest shore of Barren Island.
Here resided John Johnson and wife, and his brother
William, who kindly received and cared for the ship-
wrecked mariners, and gave up to them for the night
their own room and beds. Brownrigg and the Johnson
brothers thus happened to occupy chairs in the living-
room ; and as soon as the other inmates of the house
were asleep, Brownrigg revealed the whole matter to
the two Johnsons. In the morning, after getting such
breakfast as the place afforded, the pirates desired the
Johnsons to take them over to the hotel at Sheepshead
Bay, whence they might get a conveyance to Fulton
ferry and New York. This the Johnsons did, and
returned to Barren Island without unnecessary delay ;
and, proceeding to the spot described by Brownrigg
(and to which they had gone in the early morning with
Wansley to get^some clothes left there), they dug up
the specie, removed it to another hiding-place remote
from its first location; and, by walking in the water,
effaced all traces of the direction they had taken.
Meanwhile, Gibbs and his party were bargaining
with Samuel Leonard, the hotel-keeper at Sheepshead
Bay, when suddenly, in the presence of all, Brownrigg,
declaring that he would go no further with them, de-
nounced his companions as pirates and murderers, and
unfolded the whole story of the Vineyard^s fate.
Wansley incontinently took to his heels to the woods,
and Gibbs and Dawes were seized and bound by the
inn-keeper and his people; and Justice John Van Dyke
was summoned, who promptly issued warrants for the
arrest of the pirates. The one constable of the village
found his hands full in guarding Gibbs and Dawes ;
and so Robert Greenwood, of Sheepshead Bay, volun-
teered to go into the woods and look up Wansley.
After an hour's search he found the negro, and present-
ing a huge pistol, ordered him to fall on his face and
cross his hands behind his back. Wansley submitted,
and Greenwood, sitting astride of him, tied his hands
securely, ordered him to arise, and marched him back
to Leonard's hotel. After the negro had been thoroughly
secured, his captor showed him the pistol {utterly desti-
tute of either lock or load), with the remark that it
"was just as good's any other if you knowed how to
use it." Gibbs, Wansley, and Dawes were then lodged
in the county jail at Flatbush.
The Johnsons had been none too quick in securing
the $5,000; for, scarcely had they regained their home,
when Squire Van Dyke, with Brownrigg as guide, ap-
peared on the scene, and going right to the spot where
the money had been deposited the day before, found it
gone ! Brownrigg was then sent to join the others at
Flatbush ; and from thence they were remanded to
New York Bridewell. Indictments being found against
Gibbs and Wansley, they were tried, and convicted
on the testimony of Brownrigg and Dawes ; and on
the 11th of March, 1831, were sentenced to be hung ;
sentence being carried into effect on the 22d of April
following.
John and Wm. Johnson, apprehensive of further
search being made for the money, made no haste to get
it home. In a day or two they were visited by agents
of the insurance companies and an officer, who not only
searched for the money on the beach, but thoroughly
ransacked the Johnson abode from garret to cellar,
without success. Having, finally, as they thought, elu-
ded the vigilance of the law, John Johnson and wife
planned to get possession of it without the assistance of
William. Accordingly, one night, while the latter was
194
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
asleep, they stole out and unearthed the treasure, and
reinterred it in two parcels, one of |3,400, the other of
ahout $1,600. Knowing how closely William would
scan the beach when he discovered his loss, they made
only the slightest mark to designate the new place of
deposit on Pelican Beach, by tying knots on the long
sedge-grass, which could be seen only by the closest
scrutiny. William's indignation, when he discovered
the loss, was intense ; his suspicions fell upon his broth-
er, and going to New York, he informed the insurance
companies, who entered suit against John for recovery
of the money. The trial, whicli was held before Judge
Dean, in the Apprentices Library, in Brooklyn, ended
in John's acquittal, for want of sufficient evidence. He
then removed to Brooklyn, and William to Canarsie.
But, when John went to look for his deposit, he found
only the larger sum. A high tide had swept over the
site of the other ; the action of the waves had loosened
the knots in the sedge-grass, and the $1,600 was lost to
him forever ! In 1842 the Skidmore family, living on
" Ruffle Bar," concluded to remove their house, in sec-
tions, to a new site on the shore of Dooley's Bay, Bar-
ren Island. The house was accordingly taken down
piecemeal, and most of it carried across the bay and
piled up near its future site. The moving was not
quite completed on the day appointed. On the foun-
dation of their old home had been left the wooden ceil-
ing of an upper chamber, in one piece or section.
During the night a violent storm drove the tide up to
an unprecedented height; and, in the morning, when
Jacob Skidmore arose, he was surprised to find that his
chamber-ceiling had been brought over by the tide,
from Ruffle Bar to Dooley's Bay, without injury. Anx-
ious to learn whether any other of his property had
gone farther west, he proceeded along the northerly, or
inside, shore of Pelican Beach, which then had become
separated by a small inlet, shallow enough to be forded
at low-tide, but at high-tide floating skiffs through it
from the ocean to Dooley's Bay. The eastern part of
Pelican Beach then had a ridge of sand-hills, while
the western was as flat and level as the whole of it is
now. Arrived at these sand-hills, from whence to get
a view of the surrounding country, he saw none of his
lumber ; and, acceding to the suggestion of his com-
panion, Mr. Loring, hurried back so as to cross the in-
let before the tide got too high. Taking a last look, as
they did so, they noticed the shore or ocean-side of
Pelican Beach much washed away, and also saw his
neighbors, Willett Smith and Henry Brewer, approach-
ing. Smith and Brewer came on easterly until they
reached the spot where John Johnson and wife had last
buried the $1,600; and here, by the storm over night,
the silver dollars had been uncovered, and lay scattered
along the beach. The two men lost no time in filling
pockets and boots, and carried away all they could ;
but they could not keep their good luck to themselves,
and in a day or two business was almost entirely
suspended in Gravesend, and every man who could
got to Pelican Beach. The intense excitement only
gradually subsided when a succeeding storm placed the
location of the " find " so far to sea as to be absolutely
beyond further search.
Modern Development of Coney Island. — About
the year 1844 Messrs. Eddy and Hart, two New York
gentlemen, leased a portion of the western part of Coney
Island, and on it built a large circular platform, over
which an enormous tent was erected, and the " Pavilion"
at Coney Island Point sprang into existence. A dock,
or wharf, was built just north of the westerly part of
Coney Island, and a number of bathing-houses built on
the southern shore of the Point. This was the com-
mencement of what has since become familiar to many
of the residents of New York and vicinity as " Norton's
Point." Prior to this occupancy by -Messrs. Eddy and
Hart, this spot had been the home of Gilbert Hicks,
who succeeded Henry Brown, the sole occupant of this
part of Coney Island at about the close of the Revolu-
tionary war. When Messrs. Eddy and Hart started their
enterprise, Cropsey and Woglom were proprietors of one
of the only two hotels of Coney Island — the " Coney
Island House," built by the Coney Island Road and
Bridge Company. The other was owned and managed
by that patriarch of Coney Island, John Wyckoff, Sr.,
formerly school-master of Gravesend, afterward hotel-
keeper opposite the church in Gravesend, from whence
he removed with his wife and family to Coney Island,
and built what, with additions, soon enjoyed a most en-
viable reputation as " Wyckoff 's Hotel." The Pavilion,
Wyckoff's, and the Coney Island House, with the excep-
tion of the two farm-houses on the respective farms —
into which the arable land had been divided — ^the Van
Sicklen and the Voorhies farm-houses, constituted the
whole of the residences on the island. But the day of
development was drawing nigh; and, when Daniel Mor-
rell, the toll-gatherer on the " shell-road," counted three
hundred vehicles of a warm fourth of July (Sunday)
driving to Coney Island, many of the staid, good peo-
ple of Gravesend bewailed the existence of a place
whose attractions caused such wholesale Sabbath-
breaking.
In October, 1847, Dr. Allen Clarke, seeing the de-
sirability of Coney Island as a summer resort, bought
a piece of ground of Mr. Court Van Sicklen (by giv-
ing a mortgage on it), and, just north of the Coney
Island House, the " Oceanic " was erected, run for a
season, and burned down. It was said it caught fire
accidentally, and some people believed it. The property
passed into the hands of Judge John Vanderbilt, who
built another — a larger and a better hotel — on the site
of the former, and it became a very fashionable resort;
but, after a few years of varying success, it shared the
common fate of sea-side resorts — it burned down. The
premises are now incorporated with those of the old
Coney Island House.
MODERN DEVELOPMENT OF CONEY ISLAND.
196
Another step in the development of the island was
taken when Mr. Partridge, the owner of the Dye Wood
Mills below Union-ville, interested himself in the scheme
of a railroad from Coney Island across the creek over
West Meadow Bank, along' "the twelve raorgen,"
through the villages of Bath and New Utrecht,and along
the new plank-road to the " new," or Fifth avenue, en-
trance, to Greenwood cemetery. After many and vex-
atious delays, toils and troubles, on the part of its pro-
moters. The Brooklyn, Bath and Coney Island Railroad,
as its incorporators called it — the " Dummy Road," as
it was known to the public generally — was opened to
travel. In the meanwhile Mr. Stephen H. Bogart had
■erected, at its Coney Island terminus, a hotel, elegant
for its day and generation, which was called the
" Tivoh." But Mr. Bogart died, and the hotel shared
the common fate of large sea-side hotels — it burned
down.
Another impetus to the development of Coney Island
was the completion of the " horse-car " route to Coney
Island— -down the old Coney Island road, as Coney
Island avenue was then called; and the building of the
restaurant on Coney Island, so long kept by George
Green.
About the year 1868 Mr. William A. Engeman con-
ceived the idea of purchasing the interests of the two
or three hundred heirs of the persons to whom, in 1766,
the thirty-nine lots comprising the middle or southern
division of Coney Island had been allotted; and, by
gathering together, in his own ownership, the shreds
and patches of interests, divided, subdivided and again
subdivided (until in many cases the resources of arith-
metical calculation were severely tasked to determine
just how little any one particular person owned), to thus
ultimately acquire a property on which he could erect
a great family home and house. This task, it may
readily be imagined, was far more easy of conception
than of execution. Many a person of less indomitable
perseverance than Mr. Engemajs^ would have quailed
under the difficulties attending the making of searches
(in most instances amounting to complete genealogies)
of thirty-nine families for one and one-fourth centuries
back ; and whose members were scattered not only
throughout the various States of the Union, but some
of whom had found homes in such far-off places as the
Sandwich Islands. Energy, perseverance, and well-
directed, intelligent industry, however, finally unrav-
elled the twisted mazes of family-ties, hunted for and
found the scattered members, negotiated for and pur-
chased their interests; and, as usual, success crowned
well-directed, persistent efforts. Mr. Engeman had
passed through many sad and bitter experiences in life,
and found in the excitement attending this undertak-
ing a relief from oppressive and almost unsupportable
reflections.
The premises were purchased, and comprise what is
now known as the Fair Grounds, the Ocean Hotel prop-
erty, the Brighton Hotel property, and the Bathing
Pavilion, taking in all the ground between that of
Manhattan Beach and the common lands of the town
of Gravesend. The Ocean Hotel was built, and in a
quiet, respectable family sea-side hotel, refined guests
found an agreeable relief from the noise and hubbub
which even then had begun to pervade the more west-
ern part of the island.
In the meanwhile the other parts of the island were
beginning to feel the impetus which was crowding
Coney Island into prominence as a competitor for
the patronage of the seaside-loving population of
the metropolis and suburbs, in the heated summer
terms. Settlements of restaurants, lager-beer-saloons
and bathing-establishments began to spring up with
unwonted activity ; at first in the immediate neighbor-
hood of the railroad termini, and soon from thence
spreading, laterally, along-shore on either side, till, in
a few years, the entire beach front was thickly studded
with these aspirants for public favor. These buildings
were not of the elaborate nature characteristic of the
more pretentious " pavilions " of to-day. Par from it.
Most of them were rude, unplaned boxes, having
a door with a hole in it for light, and each furnished
inside with a couple of hat-and-coat-hooks, a rude
bench, and a pail of water for rinsing the feet after the
bath. But they were the pioneers to what has since
become a vast business during the heated days of the
summer.
Then, a law was passed providing for the opening and
grading of Gravesend avenue, at the expense of the
holders of property on both sides of it; and the Pros-
pect Park and Coney Island Railroad (Culver's) took
it, without paying for it, as the location of their road.
Naturally, the property-holders felt indignant at thus
being compelled to open and grade a road at their own
expense for a railroad company; and not even the
admitted fact that this railroad is altogether the best
managed and operated of all the roads to Coney Island,
has enabled it to overcome this feeling.
The building of this railroad; its hotel, long known as
" Cable's," at its shore terminus; the purchase, and the
re-erection on Coney Island, of one of the observatories
erected at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition, as
an "observatory;" and latterly, its magnificent depot,
have all combined to make this place a center of attrac-
tion to a vast multitude to whom the low rate of fares
charged is by no means a source of mis-comfort.
Next was the building of the Ocean Parkway, that
magnificent highway from Prospect Park to the sea.
(See page 172). This Ocean Parkway, and its lateral
or shore branch, called the Concourse, all aided in help-
ing Coney Island to a place in the public estimation.
While John I. Snedeker was host of the " Oceanic
Hotel " on Coney Island (for so the old " Coney Island
House " was christened in later years), among his guests
was a wealthy New York banker, whose sick infant
196
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
had been ordered to be taken to the seaside for the
benefit of the pure air. This gentleman, impressed
■with the healthf ulness of the place, in a casual conver-
sation with the host one evening, requested the latter
to ascertain whether any property could be purchased
in the vicinity, as he was anxious to purchase in so sa-
lubrious a situation. Mr. Snedeker accordingly made
enquiry in the village-store at Gravesend, and was di-
rected to William H. Stillwell, whose long resi-
dence and position as a resident civil-engineer and sur-
veyor had placed him in a position to be especially fa-
miliar with lands and titles in that section. This re-
sulted in an interview between the latter and the bank-
er, one Saturday evening, at the hotel; when the former
called the attention of the latter to a tract of land
which might possibly be purchased, and the next after-
noon the two visited the locality. This banker was
Austin Corbin, Esq., and the spot shown was "The
Sedge Bank," since become famous as " Manhattan
Beach." The banker, pleased with the location, took
immediate steps to purchase the property, which was
successfully accomplished by the agency of the other,
without unnecessary loss of time, and forms the site of
the Manhattan and Oriental Hotels, and the vast tract
on which they are located.
While the Manhattan Beach property was being de-
veloped, the consolidation of the two railroad enter-
prises produced the Brooklyn, Flatbush and Coney Is-
land Railway Company (or, as it is more famiharly
known, the Brighton Beach Railroad), whose hotel, so
widely known, is located on a part of the " middle di-
vision," purchased of Mr. Engeman, and is too well
known to need particular description.
In 1878 a company was organized with Jacob Loril-
lard, of New York city, as president, who purchased a
lease held by William A. Engeman, of a shore-front
lot of land on Coney Island; contracted with the Dela-
ware Bridge Company to build the iron pier on the site
of the old one built by Mr. Engeman, and the present
elegant structure is the result of their labor and in-
vested capital.
While all the tracts known as the " Middle " or " En-
geman's " division, and the " Sedge Bank " or " Eastern
division," now Manhattan Beach, are, and have been,
confessedly and concededly, private property for at
least a century and a quarter ; the ownership of the
remainder of the island, from a line drawn a short dis-
tance easterly of the Ocean Parkway, has not been un-
disputed. There are two essentially different and dis-
tinct theories in relation to this matter, the proper
solution of which depends entirely on the language of
the original grants.
The original charter of Governor Kieft of 1645, and
of which all the other and subsequent charters are con-
firmatory, grants " To the Honoured Lady Deborah
Moody, Sir Henry Moody, Barronnett, Sergeant James
Hubbard, Ensigne George Baxter, their associates,
heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns
or any they should join in association with them," a
certain quantity or parcel of land, etc., etc.
Was this grant of these lands made to the town as a
corporation, or to the individuals as tenants in com-
mon ? If to the former, then so much of it as has not
been heretofore set off in severalty, and assigned to in-
dividuals, belongs to the town as a corporation ; while, if
to the latter, then the heirs of these are the owners of
so much of it as they or their ancestors have not
divided as tenants in common. This latter class are
usually known as the " patentee " party, and the former
as the " town " party. The arguments used by each
are not without weight ; and, in view of the enormous
value of the property involved — a property which
makes Gravesend probably the wealthiest town in the
State — -not without interest. The " town " party claim:
1. That the grant was made to the corporation, who,
at their town-meetings, divided so much of it from time
to time as their convenience required, and whatever
was not so divided was retained by the corporation.
2. That all divisions and allotments of lands were
made either in town-meetings or by authority of them.
3. That every known division of land is entered on
the town-books as an act of the town.
4. That the town has shown from the first an unin-
terrupted possession, passing repeated orders for the
care and management of them.
On the other or " patentee " side of the question, it
is claimed that the grant was made to the individuals
as tenants-in-common ; for
1. The charter authorized the persons therein named
to form a town — -it did not create, but authorized the
grantees to create, a town. This implied an action by
the grantees subsequent to the granting of the authority
to act. The town was to be formed by the people who
had received authority to form it — consequently the
town could have had no existence at the time the
authority to form it was given, and therefore the grant
could not have been made to the town. It did not ex-
ist when the grant was made.
2. The grant is made to certain persons " and any
they (that is the grantees) should join in association"
with them. That is, not any who should come to reside
there — -not all who should join them — but only those
whom the original patentees should elect — should ac-
cept— " should join in association with them."
3. The manifest propriety that they who had braved
the toil, privations and hardship of settling a new
colony, should possess that to which their time and
labor had given a value.
4. That all divisions of lands were uniformly into
thirty-nine parts, or shares corresponding to the num-
ber of original patentees — although these divisions,
some sixteen in number, covered a period from 1643
(the first) to 1766 (the date of thelast division of land).
5. That their title as tenants in common in and to the
MODERN DEVELOPMENT OF CONEY ISLAND.
197
undivided lands, is equally as good as to the land
divided— vthe source of title being the same in either
case.
6. That although these divisions were made at town-
meetings, they were so made merely as matters of con-
venience, not of necessity ; and some of these meetiiigs
are expressly stated to be meetings of the proprietors;
as for instance the meeting at which the arable lands
on Guisbert's Island is decided to be divided, is ex-
pressly declared to be a meeting " of the owners of the
rights," etc.
The above is believed to be a fair statement of the case.
It is proper to add that the representatives of both sides
have, all along, maintained and acted on their convictions
with considerable pertinacity. While the town, through
various officers, has, from time to time, rented the lands ;
on two occasions, at least, in 1814 and 1820, they divided
all accrued rentals up to these dates respectively, among
the representatives of
the patentees. We note,
also, that the records
show frequent sales of
"rights" and "thirty-
ninths " in the individ-
ual commonage, and
devises of the' same ;
and that, at no time,
has a proposition arisen
for a sale of any of
these lands, without an
active protest against
such action on the part
of a corporation, looked
upon as merely a trus-
tee for private parties.
Notably was this feel-
ing manifested when,
some years since, the
Quarantine Commis-
sioners of the State of New York undertook to avail
themsfelves of the opportunity which the Legislature of
the State had afforded them, of selecting Coney Island
Point (Norton's Point) as a site for a quarantine estab-
lishment. The Legislature had passed an act appropri-
ating $50,000 toward the purchase of a site to be selected
by the Quarantine Commissioners, who were also allowed
to take the same, if agreement as to price could not be
arrived at, by virtue of " the right of eminent domain."
Of course no agreement looking to a sale of part of
Coney Island for a nominal sum to a corporation who
would so use it as to destroy the value of the remainder,
could be arrived at; and the Court appointed Commis-
sioners to appraise the value of the lands proposed to
be taken. No sooner had the initiative steps herein
been taken, than a large number of persons appeared
and insisted on being made parties to the proceedings;
alleging that they, with others, were the rightful owners
of the fee of the premises sought to be acquired; that
the town, as their trustee, had collected rents and ex-
ercised acts of ownership for so long a period that the
corporation had come to be looked on as the owner of
the tract. They were joined as parties, and had the
Emigration Commissioners succeeded in the scheme, a
desperate legal warfare respecting the ownership of
the price paid, would undoubtedly have ensued. This
was avoided, however, by the Commissioners of Ap-
praisal, in their report of the value of the property,
placing 80 high an estimate on it as to far exceed the
appropriation therefor, had the latter been tenfold
larger than it was. And the Quarantine Commissioners
abandoned the attempt of wresting from the town its
most valuable property.
In 1879 Mr. William A. Engeman, one of the pioneers
of Coney Island, opened a mile-track upon land which
he owned at the island. It is known as the Brighton
THE SEA-SIDE HOME FOB CHILDEEN, WEST BRIGHTON BEACH, CONEY ISLAND.
Beach Fair Grounds. It contains a grand stand, and
other adjuncts considered necessary for sporting pur-
poses. The meetings are continued all summer, and it
is considered quite popular among the sporting frater-
nity. It is the sole property of Mr. Engeman, and is
very valuable.
The Sea-Side Home for Children. — The Brook-
lyn Children's Aid Society is doing a noble work here
during the summer months, of which a full account
will be found under the head of Charitable Institutions
of the City of Brooklyn.
Sea-Side Sanitarium. — After two years' effort,
2he Children's Aid Society of New York, have suc-
ceeded in leasing lot No. 37, at Coney Island, for the
purpose of erecting a sea-side sanitarium. They pro-
pose erecting a beautiful building; which they are en-
abled to do by the gift of $10,000 from Mr. D. Willis
James, of New York.
198
SISTOBT Oi KINGS COUNTY.
PAUL BAUER'S WEST BRIGHTON HOTEL
Paul Bauer.—" Mine host" of the West Brighton Hotel,
whose portrait appears on the opposite page, is a fine speci-
men of manhood, both physically and mentally. Tall and
athletic in form, he has a keen eye and an energy of manner
which denote truly his quick perception, prompt action, and
remarkable executive ability.
Although he is master of the English language, a slight
German accent betrays his foreign birth, which occurred in
Austria, August 18th, 1846. His boyhood was passed there
in school and in various attempts at employment. He was
successively placed at several trades; but his innate energy,
and love of out-door activity, revolted from plodding labor,
and he could not be kept at work. He might have become a
"ne'er do weel," had he not decided, at the age of fifteen, to
try the greater freedom and better opportunities to be found
in America. Lauding in New York in 1863, he maintained
himself for a time by different employments, and then en-
listed in the United States Army, serving three years in the
Light artillery, and two years longer in the 4th Cavalry.
Although he entered the service as a private, his energy and
ability soon raised him from the ranks, and he was success-
ively promoted until he became Captain. After five years
he left the service ^honorably. In later years he was a Cap-
tain in the Fifth Regiment, and also a Corporal in the Sep-
arate Troop, under Col. Spencer, After leaving the army, he
was employed in a restaurant in New York city, where his
natural abilities and force of character made their mark at
once; so that he soon left a subordinate position to assume
the management of the Van Dyke House, and afterwards of
the Pacify Potel. Here his success, both as caterer and gen-
eral manager, was instant and abundant, demonstrating him
to be one of the few who can successfully preside over an
hostelry. He saved some money, for which he sought a
profitable investment. Early in 1876, during a pleasure ride
with his family to Coney Island, he was sagacious enough to
foresee the future of what is now America's greatest sea-
side resort. When the carriage was almost overturned in a
hoUow near the present site of the club house, and Mrs.
Bauer remarked: " This is the worst place. I ever saw," her
husband repHed: " It can be made the best." With char-
acteristic promptness, on the following day, he secured from
the authorities of Gravesend, a lease of twelve acres fronting
on the beach, at what is now known as West Brighton; and
on the 23d of February commenced the erection of the
"West Brighton Hotel," which was opened for guests on the
2d of May following. It is an immense palace-like structure,
242 feet long, by 145 feet wide, with a dining-room capable
of seating six thousand people comfortably, at one time,
It is the largest and most tastefully decorated dining-room
under one roof to be found at the Island ; in which, on
several occasions, ten thousand guests have dined to their
satisfaction. There are rooms for two hundred and fifty
guests, with private dining-rooms; and four tower-rooms,
for the especial use of coaching parties. Mr. Bauer is also
the owner of the Pavilion opposite, of a large bathing estab-
lishment, and a number of other buildings devoted to the
entertainment of the public. He has also leased a portion
of the ground to others for similar purposes. Mr. Bauer re-
tains the general supervision and management of his hotel,
and,by careful and systematic attention to details, he achieves
the greatest success, and his fame attracts many of the best
people to the "West Brighton Hotel." Mr. Bauer believes
that liberality to the public begets their liberality in return;
therefore, all the appointments in and about the hotel are of
the best. Fine music is discoursed every afternoon and
evening by two orchestras, one of them the famous "Vienna
Ladies' Orchestra;" and by numerous soloists, both vocal
and instrumental, attracting crowds of respectful listeners.
Administrative ability of the highest order is requisite for
the management of so vast an institution; and this Mr. Bauer
possesses in a rare degree ; as well as capacity for details,
thoroughness, promptness, and financial ability. He also
has the faculty of wisely selecting his assistants. His suc-
cess at Wgst Brighton has fully justified his judgment of
seven years ago, and brought great pecuniary gains from
his investment in Coney Island sand.
He is a member of the Masonic order, also of several gun-
clubs, and of some social organizations.
Naturally fond of society, Mr. Bauer is affable and pleas-
ant in manner; and a gentleman who has gained and retains
the friendship of thousands, and who feels a pardonable
pride in the success which he has wrought out by his unaided
efforts.
FELTMAN'S OCEAN' PA VILION— CONEY ISLAND.
199
EELTMAN'S OCEAN PAVILION, WEST BKIGHTON BEACH, CONEY ISLAND.
Charles Feltman, the first pioneer of Coney Island im-
provement, was born at Verden, in Hanover, Germany, Nov.
8, 1841. *
Very early in life, vrhen but a mere boy, he became infatu-
ated with the idea of leaving his native country for the shores
of America ; and, as years rolled on, his thoughts kept pace
with time, until, arriving at the age of fourteen years, despite
the opposition of his parents and friends, without means and
alone, he succeeded, after many disappoiutnients, in finding
a sailing-vessel on which he could work his passage as cabin-
boy to a country he had often heard of, far beyond the
eea.
Early on a bright May morning, in the year 1856, leaving
all that was dear to him on earth, he sailed from Bremen,
Germany, in the ship "Auguste; " and after several weeks at
Sea amid all kinds of weather and trials, he arrived a penni-
less and friendless boy, among strangers in a strange land.
Unable to speak the English language, and not having a
friend to whom he could apply, he sought in vain for em-
ployment and barely succeeded in obtaining the necessities
of life by doing odd jobs occasionally picked up in the streets
of New York.
During the " panic'' winter of 1857 he fared "very slim,"
subsisting chiefly upon stale bread and water, until the spring
of 1858, when he obtained his first legitimate employment at
East New York as a laborer, ostensibly in a coal-yard; but
was compelled to divide his attention between a small farm
and grocery store, controlled by the same party ; working
from 4 A. M. to 10 p. m. for |3 per month and board. This
variety of labor, as " man of all work," at first had its
charms ; but the long hours, combined with hard work and
small pay, grew distasteful to young Feltman. He sought
and found a change by obtaining employment in a bakery on
Smith, near Church street. South Brooklyn. His labors were
here divided between driving a wagon during the day and
assisting in the bakery at night. One day while at work
in the bakery, he met with quite a severe accident ; which,
in consequence of improper treatment on the part of a
quack doctor, rendered the use of his right arm impossible
for about eight months. Meanwhile his limited savings
m-lted away.
Nothing daunted, and willing to work, he obtained a posi-
tion as an apprentice in Kernan's bakery on Fulton, near Jay
street, where he remained about two years; and during the
year 1866, by close economy, he was enabled to enter into
business for himself as a baker. His first place of business
was on Classon avenue, near Van Brvint street, where by close
attention he supplied several routes and did a thriving trade.
He transferred to Parkville, where he purchased some
property and erected a building in which he continued busi-
ness until the opening of the Boulevard compelled him to
leave and return to Brooklyn.
The next attempt was at the corner of Sixth avenue and
Tenth street, where he erected a fine brick structure, with
brown stone trimmings, still standing, and owned by him.
When he commenced building neither street had been cut
through, and people laughed at his, so called, "fool-hardi-
ness," for building such a fine structure in an open field. But
having been blessed with that prophetic intuition which
makes the successful engineer and capitalist, he steadily fore-
saw the future demands of that portion of the city ; which, in a
short time was fully verified, as the progress of that section
now proves. And from this point he renewed the bakery bus-
iness and controlled a large Coney Island trade, supplying
the "shanties" with bread, pastry and ice-cream.
During the early part of the winter of 1874, his career as
caterer to the visitors of the island was first commenced. At
that time, more than three-quarters of Coney Island was
a barren, sandy waste, and wind-swept region ; where the
Atlantic sui-ges beat with unrestrained violence ; inhabited
at the extreme west end by some few " clammers," "roughs,"
and " three-card-monte-men," who bore the name of "Coney
catchers." In the vicinity of Gunther's depot (the only rail-
way then running to Coney Island, except the horse-cars),
were a few common-place, rough-board shanties, one of which
Feltman obtained from a former customer, Martin Hook, in
200
HISTORY OF KIJVGS COUNTY.
consideration of the payment of $500 for one year's lease of
an uncouth shanty, 16x35 feet, adjoining the site of said
depot. He erected, in connection with this, a shelter-house,
25x50 feet, fitted up a bar and lunch counter, and commenced
a career which now justly places him as foremost in his bus-
iness. Until then, exorbitant prices were charged for all
" solids and fluids ; " but he began by selling luncheons and
"clam-roasts " at extreme low prices, including ice-cream at
15 cents instead of 25 cents, lager at five instead of ten cents
per glass, etc., etc., until, at the end of the season, so success-
ful had been the enterprise that the bar-receipts alone were
$6,000 ; $3,000 of which was divided as net profits with his
business partner, Henry Wulff.
Hook, the leaser, having prided himself on having
driven such a sharp bargain, was considerably chagrined
when he learned of the result ; and when Feltman, at the ex-
piration of his one year's lease, offered him $1,200 yearly
rental for the beach-front only (for which Hook was paying
but $70) it was rejected. It was then offered for $2,000,
which was promptly refused by Feltman. Meanwhile, Henry
C. Ditmas' lease of the " Washington Hotel," a low, two-story
frame building, 75x25 feet in size, and occupying the present
site of what is now the ' ' Sea Beach Hotel, " was quite anxious
to sell out, having lost considerable. At this time his lease
was nearly expired, having but one year longer to run ; but,
acting upon the advice of Feltman, who instructed him how
to proceed, he secured an extension of ten years longer lease,
for which Feltman agreed to pay him $4,000 for aU right,
title and interest to said new lease. When the money was ten-
dered, however, it was rejected; with the information that he
(Ditmas) had been offered $6,000 for his lease, and would not
sell for less. Thereupon Feltman, having been released from
his verbal contract, returned to Brooklyn ; while Ditmas,
after looking in vain for a purchaser of his lease, im-
portuned Feltman again and again, until " sick and discour-
aged," he readily accepted Feltman's proposition of $3,800,
including all household effects, which in the previous agree-
ment was not eaumerated. Immedis-tely upon the transfer
of said lease to Mr. Feltman, he had plans drawn of his own
architectural designing, for a new building two stories high,
55x125 feet, with a wing of 35x85 feet, and more complete in
appointments than any structure then existing on the island.
This he submitted to Godfrey C. Gunther, President of the
only steam-railway then running to the island, and to him
he made a fuU statement of his intentions, and urged the ne-
cessity of later evening trains (than 7:15) from the island, to
accommodate thousands of business men and working peo-
ple, who could by this means avail themselves of the privi-
leges offered at this resort, even after ordinary business hours;
but all the arguments he could present failed to induce Mr.
Gunther to accede to his wishes.
He next applied to the Superintendent of the Brooklyn and
Coney Island Horse Car Road, and again was met by rebuffs.
The only person he received any encouragement from was
Mr. A. R. Culver, whom he met at his oflBlce in New York
city, and after submitting his plans, etc., he received within
one week a decided promise that the new road, when com-
pleted, would run late evening trains.
Having succeeded thus far in his plans, he commenced at
once the erection of his building, facing it in an easterly
direction and toward the terminus of the new railroad.
When completed, at an outlay of $20,000, he named it the
" Ocean Pavilion; " advertised very extensively, and engaged
for the season Wannemacher's 71st Regiment Band, which
was the first music ever performed on the island under like
circumstances. By hard work and dint of perseverance, he
overcame all opposition and division. Although apprehen-
sive of the result, his first season in the " Ocean Pavilion "
was a success. The following season he was the first to in-
troduce vocal music successfully; since which time, others,
following his example have caused instrumental and vocal
music to be one of the greatest features of Coney Island.
Every succeeding season he has added to the original build-
ing ; until, at the present vsrriting, he has a larger structure
in point of square feet of flooring, than that of any on Coney
Island. It contains the largest ball-room in the world
the walls of which are tastefully and elaborately decorated
with panels, consisting of allegorical figures, landscapes of
German scenes, and beautiful characters representing Spring
Summer, Autumn, Winter, etc., executed by a masterly
hand. This, when illuminated at night by eleven electric-
lights, besides 400 gas-jets, presents a beautiful fairy-land as-
pect. This magnificent room, three stories high, furnishes
ample accommodation for over two thousand dancers upon
the fioor at one time. Its dimensions are 333 feet in length, by
41 feet and six inches in width, with a ceiling of 33 feet ; the
roof of which is supported by seventeen iron tmsses, and
capable of sustaining 350,000 pounds weight. This feature of
construction was originally designed for the purpose of a.
theatre, the balconies of which were to be suspended from
the roof ; thus leaving the auditorium below entirely free
from the always to be dreaded and ever objectionable'columns.
Or again, should he at any time desire to add more sleeping
apartments for guests, he may suspend the entire third floor
from the roof and partition it off at pleasure, without the neces-
sity of disfiguring the ball-room in the least, as before men-
tioned. To this building is added two wings, one of which is
1 35 feet long by 35 feet wide ; the other being 140 feet long by 3ft
feet wide; while around the entire structure is a large, broad
piazza, 15 feet wide, capable of seating 5,000 people comfort-
ably ; the entire facilities affording accommodation for
20,000 people. 118 rooms have recently been added in the
upper portion of one of the wings, for the use of boarders,
each one being large and airy, containing marble wash-basins,
gas, and electric bells, and finely carpeted and furnished.
The summer garden, quite a feature of this immense estab-
lishment, in which is introduced a choice variety entertain-
ment, is 167 feet long, by 57 feet wide, containing quite 300'
evergreen trees, closely planted in large boxes along the
sides. It was -here Mr. Feltman first introduced to the Amer-
ican public, after a visit to Gei-many in the fall of 1879, the
famous ' ' Tyrolese Warblers ; " since which time he has had
the best talent which money could obtain.
During his second season as host of the " Ocean Pavilion,"
initiatory steps were taken to develop a specialty he now
largely enjoys, which is that of entertaining lodge-festivals,
etc. The steady growth and popularity of this class of pat-
ronage may be estimated from the fact, that from two in one
season, he has entertained as many as thirty-seven such gath-
erings, varying from three to ten thousand each; while the
excellent character and good order observable at these excur-
sion parties renders the " Ocean Pavilion" the most famous
resort on the Atlantic coast.
Mr. Feltman has succeeded far beyond his most sanguine
expectations, having received his full share of patronage.
He is one of the most affable, energetic, frank and open-
hearted men on the beach; while in stature he is medium
tall and well-proportioned, quick in his comprehension of
business chances as well as in social impulses; " Once a
friend always a friend " is his maxim. He points with con-
siderable pride to his out-door garden, consisting of trees and
shrubbery, as the only successful effort on Coney Island in
rescuing a little of the sand from its normal condition of bar-
renness, and placing it in condition for thrifty vegetation.
MODERN' DEVELOPMENT OF CONEY ISLAND.
201
MRS. VANDERVBBR'S BATHING PAVILION, WEST BRIGHTON BEACH, CONEY ISLAND.
Mes. William Vanderveeb. — Mrs. Vanderveer's pleasant
face and buxom figure is well known to the habitues of Coney
Island ; and her life possesses much of the romance of suc-
cess. A native of Newfoundland — Lucy Devlin by name —
she was the youngest of three daughters. Her father, a
baker doing a large business, was unfortunately drowned
while on his return from a visit to Boston. The bereaved
widow came on, with her young family, to Brooklyn, to
meet some relatives; but, finding they had removed to Cana-
da, she concluded to remain ; and, having a little means,
established herself in a small business, in which she was as-
sisted by her daughters. About 1857, Lucy, the subject of
our sketch, married Mr. William Vanderveer, a native of
Newtown, L. I., and a plasterer and brick-layer, by trade.
He was afterward a captain in the Brooklyn police ; and,
subsequently, held an appointment as inspector of sewers.
Mrs. Vanderveer first commenced business on her own ac-
count by keeping a fruit and confectionery store at the City
Hotel, which formerly occupied the site of the present County
Court House. Thirteen years ago, her husband came to
Coney Island, in the way of his trade (in partnership with
Mr. Dibble) ; and, a year later, she followed him. Her first
venture here was that of a fruit and confectionery stand on
the piazza of the Neptune House, which then stood where
the Children's Aid Society's place now is. Here she made
money, and invested it; at first, in the construction of twelve
bathing houses. The next season she increased the number
to seventy-five, and the year after, she had two hundred in
use upon the beach. These she worked until she had earned
sufSicient with which to erect a hotel — the present Vander-
veer House. This was in 1875 ; and, after that was paid for,
she erected the present elegant and commodious Bathing
Pavilion known by her name. Both of these buildings were
constructed by Supervisor McKane. The ocean-front which
Mrs. Vanderveer occupies is about 175 feet in width, stretch-
ing back to the street, and most conveniently located to the
Culver Railroad Depot, the Iron-Piers, etc.
The Pavilion is a picturesque and admirably planned build-
ing, of 173 feet length and 65 depth ; three stories in height.
It furnishes accommodations for 500 bathers; as well as a
large Marvin safe for the reception of their valuables while
bathing ; and it also has warm salt-water baths ; an excellent
restaurant and bar, reception-parlors, etc. Its cost was
nearly $46,000.
Mrs. Vanderveer has not been unmindful of the personal
safety of her customers, as well as of their valuables. She
first purchased the patent of Captain Street's Patent Elevated
Life-Lines, which are now in very general use ; keeps a life-
boat out constantly upon the water in front of her establish-
ment during the day ; and two beach-guardsmen on duty
daily. As many as 300 or 400 persons are frequently found
bathing at Mrs. Vanderveer's beach. No less than 5,500
bathing suits form a part of the equipment of the establish-
ment ; for the washing and drying of which there is an ex-
tensive laundry and steam drying-room, from which, also, is
furnished the motive-power for the electric-lights which
supply the Pavilion, Hotel, Iron Pier and Observatory near
by. Mrs. Vanderveer naturally recalls with pleasurable
pride her early struggles in the erection and equipment of
this PaviUon; which, when furnished, her sons painted for
her, and which her daughters assist her in caring for. Not
less is she proud of her very excellent hotel, 100 by 40 feet in
size, and with three stories, containing 36 guest-rooms, par-
lors, a large bar and restaurant ; and having attached a livery
of twenty horses, etc.
All this, as the result of thirteen years of a woman's labor
and industry, is a record which cannot be despised ; and
forms a portion of Coney Island history which cannot be
overlooked by the veracious chronicler.
206
HISTORY OJB KIN-GS COURTY.
His natural repugaanoe to any but open-and-above-board
work was in no wise relieved by the tales poured into his ears,
of being sent to the Government silver mines, if detected,
where he might expect to pass the remainder of his life as a
convict ; and by the moral certainty that, while the captain
and mate were reaping a golden harvest from the transaction,
neither would hesitate a moment to sacrifice him to save
themselves, should necessity arise. Fortunately, however,
the stock was all landed without detection ; and the vessel,
well loaded for the return voyage, weighed anchor for home.
The homeward trip was a terrible one. The vessel, heavily
laden with sugar, hides, indigo and coffee, encountered a
terrific gale for the whole passage ; the sailors were nearly
all sick with Chagres fever ; and Engeman was obliged to
perforin the duties of cook, waiter, sailor and do all other
kinds of work necessary on shipboard. When, on arrival at
New Orleans, the crew were paid off, young Engeman re-
ceived the princely sum of ten dollars as his full wages for
the trip 1 But, little did he care for that ; his health was
fully restored, and thus his main object had been accom-
plished. A day or two found him an omnibus-driver, in the
streets of New Orleans, sleeping in a hay-loft in lieu of bed ;
economizing in every possible way to save sufficient to pay
steamboat fare to Fort Smith, Ark., whither he proceeded as
soon as financially able. Here he entered the employ of the
United States Government in the transportation, by mule
trains, of rations to the army stationed at Forts Waschita,
Arbuckle and Cobb, and Antelope Hills. This was in the
summer of 1859, in the fall of which year he engaged in
the completion of Fort Cobb (Indian Territory). The fol-
lowing spring and summer he accompanied the govern-
ment forces in pursuing marauding Indians on the Cana-
dian River ; and, the next winter the troops were engaged
in hunting up the different tribes at Fort Cobb, Waschita
River, giving them rations of flour and beef, and in prepar-
ing them to settle and farm the fertile lands of the Waschita
Valley.
Early in the spring of 1861, the government despatched
the trains to Fort Belknap, Texas ; whence they were or-
dered to Fort Colorado. Here the different infantry and
cavalry companies were gathered together, and from this
place they proceeded to Fort Mason.
The civU war had broken out, and Texas Rangers gathered
ominously about them ; these, in turn, were followed by the
Indians, who, at a safe distance in the rear, were laying the
country waste. From Fort Mason, the Unionists retreated
to San Antonio ; from thence to Green Lake, the Rangers
following. Green Lake is but a few miles from Powder
Horn, from which those who remained faithful to the union
cause (among whom was Engeman) took ship for New York,
touching at Key West and Cuba on the way. Arrived at
New York, Engeman and most of the party proceeded to
Washington. Here he was tendered the position of Colonel
of the first regiment raised there, by General Holt, to protect
the capital. This offer was made on the representations of
General Palmer, who had had ample opportunities of know-
ing our hero's eminent qualifications for such a position. But
Engeman refused the offer. Too much of his life had been
passed on the frontier to render the tendered position such a
one as suited his temperament. With some of his Western
comrades, he wished again to go to the frontier. Railroad
travel, however, had been so impeded that leaving Washing-
ton was not an easy matter. The first attempt the party
made was, via the Relay House (between Baltimore and
Washington), whence they proposed going to St. Louis.
Before reaching the Relay House, however, they were
surrounded and captured by the guards, who imagined
them to be rebels engaged in tearing up the railroad
tracks.
Their protestations were of no avail, and they were
marched back to Washington ; and, on Pennsylvania avenue,
were in imminent danger of being lynched by a mob.
At the critical moment, some of General Palmer's cavalry
chanced to be passing, and recognizing their old Texan
comrades, saved their lives, and restored them to liberty.
So great, however, was the exasperation of the mob, that
Engeman and his associates had to be taken to the jail to
save them from the fury of the populace. After a few days,
when the excitement had somewhat subsided, Engeman and
his associates quietly left Washington ; and, ma Harper's
Ferry, proceeded toward St. Louis ; narrowly escaping cap-
ture, this time by the Confederates, on suspicion of being
spies. At St. Louis the party separated, and Mr. Engeman
went to Leavenworth, Kansas, and engaged to take govern-
ment trains to St. Louis, transporting ammunition from the
arsenals there to the different armies and steamboats. He
was sent from St. Louis to RoUa, Mo., with army wagons to
get ready for the battle of Springfield, where the Union
forces were beaten, and driven back to Rolla with the loss of
Gen. Lyon. From Rolla they were ordered to Sedalia, Mo.;
thence to Leavenworth, with all transportation by land. On
their way to Leavenworth, at a place called Lone Jack, they
were surrounded by guerillas and detained two or three days.
Measles broke out among the Union troops, it was snowing
furiously, and the only protection for the sick were the gov-
ernment wagons. On the approach of the Irish Brigade from
Sedalia, the guerillas left and the brigade escorted the sick and
enfeebled remnants of the army to Leavenworth. At Leaven-
worth, Engeman had charge of all the government wagons
during the winter. The following spring he hauled a battery
of artillery from Leavenworth to Fort Union, New Mexico,
which he left there, and took a large number of government
wagons to Denver, Colorado. At Denver, he was offered the
entire charge of the government works and corrals, but de-
clined the position and returned to Leavenworth, by way of
the Platte River, only one man accompanying him in the
dreary ride in an old wagon, through the homes of the Sioux
Nation, who, through the scarcity of buffalo meat, had been
compelled to use dog's flesh as daily diet. Arriving at Leav-
enworth, and finding business slack, Engeman proceeded
to St. Louis, where he met Mr. George Bell, an old friend,
who had charge of all the government corrals at that port,
and with whom he engaged as assistant. After being with
Mr. Bell a year, the latter went home, leaving Engemen in
entire charge and command of all the corrals and animals ;
the reception, inspection and shipping of all horses and
mules purchased for the government at St. Louis for
the use of the different Union armies. So varied and
onerous were Engeman's duties of inspection here, that five
horses, daily, were tired out in succession in carrying him
from place to place as his business called him. - During his
term there Engeman bought and inspected for the govern-
ment over one mUlion of horses and mules, a larger number,
it is believed, than was handled by any other one man.
With the close of the war in 1865 this business, of
course, ceased. Had Engeman so wished he could readily
and honestly have left the government employ a millionaire.
But a love for money has never been one of his characteris-
tics, as all who know him will testify.
Domestic difficulties interrupted his enjoyment of life, and
made him desirous of seclusion and quiet, after the toils
he had undergone. In visiting New York and Brooklyn,
he came to Coney Island, and at once was enamored
with its beauty, healthfulness.and eminent fitness as a place
/^^
,^
C^T-T^
^-'i^t\A>-/''7'-i_.v
t^-l T
BIOGRAPEY OF WILLIAM A. ENGEMAN.
207
suited to his taste and feeling. Enquiries, made of those who
would be likely to know, showed him the tract now known
as the Race Track, the Ocean Hotel property, and the Hotel
Brighton property ; these, together, forming one of the orig-
inal divisions of Coney Island, known as the Middle Division.
This property was purchased from the two or three hundred
persons who had, by continued succession of inheritance,
come to be the owners ; a hotel was erected as a family home
and the coveted boon of qaiet seemed at last to have been
secured by Mr. Engeman. But his mind, used to activity,
refused the rest he had laid out for himself ; and, a year or
two later, we find him purchasing the unexpired term of a
lease on Coney Island, fronting on the ocean. As an instance
of his energy, it should be stated, that the ^irsf ocean pier was
erected here by him ; that the idea was conceived on the 29th
day of June, and the pier completed, opened for visitors,
and doing busiuess on the 4th of July thereafter, although
one of the intervening days was Sunday. The building of
the Bathing Pavilion well serves to illustrate the indomita-
ble energy, and determination to carry out his plans, once
matured, so emiuently characteristic of Mr. Engeman. When
the Hotel Brighton was about being located, and the prem-
ises whereon it stands were purchased from Mr. Engeman,
an arrangement was made that he should have the exclusive
right to erect baths, he paying a percentage on receipts, as an
equivalent to the company, therefor.
To accommodate this custom Mr. Engeman erected a two-
story and basement bathing pavilion — four hundred feet
long, fifty feet wide, two stories high above the basement,
with an upper piazza of thirty and a lower piazza of fifty
feet wide, extending along the entire front. The basement
was divided into kitchen, ice-house, dormitories for em-
• ployees and several hundred bath-houses, to be used when
exigencies required. The main floor was occupied by a spa-
cious dining-haU, bar-room, billiard-room and the various
offices necessary. The second floor was devoted to bathers,
and contained about one thousand bath-rooms ; the entrance
to the bathing department on the second floor being by
means of a spacious staircase from the main hallway below;
and the exit for bathers to the water being by means of a
vsdde bridge whose spacious arch spanned the distance from
the front of the second story to the water's edge. The idea
of the bath-houses on the second or upper story was novel,
and — as the sequel proved — successful.
The building was commenced on the 9th day of May, 1878,
on which day the first of the piles on which the building
rested was driven. One of the chief difficulties was encoun-
tered almost at the outset of the undertaking, when it was
ascertained that to have the large structure completed, fur-
nished and equipped in season, would necessitate the getting
of lumber and timber on the ground ^ery much more rapidly
than could be accomplished by any then used method of
transportation. But the fertile mind of Mr. Engeman soon
overcame this obstacle, and in a most novel method. Aware
of the fact that, at certain times of tide, any floating object
in the water near the shore would assuredly be thrown up
by the waves, he conceived the idea of purchasing worn-out
canal-boats, lading them, securing the cargo with hawsers
lathed around the entire hull and cargo, and then towing
the entire vessel and cargo out of Gowanus Canal, through
the Narrows, around Coney Island Point, and fairly out to
sea to a point in front of the location of the proposed build-
ing; there coming in shore as close as possible, let go of the
Canal-boat, the tug proceeding homeward and the canal-boat
striking the shore, would go to pieces; the lumber and timber
di'ifting on shore at the precise spot needed. Nine times in
succession was this unprecedented feat repeated! save that
the last canal-boat was beached and unloaded three succes-
sive times before it was broken up. It was by the aid of
such appliances as these that Mr. Engeman was enabled to
complete his building, put in steam-drying apparatus to dry
the used bathing dresses, immense ranges in the kitchen,
furnish the entire place with not only bath-suits, but with
bar and restaurant supplies and furniture — all by the 18th
of June, or less than seven weeks from the time of commenc-
ing work, a feat certainly unparalleled in the history of the
county.
For years the attention of Mr. Engeman had been turned
toward making arace-traclchj the sea; and, in the Spring of
1879, his aspirations were realized. With his accustomed en-
ergy he had the land surveyed, the track laid out and built
on the marsh which formed the rear part of hie Coney Island
property, with dirt and loam carted from the city's hiUs—
the lumber drawn to the ground by the horse-cars from the
city— the grand-stand, field-stand, sheds, paddocks, bars and
offices, judges' and timers' stands, and aU the equipments of
a well-equipped race-course completed for use in an in-
credibly short time— viz., between the first week in May and
the middle of June. In this, as well as the former enterprise,
amid every discouragement, his brain conceived and his un-
tiring energy pushed these works forward to completion.
The innumerable privations endured in early life have
left their impression on Mr. Engeman's mind and naturally
generous and open-hearted character, and have made him
very tender toward the weaker sex and toward youth, who
can always find in him a sympathizing friend and an earnest
adviser. Warm in his friendships, and, by no means
implacable in his resentments, he is ever more ready to for-
give than to punish. While his liberality has made him hosts
of friends, his qualities of mind and heart serve to keep
these friends warm and steadfast to his great and varied
interests.
208
SISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
k
It '' * *
MANHATTAN BEACH HOTEL, CONEY ISLAND.
The Eastern section of Coney Island lying between
the Ocean and Sheepshead Bay, known in old times as
" Sedge Bank," and now as " Manhattan Beach," is
reached by the Marine Railway, running from the
Hotel Brighton — and built on piles the whole distance,
thus allowing ingress and egress of the waves, and
making travel possible in all weathers.
Manhattan Beach has a sea-front of over two miles,
fringed with a fine sandy beach, and presenting an un-
paralleled view of the Ocean. This section of the
Island, (as we have already mentioned on page 195),
owes its present splendid improvements to the foresight
and energy of Austin Corbin, Esq., the well-known
banker and railroad magnate. The "Manhattan
Beach Hotel," and the " Oriental Hotel " (built in
1880, with a view to the especial needs of families as
permanent guests), are both unique and imposing struc-
tures— and, from the rear of the latter, the N. Y. and
Manhattan Beach R. R. connects, by means of its vari-
ous ramifications (viz.: L. I. R. R., to Flatbush avenue ;
to Greenpoint and Long Island City, Brooklyn ; and to
Thirty-fourth street, and foot of Whitehall and Pine
streets, New York City), with the cities of New York and
Brooklyn. The Excursion and Picnic Pavilion, the
mammoth Bathing Pavilion, Music Stands, etc., which
form the necessary adjuncts of these two large hotels,
surrounded as they are with extensive walks, lawns and
flower-beds, laid out in the most exquisite style of the
landscape gardener's art, form — with the ocean view,
and the inland view, beyond Sheepshead Bay — a tout-
ensemble of most surpassing attractiveness.
The railroad facilities for reaching Coney Island will
be found fully described in our chapter on Railroads
and Travel in Kings County.
ORIENTAL hotel, MANHATTAN BEACH, CONEY ISLAND.
^^^^Ir
BIOGRAPHY OF JOHN Y. McKANE.
209
John Y. McKanb. — It is certainly fortunate for the town
of Gravesend, beset as it is, on all sides, by grasping
monopolies ; and flooded on all days of the week, during
four months of the year, by the population of the neighbor-
ing cities, that its principal town-officer is " to the manor-
born," conversant with aU its wants and mindful of all its
vested interests ; and that he is a man of nerve, of tact and
of honesty. Such a man is Supervisor McKane. He is of
that excellent North-o£-Ireland (Scotch-Irish) stock, which
for the two past centuries has furnished so valuable an ele-
ment to our American population. He was born August 10,
1841, in the County Antrim, Ireland; and, when fifteen
months' old, was brought by his mother to Gravesend, where
his father had preceded them by a few months. His earliest
education was at the Gravesend district-schools ; and, from
the age of eight to sixteen years, he was occupied in working
in the garden, digging clams, and all the employments
which usually make up a country-boy's life. "When sixteen
years of age, he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade
with Abraham J. Van Byke, of Flatbush, remaining with him
for a year until Mr. Van Dyke went West. He then went to
work with William Vause, builder, of Flatbush, for another
year, when his old " boss " returned, and John resumed his
apprenticeship with him, remaining with him four or five
years. Then, in 1866, he commenced on his own account as
carpenter and builder in the village of Sheepshead Bay,
Gravesend. His first public office was that of Constable,
which he held for one year. Then he was elected one of the
Commissioners of Common Lands for a term of seven years.
Then he was chosen Supervisor of the town, of which he is
now serving his third, two-year, term. Since its present
organization, in 1883, he has been President of the County.
Board of Supervisors. The confidence which the people of
Gravesend repose in Mr. McKane is evidenced by the number
and varied character of the offices of public trust with which
they have invested him. He is a Police Commissioner ;
President of the Town Board ; President of the Board of
Health; President of the Police Board, and President of
the Water Board. He is also, by election of the Police Board,
the Chief of Police, having under his control 150 police, SO
of whom are regular town police, the balance being specials,
during the " Coney Island season."
In addition to these public duties, he carries on an extensive
business as a builder, having built (with the exception of the
Manhattan Beach, Oriental and Brighton) nearly all the
hotels, and two-thirds of aU the other buildings on Coney
Island, as well as in the town of Gravesend. He has long
been a consistent member and supporter of the Methodist
Episcopal church of Sheepshead Bay; and has been, for
seventeen years, the faithful Superintendent of its Sabbath-
school. He is a member of Frankhn Lodge, I. O. O. F., and
has held all the offices within its gift. He is also a member
of the Mutual Benefit Society, Odd Fellows.
Mr. McKane was married, in 1865, to Fanny, daughter of
Capt. Cornelius B. and Maria (Coles) Nostrand, of Gravesend,
by whom he has a pleasant little family of three boys and a
daughter. His venerable parents reside in Sheepshead Bay,
happy in the respect and confidence which they see reposed
in their son by their fellow-citizens.
Despite the number of official honors enjoyed by Super-
visor McKane, he is no politician. A democrat by prefer-
ence, he has never felt himself bound by, nor has he ever
been elected on, strict party-lines. A friend, who has known
him long and well, writes to us of him, thus :
"The life of Supervisor McKane, the struggles through
which he has passed, and the difficulties which he has over-
come in order to reach his present position of honor and
influence, are well calculated to bring out, in strong relief,
those sterling qualities of character which have brought him
into such worthy prominence among his fellow-citizens.
One marked characteristic of Mr. McKane is his thorough
honesty of purpose. This is conceded by persons of every
pohtioal faith, if they give an honest expression of opinion.
As the highest officer of the town, he has ever seemed
most anxious that all his public acts should tell for the
benefit of his constituents ; and we believe the man is yet to
be found who can justly point his flnger at a single instance
wherein he has stained, or in any way compromised, his
official integrity. While his public position and influence
would give him abundant opportunity to enrich himself, if
he so desired, by winking at the violation of law, and by
other questionable means, yet we do not believe he ever
added to his possessions one dollar of unlavsrful gain.
Those who have known Mr. McKane longest and best can-
not fail to notice that courage and perseverance are also
marked traits of his character. When once convinced that
a certain course of action is right and in the line of duty,
he does not hesitate to advance on that line in spite of politi-
cal opposition, and the probability of making political ene-
mies. We can say of him what we wish could be said of
every public man, he is not afraid to do right. We fully
believe him incapable of political intrigue, bribery or fraud.
He has nipped in the bud many a conspiracy to violate the
law, and has spoiled many a little scheme of the gambhng
fraternity at Coney Island, which, if he had been willing to
pass unnoticed, would have brought him no small gain.
But he would spurn wealth that must be gained in this
way, at the expense of his honor. His physical courage is
as marked as his moral; no threats of political destruction
or physical violence deter him, for a mom.ent, as chief of po-
lice, from bringing the strong hand of the law to bear upon
every form of iniquity which is properly brought to his no-
tice. He also generally accomplishes what he undertakes. His
perseverance is such as to overcome all obstacles in his way.
To this is owing, in no small degree, his rapid rise from the
humble position of his childhood, to the highest honors in
the gift of his fellow-townsmen.
But above all else, stands the modesty and grace of a
Christian character. The demands which his position make
upon him every day in the week, render it specially difficult
to live in strict observance of all religious duties, as would
be most congenial to him if he were master of his own time;
but, in all his busy life as a master builder, he has made it a
point never to yield to the many solicitations to do business
on the Sabbath. That day, he has said, should be reserved
for his own personal duties, and as a day of rest.
He is also tender-hearted, and generous to a fault. We
venture to say that he fills to-day more official positions than
any other man in Kings Co. The present County Board of
Supervisors have proved their confidence in him by electing
him president pro tem,. of their honorable body; and, indeed,
he seems to have been the only man in the Board upon whom
both political parties were willing to unite.
His official life has been untarnished, and his private life
above reproach. We do not for a moment suppose him to
be above all the mistakes and frailties of human nature.
That he has done some things in public and private life
which he regrets we have no doubt, but, as a public man,
we believe him to be honestly striving to do his duty; and
in his most trying position we believe no man could do bet-
ter, or more wisely administer the responsible trust con-
ferred upon him by his fellow-citizens."
210
SIS TORT OF KIlSrGS COURTY.
Edwaed Ridley. — The life and career of Mr. Rid-
ley is an example of wliat may be attained by a well-
balanced, vigorous mind, united with enterprise, en-
ergy, industry and integrity ; characteristics which
form the character of a successful merchant, and which,
if possessed by a young man in the beginning of his
business career, are equivalent to wealth, for they are
sure to bring wealth. A discriminating writer has said,
" Love of business, and capacity to conduct business,
stand next to affluence."
These qualities entered largely into the character of
Mr. Ridley — a character which needs no eulogistic lan-
guage to array it for publication ; for it is its own eulo-
gist, speaking from a conspicuous position founded on
a well-spent life. It would, therefore, be injured by
any words of adulation.
But a virtuous life demands our reverence; public
and private worth, our admiration; long and practical
usefulness, our gratitude; therefore, in referring to one
whose life fairly elicits these sentiments, it is an act of
justice to conscientiously and honestly speak of him as
tliose who knew him best would and do speak. If he
possessed rare, commendable, or even brilliant endow-
ments, it is not adulation or undue eulogy, in writing
his memoir, to give him all the credit they deserve; it
is but speaking the language of truth and soberness.
This leads us to say that Mr. Ridley's character as
disclosed in the record of his life, may be described as
follows, and we believe all who knew him will say it is
a true mental portrait of him.
His moral and intellectual qualities were in harmony;
his principles commanded the respect of the great com-
mercial community in which he lived; his private vir-
tues attracted the affection and regard of his friends,
lie was modest, claimed no merit, assumed no import-
ance and never alluded to the wealth he had acquired.
He was charitable, not impulsively bestowing his means
without discrimination, but with judicious selection,
and from a sense of duty. His economy was exact, but
liberal; the recipients of his bounty were numerous.
He had a high sense of justice, and the claims of hu-
manity. His religion was a part of his being, and dis-
played itself in the uniform tenor of his life. He acted
under the habitual conviction of accountability; his
feelings were always under the control of his will, hence
he was never guilty of those extravagances of conduct
which too often mar the career of men in conspicuous
positions.
He was tenacious in his friendships — equally so, we
believe, in his enmities. Having once had good cause
to doubt a man's sincerity or integrity, he never after
fully trusted him. His disposition was cheerful — his
conversation instructive and entertaining. Whatever
were his faults — for he was human and, of course, pos-
sessed the weaknesses and frailties of human nature —
they were overshadowed by his virtues.
Few men ever assimilated themselves so easily and
naturally to the detail of business as he did ; few men
were more evenly balanced or self -controlled under the
sudden emergencies and vicissitudes of the commercial
world than he ; if the tide was against him, he breasted
it courageously and hopefully ; if in his favor, he was
calm and complaisant.
Such we believe to be the characteristics of Edward
Ridley; given without embellishment, with rigid adhe-
rence to truth. It will now be our pleasant duty to
briefly trace his life and career from its beginning to
the time when summoned by death to the unseen
world.
He was born in Leicester, England, in the year 1816,
and was a lineal descendant of Bishop Ridley, who,
with his brother-martyr Latimer, suffered at the stake
for his inflexible adherence to those principles which
his conscience assured him were right.
Mr. Ridley's father was James Mosley Ridley, gen-
tleman; held in high esteem for those inbred qualities
that qualified him for the respectable position he held
in the place of his nativity, that of an accomplished
English gentleman. Among his most intimate friends
was Sir Edward Wilde, so well known in the English
history of that day.
His mother was a lady, in every respect qualified for
the wife of a man like James Ridley.
As Mr. Ridley desired his son to enter the legal pro-
fession, he was carefully educated, and taught those
religious principles which imbued his whole life. As
his father was a member of the Church of England, he
was reared under the teachings of that church.
There was much in the youth of young Ridley that
gave indication of future eminence; but, as he advanced
in years it became apparent that the tendencies of his
mind were leading him to the calling of a merchant,
and not to the bar. Still, he was a constant and an
appreciative student, devoting his leisure hours to
books.
With considerable reluctance his father assented to
his choice of business; and, according to the custom of
England, he was apprenticed to a highly respectable
merchant. Having completed his mercantile education,
he began business in his native town under prosperous
circumstances; but, by the failure of business houses
whose paper he had endorsed to a large extent, he was
obliged to suspend. After honorably settling with his
creditors, with the means he had left, he emigrated to
this country and became a resident of Albany.
Here he began business as a dry goods merchant,
attaining such success that he was enabled to establish
a branch at Saratoga. He was then but 30 years of
age, and the management of these two concerns was a
severe test upon his business ability. But he was equal
to the emergency, and success attended both houses.
At length his enterprising spirit induced him to look
for a more extended field of exertion, directing his
attention to the City of New York, that metropolis
"^".Q'^^bif A-KiatCii- 1
>^
o
SJ
s
H
W
El
S
H
!z;
O
B
O
ta
H
a
H
iri
>■
O
o
"(
!-
BIOGRAPHY OJB EDWARD RIDLEY.
211
which, while it aflfords great facilities for amassing
wealth, presents gigantic diificulties in doing so.
Accordingly he drew his business at Albany and
Saratoga to a close, and early in the year 1849, became
a competitor for commercial prosperity and wealth in
New York. He entered upon his career in a careful
and unpretending way, in Grand street. His store, when
first opened, was 12x30 feet in extent; but his business
gradually increased from this small beginning to be the
most extensive and successful in the city.
It would be the work of supererogation to describe
in detail his mercantile career. That he attained dis-
tinguished success and great wealth by his singular
business accomplishments and honorable dealing, suc-
cinctly describes it. It may not, however, be improper
to add that the establishment of which Mr. Ridley was
at the head at the time of his death, occupies four and
one-half acres of ground, bounded by Grand, Allen and
Orchard streets, and that in it 1,Y00 persons found and
still find employment.
In 1879, Mr. Ridley returned to England for the pur-
pose of discharging some debts which he left when he
came to this country. The fidelity to conscience which
governed him in the payment of those debts most truth-
fully describes his real character. It is not strange that
such a man should become an ornament to the mercan-
tile world, a stalwart pillar in the business fabric of the
metropolis.
Mr. Ridley was twice married; first to Miss Elizabeth
Smith, of Leicester, England, Oct. 23d, 183Y. There
were born to this marriage five children, three sons and
two daughters — James Mosley, Albert and Arthur
John, Fannie Louise, and Emma Elizabeth, all of whom
are living except James M., who died several years ago.
His two sons, Albert and Arthur, were his partners
under the firm name and style of " Edward Ridley &
Sons." The latter continue the business.
Mr. Ridley's first wife died in 1863. In January,
1865, Mr. Ridley was united by marriage to Caroline
Wilhelmina Tevance, of Philadelphia. His marriage
relations appear to have been happy.
Most of the time during his second marriage, Mr.
Ridley was subject to attacks of that fatal disease,
apoplexy, which finally terminated his life; and
it was only by the most tender care, faithful and
untiring watchfulness, that the fatal stroke was so long
averted.
To his second marriage there was born one daughter,
Clara W. Ridley, bom July 25th, 1867, a young lady
of many accomplishments, most tenderly attached to
her father, an attachment which was mutual.
In his circle of home life Mr. Ridley was chivalric in
devotion and inexhaustible in affection. His elegant
home at Gravesend was a pleasing retreat from the
wearing cares and labors of Grand street. This had
been his home for over seventeen years; a home built
and furnished, its grounds beautified under the supei-in-
tendence of Mrs. Ridley, with special regard to his
health and comfort.
He usually reached his store about eleven o'clock in
the forenoon; leaving it at six P. M. in his carriage.
After the opening of the great bridge he crossed it every
day, morning and evening, down to about the time of
his death, reaching his home after a drive of over
seven miles. As he left all the cares and responsibil-
ities of his business in Grand street, his home to him
was like another world — a world of peace, quiet and
rest, and we may well say of happiness. Here he found
time to study the contents of a library which he had
collected with the judgment and taste of a scholar.
The discipline of his early education, ripened by con-
tact with the world, rendered him an appreciative and
critical reader of books. Not long after he came to this
country, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church,
sincerely attached to it by conviction but without big-
otry in head or heart.
In 1874 he was ordained a minister in that church,
but his ministrations seem to have been confined, espe-
cially during the absence of the pastor, to the church
at Parkville, of which he was a member and the princi-
pal founder. He occupied its pulpit on the Sunday
before his death, and preached for nearly an hour with
great earnestness and much interest to his auditors.
He was one of the most industrious of men; would
leave his business in New York, and return to his home;
and, after a pleasant reunion with his family, he would
seek his study, where he often remained engaged until
a late hour.
He was fond of music, especially sacred music.
Every evening, before his family retired, with the
accustomed family worship, he would unite with them
in singing his favorite hymn — "Nearer my God to
thee." This was repeated on the night in which, before
the dawning of another day, he saw the last of earth,
with singular solemnity and with something of a pre-
monition of the sad event so soon to follow.
Mr. Ridley's death was very sudden and unexpected.
On Monday afternoon he left Grand street, at the usual
hour, for his home, apparently in his usual health. After
spending the evening with his family, he retired. He
remained in bed a half hour, when he arose, as Mrs.
Ridley believed, for some purpose connected with his
library, as he occasionally did. A brief time elapsed,
when she was startled by his groans; she hastened to
him, reaching him only in time to listen to the utter-
ance of a few affectionate parting sentences, and to his
declaration that he was dying.
It needs no words of ours to describe, if we could, the
bitter anguish that thus suddenly fell upon this happy
household.
Thus lived and thus died Edward Ridley. We can-
not conclude our sketch of him in more appropriate
language than that contained in the following beautiful
tribute paid to his memory by another.
212
HISTORY OF KIJSrGS COUNTY.
" He had none of the pride of wealth or the arrogance
of aristocracy; though giving largely to the church he
never did so in a manner to inspire thoughts that he
considered himself above others. During the many
years that he passed at Gravesend, he never departed
from his charming Christian simplicity; and,by everyone
who knew him, he was looked up to more for his many
virtues than his great riches. Even in matters of im-
portance he was inclined rather to have others express
their will than insist upon his own opinion. To his
sons he has left an inheritance in his example of a good
life, far richer and better than the munificent behests
they received from him."
William H. Stillwell, a lineal descendant, in the eighth
generation, of Nicholas Stillwell, the emigrant of 1638, was
bom at Gravesend, L. I., June 38, 1832, where he received
such elementary education as the district-school there then
afforded. At the age of nineteen, he accepted a position as
teacher of the district-school at Grassy Pond, Queens County,
and, in succession, in the schools at Gravesend Neck and
Gravesend Village. Having taught himself the elements of
land-surveying, he gradually worked himself into a consider-
able practice as a land-surveyor. This extended, in time, till
he came to be recognized as an authority on matters con-
nected with his profession. Elected by his neighbors to the
position of Justice of the Peace, for several successive terms,
he left that office with a clear record as an upright, honest,
fearless official. In 1857 he was chosen as clerk at the Alms-
house department, which position he fiUed for seven years,
during which time it was his province to examine and audit
all bills, which amounted to some three hundred thousand
dollars per annum in value; and, on his retirement, his em-
ployers unanimously gave him a certificate in which they
bear witness to his fidelity to his trust, by saying that his ac-
counts were " invariably correct in every respect." He next
built and established a grocery store at Unionville, which he
kept with moderate success for a year or more. During all
this while, he occupied his leisure moments in studying law
under the general direction of Hon. Philip S. Grooke, and
for which his term of service as Justice had given him a de-
cided taste. Having been admitted to practice he removed
to Brooklyn, and there opened an office. He has been en-
WILLIAM H. STILLWELL.
gaged in various matters of local enterprise, notably the pur-
chase of the Manhattan Beach property, and perfecting the
title thereto. In 1874, he accepted a position in the Corbin
Banking Company's office. No. 61 Broadway, New York,
where he remained for four years ; when he exchanged it for
a better position with William A. Bngeman, on Coney Is-
land ; retaining, however, his Brooklyn office. His chief
characteristic — ^unflinching honesty and integrity — has won
him hosts of friends, while his intimate knowledge of all
matters pertaining to real-estate in Gravesend, make his ser-
vices much sought after by those who are interested. He is
pleasant and social, yet domestic troubles have caused him
to prefer solitude. His genealogical notes on the family
whose name he bears, attest his aptitude for close, diligent,
painstaking attention to details and office work. He has,
also, in manuscript, a nearly completed History of Coney
Island, of great antiquarian research and historical merit ;
of which the editor of this work has, by his kind permission,
largely availed himself, and which, we trust, will be pub-
lished, at no distant day.
H ISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF FLATBUSH
By Rev.
A. M.
THE BEGINNINGS of Settlement of the
towns upon the west end of Long Island are
somewhat difficult to define. The English,
who settled its eastern extremity, came mostly in
groups, or colonies, from Connecticut or from the Mas-
sachusetts Bay, with well defined religious or temporal
motives, and frequently with previously-perfected
church and political organizations. On the contrary, the
Dutch, although naturally clannish, seem to have wander-
ed to the western shore of Long Island, from their first
settlement at New Amsterdam, mostly as individual
settlers. For purposes of mutual protection, readiness
of retreat, and nearness to a market for their farm-
produce, they secured farms along the shore, until the
whole shore, from the Waale-boght to the ocean at
Gravesend, was taken up. Not until then did they
venture further inland; and we find patents granted, one
after another, for Breuckelen, for Gravesend; then for
Amersfort or Flatlands.
Soon, the hardy Dutch farmers discovered that the
lands in, or near, the woods covering the ridge north of
Amersfort, and extending a mile or more to the south,
were more fertile than those upon the open flats between
s'Gravesende and Amersfort. That the settlement of
the town was begun in this manner, from the south,
and not, as has been generally supposed, from the north,
by persons moving over the hill from Breuckelen, is evi-
dent from the following fact: that we learn of no pur-
chases of farms at Breuckelen at any distance back from
the river, towards the hills and woods of Flatbush.
Again, the first deed of land here, dated June 6, 1636,
is for a tract at the southern boundary of the present
village, conveyed by the Indians to Andries Hudden
and Wolphert Gerritsen, and called " The Little Flats."
Another deed was given, about the same time, to Wou-
ter Van Twiller, the Director, for land in the same vi-
cinity, called " Twiller's Flats." These three tracts lie
partly in Flatbush and partly in Flatlands. But the
earliest deed to land within the bounds of the present
town is to Jacobus Van Corlaer, for a tract in its south-
easterly corner, designated as " Corlaer's Flats." This
view is fortified by the facts: that the largest proportion
of old houses were in the southern and central portion of
the village; and that the road over the hill to Breuckelen
was through a continuous and dense forest — being, in
fact, little more than a crooked Indian-trail. If we con-
sider that, even in later times, this road afforded a most
difficult route over which the farmers of the villages south
of Brooklyn were obliged to haul their produce to mar-
ket, it is evident that, in the earlier times, household
goods, farm-produce,etc., could only have been conveyed,
to and from Flatbush, either by boat to Gravesend Bay;
or, by the " shore-road," to Gravesend; and thence to
Amersfort. Even sixty-one years after (169V-80), as
we learn from the Journal of the Labadists, Jasper
Dankers and Peter Sluyter, this road was a wretched
one. "Taking our leave [we] rode on to 'tVlacke Bos,
a village situated about an hour and a half's distance
from there, upon the same plain, which is very large.
This village seems to have better farms than the bay
[Flatlands], and yields fully as much revenue. Riding
through it, we came to the woods and hills, which are
very stony and uncomfortable to ride over." But still
stronger proof is found in the fact stated by these trav-
ellers, that, when they started out from Breuckelen,
they reached s' Gravesende by following the line of
the shore; which we believe to have been the earliest,
the most traveled, and the best route for reaching the
interior villages; thence they continued their journey
to Amersfort and 't Vlacke Bos.
Houses were probably erected and lands cultivated
before any formal deeds or patents were procured from
the Indians, or the Director at Nieuw Amsterdam.
New Amersfort (Flatlands) was undoubtedly first set-
tled in 1624; and it is not unreasonable to suppose
that, within the four or five years ensuing, settlers be-
gan to clear the woods and locate in the more fertile
lands at 't Vlacke Bos, or Midwout — the settlement of
which we may, therefore, safely place at 1630-34.
But, although the last of the five county-towns to be
214
HISTORY OFKIKGS COUNTY.
settled, Flatbush was the third to procure a town-pat-
ent from the Director. This was in 1651, and the
tract of land (the title of which had undoubtedly been
secured from the Indians by purchase, on the part of
the West India Company — as was their invariable cus-
tom), for which the patent was granted, was bounded
north by the hills, and on the south by Amersfort
(Flatlands), being one unbroken stretch of dense for
est. The eastern and western boundaries of this pat-
ent were probably coincident with those of what was
afterwards called "the Old Town." The original
Dutch patent is not in existence, and was probably de-
stroyed in 1684* ; when, in common with those of the
other county-towns (except Gravesend, which, as an
English settlement, was exempted), it was " called in "
by Gov. Nicolls, who was then granting new, or con-
firmatory, charters. Dr. Strong, in his History of
Flatbush, says that the only original Dutch patent of
any part of the town, which has been discovered, is a
" Ground Brief or Patent " issued by Gov. Stuyvesant
to the " indwellers and inhabitants of Midwout " for
the Canarsie Meadows, therein described as " a parcel
of meadow-ground, or valley, lying on the east north-
east of the Canarsie Indian planting-grounds." Accord-
ing to Henet C. Mtjepht, the original patentees,
to whom Stuyvesant granted the patent of 1651, were
Jan Snedecor, Arent Van Hatten, a burgomaster of
Nieuw Amsterdam, and Johannes Megapolensis, one of
the ministers of the same city.
The first houses and settlements were probably
in the most southerly portion of the present village ;
along the " Indian-path " from New Amersfort to the
Hills — now the direct road, through the village, from
Flatlands to Brooklyn. We have but little positive
knowledge concerning the number, or the names, of
the first settlers; or the locations secured by them dur-
ing the seventeen years elapsing between the first
purchase of 1634, and the patent of 1651. But, Dr. Strong
states that, after the patent of 1651, "farms were laid out
into 48 lots, or tracts of land, extending 600 Dutch rods
east and west on each side of the Indian-path, and having
severally an average width of 27 rods." Those on the east
side ran east to west; those on the west side had a south-
westerly inclination, corresponding with the direction
of the Hills on the north-west of the town. Each one
of the proprietors named in the patent received (in dis-
tribution by lot — the invariable custom of the Dutch in
the division of patented lands) two or more lots apiece,
while the central and most eligible lots were reserved
for the church. A considerable portion of wood lands
lying on the west, north and east sides of the toAvn,
together with Corker's and Twiller's Flats, were left in
Common, and remained undivided for years.
Early Boundary Disputes with Flatlands.—
Although the Indian title to these lands had been
* Land was sold, in 1653, by Edward Griffen to Peter Loot. Griffen
must have had a clear title from some patent, granted by some one at
3iD 6Qrll6r Q&l6.
carefully extinguished, and purchases confirmed with
patents from the Dutch and English Governors the set-
tlers of Flatbush met with trouble from their Amers-
fort neighbors, about certain lands along the boundarv-
line between the two towns. Especially was this the case
upon the Canarsie meadows, at that time highly esteemed
by the Dutch farmers ; and, finally, in 1666, arbitrators
appointed by Gov. NicoUs, made a survey, approved by
the Governor, April 20, 1667, by which the Imes were
carefully defined by marked trees, stakes and fence.
And the Flatbush people then received the following
confirmatory patent :
"Richard Nicolls, Esq., &c. * * * "Whereas there is a
certain town within this government, known by the name of
Midwout alias Flatbush &c. * * * Now, for the conflrmation,
&c. Know ye that I have given, ratified, confirmed and
granted unto Mr. Johannes Megapolensis, one of the Ministers
of this City, Mr. Cornelius Van Euyven, one of the Justices of
the Peace, Adrian Hegeman, Jan Snediger, Jan Stryker, Frans
Barents Pastor, Jacob Stryker, and Cornelius Janse Bougaert,
as Patentees, for and in behalf of themselves and associates,
freeholders and inhabitants of the said town, their heirs, suc-
cessors and assigns; All that tract, together with several par-
cells of land, which already have or shall hereafter be pur-
chased or procured for, or on behalf of the said town
whether from the native Indian proprietors or others, within
the bounds and limits hereafter set forth and expressed, viz:
That is to say, The said Town is bounded to the North by the
Hills, to the South by the fence lately sett between them and
the town of Amersfort alias Flatland." Then, with mention
of the stakes and land-marks, the deed closes with " which
said meadows were upon the 20 of April last, by common
consent staked out, and by my approbation allowed of; All
which said tracts and parcels of land, meadow-ground &c.
* * * Dated, Oct. 11, 1667."
The security afforded to the Flatbush settlers by this
patent was, however, of short duration ; for, in 1670,
Eshemoppas, Sachem of Rockaway, with his brothers
Kinnarimas and Ahawaham, with evil intent, claimed
the land, demanding that payment therefor should be
made to themselves as the original Indian owners, and
denying the right of the Canarsies to deed it to the
settlers. Although this claim was fraudulent, yet, to
avoid the ill-will, annoyance, distress and expense to
which its refusal might give rise, the Flatbush people
accepted a deed from EsTcemoppas and brothers, for
which they paid a valuable consideration. The deed is
as follows:
" To all Christian people to whom this present writing shall
come; Eskemoppa's, Sachem of Rockaway, upon Long Island,
Kinnarimas and Ahawaham his brothers, send greeting:
Whereas they, the said Sachem Eskemoppas, and his two
brothers afore mentioned, do lay claim to the land now in the
tenure and occupation of the inhabitants of Midwout, alias
Flatbush, as well as other lands adjacent thereto as the right
born Indian owners and proprietors thereof: Know ye that in
consideration of certain sums of seewant, a certain sum of
wampum and divers other goods (hereinaf terspecifled)unto the
said Sachem and his brothers in hand paid, and received, from
Adrian Hegeman, Jacob Stryker, Hendrick Jorise and Jan
Hansen, for and on behalf of themselves and the rest of the
inhabitants of Midwout alias Flatbush, the receipt whereof
B 0 UNDAR Y JDISP UTES WITS FLA TLANDS.
215
. they do hereby acknowledge, and themselves to be fully sat-
isfied and paid: Have given granted contracted and sold
* * * All that said parcel of land where the said town of
Midwout stands, together with all the lands lying therein,
stretching on the east side to the limits of Newtown and Ja-
maica, on the south side to the meadow ground, and limits
of Amersfort; on the west side to the bounds of Gravesend
and New Utrecht, and on the north side along the HUls;
that is to say, all those lands within the limits above men-
tioned &c. * * * In witness whereof, the parties
to these presents have hereunto set their hands and seals
this 30th day of April, in the 22nd year of his Majesty's
reign, in the year of our Lord 1670.
EsKEMOPPAS £ Mark. (seal).
KiNNAElMAS & Mark. (seal).
Ahawaham / Mark (seal).
Signed and delivered in the presence of
Thomas Lovelace.
COENEUTJS Van Ruyten.
' E< corded the day and year within written
per Mathias Nichols, Secretary.
The consideration agreed upon in the purchase herein men-
tioned was as follows viz : 10 Fathoms of black seewant ;
10 Fathoms of white seewant ; 5 Match coats of DufEells ;
4 Blankets; 2 Gunners sight Guns; 3 Pistols; 5 Double hand-
fulls of Powder [Gispen bunches of Powder]; 5 Bars of Lead;
10 Knives; 3 Secret Aprons of DufEell [Ouppas of DufiEeU]; 1
Half vat or half barrell of Strong Beer; 3 Cans of Brandy; 6
Shirts. All the above particulars were received by the Sa-
chem and his ten brothers, in the presence of the persons
under written, as witnesses hereof.
John Manning. Jacob Van Cortlandt. *
Sylvester Salisbury. Teunis Jacob, Hay.*
John Hough. Edward Carlisle.*
Acknowledged before me, the Sachem and his two
brothers, and the goods delivered in my presence, the day
and year within written.
Francis Lovelace."
In this deed we find, for the first time, the eastern
and western boundary-lines of the town definitely laid
down ; and it is probable that the diificulty with Eshe-
moppas, concerning the right to the lands within the
town of Flathush, related especially to the eastern sec-
tion of the town. While it is well established that the
western portion of the town was purchased from and
deeded hy the Canarsie Indians, in 1651, the time of
purchase of the eastern section cannot with any degree
of certainty be fixed. No deed has been found, earlier
than this one from Eskemoppas, in that section of the
town extending from Renter's Hook to the Jamaica
line. It is possible that, the boundary lines being in-
distinct or poorly defined, the Flatbush people may
have attempted to settle farther to the east than war-
ranted by the limits of the original deed; and that the
land thus occupied was truly the property of the
Rockaway Indians. However this may be, we find,
from the time of this deed, 1670, the western section of
the town, as far as Keuter's Hook, is called the Old
Town; and the portion beyond, as far as the eastern
boundary, at the Jamaica line, is called the Ifew Lands,
♦These are supposed to have been Judges, or Justices of the Peace.
or "the JSFew Lots." The original name of this tract
was Oostwoud, or " East Woods."
Settlements were soon made on this section, by per-
sons from Flatbush; and, about this time also, "sev-
eral of the inhabitants of Midwout, or Flatbush, re-
moved to New Jersey, and fonned settlements on the
Raritan atMilstone." — {Strong.) In proof that 1670 is
the true date of the first settlement of that portion of the
town of Flatbush called the New Lots, we notice that,
five years after, when settlers began to appropriate the
land thus secured by deed from Eskemoppas, there ap-
peared another claimant, Capt. Richard Betts, who en-
deavored to establish a claim to a portion of the tract
by virtue of a deed which he professed to hold, bearing
date of 1663. The matter was tried (on an appeal by the
town of Flatbush from the Court of Sessions) at the Gen-
eral Court of Assizes; which, in 1675, in the city of
New York, and, after a fair hearing, ordered as
follows: " That the land shall lye in common to Fflat-
bush, and towns adjacent, as it heretofore hath been,
and that the towns who have the benefiit of the com-
monage shall pay their equall proportion of the pur-
chase money to the Indyans and cost of this suite."
From this it is evident that the validity of a deed of
earlier date than 1670 was not admitted. After this
suit, however, the inhabitants deemed it prudent to ob-
tain a separate patent for the New Lots, which, accord-
ing to Dr. Strong, was granted by Gov. Andros, March
25, 1677, to Arian Lamberse and others, to the number
of thirty-five persons. This patent is not now extant.
The boundary-line between Flatbush and Amersfort
seems to have been a source of frequent trouble be-
tween the two villages. The first diificulty was settled
by the deed of Gov. Richard Nicolls, bearing date of
1667. Two years after, however, complaint was made
by the inhabitants of Amersfort that those of Flatbush
were not observing the terms of the patent granted in
1667. The matter was tried before the Court of Ses-
sions at Gravesend, and a new agreement made, dated
May 11, 1677. Two years later, June, 1679, complaint
was again made to the Court against the inhabitants
of Flatbush for trespass. A record of the Court of
Sessions, held at Gravesend, June, 1679, relates to this
matter, as follows, viz. :
" The inhabitants of fflatlands complayning that the in-
habitants of fflatbush have trespassed upon the land belong-
ing to -fflatlands aforesaid, contrary to an award made and
agreed upon between both towns, and an order of the Court
punctually to observe the same, which being proved by the
constable and one of the overseers of fflatlands, aforesaid,
and they not appearing to answer the complaint, and for
their contempt in not observing the said award and order of
the Court. The Court orders, that the said inhabitants shall
pay as a fine to the publique, the sum of ten pounds and to
observe the said order of Court. They also complayn, that
the inhabitants of fflatbush have ohopt of the marke of a
tree, &o. To be deferred to the next Court of Sessions, and
they to have notice of it to answer the same."
216
SISTORT 01 KINGS COUNTY.
A similar dispute arose in 1683. While this contro-
versy was being carried on about the southern boun-
dary, another arose between Brooklyn and Flatbush
about the north boundary-line, which heretofore, in all
deeds and patents, had been designated as " the Hills.'
The authorities of the village of Brooklyn, in 1678, in-
sisted that the term "to the Hills" should be con-
strued so as to include the southern base of the hills.
Those of Flatbush, however, contended that their pat-
ent embraced all the land to the crest of the hills, argu-
ing that Brooklyn's construction of the terms of the
patent would deprive them of all their rights; since the
base of the hills might be made to mean until the land
became perfectly level. Since the land from the imme-
diate foot of the hills slopes gradually to the southern
boundary of the town, and even to the sea, this claim
of Brooklyn to the land on the southern elope of the
hills could not with safety be entertained a moment,
lest at some future time they should desire to claim a
right to the whole town. The matter was therefore
submitted to the Court of Sessions at G-ravesend; and
December 18, 1678, the court decided that the whole
dispute be referred to Captain Jaques Cortelyou and
Captain Richard Stillwell, who should make a survey
of the land and run a boundary-line. Their " report
was ordered to be determinative." Five years after-
ward they reported that they had performed this duty,
" and have marked the trees betwixt towne and towne."
Dr. Strong states that " One of the trees thus marked by
these arbitrators was a large white oak, standing near what
is called the Port Road, and mentioned afterwards in the
patent granted by Govenor Dongan as one of the boundaries
of the town. This tree remained until the time of the Revo-
lutionary war, when it was cut down by the Americans and
fallen across the road to intercept the British. A red free-
stone monument, with a proper inscription, was subsequently
set up near the stump of this tree by General Jeremiah John-
son, on the part of Brooklyn, and John C. Vanderveer, Esq.,
on the part of Flatbush."
The precise point at which this tree stood, and where
the monument was afterward placed, is now embraced
in Prospect Park. It is about one hundred and fifty
feet down the road, south-east of the bronze slab con-
taining the inscription of the battle of Long Island.
At the time of the Revolutionary war, the road at this
point ran through a narrow pass, between the hills,
one of which still remains as it then was, and is on the
east side of the road. The face of the other, next the
road, on the west side, was destroyed by constant exca-
vations to procure the excellent sand of which it was
composed. Between these two hills, which were in for-
mer times separated at their base by a space of thirty
or forty feet, ran the road from Flatbush to Brooklyn.
The tree stood at the eastern base of the hill, on the
north side of the road.
In after years a toll-gate was placed just south of
this spot. In the gutter at the north-west end of the
toll-house, and about fifty feet from the base of the hill,
the red free-stone monument was placed, the letter P
being cut on one side and upon the other the letter B
indicating, no doubt, Flatbush and Brooklyn. In the
lapse of years, the wash from the road and hill gradu-
ally covered up this stone; and, at the time the ground
was purchased for the park it was copipletely covered
with sand. The grade of the Park road has no doubt
buried it two feet or more beneath the surface, where
in all probability it would now be found.
This report of the commissioners, Cortelyou and Still-
well, was not accepted as " determinative," as the court
ordered. The next year new trouble arose in reference
to the boundary. Philip Wells and Jacobus Cortland
were appointed surveyors by the two towns.
They reported " that the line run fformerly by Capt.
Jacques Cortelyou and Mr. Stillwell is right and Just."
After several subsequent disputes, the difiBiculty was
finally adjusted on the following basis, viz.:
" That the summit of the hiUs, or the first perceptible
southerly declivity of any hill, should be deemed and taken
as the fixed and determined hne, and wherever the hiUs are
cut oft or interrupted by an intervening valley or hollow,
the boundary line should extend in the shortest possible
direction, from the summit of one hill to that of the opposite
one. In conformity with this determination, proper monu-
ments have been placed on the boundary lines, to prevent,
if possible, all further mistakes."
Flatbush, occupying a central position, was bounded
on all sides by the other towns, which accounts for the
numerous conflicts in reference to boundary-lines.
Boundary Dispute with Newtown. — The last,
and by far the most prolonged controversy, of this kind,
was that concerning the north-eastern boundary-line.
It began in 1706, when the inhabitants of Newtown
claimed part of the lands embraced in the Flatbush
patent for the ISTew Lots. At this time a fund was
raised, by tax, upon every patentee, to pay expenses in
defending their boundary-line; and, at the annual town-
meetings, two officers were chosen, whose duty it was
to guard the interest of the town, to " their meets and
bounds," according to the patent. The Dutch called
these men " Dorps mannen," or towns-men. Afterward
the English designated them the " Defenders of the
Patent." For fifteen years the controversy was pro-
longed, being finally settled in 1721, and was the last
serious trouble concerning the boundary-lines of the
town.
The Dongan Charter, 1685.— The last patent or
confirmatory deed for the town was issued by the
Governor, Colonel Thomas Dongan, in compliance with
a request of the inhabitants for a patent for the whole
town which should include all the former separate grants
or deeds. These several patents had been granted at
different times for Flacke Bos, Midwout or Flatbush;
for the Canarsie Meadows; Keuter's Hook; Eastwoudt,
and Oostwoudt, or the New Lots. The patent, dated
Nov. 12, 1685, is as follows :
" Thomas Dongan, Lieutenant-Governor and Vice- Admiral
B 0 UNDAR Y DISPUTE WITH N'EWTO WN.
217
of New York, &c., under his Majesty James the Second, by
the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and
Ireland, Defendeir of the Faith, &c.. Supreme Lord and Pro-
prietor of the Colony and Prince of New York and its de-
pendencies in America. To all to whom these presents shall
come, sendeth Greeting : Whereas, there is a certain town in
Kings County, upon Long Island, called and known by the
name of Midwout, alias Flatbush, the bounds whereof begin
at the mouth of the Fresh-KUl, and so along by a certain ditch
which lies betwixt Amersfoot and Flatbush Meadows, and
so running along the ditch and fence to a certain white-oak
marked tree, and from thence upon a straight line to the
westernmost point of a small island of woodland lying before
John Stryker's bridge ; and from thence with a straight line
to the north-west hook or corner of the ditch of John Oakie's
meadow, and from thence along the said ditch and fence to
the swamp of the Fresh-Kill, and so along the swamp and
hollow of the aforesaid Kill to the land of Keuter's Hook ;
thence along the same to a white-oak tree ; from thence with
a straight line to a black-oak marked tree standing upon the
north-east side of Twiller's Flats, having a small snip of flats
upon the south-east side of the line ; and so from thence to a
white-oak tree standing on the west side of Moschito Hole to
a small island, leaving a snip of flats in the Flatlands bounds;
and from thence to a certain marked tree or stump standing
upon the highway which goes to Flatlands, upon the Little
Flats, about twenty rods fi'om Flatbush Lots, and so along
the fence six hundred Dutch rods to the corner of Flatbush
fence, and so along the rear of the lots to a sassafras-stump
standing on Cornelius Jansen Berrian's lot of land ; and from
thence with a straight line to a certain old marked tree, or
stump, standing by the Rush Pond under the hills, and so
along upon the south side of the hill till it comes to the west
end of Long HiU, and so along upon the south side of the said
hOl till it comes to the east end of the Long Hill ; and then with
a straight line from the east end of said Long Hill to a marked
white-oak tree standing to the west side of the road, near the
place called the gate or port of the hills, and so from the east
side of the port or gate aforesaid, upon the south side of the
main hiUs, as far as Brooklyn Patent doth extend, and so
along the said hills to the bounds of the Jamaica Patent; and
from thence with a southerly
lino to the kill or creek by the
east of Plunder's Neck, and so
along the said kill to the sea,
as according to the several
deeds or purchases from the
Indian owners, the Patent
from Governor NicoUs, and
the award between Brooklyn
and the town of Flatbush,
relation thereunto being had, doth more fully and at large
appear : And, whereas, an application to me hath been made
for a confirmation of the aforesaid tracts and parcels of
land and premises : Now, Know ye, that by virtue of the
commission and authority unto me given by his Majesty,
James the Second, by the Grace of God of England, Scot-
land, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith,
Supreme Lord and Proprietor of the Province of New York, in
consideration of the premises and the quit-rent hereinafter
reserved, I have given, granted, ratified and confirmed, and by
these presents do give, grant, ratify and confirm unto Corne-
lius Vanderwyck, John Okie, Joseph Hegeman, Aries Jansen
Vanderbilt, Laflford Pieterson, William Guilliamsen, Hend-
rick Williamse, Arien Eyers, Peter Stryker, John Stryker,
John Remsen, Jacob Hendricks, Derick Vandervleet, Hend-
rick Ryck, Okie Johnson, Daniel Polhamus, Peter Lott,
Cornelius Vanderveer, Derick Johnson Hooglandt, Denise
Tennis, John Johnson, Ditimus Lewis Jansen, William
Jacobs, Hendrick Hegeman, and Garret Lubbertse, for and
on behalf of themselves and their associates, all the free-
holders of the said town of Flatbush, and to their heirs and
assigns forever, all the before-recited tract and tracts, parcel
and parcels, of land and islands within the said bounds and
limits, together with all and singular, the woods, under-
woods, plains, hills, meadows, pastures, quarries, marshes,
waters, lakes, causeways, rivers, beaches, houses, buildings,
fishing, hawking, hunting and fowling, with all liberties,
privileges, hereditaments and appurtenances to the said tract
of land and premises belonging, or in anywise appertaining ;
To have and to hold, &c. * * * * To be holden of his
Majesty in free and common soccage according to the tenure
of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, in his Majesty's
Kingdom of England. Yielding, rendering and paying there-
for, yearly, and every year, at the City of New York, to his
Majesty, his heirs or successors, or to his or their officer or
officers, as by him or them shall be appointed to receive the
same, eighteen bushels of good merchantable wheat, on or
before the five and twentieth day of March, yearly, and every
year. In Testimony whereof, I have caused these presents to
be entered upon record, in the Secretary's office in the said
Province, and the seal thereof, have hereunto affixed, and
signed with my hand the twelfth day of November, in the
first year of his Majesty's reign. Anno Domini, 1685.
Thomas Dongan.
Facsimiles of the Autogeaphs of some op the
Patentees of Flatbush, under the Dongan Chae-
TEE, OP 1685.
^^ 9^^/g>
Hayndbtck Hetcke, the ancestor of the Sutdam Family of Kings County.
(^^^-v^^^V
iS^
COKNELis JANSSE Vandeb Veer, the ancestor of the Vanderyeer Family of Kings County.
C^ZU^ f^c^' ■ f^'"'
y
Jan Stryckeb, the ancestor of the Stryker Family of Kings County.
Leekert Pietersen, (van Haughwout, North Holland, 1660,) the common
ancestor of the Letferts Family in ilings County.
218
SISTOB T OF KINGS GO UNTY.
^zifl^ ^^^
.///'
Adrian Reyersb, the common ancester of the Kyerson, the Adriance
and the Martenae families.
t^-L^-^ £i^f . ///^
Peter Lott, ancestor of the Lott Family of Kings County.
Quit- Rents. — This is the first deed or patent in
which any mention is made of any revenue therefrom
accruing to the governors. When Dongan entered
upon the government of the colony, he found its reve-
nues insufficient to meet its current expenses. With the
double intention, therefore, of increasing these reve-
nues, and, at the same time, securing to the inhabitants
of the several towns, and to their posterity, an indis-
putable title to the lands which they had obtained from
his predecessors, and by purchase from the Indians;
he called in all the patents, and replaced them with
new ones. In these new patents he evidently endeav-
ored to secure a greater degree of definitenesa in des-
cription of boundaries, etc., which had already given
rise to innumerable disputes. And the colonists sub-
mitted, with apparent willingness, to the change of
their deeds, and to the new feature of quit-rent inserted
therein. There was, indeed, a protest sent to the Eng-
lish Government by Santin, the collector of New York
and a member of the Council (afterward discovered to
be a defaulter) ; but Gov. Dongan's able and manly reply
to these charges {JDoc. Hist. JSf. T., Vol. Ill, p. 442),
sufficiently explains his motives in the matter, and justi-
fies his action.
The quit-rent continued to be paid for several years,
according to the requirements of the patent, in good
merchantable wheat. At what time the change was
made, by which money was accepted in lieu of wheat,
we have no means of determining. The Receiver Gen-
eral, at a subsequent date, was authorized to make such
a change, and " wheat was valued at eighteen shillings
and eight pence a bushel, in New York currency," and
rents continued to be paid according to this standard
until 1762.
Commutation of Quit-Rents. — After the Revolu-
tionary War an act was passed by the legislature of
New York, April 1, 1786, providing for the collection
of arrears and the future annual Quit-Rent ; and, also,
making provision whereby any town might commute
for the payment of its quit-rents. In December of this
same year the inhabitants of Flatbush availed them-
selves of the privilege of this act, and purchased a re-
lease from future quit-rents, which would have fallen
due each year under the terms of their patent.
Dr. Steong's History of Flatbush preserves the re-
ceipt for this release and payment, from which it
appears, that its amount (including three years' arrears),
from March 25, 1765, to the same date 1786, a period
of twenty-one years and nine months (with eight years
deducted for " period of Revolution), was £162, 9s.
Social and Political History.— On^m of the
name. The early settlers of Breuokelen very natu-
rally termed the densely- wooded hills of Flatbush the
" Bosch " — a term equivalent to our word bush or wood.
Following the Indian-path to the top of the ridge, the
eye rested upon an unbroken range of level woodland,
extending east and west as far as could be seen, and
stretching out toward the south for nearly three miles,
to the bounds of New Amersfordt. This woodland,
covering the extended plain, was called "H Vlacke
Bosch,;" i. e., the flat woods; " 't Vlacke," or " Vlachte,"
meaning the plains or flats. In the early Colonial
records a similar reference is made to the level beyond
the woods, which is designated as " 't Vlacke Landts,''
and embraced, at that time, the towns of New Utrecht,
Gravesend, and New Amersf oordt. In proof of this we
find, in a report of Governor Stuyvesant's, Oct. 19, 1665,
this declaration, " The Flat land ('< Vlacke Landts),
stripped of inhabitants to such a degree that, with the
exception of the three English villages of Hemstede,
New Flushing and Gravesend, there were not fifty bou-
weries or plantations in it," &c.
This term, " 't Vlacke Bosch " was, without doubt,
the earliest designation of the wooded country south of
" the Hills," and now, for the most part in the Town of
Flatbush — and is so used by the Labadist travellers, in
1679-80. This would seem to prove that, even thirty
years after the first settlement of the village, the name
of the locality was a more familiar one to the settlers
than the new name — Middel-Wout (middle- woods),
given it by Gov. Stuyvesant. In the defence of Hen-
drick Van Dyck, the Fiscal under Stuyvesant, in 1652,
he complains that " the Director hath, on his own
authority, begun to plant a hamlet in H Vlacke Bosch
[the Flatbush] on Long Island, between Amersf ort and
Breuckelen. He named it Middel- Wout, where Jan
Snediker, one of his Selectmen, hath settled." This term
appears to be nearly synonymous with the original
name of the whole section of woodland. The former
term " 't Vlacke Bosch " meaning the Flat- Wood, and
"Middel-Wout" meaning Middle-Wood; "Woud"
or "Wout" being the Dutch for wood, or forest. It
was, therefore, undoubtedly, the peculiar surroundings
of the locality^n which the village was situated, that
suggested i4,s name. The name Middel-wout, in com-
mon use, gradually became abbreviated to Mid-twout,
as it is given in the earliest town-records, bearing date
1659. After the surrender of Long Island to the Eng-
lish, we find, for the first time, in public documents, the
use of the name Flatbush (Fflatbush, Flatbos, Flack-
bush) ; a sort of English rendering of the original Dutch
" U Vlack Bosche." Midwout, however, continued to
OR GAJSriZA TlOJSr OF LO GAL G 0 YERNMENT.
219
be the ordinary appellation in public records and com-
mon use, until 1776 ; the term Flackebos being only
twice used by Town Clerk Van Ecklen, in 1694-'95. It
seems evident, therefore, that the change of name from
Midwout to Flatbush, is the result of no legal enact-
ment, but simply of common usage.
In early times the center of the village was called
" Dorp," meaning " the town " and here was located the
church, the school, and the court-house. North of the
" Dorp '' the land was of a peculiar character, where no
rich strata are visible; the roads and fields are covered
with immense water-washed cobble-stones. And this is
even more observahle further north, towards the hills.
To this section the early settlers gave the name of Steen-
raap, or " stone-gathering." Though, to a great extent,
these stones have been removed from the surface, still,
in digging cellars, and trenches for gas and water
mains, large beds of them are yet found, as if piled
away by human hands. Still further north, on the Sides
of " the Hills," were found huge boulders — water- worn
— and of which the farmers all through this section of
the town used (up to the middle of the present century)
to build their farm fences. But, of later years, these
boulders have disappeared, having been sold and
broken up for building purposes. The Labadist travel-
lers of 1679-80, so often referred to in these pages,
have left unequivocal testimony to the then condition
of public travel in the county ; and within the memory
of some still living, these stones and boulders contribu-
ted largely to the exceeding roughness of Flatbush roads.
The soil of that portion of the village lying south of
" the Dorp " is a sandy loam and remarkably free from
stones. The Dutch called it Rustenhurg, meaning bor-
ough, or "resting-place." This name may have been
applied in grateful comparison with the state of the
roads- in other parts of the town and county, over which
they were ohliged to pass ; or, because their homes
were here situated, to which they returned for a nightly
rest, after their days of severe toil upon their wooded
and stony farms in the northern part of the town.
According to Mr. Tetjots G. Beegen, another portion
of the town was called " East Midwout," which was,
no doubt, that part known as New Lots.
Organization of Local Government and
Courts. — During the earlier years of slow growth
the Dutch towns scarcely needed any special or local
provision for the administration of justice. The will
of the Director of the West India Company, the two
local officers appointed by him, and his occasional per-
sonal superintendence, sufiiced to maintain good order
among them. In course of time, however, difficulties
arose from this lack of a properly-organized govern-
ment. The Directors too often misused their powers,
and were disposed to govern in a dictatorial and tyran-
ical manner, overlooking wholly the rights of the peo-
ple. If imposed upon by the inferior officers of the
town, it was worse than useless to appeal to the Direc-
tor, for these were simply carrying out his instructions.
An appeal generally brought some punishment upon
the villages for their audacity. A government of this
character was not at all adapted to a people who had
lived under the liberal form of government of Holland,
where each city or village provided to a great extent
for its own defense, administered its own finances, and
governed itself by its own laws. Thus the inhabitants
of the towns, who, in Holland, had been accustomed to
have a voice in all matters relating to their government,
could not quietly submit to the present arbitrary rule
of the Directors.
Finally the growing popular discontent found ex-
pression in a convention of delegates from the Dutch
towns of Long Island, assembled at Nieuw Amsterdam,
Nov. 26, 1653 ; but adjourned until Deceember. Up
to this time, the civil affairs of Middlewout had been ad-
ministered by an official called the " Sohout," exercising,
somewhat, the combined functions of a judge and sheriff,
and subordinate to the " Schout-fiscal " of Nieuw Ams-
terdam. The name schout is supposed to be an abbrevi-
ation of ■ the Dutch word schuld-rechter, or, " crime-
righter;" i. e., a judge of crimes. The people of each
village also had the right to elect two more schepens,
or magistrates, as in the Fatherland, In November
1646, Jan Teunissen, of Breuckelen, was made schout ;
and had jurisdiction, also, over Middlewout and Amers-
foort. We find no mention of another schout being
appointed till April, 1654, when David Provoost was
made the first separate schout of Breuckelen. Teunissen
probably remained schout of the other Dutch towns ;
although in the Col. Loos. State of JST. Y. Provoost is
called schout or sheriff of the Dutch towns on Long
Island. Midwout, at this lime, was allowed the privi-
lege of a separate village to nominate three Schepens ;
and Amersfort obtained two. Provoost was succeeded
by Pieter Tonneman from January, 1656, to 1660 ;
when he became the first Sheriff of Nieuw Amsterdam.
The first entry in the oldest Court record of convey-
ances of property in the Town Clerk's office, at Flat-
bush, relates to the purchase, or allotment, of prop-
erty in the village of Middlewout to this P. Tonneman,
under date of July 2, 1659. He was, also, January,
1657, a member of the Supreme Council of the Nieuw
Netherlands. In 1661 Adriaen Hegeman, a resident of
Middlewout, was appointed, by Gov. Stuyvesant, as
schout of Breuckelen, Midwout, and Amersfort. He
had been, in 1654, one of the three schepens to which
the town of Midwout was entitled; and, from 1659 to
1661, had acted as clerk, or secretary, of Midwout and
Amersfort.
At the re-assembling of the convention, December
11th, 1653 (the Flatbush delegates being Elbert Elbert-
sen and Thomas Spicer) a strong demand was made
for laws, " resembling, as nearly as possible, those of
the Fatherland." Gov. Stuyvesant treated the matter
as " audacity " on the part of the Colonists; re-asserted
220
SI8T0BY OF KII^QS COUNTY.
his authority; reprimanded the burgomaster of New-
Amsterdam for calling such a convention, and sought
tow eaken the force of remonstrance by asserting that
the three Dutch Long Island towns had " no right to
jurisdiction."
The convention re-assembled December 13, 1653, and
declared they would protest to the States General, and
West India Company. The Governor then ordered the
convention to disperse and directed Breuckelen, Mid-
wout and Amersfort to prohibit their delegates from
appearing, for the present, at any meeting at New
Amsterdam. Early in the following year, however, a
serious trouble threatened the colonists ; which, while it
served to allay the excitement caused by the events of
December, 1653, at the same time united the settlers of
the Dutch towns more closely. Pirates and robbers
infested the rivers on either side of New Amsterdam
and the shores of Long Island, and constantly com-
mitted outrages upon the persons and property of the
settlers on Long Island. While the English residents
at Gravesend sympathized with and often harbored
these men, the Dutch settlers in the various villages
banded to resist them, and protect themselves and their
property. Breuckelen, Midwout and Amersfort, April
7, 1654, formed a military company, and informed the
Governor that they would " assist with all their might.''
Every third man was detailed to act as a minute-man,
when required. A military officer was appointed in
each town, called a Sergeant, and a public patrol in the
village.
This expression of loyalty, so cheerfully and promptly
given, was especially pleasing to the Governor, in view
of the closing events of the previous year. It proved
that the Dutch settlers were, at heart, true in their alle-
giance to the interests of the West India Company.
He therefore resolved to reward the Dutch towns of
Breuckelen, Midwout and Amersfort, by giving them
the increased municipal privileges which they had de-
sired. Thus, by making this distinction in favor of
the Dutch towns, he rebuked the English settlers at
Gravesend for their sympathy with the pirates — who
were their countrymen — as well as for the part they had
taken in the convention.
Local Officers Appointed.— It was at this time that
the form of government was changed at Midwout, and
the village was permitted to have a voice in the choice
of its magistrates. A double number of persons were
chosen by the people, and their names forwarded to the
Governor, who from this list selected and commis-
sioned those who should serve as magistrates. These
local officers possessed functions and powers similar to
those of the magistrates of New Amsterdam; and were
under the immediate direction of a superior " District
Court,'' composed of delegates from each town-court, to-
gether with the schout.
By direction of this "District Court" churches
could be built, schools established, roads laid ^out, or
repaired. In fact, all the local affairs of the towns came
within its jurisdiction ; subject, of course, to the ap-
proval of the Governor, or the Supreme Council of New
Netherlands. Under this arrangement the inhabitants
of Midwout nominated six men in April, 1654, from
whom three were chosen to act as schepens of the vil-
lage. In the absence of any Midwout records ear-
lier than 1659, we cannot state positively the names of
these officers. We know that Adriaen Hegeman was
appointed a local magistrate in 1654, and find his name
on the earliest record of the village as serving stiU in
the capacity of schepen. It is therefore reasonable to
presume that the other men, whose names are found
with his on the record of July 2, 1659, were appointed
schepens with him in 1654. If this is correct, then the
first three local magistrates of Midwout were Adri-
aen Hegeman, Willem Van Boerum, Jan Sueberingh.
Facsimile of Adriaen Hegeman's Signature.
^y^i^h^ '>fiU^fi^ ^(^h^"^
Facsimile of Willem Jacobse Van Boerum 's Signature.
Facsimile of Jan Sueberlngh's Signaljure.
In Col. Hist, of N. Y. the name of Jan Snedicor ap-
pears as the first sent by the Governor to settle Mid-
wout. He was also one of the signers of the Patent; a
shoemaker by trade, and kept a tap-house or tavern in
New Amsterdam from 1642-1654, when he was sent
by Governor Stuyvesant to his new settlement at Mid-
wout. He is called in Docs, of Col. Hist, of N.Y.
" one of the Director's Selectmen." It is reasonable to
suppose that the Governor would certainly place this
man in some position of influence. Although his name
is not on any of the early records, Mr. Tbunis G.
Beegen, in his Marly Settlers of Kings County, states
that " Jan Snedicor was a local magistrate of Mid-
wout from 1654 to 1664."
Facsimile of Jan Snedicor's Signature.
"Five Dutch Towns."— This method of village
government, by schepen and schout, continued until
1661. In that year New Utrecht and Boswyck (Bush-
wick) were joined to Breuckelen, Amersfoort and Mid-
wout, and the district was called the " Five Dutch
Towns."
OVERSEERS OF FLATBUSH.
221
To these five Dutch towns were assigned two
officers, representing the general government, and to
whom the village schepens were subordinate, viz.: a
schout-fiscal and a secretary, or clerk, the special
function of the latter being to take acknowledgments
of marriage settlements, deeds and wills. Adriaen
Hegeman was the first schout-fiscal of the five Dutch
towns, and he was also specially appointed as auctioneer
for the district. He was probably succeeded in both
offices by Francis De Bruyn, in 16T3. In Z>ocs. of Col.
Hist, of State of N. T. (Vol. II. p. 675) De Bruyn's
appointment is recorded, with a reference to the
former existence of the office, and its probable dis-
continuance while the towns were subject to the
English.
"Whereas experience hath proved that it is highly neces-
sary to continue the office of Auctioneer on Long Island,
therefore on petition presented by Secretary Francis De
Bruyn, he is thereunto commissioned and qualified, and said
Francis De Bruyn is accordingly commissioned and appointed
Auctioneer in the towns of Midwout, Amerfort, Breuckelen,
Boshwyck and Utreght, with their dependencies situate on
Long Island &c. Done Fort Willem Hendrick, the first Jan.
1673."
A year later he was succeeded by Nicasius de Sille,
of New Utrecht; and he, again, by Michael Hainelle.
The next change in the village government was made
in 1665.
After the surrender of the colony to the English, in
1664, the government of Nieuw Amsterdam lost its
distinctively Dutch character. The offices of Burgor-
master, Schepens and Schout were abolished, and a
Mayor, Board of Alderman and Sheriff were substi-
tuted in their place. This rendered necessary a change
in the local and " district " government of the Long
Island towns. Governor NicoU therefore called a con-
vention for the purpose of establishing a uniform
method for the administration of justice in the various
villages and plantations on Long Island. To this, held
at Hempstead, February, 1665, Flatbush sent Jan
Stryker, Hendrick Gucksen, and Hendrick Jorise Brink-
erhofE as delegates. The code of " Duke's Laws," as
they were called, which was passed by this convention,
restored again to the Governor almost all the unlimited
power enjoyed by his Dutch predecessors; and was not
at- all satisfactory to either the Dutch or English
towns, which found themselves still without the desired
representative form of government. The Flatbush
delegates, as well as those of other towns, were so
openly and severely censured by their fellow towns-
men for their share in the enactment of this code that
the Court of Assize, October, 1666, decreed "that who-
ever should thereafter detract or speak against any of
the deputies who had signed an address to His Royal
Highness, the Governor, he should be presented to the
Court of Assizes and answer for slander." At this
convention Long Island and Staten Island were united,
as ToHKSHiEE of which the five Dutch towns, with
Gravesend, Newtown, and Staten Island, were consti-
tuted the West Riding ; all the towns of the present
Queens county, except Newtown, became the North
Riding ; and those of the present Suffolk county
formed the East Riding ; and a High Sheriff was
appointed for the Shire, with a deputy for each Riding,
and a certain number of justices for each town. On the
1st or 2d of April, yearly, each town was to elect its own
constable and eight (afterwards reduced to five) over-
seers, whose duties were strictly defined by the code.
From these overseers in each village the constable was to
select the jurors for the Court of Sessions or Assize.
The overseers were to be " men of good fame and life,
chosen by the plurality of voices of the freeholders ";
four remained in office two years successively, and four
were changed for new ones every year ; the constables
" to be chosen out of that number which are dismist
from their office of overseers," in the preceding years.
The overseers were the assessors of the town ; and,
with the constable, made regulations in all matters
which concerned the order and government of the town.
They were authorized, together with the constable, to
hold town-courts, for the trial of causes under £5. On
the death of any person, the constable and two overseers
acted as coroners and surrogates, if any will was found.
If no will was found, the constable, in the presence of
the overseers, was, within forty-eight hours, to search
after the estate of the deceased, and deliver an account
of the same, in writing, under oath, to the next justice
of the peace. The constable and Board of Overseers
were required annually to appoint two of the overseers
to make the rate, for building and repairing the church,
for the maintenance of the minister, and for the sup-
port of the poor. They were to establish the bounds
of the town, regulate fences, and, with the constable,
appoint an officer to "record every man's particular
marke, and see each man's horse and colt branded."
The overseers filled vacancies in their number occurring
by death, and any person, so chosen by his fellow
townsmen, was obliged to serve, or pay a fine of
£10. We find an entry upon the records that
" Theodoras Polhemus, for refusing to stand constable
for Flatbush, although legally elected, was by the
court fined five pounds to the public." The constable
and two overseers were to pay the value of an Indian
coat for each wolf killed, and to cause the wolf's head
to be " nayled over the door of the constable, their to
remaine, as also to cut of both the eares, in token that
the head is bought and paid for."
Overseers of Flatbush. — 1675, Simon Hansen,
John Roloffsen ; 1676, Arian Ryers, Garret Sneger
[Snediker]; 1679, Joseph Hegeman, Derick Jansen
Van Vleet ; 1680, Barent [Barthold ?] Claas, Cornelius
Berrian, Joseph Hegeman ; 1681, Cornelius Berrian,
Reynier Aertsen, Barthold Claas, Jan Remsen ; 1682,
Reynier Aertsen, Jan Jansen, Jan Remsen, Adrian
Ryersen ; 1683, Jan Aertsen, Aris Janse [Vander Bilt],
^m
MISTOR T OF KINGS GO UNTY.
f
'or Jan, son of Aert from the " Bilt," or hill ; Jan Jan-
sen, Jan Auokes [or Ouke — Van Nuys.J
^r
" This is the Mark of Jan Aertsen Van der Byldt— f rom the Bilt," or Hill, in Friesland, the
ancestor of the Vanderbilts of Kings County.
at iCcn^ ^-i^yS^-i^ .
'/J'
Facsimile of Signature of Aucke Jansen Van Nuyse.
Among the other regulations made by this conven-
tion, which did not disdain to care for all the minutise
of legislation, was an order directing what flesh-brands
were to be used for marking the horses and cattle
of the several towns, the letters beginning alphabet-
ically from the east end of the island ; thus, East-
hampton's brand-letter was A, and that of Flatbush, in
order, was O.
Herewith we give a few extracts from the town
records of this period (translated by Teunis G. Bee-
gen), showing the character of the legislation under
the Schout and Scheppens.
Sunday Laws. — Under date October 5, 1659, we
find the following :
Schout J
vs. !■ Scheppens Court.
Jan Klabsbn, )
Schout complained against the defendant for carting in
buckwheat with his wagon and oxen on Sunday, contrary
to the placards. Condemned to pay costs.
The " placards " probably refer to the proclamation
upon the subject of Sabbath-breaking and drunkenness,
issued with so much zeal by Governor Stuyvesant,
shortly after his appointment of Governor, in 1645.
Schout 1
vs. [■ Scheppens Court.
Jau Coenelisee. )
"Schout complained against the defendant for shooting 2
wild turkeys and a duck, on Sunday, and claimed a verdict
of 35G1., the penalty provided. Sentence suspended, its
being his first oflEence.''
A later entry shows that they were especially careful
of the general interests of the town ; and also treated
all, both rich and poor, " of whatsoever quality he may
be," alike.
" September 15, 1662.— Scheppens Court." By Schout and
Scheppenen taken in consideration, the complaint come to
them that the residents of this town receive damage by the
cattle of their neighbors running at large without a herder :
So it is that the Schout and Scheppenen to remedy this, or-
dain by this, that any person of whatsoever quality he may
be, no cattle on the land may let run without a herder,
on the penalty of each beast to be pounded."
About the same date we find further action in regard
to this matter :
"September 15, 1662. — Schout and Scheppenen. That in
violation of the regulation, great damage is done, so is it
that the Schout and Scheppenen, for the same to remedy
ordain, that all of the residents a proper swing-gate 5 feet
high, which shall open and shut, shall make to their premises
before next Christmas, under penalty of 12£, and on leaving
a gate open to be liable to a penalty of 6£."
Another entry shows, to some extent, the jurisdic-
tion of these oificers in ecclesiastical matters :
"February 2, 1663. — Schout and Scheppenen of Court of
Midtwout, on request of Jan Sueberingh and Jan Stryober
to the Director General and Council in pursuance of an
ordinance, appoint a double number of persons for service,
as church masters of Midtwout, and further they, the said
Court of Midtwout, for nomination of a double munber of
the following underwritten names :
Jan Strycker, WUlem Jacobse Van Boerum, Jan Snediker,
Jan Sueberingh.
We wait, &c., for the favorable decision from the Director
General on the part of the Court of Midtwout.
Jan Stetckee, 1
WiLLEM Jacobse Van Boerum, V Scheppenen.
Hetndeick Jooebssen, )
Adeiaen Hegeman,
Schout."
As already stated, by the " Duke's Laws " for town
government, certain courts were established as a part
of the system. There were three of these, viz.: the
Town Court, Court of Sessions, and Court of Assize,
the latter being held annually in the city of Niew
Amsterdam. There is some difference of opinion
among authorities in reference to the location of the
Court of Sessions. The earliest records of this Court,
in the County Clerk's oflice, are dated at Gravesend,
1668-1669. It is possible that, between 1665 and this
earliest record, the court which was established imme-
diately after the Convention of Hempstead, may have
held its sessions, in 1665, at Flatbush ; and its records
may have been kept as the records of the original
County Court.
Original Seat of Justice. — There is very little
doubt but that the original seat of justice for the
county under the Dutch governors was at Flatbush;
and that it continued here until after the surrender to
the English, and the permanent establishment of the
Court of Sessions at Gravesend, either in 1665 or 1668.
Rev. Dr. Strong, who gathered many valuable facts in
his History of Flatbush from the aged members of his
congregation, who were the immediate descendants of
the first settlers; upon their authority states positively,
that "Flatbush in 1658 was the seat of justice for
the county, and a market-town. At that time the pub-
lic officers of the county, the Minister, Schout, Secretary
or Clerk, as well as the public School-master, resided
here. The courts were held here, and the general
business of this section of Long Island was transacted
here."
One evidence that this original court, whatever may
GOMMISSIOJSTERS—S TIPER VISOHS— TO WJV- CLERKS.
223
have been its name, Tvas not held at Gravesend, is
found in the fact that, when, in after years, the Court
of Sessions was held there, and a court-house built, the
inhabitants of the county, after a few years, petitioned
to have the county-seat changed back to Flatbush,
" because of the inconvenience of getting to Graves-
end, the town being at the southern boundary of the
county." If it had been held there originally, this
difficulty would no doubt have presented itself before;
and this experience of the people would have been an
objection to the establishment again of the County-
Court at Gi'avesendin 1668.
No doubt the true solution is this, that, after the
change of government made by Governor Stuyvesant,
in 1654, whereby the Dutch villages were granted
greater municipal privileges, a certain form of court
for the administration of justice was established.
During the time that David Provoost acted as Schout,
this court may have been held at Breuckelen, where
he resided. When Pieter Tonneman was appointed, it
is likely the court was held at Flatbush, where Tonne-
man owned lots and probably resided. It is certain,
however, that after Adrian Hegeman became Schout,
the court was held at Flatbush ; for he resided here,
and the records of the court (dated 1660), in the Town-
clerk's office, are signed by him. It is evident that
these court-records were not merely records of a town ;
but of a district-court; for one of the earliest minutes
relates to the transfer or conveyance of property at
Gouwannes.
As translated by Mr. Teunis G. Bbegen, it was as
follows: "Aug. 26, 1659. Appeared before me Adrian
Hegeman, Secretary of Midwout and Amersfort, Dirok
Janse (cooper) of the first part, and Pieter Pradt of
the other; Derek Janse (cooper) sold to Pieter Pradt a
certain Bouwery lying at Gowanes," etc.
since then Brooklyn has been the County Town. (For
history and description of the three county court-houses,
supplied by the author of this history, see Chapter ■
on The Bench and Bar of Kings County.)
The " Duke's Laws " continued to be those by which
the town was governed, until October, 1683, when the
first Colonial Legislature, convened by order of Gov.
Dongan, and consisting of the Governor, Council and
seventeen members, assembled in the city of New York.
At this convention several important changes were
made in relation to the government of the towns. The
most objectionable features of the Duke's Laws were
repealed. The " ridings " upon Long Island and Staten
Island were changed to counties ; and, instead of a court
for certain ridings, each county, from this time, had its
own court.
Office of Overseers changed to Commissioners.
— This Assembly, also, made an important change in
the town-government by the appointment of "Commis-
sioners,'' in the place of overseers, as town-officers.
The following list of these officers, for the town of
Flatbush, is given in Dr. Stbong's Hist, of Flatbush,
as follows: 1684, Adrian Ryersen, Cornelius Baronsen
and John Auky; 1685, Stoffle Probasco and Joseph
Hegeman; 1686, Arian Ryers and Pieter Stryker; 1687,
Aris Janse and Stoffle Probasco; 1688, Pieter Stryker
and Cornelius Bardulph.
Supervisors Appointed. — The office of Commis-
sioner was continued until the first Tuesday in April,
1703, when Supervisors were elected in the several
towns of Kings county. Although the supervisors were
elected in April, 1703, yet the first meeting of the board
was not held until the first Tuesday in October, 1703.
The earliest record, however, of their meetings, that
can be found, bears date of the first Tuesday in Octo-
ber, 1714 ; and was held at the court-house in Flatbush
Facsimile of Dirclr Janse's mark— a cooper'3 adze.
The first court-house for the county was erected at
Gravesend in 1668, when the Court of Sessions was
transferred to that village by order of the Hempstead
Convention. For eighteen years this court sat at
Gravesend. In accordance with an act passed at the
second Colonial Assembly, held on Nov. 7, 1685, under
Governor Dongan's admmistration, the Court of Ses-
sions was moved to Flatbush. The cause for this, as
stated in the preamble of the act, being the inconven-
ience to which the inhabitants of the county were sub-
jected, in traveling as far as Gravesend. The edifice
at this time erected (1686), served the county until 1768,
when a new one was erected, which was superseded by
a larger building in 1793. In 1832, it was burned, and
{Dr. Strong'' s History, p. 61). At this meeting the
board chose Samuel Garretson, of Gravesend, as their
clerk, and John Vanderbilt, of Flatbush, as treasurer
of the county. At that time the ordinary and contin-
gent expenses of the county (including the per diem
compensation of the two members of the Colonial As-
sembly for their attendance during the year 1703)
amounted to only £17. Os. 6d., or$l77.56. This sum was
apportioned among the several towns ; Flatbush being
assessed for £15. Is. 6d. of the amount.
List of Supervisors. — The list of supervisors in
the town of Flatbush is as follows (serving from April
to April): Aris Vanderbilt, l703-'05; Daniel Polhemus,
1705-06; Jacob Hendrick Ryck, l706-'07; Aris Jansen
224
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Vanderbilt, 1707-08; Jan Vanderveer, 1708-'10; Ben-
jamin Hegeman. 1710-'ll; Ryck Hendricks, I7ll-'12;
Jan Comelise, 1712-'13; Jacob Hendrickson, 1713-'14;
Ryck Hendrickson, 1714-'15; John Vanderveer, 1715-
'16; Daniel Remse, 171 6-'l 7; Jacob Suydam, 171 7-'18;
Dominicus Vanderveer, 1718-'19; Lieut. Philip Nagle,
1719-20; Cornelius Cornell, 1720-21; Abraham Lott,
1721-22; Ryck Hendrickson, 1722-23; John Vander-
veer, 1723-24; Cornelius Cornell, 1724-26; Peter
LeffertB, 1726-27; Johannes Ditmarse, 1727-28; Ryck
Suydam, 1728-'41; John Van Kerk, 1741-'43; Peter
Stryker, 1743-44; John Van Kerk, 1744-'49; Domin-
icus Vanderveer, 1749-51; Johannes Lott, jr., l751-'59;
Jeremias Vanderbilt, 1759-63 Johannes Lott, jr., 1763-
'82; Philip Nagle, l782-'87; Johannes J. Lott, 1787-
1804; John C. Vanderveer, 1804-'32; John Wyokoff,
1832 to February, '37; Isaac Cortelyou, February, 1837,
to February '39; Jacob Rapelje, February, 1839, to
April, '41; (April to April again); Isaac Cortelyou,
1841-44; Jacob Rapalje, 1844-'45; Philip S. Crooke,
1845-51; James V. Sehoonmaker, 1851-'58; Philip S.
Crooke, 1858-'70; Jacob V. B. Martense, 1870-74;
Peter S. Williamson, 1874-'82.
Town-Clerks. — The following is a list of the Town-
CTerfc of the town from 1659 to 1881: Adrian Hege-
man, 1659-71; Jacob Joosten, 1671-73; Francays De
Bruynne, 1673-74; Michael Hainelle, 1674-75; Jan
J^^ J 3'^074^1Sk^^fi.^^^ fS9
Facsimile of Signature of Michael Hainelle, Town Clerk.
Gerrit VanMarckje, 1675-80; Derick Storm, 1680-83;
Johannes Van Eklen, 1683-1700; Johannes Sohenck,
1700-'11; Abraham Lott, 17 11-' 16; Jan Gaucell, 1716-
'19; Adrian Hegeman, 1719-'41; Jores Remsen, 1741-
'54 ;J eremias Vanderbilt, 1754-'62; Petrus Van Steen-
bergh, l762-'73; John LefEerts, 1773-'76; Philip Nagle,
1776-'92; John Van Der Bilt, l792-'94; John C. Van-
derveer, 1796-1804; Garret Stryker, 1804-'10; Abraham
Vanderveer, 1810-'16; Garret Stryker, 1816-' 19; Adrian
Hegeman, 1819-'23; William Ellsworth, 1823-27; Wil-
liam Hegeman, 1827-28; John A. Lott, 1828-'44; John
Vanderbilt, 1844-'45; James V. B. Wyckoff, 1845-'49;
Gilliam Schenck, 1849-52; John L. Lefferts, 1852-'57;
John T. Rhodes, 1857-65; John Erskine Howard, 1865
-'70; Lefferts Vanderbilt, 1870-'72; Gilbert Hicks, 1872
-'79; Henry Vernon Vanderveer, 1879-84.
Justices of the Peace.— First appointed at the
Convention of Hempstead in 1 665. The earliest records,
until 1819, are in Dutch. In the first English records
the election of Justice of Peace is not accurately noted
until 1835. The Town Clerk seems to have held the
office of Justice of Peace and Town Clerk, as the first
English records up to 1835 are signed by him with his
title as Town Clerk and also with " Justice of Peace "
affixed to his name.
The list is as follows : John I. Ditmas, 1819-21;
Adrian Hegeman, 1821-23; Wm. Hegeman, 1823-28;
John A. Lott, 1828-29; David Johnson, 1829-'35.
First Justices elected at Town Election : Jacob Rapal-
yea, 1830-33; Simon Rapalyea, 1830-33; Ferdinand
Wyckoff, 1833-'35; John R. Snediker, 1833-'86; John
A. Lott, 1833-36; Isaac Cortelyou, 1836-38; Stephen
P. Stoothof, 1836-'40; Abraham Snediker, 1838-'40;
David Johnson, 1838-42; John Vanderveer', 1840-'41;
Garret Vanderveer, 1840-41; John Vanderbilt, 1840-
'41; James V. B. Wyckoff, 1841-'42; Michael Sehoon-
maker, 1841-'42; James Birdsall, 1842-'43; John C.
Lott, 1842-'43; Abraham Van Wyck, 1842-'43; Abra-
ham Snediker, 1842; John Vanderbilt, 1842; James
Birdsall, 1842; Abraham S. Eldert, 1844; Abraham
Snediker, 1844; Jacob H. Sackman, 1844; Gerrit Mar-
tense, 1845-1848; John Cortelyou, 1845-1847; Edwin
M. Strong, 1845; Cornelius Duryea, 1845; Englebert
Lott, 1846; John Lefferts, 1848; Jonathan U. Forbell,
1849-1852; John V. Martense, 1850; Englebert Lott,
1850-'53; William H. Suydam, 1851; Alonzo G. Ham-
mond, 1852-1860; Philip S. Crooke, 1852; John Hess,
1858; John V. Martense, 1853; Isaac Denyse, 1854;
Leffert R. Cornell, 1855; Francis L. Dallon, 1856-'60;
John Hess, 1856; John Oakey, 1857-61; Henry Suy-
dam, 1858-'61; Jeremiah L. Zabriskie, 1860-62; Abra-
ham Lott, 1861-62; Francis L. Dallon, 1862-'64; George
W. Close, 1863-'67; N. Lansing Zabriskie, 1863-'66 ;
John H. Bergen, 1864-'70; Richard S. Bacon, 1864-'66;
Richard L. Sehoonmaker, 1865-66; James Sutherland,
1866-'70: W. Ward Watkins, 1866-'69; John L. Ber-
gen, 1866-67; Rem R. Hegeman, 1867-71; Henry
Ditmas, Jr., 1867-'69; D.N. Comiskey, 1868-'70; Free-
man Clarkson, 1869-'74; E. B. H. Steers, 1870; Alex-
ander Gillespie, 1870; Peter Pigott, 1871; Frank
Crooke, 1872; Andrew McKibbon, 1873; Freeman
Clarkson, 1873; E. B. H. Steers, 1874: James Hardie,
1875; Peter Pigott, 1875; Wm. B. Green, 1876; Wm.
McMahon, 1877; Thomas Chadwick, 1878; Peter
Pigott, 1879; Christian P. Wulff, 1870-'81; Thomas
H. Glass, 1880; Wm. McMahon, 1881.
Constable. — This office, in former days, was one of
considerable importance, and its duties required respon-
sible men. For over a century the office was held by
some of the most prominent citizens of the town. The
office of village constable was created by the Hemp-
stead Convention in 1665. The names of the earlier
constables cannot be found. Jacob Stryker is the first
mentioned constable, serving from 1669 to 1670. The
list of his successors is long; and since, m modern times,
the office has become of very much less importance
DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS
226
,^ ^4aj^./^<^^-
Facsimile of Jacob Stryker's Autograph.
than formerly, it is hardly necessary to give the names
of its incumbents, especially as they are to be found in
Dr. Strong's History of Flathush, published in 1842.
Treasurers of County. — From 1714 to 1840, a
period of one hundred and twenty-six years, the Treas-
urer of the county was, with one exception, a resident
of Flatbush.
For these, as well as those who have served the
county as clerks of the Board of Supervisors, and as
judges of the County courts,- as members of the Colonial
Assembly and of the State legislature, see the chapter
on " Bench and Bar of Kings County."
Distinguished Citizens. — Many of the inhabitants
of Flatbush have been called upon, from time to time,
to fill representative positions of responsibility and
trust in the County, State and JSTational Governments.
According to Bergen's Early Settlers of Kings
county, Gerardus Willemse Beekman, of Flatbush, was
also chosen as a member of the Colonial council, and
its President. He was also acting-governor in 1709-
1710, and Colonel of Militia, as well as Justice of
Peace for Flatbush in 1685. He will be more particu-
larly mentioned in our Chapter on the Medicine and
the Medical Profession in Kings County.
Dr. Strong states " that among the delegates from
the county of Kings who met in the city of New York,
in convention April 10, 1775, for the purpose of choos-
ing delegates to the first Continental Congress, was
John Vandbrbilt; who, from his being subsequently a
member of the Senate of the State was called " Senator
John," to distinguish him from Judge John Vander-
bilt. Among the delegates chosen by that convention
to represent the county in that Congress, were no less
than three from this village, viz. : Johannes Lott, John
Lefferts, and John Vanderbilt. These delegates con-
vened at New York on 22 of May, 1776; and continued
to meet at different places, from time to time, till the
adoption of the Constitution of the State in April,
1777.
John Leffeets, of this village, was also a mem-
ber of the Provincial Congress, from this county,
which met on the 30th day of June, 1776. His son,
Peter Lefferts, of Flatbush, was one of two dele-
gates from this county to the convention which met at
Poughkeepsie on 27th day of June, 1778, to adopt the
Constitution of the United States. He was afterward
a member of the Senate of the State, in which he ap-
peared in a suit made entirely of homespun cloth, of so
fine a texture and finish that it attracted special notice.
His son, John Lefferts, of Flatbush, was at one time
a member of Congress from this district; and also a
delegate to the convention of 1821, which met for the
amending of the Constitution of the State.
It is probable that no man in the county has been
better known for his uprightness, honesty and talent, or
has received higher honors at the hands of his party and
the people, or rendered greater benefits to the village of
Flatbush, and better protected the interests of the
county towns, than the Hon. John A. Lott, whose full
biography will be found in the chapter on the Bench and
Bar of Kings county ; as will, also, that of his talented
law-partner, the late Judge John Vanderbilt. The
Hon. John Oakby's biography will also be found in
the same chapter. He is a native of Brooklyn, but
removing in boyhood to Flatbush, his whole active life
has been prominently identified with the welfare of
Flatbush.
On a comparison of these various lists the singular
fact is noticeable, that while the inhabitants of Flat-
bush were so frequently called upon to take such an
active part in the county and State government, from
the original settlement until 1842, comparatively few
of them have held such positions since that time. A
reason for this may be found in the fact that Flat-
bush, until 1832, a period of nearly two hundred years,
was the county town. As a consequence the inhabi-
tants were brought into a more immediate contact
with the political interests of the county and State,
than they were after the county seat was moved to
Brooklyn.
Flatbush During the Revolution.— As hereto-
fore stated (page 32), the people of Kings county
entered upon the revolutionary struggle with much
reluctance. Stimulated by the proximity of the tur-
bulent population of New York city, as well as by the
contagious excitement of current events, they " equally,
with the other colonists, resisted the encroachments
and taxation of their foreign rulers ; they also, at first,
had their meetings and expressed their sympathy with
the general uprising. On April 5, 1776, a meeting was
held at Flatbush, at which deputies were appointed for
choosing delegates to the Continental Congress, to be
held at Philadelphia in May, from Flatbush. David
Clarkson, Adrian Voorhees, Jacobus Vandeventbr
and John Vanderbilt were appointed ; and May 20,
the magistrates and freeholders met in Brooklyn to co-
operate with the freeholders of the City and County
of New York, and other meetings for a similar purpose
were afterward held." [Field.)
The news of the battle of Lexington (received in
New York April 23d, the very day when the Provincial
Convention had dissolved), led to a call by the citizens
for the assembly of a Provincial Congress on the 24th
of May. It was in compliance with this request that a
meeting of town delegates was held at Flatbush, May
22d. But, even then, prudence had taken the place of
valor, and Flatbush, through her delegate, Nicholas
226
SI8T0R T OF KIN-QS 00 UJSTTY.
Cowenhoven, declined any complicity in the proceed-
ings of the Convention; and, at the same time, expressed
the intention of remaining neutral in the approaching
struggle. Nicholas Cowenhoven and Johannes E. Lott
were the delegates chosen to represent Flatbush.
In June, I'ZYe, we find some of the royalists of Flat-
bush engaged in a wide-spread plot to seize the person
of Gen. Washington; and, in the confusion ensuing, to
rise and overawe the whigs. Me. T. W. Field mentions
that :
" David Mathews, the mayor of New York, resided for a
portion of the year at his country-seat in Flatbush ; and,
although by his great adroitness and caution, he managed
to avoid such complicity with the plot as could be proven,
he was undoubtedly the lieutenant of the chief conspirator,
Grov. Tryon. Neajr him, in the village of Flatbush, lived
WilUam Axtel, a loyalist gentleman of wealth and influence,
afterwards Colonel of the British provincial militia. The
plot undoubtedly had its inception on board the British ship-
of-war Asia ; was matured at Flatbush, the residence of
Mayor Mathews, and relied for its principal sustainers and
adherents upon the loyalists of Long Island. Of the ninety-
eight persons who were ultimately charged with compUcity
in this plot, fifty-six were residents of Bangs and Queens
counties. The nightly return of Mathews to his residence,
not more than four or five miles from the landing-place of
boats from the Asia, and his daily return to the city, made
him the fittest organ of communication between the Gov-
ernor and the loyalists. The conspiracy failed to accomplish
anything, except to increase the rigor of surveillance over
the Long Island loyalists, who felt its influence for many
months subsequently."
The Skirmishes of Flatbush. — This village had
a distinct share in the movements and events which
culminated, on the 27th of August, 17 "76, in what is
known as the Battle of Long Island — more properly
the Battle of Brooklyn. As will be seen by reference
to the account of the Battle of Long Island (Chapter
VI. of the General History of Kings County, in this
volume), Flatbush lay in the track of one of the
British columns of attack, and was the scene of some
of the preliminary fighting of that eventful action.
When the British army landed at Denyse's ferry, on the
morning of the 22d, a heavy column, under Lord Corn-
wallis, pushed forward to Flatbush. " A small redoubt
had been constructed by the Americans, near the
western boundary of the village, and here occurred the
first collision between the British and the American
forces on our island." Cornwallis' vanguard, under
the Hessian Colonel, Donop, reached Flatbush in the
evening. We quote from T. W. Field's History of
the Battle of Long Island, Vol. II. of the Memoirs of
the Long Island Historical Society :
"Three hundred American riflemen, who had occupied
the village, abandoned it as soon as the Hessian battery of
six guns had taken position and opened fire. The possession
of this slumbrous little Dutch village by the Hessians was
not, however, destined to be maintained without a struggle.
The awe inspired by the imposing array of the German
troops had worn away in the cool night, and early on the
jnoming of the 23d the slumbers of the heavy-eyed Hessjans
were broken by a dash upon their right wing, resting near
the west end of the village. On the thickly wooded hills
near Flatbush, Colonel Hand was in command of the whole
Pennsylvania battalion of riflemen, consisting of 553 ofiBcers
and privates. Believing that the familiarity acquired by
combat with the formidable strangers would dissipate the
increasing dread with which they were regarded. Col. Hand
ordered an assault upon their lines. The attack was spirited
though feebly maintained, as the Americans retired to the
woods as soon as a field-piece was brought to bear upon
them."
Emboldened, however, by their success, the Ameri-
cans, on the afternoon of the same day (23d), made
another assault on Donop's left wing, encamped a short
distance west of the Brooklyn and New Utrecht road.
So impetuous was this attack, that * * * *
"that portion of the Hessian corps was driven back upon
the main body, then lying south of the Dutch Church, and
the whole detachment was held at bay for more than one
hour. The fire of the American rifiemen was so galling that
the Hessians were compelled to improvise redoubts, from
the houses of Adrian Hegeman and Lefferts Martense, for
the purpose of repelling their attack. In these buildings
they cut holes, wherever these afforded them position for
firing upon the American sharp-shooters. At length the
cannon, from which the Hessian gunners had doubtless been
driven by our riflemen, were brought into position, and
opened their fire upon the assaulting party. At this time
the houses of Jeremiah Vanderbilt, LefEert Lefferts, and
Evert Hegeman were in flames, and added, by their confla-
gration, the horrors which war had brought upon this quiet
village. Although it has been a popular habit to charge this
incendiai-ism upon the Hessian invaders, it is yet certain
that these dwellings were fired by the Americans, to prevent
their occupation as defensive positions by the enemy."
" On the 35th the Americans determined to meet the Hes-
sian artillery with the same arms ; and, accordingly, a strong
body of riflemen, accompanied by several guns, pushed for-
ward beyond the edge of the woods, and opened fire with
round and grape-shot, upon the devoted village, behind
whose walls the enemy sought shelter from the rebel sharp-
shooters. The attack was well maintained for a time, but
was at length repulsed by the greater weight and steadiness
of the Hessian artillery,"
The poor Germans, however, were much harassed
and disgusted by this, to them, novel and irritating
method of warfare; and Cornwallis was finally obliged
to relieve them from picket and guard duty, so that
they might be enabled to procure a little rest.
" The inconsiderate Americans, however, beat up their
camp again at 3 o'clock on the morning of the 36th, and they
were once more hurried to the front to assist in repelling
these midnight prowlers. This was the fifth considerable
skirmish, in three days, which those uneasy Yankees had
compelled the slow-moving Germans to repel, and their per-
tinacity was becoming unendurable. During the afternoon
of the 26th a stronger force than had yet been engaged was
pushed forward upon the Hessian lines ; and this time with
such threatening demonstrations that Lord Cornwallis, whose
instructions were imperative not to press the rebels from
their position, immediately ordered Col. Donop to retire.
The brave, though cruel, Hessian, begged hard to be per-
mitted to remain and intrench himself, but was compelled
to retire to the main body, which w?is t^ too powgrfvil for
THE BRITISH OCCUPATION OF THE TO WW, 1776-1783.
227
the light assaulting column of the Americans to make any
impression upon it."
Late in the evening of that day, the whole British
force was in motion, in the decisive movement which
precipitated the battle of the 27th.
The British Occupation of the Town, 1776-
1783. — Flatbush, of course, suffered its full share of the
lawlessness and oppression to which Long Island was
subjected during the seven years occupation of the
British forces. Mrs. G. L. Yandekbilt, in her very
interesting Social History of Flatbush, thus speaks of
its unhappy condition after the battle of the 27th Au-
gust, 1776, which placed the whole county at the mercy
of the British :
"It is almost impossible to realize the picture of devasta-
tion this village presented at that period. The cattle belong-
ing to the farmers had been driven, by command of the
American officers, into Queens and Suffolk Counties, to pre-
vent their falling into the possession of the invaders, and the
grain, the produce of the year, was stacked in the fields and
burned, for the same reason. The houses of those in the
northern section of the town were burned. In the line of
march of the British, and over the district of hiUs and woods
which embraced or bounded the area of the battle-ground,
were strewn the bodies of the dead who had fallen either in
battle, or in irregular fighting in the hills and hollows, for
there was no quarter given by the Hessians. It is probable
that some of these were never buried, for bones were fre-
quently found long after the engagement, and the supersti-
tious avoided a locality said to be haunted. During that
dreadful August many of the inhabitants fled from their
homes, which were taken possession of by lawless adventur-
ers. The sick and wounded were placed in the church, and
the want of attention to their sufferings caused the whole air
to be infected. In the Autumn a camp-fever became epi-
demic, and proved very fatal. The grass grew in the streets,
all business was at an end ; the wet Autumn which succeeded
a hot Summer added to the filth of the encampment, and the
want of many of the common comforts of life caused almost
constant illness, even among those who escaped the fever.
Amid all their sickness and poverty they were constantly
harrassed by petty exactions from which there was no ap-
peal ; their fences and even their farming utensils were used
for firewood ; their horses were taken from before the plow ;
their cattle were driven away or butchered ; their fowls were
stolen ; and frequently small parties of soldiers on the march
took temporary possession of their homes, driving out the
owners if the room was needed. As a sort of practical joke
the feather-beds were sometimes emptied into the wells. The
dark cherry-wood cupboards were dismantled, and from the
shelves the horses of the cavalry-officers were fed. It was
useless to seek redress, none could be had. To make the
scanty supply still more inadequate, the whole town was
filled with soldiers. Some of these were of the roughest
class. These were billeted upon the people without their
consent, and often in opposition to their express wishes. For
a regiment of "Waldeckers no compensation was ever given.
Even where Congress promised two dollars per week, there
were very little prospect at that time that it would be paid ;
and the Continental money, which was a legal tender, was
much depreciated. There was no safety from thieves either
day or night, but the loss of property was small compared to
the danger of life, and the constant feeling of personal
security. A band of men of notoriously bad character con-
stituted a company under the name of the ' Nassau Blues,'
and were in possession of the Court House. They not only
helped themselves freely to the property of the inhabitants,
of whom they were called the ' Guards,' but they were the
terror of respectable people."
In connection with this subject the reader is referred
to pages 100 and 101; as well as to Chapter VI, of our
General History of Long Island.
In the appendix to Mrs. Vandeebilt's book, is an
exceedingly vivid sketch of " Home Life During the
War of the Revolution," taken from the lips of an old
lady of Flatbush, who was in her sixteenth year at the
time of the Battle of Long Island.
Old Mills. — In former days two large windmills
formed a conspicuous feature in the village landscape.
One of these stood east of the main road and south of
the road to New Lots, formerly called Cow Lane, now
East Broadway, — or near the northeast corner of present
Erasmus street and Nostrand avenue. It was of very
peculiar construction ; built by a Mr. Molineaux, of
Westbury, L. I., in 1820, and owned by Rich. Willis,
of New York city. It was circular in form, about 60
feet in diameter, and about 25 feet high to the eaves,
surmounted with a conical roof, from the top of which
issued the shaft, rising some 25 feet above the roof.
To this shaft were attached an upper and lower set of
arms, extending at right angles to the shaft, for a dis-
tance of 20 feet. Between these upper and lower arms,
at their extremities, a series (16 or 18) of perpendicular
fans, or movable wings, were attached, which could be
so adjusted, at any angle, as to take the wind from any
direction. It turned one " run " of stones only, and
was more lately known as " Lloyd's Mill. It is sup-
posed to have been the only mill of this peculiar
construction upon the Island, and was taken down
January, 1868. Another old mill stood upon Mr.
John C. Vanderveer's farm, in the southern section of
the village, and was always called " Vanderveer's Mill."
This is said to have been the first windmill erected upon
Long Island. The Rural Gazette, March 4, 1879,
states that it was completed in 1804 by John C. Van-
derveer. It was of immense strength, the main timbers
being twenty-eight feet high and two and a half feet
thick. It was four stories high, with a stone founda-
tion of about three feet. The arms and sails, similar
in construction to the Holland mills, were twenty-six
feet long. There were three sets or " run " of stones.
The sails were first blown off in the famous September
gale of 1821. About ten years after the sails were
blown off again, after which they were not repaired.
During the drafting riots" of 1863 it was a refuge
for the colored people, who were threatened by the
Irish. It was destroyed by fire on the night of the
30th of April, 1879.
Old Houses. — These have nearly all passed away,
one by one. The only one still standing is that owned
by the heirs of John C. Bergen. In Mrs. Gertrude
228
MISTORT OF KINOS COUNTY.
Lefferts Vanderbilt's delightful book, Social History of
Flatbush, and Dr. P. L. Schenok's interesting Zabriskie
Homestead, will be found reminiscences of these ancient
dwellings, which our limited space will not allow us to
drt^ell upon. The old "Robinson House," alias "Mel-
rose Hall," which is soon to be demolished, deserves
more than a passing notice.
Melrose Hall. — There are few towns in this State
possessing more of historic interest than Flatbush ; and,
certainly, no single dwelling in this lovely village has
witnessed more of
tragic or romantic
incident than has
Melrose Hall. Its
erection ante-dates,
by many years, the
American Revolu-
tion ; it possesses a
style of architec-
ture quite unknown
to the early Dutch
settlers ; and on a
plan grander and
more pretentious
than any of its co-
temporaries.
It is said to have
been built by an
Englishman by the
name of Lane, in
1749. It was adorn-
ed with gilded
drawing-rooms and
wide wainscoted-
halls ; surrounded
by ample grounds,
tastefully laid out
in flower-beds and
garden-plots, a 1 1
hid away behind
the far-stretching
lawn. Here its
proprietor, with his
numerous friends,
led a merry life,
not unfrequently
awakening the stiU
echoes of the night by their bacchanalian songs and
revels.
After Lane's death the property was purchased by
Col. William Axtell. Axtell -was a descendant of
Daniel Axtell, a Colonel in Cromwell's army, who was
beheaded by order of Charles II— he having been re-
fused the benefits of the act of " General pardons and
obligations," by Parliament.
William Axtell was born on the Island of Jamaica.
Here he owned large sugar plantations which were sold
MELROSE HALL, 1883.
in 1759, which is the probable date of his coming to
New York. Here he lived until 1768, when he sold
his house and lot in Wall street and came to Flatbush
to reside. He was a member of the King's Council • by
birth and education a loyalist ; and, from instinct as
well as choice, a Tory. Being a man of much influence
and considerable wealth, his new home became a fav-
orite rendezvous for all the Tory element in and about
the metropolis. Here many a secret conclave was held
and many a plan concocted, to thwart the designs of the
Rebels. Here the
beauty and fashion
of the day were
often hospitably
entertained, and
the spacious ball-
room resounded
with the dulcet
notes of the lute or
viol, while flying
feet kept even pace
with the swift-fly-
ing hours.
In 1778 Axtell
was commissioned,
by Sir William
Howe, to raise a
regiment of foot,
of which he was
Colonel. In 1783
the Colonel and
his officers were
presented by their
lady friends with a
handsome standard
of colors. This pre-
sentation tookplace
in front of his
house; his men and
officers forming in
a circle around the
flag, which they
saluted, taking a
solemn oath to sup-
port it forever.
Afterwards, a
sumptuous dinner
was served in the hall and grounds, and the event
closed with a brilliant ball, the like of which was
seldom seen in the infant colony.
In 1776, a few days before the Battle of Brook-
lyn, while Axtell was entertaining a party of British
ofiicers, an American gunner, stationed on the
wooded heights beyond, threw a shell into the house,
causing much damage, and great consternation to the
inmates. After the battle of Long Island, as is well
known, Flatbush remained in the hands of the British
OLD HOUSES— MELROSE SALL.
229
until the close of the war. During this period many-
American prisoners were paroled here ; among them
seyeral officers. The conduct of the Tories towards
them was so insolent and overbearing,, that one of the
Americans, Captain William Marriner, after his release,
resolved to be avenged. For this purpose he procured
a whale-boat and a picked crew, and set out from the
Jersey shore for Gravesend Bay, where he landed in
the evening, and proceeded without delay or molesta-
tion to Flatbush. Here he divided his men into four
parties and proceeded to the residences of Major Mon-
crief. Col. Sherbrook, Col. Mathews (then Mayor of
New York), and Col. Axtell. At a given signal, the
doors of the various houses were battered in, and Mon-
orief and Sherbrook captured; but, fortunately for
Mathews and Axtell, they escaped, having remained in
New York that night.
Even if Colonel Axtell had been at home, his capture
would have been no easy task, for the house abounds in
secret closets, and out-of-the-way nooks, where one
could easily hide. Indeed, much mystery surrounds
these secret rooms. By some, they were supposed to
have been constructed by order of Col. Axtell for such
emergencies as the above. By others, they are asso-
ciated with secrets of a more terrible nature, and have
been peopled with ghosts and hobgoblins. One thing
is certain, for no inconsiderable period of its history,
Melrose was looked upon suspiciously by its neighbors
as a place to be avoided after night-fall ; and children
were awed into subjection and silence by stories of
phantom sights and sounds, seen and heard in and
about the ancient place.
In consequence of Axtell's well-known Tory procli-
vities, his property was forfeited by an act of the legis-
lature, and sold by a Commission, on the 21st day of
October, 1784. The purchaser was Aquila Giles, an
American officer of some distinction, who had often
visited here in the early part of the war, but who was
subsequently forbidden the place. Among the then in-
mates of the house was Miss Shipton, said to have been
a niece of Mrs. Axtell, to whom Col. Giles was be-
trothed, and whom he afterwards married. Thus, by
the fortunes of war, master and guest changed places ;
and Col. Giles, and his wife Eliza, were the happy
possessors of Col. Axtell's estate until June 28, 1809,
when they conveyed the same to Bateman Lloyd.
Lloyd was a native of Salem, N. J., an officer in the
American army, and died here in 1815. Through his
heirs it finally passed into the possession of James
Mowatt, husband of the well-known actress, who resided
here from 1836 to 1841.
Mrs. Mowatt, in her auto-biography, speaks of her
life in Flatbush most enthusiastically. Of the house
she says there were dark and spacious vaults beneath
the kitchen, where it was said English prisoners had
been confined ; and a secret chamber above the great
ball-room, where it was affirmed a young girl had been
purposely starved to death, and whose ghost wandered,
at night, about the house.
Here she spent happy years, as she herself writes,
trundling hoops, skipping the rope, riding horseback,
and dressed in half Turkish costume, shooting birds on
the wing, much to the annoyance and disgust of her
staid Dutch neighbors. In 1844 Dr. John Robinson
purchased the property, and came here to reside with
his family. Dr. Robinson was a gentleman of the
olden school, and a graduate of Dublin University.
Though his practice was mostly in the city of New
York, he took a just pride in Melrose, and preserved
its trees and rare shrubs with scrupulous care. He re-
sided longer in Melrose Hall than any other person ;
and gave character, by his individuality, to the whole
place. He died in 1879, much regreted by those who
had the pleasure of an intimate acquaintance with him.
Since his death, Melrose Hall, and a part of the origi-
nal domain, have been purchased by his old friend and
neighbor. Dr. Homer L. Bartlett, who contemplates re-
moving the ancient mansion, and converting the lawn
and grounds into a beautiful park, where family resi-
dences can be built beneath the shadows of these ven-
erable and historic trees. Such is the logic of fate.
The cry of the whip-poor-will gives place to the prattle of
childhood ; and the shadows of ghosts are supplanted by
the spray and mist of the fountain of Melrose Park.
Town Pound. — On the south side of Cow Lane,
or East Broadway, about sixty feet east of Locust street,
in former days, was located the town pound. Its high
board-fence enclosed an area of about forty feet square,
extending almost half way across the street. Adjoin-
ing it was the colored people's burying-ground, extend-
ing west about 100 feet, to a pond, on the land now
occupied by the Public School and the building of the
Flatbush Engine Company. This pond, in early days,
probably extended to the middle of the line of the
street; this accounts for the angle in the street at this
point. When this property, then owned by the Re-
formed Church, was improved, and the street laid out
in 1865, these relics of the old town were removed. The
graves were opened and the remains removed to a new
burying-ground in another section of the Reformed
Church land, at the northeast corner of the cemetery of
the Holy Cross. Dr. Strong quotes a record of the
court, November 12, 1695, ordering a pound and a
good pair of stocks to be built immediately. It is prob-
able, therefore, that the pound had been located on this
site for one hundred and sixty or more years.
Stocks and Whipping Post, — The stocks were
erected in front of the old Court House, and were still
in existence in the early part of this century. Near by
was a whipping-post; and one of the town officers was
a publio-whipper, with an annual salary of £3. There
was also a public brew-house, located in the southern
part of the town, near Vernon avenue, on the property
now owned by the Brooklyn City Railroad Company.
230
HISTORY 01 KINGS COUNTY.
THE MODERN HISTORY OF FLATBUSH,
1830-1883.
POPULATION. — After obtaining the patent
from Governor Stuyvesant, in 1651, tiie settle-
ment appears to have increased in population
more rapidly than any of the other towns. This
may have arisen from its central position, and because it
early became the market town. As early as 1658 it
was the seat of justice for this section of Long Island,
and in 1654 the governor issued an order for building
the jfirst church for the " Five Dutch Towns," at Flat-
bush.
The first reference to the population is found in Vol.
II. of Colonial Documents, N. Y., where it is stated
that " all the men in the town to the number of sev-
enty-three took the oath of allegiance." "Breuckelen
and " dependencies " had at this time eighty-one men.
None of the other towns had over fifty naen.
The next mention of the population is in Vol. Ill of
Doc. Mist., in a census of the Kings county towns for
the year 1698. According to this, Flatbush contained
sixty-two men, seventy-two women, two hundred and
sixty-three children, eight apprentices, and seventy-one
slaves, making a total of four hundred and seventy-
six; Brooklyn at this time numbering five hundred and
nine. In 1840 the population was one thousand five
hundred and thirty-seven; in 1880 the population of
Flatbush (including the settlements of Parkville and
Windsor Terrace) numbered V,634. The first assess-
ment rolls give the valuation of the taxable property
of the town for 1675 as £5079 19. 0. ; 1676, as £4872
11. C; 1683, as £7757 10. 0. (while Breuckelen for the
same year had a valuation of £5793 10. 0.); Flatbush,
1820, $504,408.00; 1840, $1,100,555.00; 1880, Real-
estate, $4,005,550.00; Personal, $281,500.00. In the
census of 1755 Flatbush possessed the largest number of
slaves, there being 108 as against 67 in Brooklyn, and
thirty-five in Flatlands.
Changes in the Village.— The destruction of the
court-house by fire, in 1832, was the first of the many
and great changes which have taken place in the town
during the past fifty years. By this event, and the
removal of the courts to Brooklyn, the character of the
village was changed. No longer the county-seat, it
became the quiet country village; and, instead of
being considered the most important town in the county,
it was now distinguished from the other villages only
by its rural beauty, and the larger number of its inhab-
itants. One change has followed another in quick suc-
cession, so that the village has changed in a more rapid
and marked manner within the last forty years than
during the previous two hundred years. Dr. Strong
states that the first fences through the village were
made of stone, surmounted by earth and sod, upon
which were planted shoots of the primrose. These
were kept properly trimmed and gave a very neat and
pretty appearance to the village. But these fences were
destroyed at about the time of the Revolutionary war
the primrose-bushes all dying during a single season,
Gradually the common post-and-rail fence took the
place of the stone fences, making a very marked and
unpleasant change. After a ijumber of years these
were displaced by neat picket fences. About the year
1812, Lombardy poplars were planted in great numbers
on both sides of the main street; but, although they
gave the village a most picturesque appearance, were
illy adapted to this climate, and in a few years were
mostly destroyed and taken down. Until the year
1855 a large nunaber of weeping willow trees formed a
beautiful feature in the village scenery. There were
six or eight of these trees around the Reformed Church.
Historical Trees. — In addition to these, there have
been five remarkable linden trees in the village, whose
age goeth beyond the memory of the oldest inhabitant,
and which were probably relics of the primeval forest.
One of these grew upon the site now occupied by the
residence of John A. Lott. Dr. Strong states that, on one
occasion, the Court of the county held its session under
this tree. The second was upon the southeast corner of
Flatbush road and East Broadway, or Cow Lane, as it
was originally called. Another stood on the corner of
Grant street and Flatbush road, adjoining the yard of
the chapel of the Reformed Church. The fourth,
standing like a village sentinel, on the northwest corner
of the Main road and Church Lane, shading and pro-
tecting with its ancient arms the old homestead of the
Lloyd aud Zabriskie families, was destroyed by a gale
of wind in October, 1876. According to village tradi-
tion this tree has quite an historical notoriety. It is
said that during the war Washington and his officers
pitched their tents under its far-reaching branches; and
that the English officers placed their tents in the shade
of the same tree after the capture of the village. Tra-
dition also says that in early times, at stated intervals
during the summer, an itinerant Methodist preacher held
services under this tree. Dr. Strong states that during
the war of the Revolution Major David Lennox, as a
prisoner, was billeted upon Mr. Bateman Lloyd, who
then owned this house. While thus a prisoner he was
visited by his brothers, Robert and William, who en-
deavored to influence him to desert the American cause.
The interview took place under this tree. They used
every inducement, but although completely overcome
by the prospect of separation from his brothers, he
SIDEWALKS— B OAD WA YS—STA GES—STBEET GABS.
231
turned from them, and, amid his tears, exclaimed with
Roman firmness : " I will never forsake my country
in her need." Both house and tree disappeared from
sight at about the same time. The old house, more
than two hundred years old, was taken down in Novem-
ber, 1877, to make room for the new and elegant resi-
dence of Dr. John L. Zabriskie. The fifth tree still
stands in front of the residence of the late Gen. Philip
S. Crooke. The huge trunk, in its extreme age, is no
longer capable of sustaining the weight of its immense
branches ; and, several years before his death. Gen.
Crooke had riggers to fasten chains around the branches
in the upper part of the tree, and a strong iron band
around the trunk, so that it might still be preserved in
its beauty.
Sidewalks Regulated.— About the year 1827, the
first attempt was made to regulate the sidewalks of the
village, and bring them to a uniform appearance and
grade. The first to undertake this improvement was
Mr. Matthew Clarkson. The next improvement was
the placing a neat wooden, and often quite ornamental,
raUing in front of each dwelling, separating the side-
walk from the road. This railing, in later days, ex-
tended, on either side of the street, in an almost un-
broken line, from one end of the village to the other,
giving to the street a neat and beautiful appearance.
Sidewalks and Crossings Flagged. — In the year
1874, by a special Legislative act, the Commissioners
of Highways were authorized to flag the street side-
walks of the village upon application of a majority of
the property owners upon the street. A later act au-
thorized them to lay cross-walks at the intersection of
streets. On the west side of the main road, the walk
is paved from one end of the village to the other; and,
on the east side, from the city line to Vernon avenue.
Flatbush Main Road. — The road from Brooklyn
to the Flatbush Reformed Church was originally a
branch road, owned by the Brooklyn, Flatbush & Ja-
maica Turnpike Company. In 1855, Teunis J. Bergen,
Philip S. Crooke, John Leffierts, Jeromus I. Johnson,
and others, organized a company, with Teunis J. Bergen,
president, Philip S.Crooke, secretary ; and buying out the
interest of the Jamaica Company in the Flatbush sec-
tion of this road, they formed the Flatbush PlanJc-Boad
Company, and proceeded to lay down a plank-road
from Brooklyn to Flatlands. The road, as at present
constituted, was surveyed in 1855, by Teunis G. Ber-
gen. Right of way, with the privilege to charge toll
and lay planks on the section of the road south of the
Reformed Church in Flatbush, was obtained from the
Road Commissioners of the towns; as this portion of
the route belonged to the towns of Flatbush and Flat-
lands. After a number of years this road became
thoroughly worn out; and, about the year 1855-6, was
taken up, and a macadamized-road was built in its
place by the prisoners in the Kings County Peniten-
tiary, hired by the company. Such of the planks as
were available were used, at the suggestion of Teunis
J. Bergen, for village plank-walks, and for a time did
good service, but finally became warped, unsafe and
unpopular.
Old Stage Routes. — For more than one hundred
and fifty years the inhabitants had ridden to the city
over an " exceedingly stony road " in their common
farm-wagons, which were made in early days without
springs. About the year 1830 a line of stages was
established by Smith Birdsall. A stage left the village
in the morning for the city and returned at evening.
There was, at that time, no post-offiee here. Letters
intended for those resident here, were addressed to
Brooklyn and brought out to the village, for many
years, as a favor, by Mr. Cornelius Duryea, whose busi-
ness led him to the city daily. The first post-oflSce
was located here after Colonel James C. Church, of
Fort Hamilton, established his mail-coach route between
Fort Hamilton and Brooklyn. Mr. Michael Schoon-
maker was the first postmaster at Flatbush, serving
until about 1845, when his son, Richard L., was ap-
pointed. In 1865 Miss Phebe Case was appointed
serving until May, 1870, when Gilbert Hicks was ap-
pointed, and held the ofBce until 1882, when Henry
Paton became postmaster. Another line of stage-
coaches, owned by Conklin Carll, of Brooklyn, and
driven by the well-remembered "Billy Cutting," was
started between Gravesend. and Brooklyn; and these
two lines, in 1838-9, caused the withdrawal of Bird-
sail's line. In 1845, after the discontinuance of the
Fort Hamilton coaches, George Bennett, of New
Utrecht, established a line between Flatbush and the
city; and, in 1847, was succeeded by Thomas Jones,
whose omnibus left the village every hour during the
day. This line was bought, in 1849, by Garrett Stryker,
who sold, in 1852, to James Davis; and, in 1854, it was
sold again to Cornwell & Weeden, who ran a stage
every half hour during morning and evening hours,
and hourly at other times of the day. In 1858 Mr.
William Smith bought and ran the line until the intro-
duction of the street-cars, July, 1860.
Street Cars Introduced. — The next great change
which affected the rural character of the village was
the introduction of the street cars into the village.
Until the year 1857, Flatbush, although so near to
Brooklyn, had nevertheless preserved its strictly rural
character.
About 1848, Mr. Theodoras Polhemus, owner of
most of the land on the hill, together with Mr.
Churchill C. Cambrelling and others, initiated the
project of opening Flatbush avenue, from Fulton
avenue, Brooklyn, to the village of Flatbush. The line
of the avenue had been previously surveyed in 1837,
and map filed in Register's office. This project was
bitterly opposed, for some reason, by the residents of
Flatbush. Soon after. Judge Lefferts, and others, of
Bedford, projected the opening of Fulton avenue to
232
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Bedford. This propoeition met with better success,
and Fulton avenue was speedily laid out and opened
for travel. Court street and Fifth avenue had been
opened a few years previous to Gowanus, and thus an
easy outlet was made for the city in these directions.
Soon the city began to grow rapidly out toward its
suburbs, lying to the east, west and north. There was
no growth, however, toward the south, in the direction
of Flatbush. , These localities, Gowanus and East New
York, though further from the City Hall than Flatbush,
were nevertheless more easy of access. The long,
tedious ride, by stage, over the hill, was a serious barrier
to the growth of the city toward Flatbush. This had
been, no doubt, in some measure, a benefit to the village;
keeping back the tide of immigration which flooded the
eastern section of the city, and preserving intact the
woodlands which were afterwards purchased by the city
for Prospect Park. In the spring of 1854, Flatbush
avenue (surveyed in IBS'?) was laid out, graded and
paved, from its junction with Fulton avenue, Brook-
lyn, to the city line, which at that time was a few hun-
dred feet north of the present site of the Reservoir. In
1854, by Legislative enactment, N. B. Morse, John G.
Bergen and Nicholas Stillwell were appointed com-
missioners to lay out and arrange for opening Flatbush
avenue, from the city line to the present terminus of
the village, at Malbone street. The line of the street
was surveyed by Teunis G. Bergen in November, 1854,
and a map filed in the Register's oflice. This portion of
the avenue, however, was not opened to the public, until
1858, owing to the difiioulty experienced by the com-
missioners in raising the assessment made for the im-
provement.
After the avenue was opened to the village, the
Brooklyn City Railroad secured, in 1860, from the
Plank-Road Company, a right of way through the
village, and extended a single track (with a switch
at Winthrop street) to the present depot at Vernon
avenue. The first cars ran through to Flatbush
in the latter part of July, 1860. Thus the serious bar-
rier which, for two centuries, had separated Flatbush
and Brooklyn, was removed; and the two localities
were united, by iron bands, in a union never to be
broken.
Streets Laid Out.— The first change in the origi-
nal system of roads and streets (which had existed since
1654) was made in 1834, when Hon. Gerrit L. Martense
bought a section of land 1,000 feet on East Broadway,
and filed a map of thirty-eight lots in the Registar's
office, September 1, 1834. He opened two short streets,
called Erasmus and Johnson streets. Here, six or eight
English mechanics bought lots and built homes for
themselves. The section has since been known as the
"English neighborhood." For many years, however,
the greater part of the land remained as commons, and
these houses formed a secluded little hamlet, entirely
isolated from the rest of the village. In 1835, Dr. Ad-
rian Vanderveer had his farm on the east side of Flat-
bush avenue, to the Clove Road (now Canarsie avenue)
surveyed into city lots. He opened, at this time, Ver-
non avenue, and improved it by grading it and plant-
ing trees upon it from Flatbush Road to the Clove
Road. He also laid out Lott, Prospect, Lawrence
Franklin and Clinton streets, and Bedford avenue ; but
these streets were not opened until 1867-68, and but
little, if any, of the property was sold before that time.
In 183Y a map was filed by John A. Scudder, of a sec-
tion of the Cornelius Suydam farm, and a street (the
continuation of the Clove Road, now Canarsie avenue)
was opened through the property. (For a more detailed
statement of this speculative movement see our account
of the Holy Cross Cemetery). The next, and most
decided change, was made in 1865, when a section of
four acres of land, owned by the Reformed Church, was
laid out in city lots, and Locust street opened through
the property. This section was bounded on the north by
East Broadway, east by Johnson street, and west by
the land of Erasmus Hall Academy. This property
found a ready sale, and a number of houses were soon
erected upon it. Soon after, in 186Y, Teunis J. Bergen,
of Flatbush, purchased the Antonides farm, which ad-
joined the last named section on the south, and with a
front on Flatbush road, and opened Union street through
the center of the property, as far as Johnson street. Sev-
eral years after, the Board of Improvement opened this
street, from Flatbush Road to the CathoUc Cemetery,
and changed the name to Grant street. In a short time
many of the streets laid down by Dr. Adrian Vander-
veer, in his survey of 1834, were opened from East
Broadway to Duryea's Lane, or to what is now called
Avenue B. After the opening of these streets, build-
ings of all descriptions were rapidly put up; so that
now, this once secluded little hamlet of " English neigh-
borhood " has assumed the appearance of the suburbs
of a large city.
The Village of Parkville. — In 1849 a company
was formed, the " Coney Island Plank-Road Com-
pany^^ a right of way was secured in 1850, and a road
laid out from Brooklyn to Coney Island, passing
through the western section of the town. Upon this
road two sections of land were bought in 1851-52, and
the villages of Greenfield and Windsob Teeraoe
were founded. On July 10, 1851, the trustees of the
United Freeman's Association (who had formed a com-
pany under the act passed April 10, 1851) purchased
67 acres of land from Johnson Tredwell, and proceeded
to lay out a village, to which they gave the name of
Greenfield. In 1852 they purchased from the farm of
Henry S. Ditmas, immediately adjoining on the south,
another section ; bringing up their whole purchase to
about 114 acres, at the rate of $500 per acre. These
purchases were made by Charles Foster, Hezekiah Eus-
sell, John C. Myers, Charles A. Tilva, "Wm. Stevens,
Trustees of the association. The officers of the associ-
THE VILLAGES OF PABKVILLE AND WUVLSOB TERBACE.
233
ation ■were John A. Lawrence, President; J. C. Valen-
tine, Vice-President; Francis Webb, Harry L. Pelouze,
John Hall, Directors; J. K. Raymond, Robert Smith,
Secretaries.
In 1853 the association contracted to have the streets
laid out and graded. Shade trees were planted along
the sidewalks, and numerous public wells were dug upon
the line of the streets, for the convenience of the resi-
dents. The association held control of the property,
selling lots as demands were made for them. After a
number of years the association closed up its affairs,
the first section in 1854, the second about 1856; and
each individual secured a deed for such property as he
desired as his share. None of these deeds for any of
the lots sold by the association were given by the asso-
ciation, but by the original owners, Johnson Tredwell
and Henry S. Ditmas. The only member of the original
association who still holds property and resides at Park-
ville, is Mr. Wm. H. Taylor, who, as the first settler,
came to the village in 1852.
In 1853 a new road was opened and planked upon
the southern boundary of the Greenfield purchase. This
road, called the " Shortest "Route to Coney Island," be-
gan at the Coney Island Plank Road, about 100 feet
Boath of Mr. Teunis Bergen's residence, near what, ac-
cording to the present system of streets, is the corner
of Avenue H, and ran in a southwesterly direction,
crossing the Boulevard at Avenue I. Continuing in
same direction as far as the northwesterly corner of
Washington Cemetery, at Avenue K, it there turned
south and followed what is now Gravesend avenue.
This road, according to Mr. John Y. N". Bergen (to
whom, as well as to Mr. Wm. H. Taylor, we are indebt-
ed for many facts in the history of Greenfield), was
opened by the adjoining property owners, in order to
make a direct route to the city for the residents of
Gravesend.
In 1870 the name Greenfield was changed to Paek-
viiLE. The Post-Offiice had for some time been called
Cresco, but the authorities at Washington saw fit to
change the name to Parkville. Within a few years past
the original village has been increased by purchases
made at the east of the Coney Island Plank Road,
along the line of Newkirk avenue. The first house in
this section was put up by Mr. Joseph Stelle, who pur-
chased a large tract of land. On the southwest, Mr. A.
F. Johnson bought a portion of the farm of Abram
Duryea, upon which he built several houses for sale,
and laid out the section in city lots.
A portion of the John Ditmas farm, lying to the
north of the village, was bought by Kingsland and
Keeney, who afterward conveyed it to the " Butterick
Pattern Company." This section of the village is as
yet unimproved, the Congregational church being the
only building thereon, at present.
During 1880-'81 an effort was made by Messrs.
Wilder & Montgomery to secure an Act of Incorpora-
tion, a matter which is still agitated by some of the
prominent residents of the village. There is now in
the village a large and flourishing public school and
five churches, of which we will speak more in detail
when treating of the literary and ecclesiastical history
of Flatbush.
The first settler upon the original purchase was Mr.
William H. Taylor, who built the first house in 1852.
Mr. E. McChesney erected a dwelling for himself in
1853. After this the number of inhabitants increased
quite rapidly. Among these early settlers were D. I.
Talt, Mr. Benton, J. P. Heath, J. Kershaw, J. Marquies,
William Staites and William Matthews. The first
house within t\i.e present limits of Parkville was erected
in 1803 by Adrian Martense, the grandfather of Mr.
Adrian Bergen. In 1836 Teunis Bergen, the brother
of Adrian, built a house for himself upon land near
the old homestead; and, in the year 1852, Mr. Adrian
Bergen built a commodious residence upon his farm
within the limits of Parkville, for his son John V. N.
Bergen. Though not included in the original purchase,
these residences are within the present limits of Park-
ville, and are the oldest houses in the locality. Their
owners have been largely interested in the increase and
welfare of the new village.
In the year 1860 the population was about 200, and
the valuation of the property, real and personal, accord-
ing to the assessment rolls, was $62,450. In 1880 the
population was about 525, and the valuation of prop-
erty, real and personal, had reached the sum of $161,-
280.
Hon. A. G. Hammond, a man of considerable promi-
nence among the early settlers, was the first post-
master of the village. Several of the residents of
Parkville have been elected to hold oifices in the gen-
eral town government. Among these we find, of
Justices of the Peace, the names of A. G. Hammond,
1852-185'? ; G. W. Close, 1863-186'? ; Wm. McMahon,
1877-1881; Andrew McKibbon, 1873-1877; and Daniel
M. Cumiskey, Justice of Sessions for two years. Mr.
William Staite held the office of Excise Commissioner
from 1880-1883. J. Paulding, for a long time resi-
dent of the village, was elected a member of the State
Assembly, and was instrumental in securing the Act
creating the Ocean Parkway. When this boulevard
was laid out and graded it was necessary to remove
the M. E. Church, the district school-house, the resi-
dence of Mr. J. V. N. Bergen, and several other
private houses. By the opening of the boulevard or
parkway the village was divided into two sections.
Windsor Terrace. — The same year in which the
" United Freemen " founded Parkville, a tract of
land on the Coney Island road, near the present city
line, was purchased by Robert Bell, who immediately
proceeded to lay out the village, afterward called
Windsor Terrace. This section was bounded on the
east by the Coney Island road, 1,025 feet to land of
234
BISTORT OF KINGS COUJSTTT.
Thomas Murphy ; south and west by the land of
Thomas Murphy ; north by the patent line of the City
of Brooklyn. The land was originally the farm of
John Vanderbilt, divided at his death between his
two sons, John and Jeremiah. The dividing line of
these two farms, which were purchased by Robert
Bell, is Vanderbilt street. Mr. Bell subsequently re-
conveyed it to Edward Belknap, who laid out forty-
seven building plots (each 100x150 feet) on each side
of Seely street and north of Vanderbilt. On Adams
street, south of Vanderbilt, the lots were only one hun-
dred and eight feet deep. He laid down the following
streets, since recognized by the town survey, viz.:
Seely, Vanderbilt and Adams, as well as a short street
not recognized by the town survey, but which now
forms part of the present Prospect avenue. These
streets were laid out at his expense.
In 1853 G. W. Brown, an extensive real estate
operator and prominent builder of Brooklyn, purchased
a number of the 100 feet lots on Vanderbilt and Adams
streets. These, in 1855, he subdivided into 50 feet
lots ; and again, in 1860, into 25 feet lots. In 1854
Brown made an agreement with the " Windsor Ter-
race Land Association " to convey to them these sec-
tions. This was the origin of the " Windsor Terrace
Land Association," the name being first assumed when
Brown agreed to sell these lots. The association had
no charter, but existed only in name, and for the pur-
pose of carrying out the agreement between Brown
and the members, to convey land to them from the
original owners of the fee. No land was conveyed to
the association as such, but to individual members, as
they wished it ; and thus the agreement made with
Brown, according to a record made by him in the
Register's office, was carried out, for no such legally
chartered body existed as the " Windsor Terrace Land
Association."
After the village was laid out, Belknap erected six
houses, and filed a map of the place in the Register's
office, which he called "Map of Pleasant Cottage Sites."
Those on Seely street were purchased by W. Ward
Watkins, J. McNaught and George Hudson. Those
on Vanderbilt street were taken by Theodore Magnus,
James Hardie and Dundas Dick. Three public wells
were dug upon Adams, Vanderbilt and Seely streets.
After these improvements were completed, Belknap
caused the whole property to be sold by separate plots
in open market. As the village lies upon the southern
slope of the hills, the streets on its northern boundai-y
requii-ed a great amount of grading in order to seoui e
a uniform grade. While the streets running from
north to south have quite a steep descent, those lying
east and west, having a nearly level grade, rise one
above another, in the manner of terraces. This gives
to the settlement a most picturesque appearance, appro-
priately suggestive of the name, "Windsor Terrace."
In 1860 the population of this locality was about 30
persons. In 1880 it was about 185, while, at present
the old and new sections of the village comprise about
300 inhabitants.
The valuation of property in the original purchase
was, in 1860, $27,100 ; and, in 1880, it was |10S,055.
A commodious chapel was erected in 18V4, and a fine
school-house in 1875.
The residents of Windsor Terrace who have held
prominent positions in local and general government
are : C. C. Martin, Assistant Engineer of the Brook-
lyn Bridge ; Michael E. Finnegan, Searcher in Regis-
ter's office, Brooklyn, and for many years Secretary of
the Executive Committee of the Democratic General
Committee of the County, and at one time delegate to
State Democratic Convention ; James Hardie, Justice
of the Peace ; Wm. E. Murphy, Assessor and Police
Commissioner, and Theodore Magnus, Excise Commis-
sioner. To Mr. Finnegan we are largely indebted for
facts relative to this village.
Flatbush Fire Engine Company.— One of the
oldest village organizations is the Flatbush Engine
Company, authorized under a special law in 1821.
But little is known of the company until 1825. Then
Mr. Kellogg, principal of the academy, was instrumen-
tal in securing its thorough organization. The first
foreman was Mr. Isaac Cortelyou. Through Mr. Kel-
logg's assistance, an engine was procured from Con-
necticut. This first engine was constructed somewhat
after the form of the present garden engine. It con-
sisted of a square box, as a reservoir, in which was
placed a large force pump with two long arms, and the
whole arrangement mounted on two wheels, giving it
the appearance of a cart. It was called the " Cart
Engine,'' and, in case of fire, was drawn by a horse to
the locality needed. It could be worked by six or
eight men, but was not a suction engine, merely a force
pump ; consequently the majority of the company, and
all the men that could be induced to assist, formed two
lines and passed water in leather buckets, with which
the company were well supplied, in order to keep the
box, or reservoir, of the engine full of water. At the
time of the burning of the Court House, in 1832, in the
absence of the foreman, Mr. John J. Vanderbilt, inex-
perienced parties had passed water in these buckets
from a neighboring duck pond. Soon the valves he-
came choked with mud and the engine rendered tem-
porarily useless. The engine was sold to A. R. & S.
H. Fox, and was instrumental, on several occasions, in
saving their glass works at Sand Lake, New York,
from destruction. The second engine was purchased
at New Haven, Conn., where it had been in use for
some years, until, on the occasion of a serious disturb-
ance between the students of the college and the fire-
men, the engine was somewhat injured. It was bought
by the town for $800, and repaired at a moderate ex-
pense. This engine was of much more modern con-
struction than the " Cart Engine." having four wheels
MASOJVIG LOB GE— GAS GOMPAJSTT.
235
and parallel arms on the side. It was both a suction
and forcing engine." It was called " Washington Ifo.
1;" and the number of members of the company limited
byJaw. In 1861, through the influence of Hon. John
Vanderbilt, the law was amended so as to allow the
number to be increased to 25 firemen, who after a ser-
vice of eight years were to be exempt from jury and
military duty. In October, 1863, the company under-
took the canvass of the town to raise, by subscription,
means to purchase a new engine. Messrs. Abraham
Lott, John Lefferts and Nelson Hamlin were appointed
the committee for the purpose ; and the amount was
raised upon the understanding that it would be re-
funded to the subscribers, if the Legislature would
pass a bill making it a town charge. $2,100 was thus
raised. In 1864 the Legislature passed an act authori-
zing town bonds, to the amount of $6,000, for the
purpose of purchasing a new engine and erecting a
new engine-house. A new engine and hose were bought
at a cost of $2,382. The total expense for engine and
house was $6,011,75. In 18'72 a bell-tower was erected
at the rear of the engine-house, and a fine large bell
hung in it by the town. False alarms, however, were
so frequently sounded, that in 1881 the town authori-
ties ordered the bell to be taken down and properly
hung in the tower of the new Town Hall. The first
building used as an engine-house was situated in the
grave-yard at the rear of the Reformed Church and
faced on Church Lane. It was built originally as a
town guard-house, and also for a house in which to
keep the bier, used in carrying the dead to the grave,
before hearses were brought into use in the village.
On April 21, 1865, the company purchased a large flag,
and on May 1, 1865, Mr. Henry Wall presented the
company with a flag-staff about 100 feet high. The
pole and flag were raised June 3, 1865, in front of
their new engine-house. Formerly such a flag-staff,
called " The Liberty Pole," stood for many years in
the center of East Broadway, at its junction with Flat-
hush road. The first trustees were David Johnson,
Michael Sohoonmaker and Jonathan Kellogg. The
members of the present Board of Trustees are John
Lefferts, Abraham Lott, Wm. S. Schoonmaker, J. P.
Vanderveer and Henry Ditmas. The following is as
accurate a list of the company's foremen as can be
gleaned from the company's very imperfect records,
and with the aid of Justice Peter Pigott, the secretary
of the company, and Mr. Abram Lott, President of the
trustees : Isaac Cortelyou, 1821-30; John J. Vander-
bilt, 1830-'33; Isaac Cortelyou, 1833-'42; John D.
Prince, 1842-'60; Abraham Lott, 1860-'62; John L.
Bergen, 1862-'69; Theodore B. Alston, 1869-'73;
Joseph S. Story, 1874-"75; Adrian Bergen, 1875-'Y6;
JohnMcElvery, 18'76-"79; Chas. McKinney, 18Y9-'82.
Masonic Lodge. — During the Winter of 1860-1,
a number of Masons, resident in Flatbush and Park-
ville, secured from the Grand Lodge of the State, a
dispensation (March, 1861) and warrant (dated June
16, 1861) for a lodge, called Kings County Lodge,
No. 511, F. and A. M. The charter members were :
Wm. Mathews, F. L. Dallon, John V. N. Bergen,
Jonath. Longmire, H. Brown, Jr., Henry Wall, J.
Sutherland, J. G. Smith, W. II. Hubbard, Jas. J.
Poden. The lodge was duly organized by the election
of the following officers : Wm. Mathews, W. Master ;
Francis L. Dallon, Sen. Warden ; John V. N. Bergen,
Jr. Warden. From its organization until the present,
the following persons have been its W. Masters (some
serving two or more terms) : Wm. Matthews, F. L.
Dallon, Henry Wall, Abraham Lott, Homer L. Bart-
lett, M. D., Adrian Vanderveer, Rev. Corn. L. Wells,
D. D., Henry G. Marshall, Wm. P. De Forest, Wm. L.
Keese. Its present ofiicers are Wm. Matthews, W. M.,
Henry J. Johnson, Sen. W., and John Kerswell, Jr.,
W, and H. L. Bartlett, Treas. The lodge rooms are
in Schoonmaker Hall, Flatbush. Until about 1875 the
lodge held communications weekly, but since then
twice a month. It now numbers sixty-five members,
and its work and influence in the village has been cred-
itable to itself and beneficial to the community.
Flatbush Gas Company. — The introduction of
gas for illuminating purposes was a new era in the his-
tory of the village. The dense foliage of the village
rendered locomotion, upon moonless nights, not only
difiicult, but to a greater or less degree dangerous. In
order to obviate this evil, a number of the residents,
about the year 1860, procured frames of street lamps
and placed them upon suitable posts, along the street
line, in front of their dwellings. In them were placed
large kerosene lamps. These lamps were attended to
daily, and lighted each dark night, by the family in
front of whose residence they were placed. This at-
tempt at street-lighting, imperfect as it was, gradually
emphasized in the mind of prominent citizens, the
necessity for a more perfect system ; especially as, after
the novelty of the thing had somewhat worn away,
many neglected to light them. In the Winter of
1863-64 the matter was much discussed, and on April
14, 1864, the Flatbush Gas Company ^z& formed, with
a capital of $40,000.00. Eight hundred shares were
issued at $50 per share; subsequently the capital was
increased $15,000.00 by the issue of three hundred more
shares at $50 per share. The charter members of the
company were : Hon. John A. Lott, John J. Vander-
bilt, Wm. Brown, Jr., Henry Wall, John Lefferts, J. V.
B. Martense, and J. Furman Neefus. The first ofiicers
of the company were, Hon. John A. Lott, President ; J.
Furman Neefus, Secretary ; John Lefferts, Treasurer.
In 1872 there were twenty-two street lamps which were
lighted at a cost of $47.00 a year for each light. The
company then had seven miles of mains, and a capacity
for supplying thirty thousand cubic feet of gas every
day. At first, consumers were charged $4 per thou-
sand feet, which rate was subsequently reduced to three
•236
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
dollars. The company now have 200 street lamps and
nine miles of mains, and supply a large majority of the
residences in the village. The present officers of the
company are John J. Vanderbilt, President ; Abram I.
Ditmas, Secretary, to whom we are indebted for these
facts ; John Lefferts, Treasurer. W. S. Burnett has
acted as Superintendent of the Gas Works since their
first construction.
Board of Improvement.— Until 18V1 there was
no competent and legally appointed body, other than
the Commissioners of Highways, to whom the care of
the streets and avenues of the town could be intrusted.
If new streets were opened the work was undertaken
by the property owners on either side of the proposed
street, who were thus not only compelled to give the
land for public convenience, but also to incur the ex-
penses of opening. This, in itself, might not be con-
sidered an unjust burden upon the property, where the
street was opened at the free will of the owners for its
improvement. When, however, by act of the legislature,
the whole county was surveyed and mapped into streets,
Flatbush, being situated near to the city, a demand
soon arose for the opening of many of these projected
streets, whether the owners of the property desired it
or not. To avoid endless contentions and secure jus-
tice to all, as well as to prevent this important matter
from falling into the hands of mere scheming politicians,
at whose hands the property-holders would be fleeced,
it was necessary that some competent Board should be
appointed, whose special business it should be to attend
to this whole interest of opening streets in the town
and. laying assessments. Foreseeing this, the Hon.
John A. Lott had already prepared a law providing for
this important interest of the town. Through his in-
strumentality an act passed the legislature April 19,
1871, providing for the creation of a Board of Improve-
ment for the Town of Flatbush. The act was entitled
" An act providing for the opening and improvement
of new roads and avenues, and closing old highways in
the town of Flatbush, Kings County." It provided
for " a board composed of seven residents of the town
of Flatbush, to be called The Board of Improvement
of the Town of Flatbush, the members indicated being
John A. Lott, Philip S. Crooke, Jacob Y. B. Martense,
John Lefferts, John J. Vanderbilt, John L. Zabriskie
M. D., and Abraham I. Ditmas. The members of the
board were to hold office for five years ; vacancies
through resignation or death to be filled by the Presi-
dent of the Board, the Supervisor and the Town
Clerk. The successors of those who have held office
for five years to be appointed by the Supervisor,
Town Clerk, and the Assessor of the town having the
shortest term to serve (Chap. 567 of the Laws of 1871).
In accordance with this act, the Board of Improve-
ment was organized April 20, 1872 ; Hon. John A.
Lott, President ; Abram I. Ditmas, Treasurer, and
Lefferts Vanderbilt, Glerh. Upon the death of Hon.
John A. Lott, July, 1878, Gen. Philip S. Crooke
was elected president, August 12, 1878, and Mr. Abra-
ham Lott was appointed a member of the board to fill
the vacancy occasioned by the death of his father. After
the death of General Crooke, in the Spring of 1881, Mr.
Abraham Lott succeeded to the Presidency of the
Board. Mr. Wm. E. Murphy was appointed April 18,
1881 in the place of General Philip S. Crooke. Dur-
ing the ten years of its existence, the Board of Improve-
ment has accomplished much toward the permanent
improvement and development of the towUj and has
saved thousands of dollars to the inhabitants of the
village.
Through the assistance of the Clerk of the Board
we are able to give a summary of the result of the
work for ten years, since the organization of the Board.
They have opened and improved Franklin avenue,
from the city line to Washington avenue. They were
next called upon to open and improve Malbone street,
from Flatbush avenue to New York avenue. These
were important and expensive improvements and by
the careful management of the Board many thousands
of dollars were saved to the town. They have also
opened and improved the following streets and sections
of streets, viz. : Caton avenue to the Coney Island road;
a section of Nostrand avenue; Grant street to Canarsie
avenue; Lefferts avenue to New York avenue; a section
of East New York avenue; Avenue B, from Flatbush
avenue to the western town boundary line ; Vanderbilt
street ; Albany avenue, and closing the Clove road from
East New York avenue. The erection of a suitable
building for a Town Hall was committed to their charge.
In the successful completion of this work we have a
lasting monument of the faithfulness with which these
gentlemen discharged their duties as members of the
Board of Improvement. There is no provision in the
law for a salary to the members of the Board. The
members have cheerfully given their services and time
for the welfare of the village.
First Village Newspaper.— In the year 1872, a
proposition was made to Mr. H. J. Egleston that he
should undertake the editorship of a village paper. He
consented; and, on April 20, 1872, the first copy of the
Kings County Rural Gazette was issued. The first
edition (of 2000 copies), was given away among the in-
habitants of Flatbush and the neighboring towns. A
demand immediately arose for its continuance ; yearly
subscriptions came in rapidly, and in four weeks the
size was increased. After several enlargements, it is
now a respectable sized sheet of twenty-eight by forty-
two inches. Mr. Egleston's interest was bought out in
1873, and a joint stock company formed with a capital
stock of $4,000, since increased to $10,000. Mr. H, J.
Egleston was elected president of the company, and
has since continued to be its editor and manager, with
Mr. Wm. B. Green as associate editor. For a long
time the issue averaged 1000 copies per week, hut for
TELEGRAPH COMPANY— ANNEXATION QUESTION.
237
several years past has been about 2000 per week. For
several months the office was at the drug-store of Wm.
H. Douglas, corner of Clarkson street and Flatbush
avenue, and the paper was printed in Brooklyn. In
course of time building-lots were secured on the corner
of Diamond street, and a small gothic building, pur-
chased from the Willink estate, was moved to and lo-
cated upon the corner of Diamond street. The com-
pany now own a large steam power press, 31x48, a large
Gordon job press, and a nine-horse power engine. Six
compositors are constantly employed. Two weekly
papers, — the "Rural and Brighton Gazette,^' and the
"American Business Journal," — are issued by the com-
pany. The paper has exercised considerable influence
in local matters, and many village improvements were
first suggested, discussed and brought to completion,
largely through its influence. During the first year of
its existence, the subject of a local telegraph company
was frequently discussed in its columns.
Flatbush Telegraph Company. — In the Autumn
of this year, 1872, H. J. Egleston published a card
calling a public meeting to consider the subject of the
establishment of a village telegraph. This meeting and
two subsequent ones were largely attended, at which
stock was subscribed to the amount of $3,000, and a com-
pany was forthwith organized. Hon. John A. Lott,
John Lefferts, Wm. Matthews, R. L. Schoonmaker and
H. J. Egleston were elected Directors ; Hon. John A.
Lott was chosen President ; H. J. Egleston, Secretary,
and John LeflEerts, Treasurer. A contract was made
with the Western Union Telegraph Company to con-
struct and work the line. Miss F. K. Pike, was the
first operator. The first message was sent June 21,
1873, by Mr. John Lefferts to Hon. John A. Lott, who
then, as a member of the Court of Appeals, was staying
temporarily at Congress Hall, Albany, N. Y. The mes-
sage read as follows : " See 3rd Epistle of St. John,
13th and 14th verses.'' The second message was from
the editor of the Rural Gazette to the editor of the
Brooklyn Eagle, viz : " Flatbush, the banner-town of
the county, is annexed by telegraph." There were ori-
ginally sixty shares at $50 a share. The interest upon
the invested capital pays the deficiency of $200 in the
annual income of the office. Thus another bond was
formed which unites the town to the city, and to the
great world beyond. An attempt was made during
this year to strengthen this bond of union.
Annexation Question. — The subject of the an-
nexation of the county towns to the City of Brooklyn
was earnestly discussed in the papers of Brooklyn and
by the various local newspapers of the county towns.
During the Winter of 1872-73, the subject was brought
before the legislature of the State ; and, in June 28,
1873, an annexation act was passed. According to this
law (Chap. 861 of the Laws of the State, for 1873),
a call was issued for the supervisors to meet and ap-
point commissioners who were to draft a plan for con-
solidation. They were required to assemble on (or be-
fore) the first Monday of August, 1873, and appoint five
commissioners, one for each county-town ; who, with
six commissioners to be appointed by the Mayor of
Brooklyn, were to form a Board of Commissioners of
Annexation. The law provided that they should meet
on the second Monday of August, 1873, and begin
their work of drafting a plan for the consolidation of
the county-towns, and their annexation to the City of
Brooklyn. The Mayor and Board of Supervisors met
on the last Monday in July, 1873, and named the Com-
missioners, as directed in the act of legislature. The
Mayor appointed, to act on the part of the city, J. N.
Wyckoff, Jr., E. J. Lowb'er, A. G. Bayliss, Edmund
Briggs, George C. Bennett and George L. Fox. The
appointments of the Supervisors were : Hon. John A.
Lott for Flathush ; C. Warren Hamilton, for New
Lots ; Peter Lott, for Flatlands ; William Bennett,
for Gravesend, and Teunis G. Bergen, for New Utrecht.
On Monday, August 11, the commissioners held their
first meeting for organization. The Hon. John A. Lott
was chosen President ; W. G. Bishop, Clerk ; and
Stephen Ryder, Sergeant-at-Arms. The duty assigned
to the commissioners was a most difficult one, viz., the
amicable arrangement and harmonizing of many im-
portant and conflicting public interests. The first de-
mand came from the county-towns, requiring a charter
which would give to them equal rights. At the meet-
ing of August 30, a new difficulty presented itself.
While the towns and city might be consolidated under
one corporation, still the county, although wholly em-
braced within the proposed city limits, must also have
its representative officers. Thus two boards of officers
would be employed in governing the same territory,
a presumable cause of future conflict of jurisdic-
tion. A third difficulty presented itself in relation to
Flatbush and the Prospect Park lands. By an act of
legislature, this land, lying within the limits of Flat-
bush village, and a part of Flatbush territory, had been
made a portion of the City of Brooklyn against the
will of the inhabitants, and in the face of their remon-
strance to the legislature ; and now the town would be
called upon to bear an assessment and pay taxes upon
the land of which it had been forcibly deprived. The
same difficulty existed in the case of Flatbush and
Gravesend in reference to the New Boulevard or Ocean
Parkway, which had been taken in like manner by the
county. The Flatbush representative was at first
opposed to the movement; but becoming, at length,
convinced that the matter could be satisfactorily ar-
ranged for all parties, he prepared an elaborate and com-
prehensive digest of the case, in all its bearings, and
which was marked by incredible study, research and
legal ability. To him alone belongs the credit of so
presenting the matter as to secure a satisfactory settle-
ment of the various and conflicting interests involved.
The committee completed their labovs m October; ami
238
SISTOBY OF KINGS COUNTY.
on November 4, 1873, the subject of annexation was sub-
mitted to the towns at the Fall elections. The result
of the elections showed that the towns either did not
thoroughly understand the subject, or were not pre-
pared for annexation. The vote in Brooklyn gave a
majority of twenty thousand in favor of it. The ma-
jority in the towns against it, however, was one thou-
sand five hundred and sixty-eight on the whole number
of votes in city and county. Thus ended the first at-
tempt at a permanent union between the city and its
rural neighbors.
Town Hall. — While this matter was under consid-
eration, the subject of a Town Hall was repeatedly
agitated in the local village paper. After the destruc-
tion of the County Court House, at Flatbush, great
difficulty was experienced in finding a suitable place to
hold the village courts, the town elections and other
public meetings. For many years the elections were
held at the hotels of the village; and the Justices held
their courts either at their own houses, or in the parlor
of one of the numerous hotels of the village. There
being no place in which to confine prisoners, or persons
awaiting trial, constables were compelled to take such
persons to the jail in Brooklyn, and then return them
for trial to the village. After the erection of the pub-
lic school-house, in 1842, the elections and Justices
Courts were held, for nearly twenty years, in its upper
story. About the year 1861 it became necessary to
use this room for school purposes. During this year
Schoonmaker's Hall, on Flatbush avenue, was com-
pleted, and was used for ten years as a place for all
public gatherings, church fairs, sessions of court and
for election purposes. The discussion of this subject
in the local paper brought the matter prominently
before the public. A call for a public meeting to con-
sider the subject of a Town Hall appeared in the Rural
Gazette of February 14, 1874. Pursuant to this call a
large and enthusiastic meeting of prominent citizens
was held at Schoonmaker's Hall on Thursday, February
19, 1874, Supervisor J. V. B. Martense being Chair-
man, and Abraham Lott, Secretary; at which, after
various motions and considerable discussion, the matter
was referred to the Board of Improvement, with power,
the expense for land and building being limited by
resolution to 140,000. At this meeting the town au-
thorities were directed to issue thirty-year bonds, and
provision was made for payment of interest and prin-
cipal by taxation. The Board of Improvement imme-
diately entered upon the accomplishment of the task
assigned to them. A building committee, consisting
of John Lefferts, John J. Vanderbilt and John L.
Zabriskie, M. D., was appointed. Architect John Y.
Cuyler was engaged to draft plans for the building.
On May 18, 1874, the Board procured the enactment of
a law authorizing them to proceed legally in their
work (Chap. 456 of Laws of 1874 of State of N. Y.)
A section of land (100 feet front and 200 feet deep)
was purchased on Grant street (then Union Place) two
hundred feet east of Flatbush avenue, at a cost of
$5,800. The contract was let to Wm. Vanse for $29 -
000, the building to be completed September 1, 1375.
Though not completed, the building was nevertheless
used on November 2, 1875, for the annual fall election.
On February 7, 1876, the new Town Hall was formally
transferred by the Board of Improvement to the town
authorities. On this occasion a large and enthusiastic
meeting was held. The formal transfer was made by
Hon. J. A. Lott in an able address, a portion of which
in these days of robbery in high places, is worthy of
historical record, and is as follows : " It was found
on adjustment and settling of the interest realized on
the money deposited in the bank, and in making up the
final account, that the said expenditure exceeded the
sum of forty thousand dollars borrowed, and the interest
realized thereon, by the amount of ninety-eight dollars.
That excess was paid by the seven members of the
Board, out of their own pockets, in equal sums, to the
Treasurer, who was thus enabled to defray and pay
the entire expenditure incurred without leaving any
outstanding indebtedness therefor, beyond the amount
authorized by the law under which the Board acted."
Temperance Societies. — For many years promi-
nent citizens had interested themselves in the securing
of good government for the town and in the suppres-
sion of Intemperance. Now and again, up to the year
1875, temperance societies had been organized and
efforts made to control the terrible evil. During the
year 1870 a temperance society was organized and
chartered, with a large membership, by the name of
Golden Star Division No. JiS9, Sons of Temperance.
The society continued in active operation for several
years. In December, 1871, the Father Matthew Total
Abstinence JBenevolent Society of the Church of the
Holy Cross was founded, which is still in existence,
having fifty-eight members, with James McCarthy as
President, Maurice Dwyer, Vice-President ; Edward
Mackey, Andrew Short and Michael Murphy, Secre-
taries, and F. Bollinger, Treastirer. Through the in-
fluence of these agencies the subject of the proper
execution of the excise laws was frequently brought
before the public. Under the auspices of the " Golden
Star Division," several public meetings were held, at
which this, and kindred subjects, were discussed. In
hearty sympathy with the work of the societies, a call
was issued by a number of prominent citizens, not
members of these organizations, for a public meeting
to be held at Schoonmaker's Hall, July 5, 1873. The
call invited " All the people of Flatbush who wished to
have Excise Laws in relation to licenses and the sale of
liquor on the Sabbath," to meet and discuss the subject.
Excise Commissioners Appointed —As a result
of this meeting a committee was appointed, through
whose agency a law (Chap. 444, Laws of 1874) was
passed in 1874, providing for the organization of a
EXGISIiJ GOMMISSIOKERS—LAWAirD ORBEB ASSOCIATION:
239
Board of Excise Commissioners for the town of Flat-
bush. Licenses previously had been granted by the
Town Board, consisting of the Town Supervisor
and Justices of the Peace. In accordance with the
law, the new board was organized April 22, 1875.
Abram J. Yan Dyke, E. H. Steers and Michael Ken-
nedy were chosen as Com,missioners. The Board
organized with A. J. Van Dyke as President, E. H.
Steers, Secretary, and Michael Kennedy as Treasurer.
The law required that the Commissioners should meet
on the first Monday in May, in each year, to organize ;
and once a month thereafter to grant licenses. The
salary was fixed at three dollars for each commissioner
for every meeting thus attended. The following list
comprises the names of members of the Board from
1876-'82, viz.: 1876, E. H. Steers, A. J. Van Dyke and
Felix McGloin ; 1877, A. J. Van Dyke, J. Quevedo,
E. H. Steers; 1878, J. Quevedo, E. H. Steers, James
Haywood; 1879, E. H. Steers, Henry Cook, James
Haywood ; 1880-82, James Haywood, Henry Cook,
Wm. Staite. Under the former plan, when the matter
was under control of the Town Board in 1873, there
were fifty saloons in the town in which liquor was
openly sold in violation of law every day in the week.
There were only seventeen licenses issued for the
whole town. Apparently there was no desire, and no
power, on the part of the Town Board to enforce the
law. In 1872 thirty licenses were granted; and, in
1874, before the Excise Board was organized, only ten
out of the sixty saloons in the town were licensed.
During the first year of the new Excise Board twenty-
seven places were licensed and a large number of the
unlicensed compelled to cease selling. The check given
to unlicensed liquor traffic by this new excise law was,
however, but temporary. Watchful of their interest,
the saloon-keepers soon understood that the Excise
Commissioners did not intend to disturb them. The
completion of two additional street railroads to the
city line, the increased travel upon the Ocean Parkway,
the opening of the Brighton Beach Railroad and the
enforcement of the excise laws in the City of Brooklyn,
were agencies which brought to the village, on Sabbath
and all holidays, thousands of people, a large proportion
of whom were patrons of liquor saloons. " Hotels "
sprung up like mushrooms on every side. Houses of ill-
fame increased with alarming rapidity on the Boulevard
and vicinity. The village seemed in a fair way to be
over-run by the crowds of pleasure-seeking, drinking,
lawless Sabbath-breakers, that had placed all laws at defi-
ance in at least two of the other villages in the County.
Law and Order Association.— In the year 1880
there were 52 licensed liquor saloons and a large num-
ber of unlicensed places, making an average of one
saloon to every 150 residents, counting men, women
and children, within a radius of less than half a mile
from the south-west entrance of the Park. On the
Coney Island road were six houses of ill-fame. At this
crisis, Mr. C. C. Martin, engineer of Brooklyn Bridge,
who had been fighting this evil alone on the West Side
of the town for a year, conceived the plan of a Law
and Order Association for the town of Flatbush. At
his call a number of the most prominent citizens met.
May 10, 1880, at the residence of Mr. William Mat-
thews, and organized the "Law and Order Association
of the town of Flathush,'''' the aim of which was: (1).
To prevent indiscriminate granting of licenses in vio-
lation of law ; (2). To enforce observance of law in
relation to persons holding licenses, especially the law
in relation to sale of liquor on the Sabbath ; (3). To
enforce the law which prohibits sale without license ;
(4). To enforce the law in relation to houses of ill-
repute ; (5). To take all legal means by advice of
counsel to accomplish their ends. Rev. C. L. Wells
was chosen President, Mr. C. C. Martin, Secretary, and
Mr. John Lefferts, Treasurer, who were all re-elected
at the end of the year. The sum of $960 was sub-
scribed for carrying on the work of the association,
counsel was immediately employed, and active opera-
tions begun. As a result of the first year's work, the
number of licenses was reduced from fifty-two to thirty-
eight " hotel," and two " beer " licenses. All the dis-
reputable houses (six) have been closed and the occupants
driven out of the town ; and several subsequent at-
tempts at their re-establishment have been frustrated
by the vigilance of the association. Eleven convictions
were secured for violation of excise law, and six liquor
saloons have been closed.
The association numbers thirty-six members and bids
fair to be of great service to the future welfare of the
town. With the increase of liquor saloons, and the in-
flux of an army of undesirable visitors upon holidays,
Saturdays and Sabbath days, drunkenness and crime
was rapidly upon the increase in the town. The local
constables were of little avail in maintaining the law
and good order upon these days. They were also utterly
unable to protect the property of the residents of the vil-
lage against the depredations of thieves who made fre-
quent incursions into the village at night. For several
years a number of the inhabitants upon the Main
Avenue subscribed a sufficient sum to employ three or
four private watchmen who patrolled the village every
night. Through these men frequent arrests were made
and some slight protection afforded at night. The need
of a local Police Board and a regular police force became
every year more evident.
Police Commissioners Appointed. — In the Fall
of 1877 the matter was taken in hand by Mr. John Lef-
ferts, Homer L. Bartlett, M. D., and Michael E. Finne-
gan. A bill framed by Michael E. Finnegan was taken
by him to Albany, and on January 12, 1878, was passed
by the legislature. This law authorized the organiza-
tion of a Police Board and gave to them certain powers
necessary to enable them to afford a competent police
force and protection to the village. Through the kind-
240
SISTORY OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
ness of Mr. J. Z. Lott, the Clerk of the Board, we have
obtained the following facts. According to the provi-
sions of the act, the Board was to consist of five mem-
bers, appointed by the Supervisors and Justices of the
Peace. The first members of this Board were : Homer
L. Bartlett, M. D., five years ; Wm. E. Murphy, four
years ; John Z. Lott, three years ; John Lefferts, two
years ; and Michael Kelly, one year. On June 19, 1878,
these gentlemen met and organized, according to the
law, AS Police Commissioners for the Town of Flatbush.
Homer L. Bartlett, M. D., was chosen P?-mc?m« ; John
Z. Lott, Clerh; Wm. E. Murphy, Treasurer. They im-
mediately organized a regularly constituted police
force, of which James Byrne was appointed Sergeant ;
having under his control seven men. These men were
expected, however, to accomplish an almost impossible
task. They were to thoroughly protect a section of coun-
try about two miles square, composed of three distinct
villages, nearly a mile apart. To do this, they must travel
every night over a tract of country, surrounded by open
fields, affording easy means of escape for a host of burg-
lars, had they been disposed to plan their attacks upon
the houses of the residents, when they knew the police-
man in the district was far distant. Under the eflicient
management of the gentlemen who compose the Board,
very much, however, has been accomplished ; and the
(wholly inadequate) force has been used to the very
best possible advantage. With more means at their
disposal, a very much more perfect system of protection
of property could be carried out. The fact that a very
large proportion of the houses are furnished with
Holmes' Burglar Alarm has been of great assistance to
the police, enabling each man to undertake the patrol
of so large a district each night. As a result of their
three years work, there were 336 arrests the first year ;
in the second year there were 456 ; in the third 429. The
expenses of the Board are met by special tax, taken to
the amount of $9,000 the first year, and $5,000 each
year afterward. This amount is wholly inadequate to the
successful accomplishment of the purpose designed by
the law organizing the Board.
The present officers of the Board are John Lefferts,
President ; Wm. E. Murphy, Treasurer ; John Z. Lott,
Clerk. The law provides that all members appointed
after the expiration of the term of the first Board shall
hold office five years, and that their successors shall be
appointed by the Supervisors and the Justices of the
Peace. Mr. Lefferts was appointed in 1880 for five
years ; Mr. Kelly for four years ; Mr. Lott re-appointed
in 1881, for five years. The members of the Board re-
ceive no compensation for their services. No better
evidence of the law-abiding character of the citizens of
Flatbush — for which they have been justly noted for
two hundred years — can be offered, than the fact that
seven policemen can thus watch a rural district nearly
two mdes square, a suburb of one of the largest cities
of the Union, and so well protect the interests of all. The
arrests and imprisonments, in almost every instance, ai e
for offences committed by outsiders, coming into the
village ; or of persons residing upon the outskirts of the
village near the city limits. The village has always been
noted as a well-governed, law-abiding and patriotic lo-
cality. During the War of the Revolution many of its
inhabitants enlisted in the Federal Army, and large sums
of money were raised for the American cause. In the
late Civil War a number of its citizens entered the
Army of the Union, some of them serving for the
whole term of the war. Much was done and compara-
tively large sums of money raised in the village, for the
various relief committees. There is nortr in active
operation here a Post of the Grand Army of the Re-
public.
Flatbush Water Works. — As early as 1853,
James I. Murdock, of Flatbush, proposed a plan for
supplying Flatbush and Brooklyn with an unlimited
water-supply, by forming large basins at Flatland (ex-
cavated to the depth of the water-floor under this part
of the island) from which the water could be pumped
by suitable apparatus into a general reservoir on Pros-
pect Hill. Discussions on this point did not take any
definite shape until the spring of 1881, when Benjamin
F. Stephens, of Brooklyn, was engaged — the necessary
surveys having been made — by the B., F. and C. L E.
R. Co., to build water-works at Sheepshead Bay. He
carried into practice Mr. Murdock's theory with success,
and procured our unlimited water-supply. Through
the active interest of Mr. John Lefferts, Treasurer of
the R. R. Co., who associated with him Mr. John Mat-
thews, John Z. Lott, and others, a company was formed
for supplying the village with water. Its members were,
in addition to those already named, William W. W icks.
President ; Aaron S. Robbins, Treasurer ; Benjamin F.
Stephens, N. Cooper ; Mr. Lott being Secretary, and
Jeremiah Lott, General Superintendent. The money
necessary for the immediate prosecution of the work
was loaned by W. W. Wicks and A. S. Robbins, on
bonds issued by the company. The stock has never
been placed upon the market. Land was procured at
the southern boundary of the town, at Paerdegat Pond,
near what was formerly "Little Flats" — the lowest
point in the village and the only one where surface
springs of purest water abound. The water in the
wells of this vicinity is of an entirely different charac-
ter from that in the Northern section of the village,
near the hills. The Paerdegat water is very soft and
wholly free from any trace of mineral or vegetable mat-
ter ; while that of the wells in the north section of the
village, near the hills, is hard and impregnated with u'on
and lime. Having secured the necessary authority, the
Company, during the summer -of 1881, sank twelve
wells — placed in a series of three — stretching over a
tract of 1,300 feet, east and west, and directly across
the water-course which underlies the Island. These
wells were connected by 2,400 feet of suction pipe (8
HEALTHFULNE8S OF THE VILLAGE— OSURGSES.
241
to 24 inches diameter), in such manner that they could
be drawn from by the pumps, singly, or in any desired
combination. During the winter of 1881-82 about ten
miles of mains were laid. A reservoir-tower, LOO feet
high and 20 in diameter, standing on a concrete base
of 98 feet above the lowest part of the town, was
erected on high ground at the north end of the town, on
Washington avenue, near Malbone street. The engines
and pumps, especially constructed according to Mr.
Stephens' patent, have a pumping capacity of 2,000,000
gallons per day. The pumping mains are 20 and 16
inches. The wells, which are 35 feet deep (with a
depth of 26 feet of water), are built with water-tight
walls, which effectually prevents any surface-water
from entering them ; and secures, also, a supply of per-
fectly pure water.
Healthfulness of the Village. — Flatbush has al-
ways maintained an exceptional reputation for health-
fulness, to which the gravestones in the village burying-
ground bear testimony. A very large proportion of
those buried here wei-e persons over fifty years of age.
There is a row of stones, eleven in number, marking the
graves of one family-connection, of whom all but two
were over 63. The aggregate of their ages was 774
years ; and seven of them were over 80, and one over
90. Along the edge of the woods, near the base of the
hills, ague prevailed in former days, arising from the
undrained ponds within the woods lying in the limits of
Brooklyn. And the changes consequent on the forma-
tion and improvement of Prospect Park, the excavations
for its lake, etc., caused, at the time, a considerable out-
break of malarial disease. But, since the completion
of the Park, this source of trouble has been dissipated,
and the most prominent physicians of the town declare
that there has been during the past two years scarcely
a case of well-defined malaria in their practice, within
the village.
Board of Health.— The first local Board of Health
was organized by Dr. John B. Zabriskie, July 24, 1832,
and consisted of Supervisor John Wyckoff ; John R.
Snedecker and Henry S. Ditmas, Overseers of the
Poor ; David Johnson and John A. Lott, Justices of the
Peace; Dr. Adrian Vanderveer, Health Officer, with
whom were associated Drs. J. B. Zabriskie, Robert Ed-
mond and William D. Creed. Several years ago, a law
was enacted establishing a Village Board of Health on
the same basis as the Metropolitan Board of Health,
but its duties have always been light, confined to the
enforcing of ordinary sanitary regulations, the recording
of vital statistics, etc. ; and, at no time has it been called
upon to deal with epidemics. The present members of
the Board are Supervisor Peter Williamson, President ;
Justices Peter Pigott, Christian Wulff, Thomas H.
Glass, William McMahon ; Town Clerk Henry Vander-
veer ; Citizen John Z. Lott. The Board is organized
with John L. Zabriskie, M. D., Health Officer; William
Gaynor, Counsel.
Ecclesiastical, the Reformed (Dutch) Church.
[The peculiar collegiate relation of the churches of the
five Dutch Towns of Kings County, renders it neces-
sary, in order to avoid repetition, that this portion of
their history should be considered as a whole. This
has been done in our chapter on the Ecclesiastical His-
tory of Kings County from 166 J/, to 1800. The facts
which Mr. Strong has gathered in relation to the Re-
formed Dutch Church of Flatbush will, therefore, be
found carefully preserved, and inwrought in that chap-
ter.— Editor.]
At the beginning of the present century, as will be
seen by reference to that chapter, the Rev. Martincts
ScHOONMAKBE, and the Rev. Petee Lowe, were col-
leagues in the charge of the Kings County churches.
Rev. Mr. Lowe continued pastor until his death in
1818. He was buried at Flatbush, but his remains
were, in 1875, removed to Greenwood and placed in
the lot purchased by the Reformed Church of Flat-
bush. These lots were purchased on May IV, 1873,
for the use of the pastors of the church. The total
cost for lots and fencing was $1,850. The churches of
Flatbush and Flatlands then united in calling the Rev.
Walter Monteith, who was installed in 1819, but re-
signed his charge in the following year and accepted a
call to the Presbyterian Church at Schenectady, New
York. The church remained without a pastor until
1822, when the Rev. Thomas M. Strong, D. D., was
called and installed on November IVth of that year.
The house near Vernon avenue, formerly used as a par-
sonage, having been sold, the consistory erected a com-
modious parsonage-house upon a lot nearly opposite the
church, and immediately adjoining the Academy. This
was a single frame house, two-stories and an attic. The
Rev. Martinus Schoonmaker continued to reside in the
old parsonage next the church until the time of his
death. May 20th, 1824. He had been a faithful and
efiicient pastor over the congregation for nearly forty
years. After his death, the collegiate bond which
had existed for so many years between the Dutch
churches was finally dissolved. The Rev. Dr. Strong
continued pastor of the church at Flatbush until June
14, 1861, when, having served the congregation faith-
fully for thirty-nine years, he died at the age of 64
years. As a token of their love and esteem the consis-
tory caused a beautiful tablet to be erected to his mem-
ory and placed in the west wall of the church, beside
the pulpit. He was interred in the village church-yard,
and his remains, in 1875, were removed by the consistory
to the church lot in Greenwood Cemetery. Dr. Strong
was a man possessed of traits of character eminently fit.
ting him for the work of the ministry. A man of enlarged
views, he was always active in every good work in his
own congregation, and in those enterprises intended for
the extension of the cause of Christ abroad. He gave
his best energies to the church over which he ministered,
and to the denomination at large. He was clerk of the
242
SI8T0BY OF KIN'GS COUNTY.
General Synod of the Reformed Churcli for thirty -four
years ; and, through his intimate knowledge of church
matters, was appealed to as authority on ecclesiastical
law in the denomination. During the last sickness of
Dr. Strong, which continued for three years, the con-
sistory engaged his son, the Rev. Robert G. Strong, to
act as colleague and assistant. After Dr. Strong's
death his pulpit was supplied for about two years by
the Rev. William W. Howard, Principal of Erasmus
Hall Academy.
In April, 1863, the Rev. Coenblius L. Wells, of
Jersey City, was called, to the pastorate, which he now
fills. Thus, during a period of two hundred and twen-
ty-eight years, sixteen pastors have been settled over
the congregation. Of this number two served the
church for nearly forty years, and nine of the number
died while in its active service.
from Mr. Henry Crabb, who for many years had a
large organ-factory in the village; at one time at the
rear of the Allgeo house in East Broadway, and in lat-
ter years in Clarkson St. The old round box -pulpit,
mounted on five or six columns about five feet high
and entered by two circular stairways with banisters
on each side, was removed, and a more modern pulpit
erected in its place. The old pulpit was given to the
First German Reformed Dutch Church, corner of Her-
kimer street and Howard avenue, Brooklyn. The
crimson satin curtain, at the back of the pulpit, repre-
senting the rising sun, was replaced by a large painting
on canvas intended to give the appearance of heavy
curtains looped up in elegant style. The impression,
however, at a short distance, was rather suggestive of a
gathering storm-cloud ready to hurl its thunderbolts
upon the assemblage. In 1861, while the pulpit was
The Neefus House.
FLATBUSH CHTJECH, 1842.
Copied from the Tiew in Dr. Strong's History.
The Zabriskie House, and Tree.
The interior of the present building has been re-
modelled three times since 1836. At that time the old
straight, high-back pews on the main floor were re-
placed by more modern ones. The high fronts of the
side galleries were lowered, and a gallery erected across
the east end of the church. In 1852 the parsonage, on
the lot adjoining the Academy, was sold for about
$6,000 to Mr. Rich. L'. Schoonmaker. The old stone
parsonage next the church was torn down, and a beau-
tiful double house, which has been used since that time
as a parsonage, was erected in its place at a cost of
$9,881.52. During this year the church was again
renovated at a cost of $4,514.25. The straight-back
old fashioned pews in the side galleries were removed
and more comfortable ones put in their place, and the
backs of all the pews in the church upholstered. A
large organ was purchased at a cost of $2,249.93, and
placed in the east gallery. This organ was purchased
vacant, the church was thoroughly remodelled. All
the pews on the main floor were replaced with more
comfortable ones ; the walls were frescoed, and the can-
vas painting back of the pulpit replaced with a fresco
on the wall representing a recess. A marble tablet, in
memory of Rev. Thomas M. Strong, D. D., was placed
in the west wall by the side of the pulpit. Most of the
seats belonging to New Lots were purchased by the
consistory.
Heretofore, the pews had been owned by individuals,
and the salary raised by a subscription list. It was
now resolved to rent the pews owned by the church,
and fix a ground-tax upon all pews owned by individu-
als. At this time, the subject of procuring a new clock
for the steeple was agitated by H. L. Baetlbtt, M. I^.,
author of "Sketches of Long Island." The matter
was finally taken in hand by the consistory, who re-
moved the old clock which had been silent from age for
FH 0 TESTANT EPIS C OPAL CHUB CHES.
243
many years, and replaced it Sept. 20, 1862, with a new
clock of Sperry & Go's make, costing %%1b.
Sabbath-School of Reformed Church. — Through
the influence of Rev. Dr. Strong and Adrian Vander-
veer, M. D., a sabbath-school was organized the year
after Dr. Strong began his labors. Dr. Vanderveer
was the first superintendent, and held the office for
nearly thirty years. Until 1830, the Sabbath-school
was held in the school-rooms of the Academy. During
this year, an effort was made by the " Ladies' Sewing
Society" of the village, and $1,195.82 were raised, and
a suitable frame building 25x50 feet was erected, about
twenty-five feet south of the church, with its gable end
to the main road. This building was taken down during
the summer of 1881. The other superintendents of the
school have been Mr. Irwin Cortelyou and Mr. John D.
Prince; ttie Assistant- Superintendents were Mrs. Ellen
C. Strong, Mrs. Susan Schoonmaker, Mrs. Maria L.
Lefferts, Mrs. Elizabeth C. Strong, Miss Mary Vander-
veer. In 1871, the school had so increased that it was
impossible to find accommodation in the old building,
although it had been once enlarged. The Consistory,
therefore, resolved to erect a new one ; and a building
committee, consisting of Rev. C. L. Wells, D. D., Mr.
A. J. Ditmas and Mr. John D. Prince, was appointed.
Lots, on the corner of Union place or Grant street,
were purchased from Hon. John A. Lott, at a cost of
111,000. The old wheelwright and blacksmith shops,
and the old Antonides house were removed. In
their place a beautiful (Gothic) brown stone building
was erected, at a cost of $49,823.59, making the total
amount expended $60,823.59. The school now num-
bers 8 officers, 45 teachers, and 350 scholars.
St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church was
organized July 11, 1836, with Matthew Clarkson and
Robert J. Crommelin, Wardetis • David Johnson,
James Mowatt, George Cornell, C. Durand, Charles
Waldron, A. Norrie, William H. Story and Samuel
Richards, Jr., Vestrymen. Rev. Dr. Benjamin C. Cutler
acted as Rector for the congregation ; which, until the
completion of their church, occupied the lecture-room
of the Reformed Church. The corner-stone of a church
edifice was laid August 13, 1836, by the Rt. Rev.
Benjamin T. Onderdonk, and the church completed in
December, at a cost of $8,480, of which over $6,000
was donated by Mr. Matthew Clarkson. December 23,
1836, Rev. Thomas T. Brittain became rector ; and, on
the 29th, the edifice was consecrated. Rev. John F.
Messenger was assistant minister until September 1,
1837, when he was followed by Rev. James Coghlan.
Mr. Brittain resigned March 29, 1836, and was suc-
ceeded by Mr. Coghlan as rector, who resigned October
21, 1839. He was followed by William Barlow, March
30, 1840, who resigned April 29, 1842. Rev. George
Burker was then rector until February 12, 1844, fol-
wed by Rev. William H. Newman, who died in Flat-
sh, after ten years' service, and was buried in the
churchyard of the Reformed church. In 1854 Rev.
William Rudder became rector ; succeeded, in 1858, by
Rev. Mr. Pennington ; and he, September bO, 1861, by
Rev. B. S. Huntington, who resigned July 12, 1863.
The Rev. J. A. Spencer, D.D., became rector July 28,
1863, and resigned September 9, 1865. Then Rev. H.
W. Pay was called Sept. 21, 1865, resigned December
29, 1866. Rev. Robert B. Van Kleeck, D.D., was called
March 7, 1867 ; resigned July, 1874, and was succeeded
by Rev. James W. Braden. He was called to Hartford,
Ct., and in June, 1882, was succeeded by the present
incumbent. Rev. Summerfield E. Snively. In July,
1874, the church edifice was sold to General Philip S.
Crooke, and a new one erected, at a cost, with furni-
ture, of $7,000 ; C. C. Haight, architect; William
Vanse, builder. It was first occupied for service
Thanksgiving-day, November, 1874, and consecrated
May 31, 1877, by Rt. Rev. A. N. Littlejohn, Bishop of
Long Island. The church stands near the site of the
first church, on the corner of Church Lane and Irving
Place. During Mr. Van Kleeck's rectorship, a commodi-
ous (Gothic) rectory was erected at a cost of $11,000.
Soon after the building of the church, Mr. Matthew
Clarkson inaugurated a Sunday-school, of which he
was the superintendent, until about 1850 ; after which
the rector assumed the charge. During Mr. Van
Kleeck's term, his son, Robert Van Kleeck, Jr., was
superintendent, followed by Henry G. Marshal, Rev.
Mr. Braden, and Robert S. Walker, the present super-
intendent. The infant school, for years a strong
feature of the school, has been under the successive
charge of Mrs. Robert Van Kleeck, Mrs. John H.
Bergen, Miss A. Hopkins, Miss Fannie Miller. We
have taken Rev. De. Strong as the authority for facts
of the early history of this church ; and are also in-
debted to the assistance of Rev. Mr. Braden and Mr.
William Matthews.
St. John's Episcopal Church, Parkville. —
(Sketch furnished by the pastor. Rev. R. B. Snowden.)
The incorporation of this church dates September 28,
1859. In 1860 it was received into union with the Con-
vention of the Diocese of New York, the Diocese of
Long Island not having then been formed. The incor-
porators were William Matthews and George W. Close,
Wardens, and Lawrence Powers, Henry Wiggins, B.
S. Hilton, James Sutherland, John Marquis, William
Staite, John V. N. Bergen and Walter Kelsey, Vestry-
men. No further records of this early period are extant ;
until the year 1868, when the Diocese of Long Island
was formed. The Rev. R. B. Van Kleeck, D.D., then
rector of St. Paul's Church, Platbush, took charge of
the parish. Services were held either by himself, or his
son, R. B. Van Kleeck, Jr., who being a candidate for
Holy Orders, acted as Lay Reader. Services were held
for several years at the village school-house. In Feb-
ruary, 1871, the sum of $1,000 was obtained, with
which, in March 1873, was purchased a section of land
244
SISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
200 feet square, pleasantly located on Webster avenue,
near the Ocean Parkway. In the work of soliciting
funds Mrs. Mary Tunison was especially active and
successful. In the summer of 1 873 the use of the school-
house being desired by the parish for public worship,
Mr. Mortimer C. Tunison placed at their disposal a small
building near the corner of Coney Island Road and
Newkirk avenue ; and, at his own expense, fitted it up
for a chapel. Service was held in it for the
first time September 6, 1873, the Rev. Mr. Cromwell
officiating. The Rev. Dr. Yan Kleeck was rector of
the Church until after Easter, 1874; Mr. Ritchie offi-
ciating as Lay Reader. He was succeeded by Rev.
William W. Ayres, who discharged the same duties
until Christmas, 1874. In February, 1875, the Rev. R.
H. Tighe was appointed by the Bishop to the charge
of St. John's. His relation as minister in charge con-
tinued until Easter, 1876, although the Rev. R. B.
Snowden, then awaiting orders, was appointed m Octo-
ber, 1875, to conduct the service, and he is still the rec-
tor. In the summer of 1875, Mr. M» C. Tunison made
certain necessary alterations in the building, and en-
larged it by the addition of a chancel. In 1882, this
edifice, having been presented to the parish by the heirs
of Mr. M. C. Tunison, was removed and placed on the
church plot on Webster avenue. It is thirty-six feet in
length by sixteen in width. A subscription is now in
progress to obtain funds wherewith to remodel and en-
large the building. A Sabbath-school has been main-
tained since the organization of the parish, and has at
present a membership of thirty-five pupils and teachers.
For several years Mr. Charles Leigh was superintend-
ent ; he was succeeded by Mr. John Mower, who still
holds the position. There are at present twenty-two
families connected with the parish, and eighteen com-
municants. The corporation is now constituted as fol-
lows : Rev. Robert Bayard Snowden, M. A., Rector ;
C W. H. Carter and Charles Leigh, Wardens ; and C.
A. Benners, James Busby, Spencer A. Wallace, Little
Rutherford, James Rutherford, Thomas Rowe, and
Samuel Stretch, Vestrymen.
First M. E. Church of Flatbush was organized
May 21,1844. Previous to this time occasional services
had been held in the village, by itinerant and local
preachers of the denomination. Tradition states, that
frequently on summer Sabbath afternoons, services were
held under the shade of the large linden, or bass-wood
tree at the north-west corner of Church Lane and the
main road, near, the old Zabriskie house. Rev. Lorenzo
Dow Stansbury, an exhorter from the M. E. Sands St.
Church, of Brooklyn, often preached here. In May,
1844, a church organization was formed by the election
of Amaziah Foster, Richard Halliby, Philip S. Crooke
Wm. H. Story, Adrian Vanderveer, M. D., Rem, John
and Rem R. Hegeman and Samuel Youngs as Trustees ;
with a connection of several families, and a membership
of ten persons. The first sermon preached to the new
congregation, by a regular preacher, was in 1845, under
a large willow on East Broadway ; and, for three or four
years thereafter, services were regularly held at Mr.
Rem Hegeman's house. In the winter, protracted
meetings during the week were also held at this house.
These services, conducted principally by local preach-
ers from Brooklyn and elsewhere, were often continued
from five to six weeks at a time, and were largely instru-
mental in increasing the membership, and the numbers
of the congregation. During the first season thirty-two
converts were added to the church. In 1848 a lot, cor-
ner of East Broadway and Prospect street, was donated
by Dr. Adrian Vanderveer, valued at $800. In 1849, a
frame building, 50x36 feet, facing on East Broadway,
was erected by Rem R. Hegeman, as master-mechanic,
at a cost of about $1,200. For many years this congre-
gation was Supplied by Conference with preachers, who
also included Flatlands and other neighboring places,
in their ministrations.
Ministers. — Lorenzo Dow Stansbury, an exhorter
from Brooklyn, is named by the best authorities (in the
absence of early records) as having had charge of the
congregation as early as 1842. He labored for several
years, and was largely instrumental in building up the
church in its infancy. After he left, Flatbush was asso-
ciated with Gowanus, and Rev. H. D. Latham preached
at both places. Then followed Rev. N. Orchard. Flat-
bush is first mentioned in the minutes of the Confer-
ence in 1845, when it was associated with Gravesend,
and Rev. L. D. Nickerson was pastor. 1846 (Centen.
M. E. Ch., Brooklyn and FL), John C. Green ; 1847 (Fl.
and 18th St. M. E. Ch., Brooklyn), E. S. Hebard. The
first pastor of Flatland M. E. Church, after it became a
separate charge, was Rev. G. W. Woodruff, 1848-50;
succeeded by Rev. T. H. Barch, 1^50-'51. The next
year the church was supplied by local preachers. In
1854 Flatbush and Flatlands churches were united as
one charge under Rev. Jacob Shaw ; 1856, Rev. S. W.
Law ; 1857-'58, Rev. Wm. Gothard ; 1861, Rev. Geo.
N. Pratt ; 1862 (Fl. joined with Cook St. Ch., Brook-
lyn), Rev. Joseph Henson ; 1863-4, Flatbush and Flat-
lands were united. During this period Mr. John Rowlee,
of Fleet St. Ch., Brooklyn, became interested in this
church and took charge of the congregation; 1865,
Rev. F. S. Weedon ; 1868-'70, Rev. J. C. Thomas.
Daring his pastorate, and through his labors, a new
church edifice was erected on Diamond street, near Flat-
bush avenue, the corner-stone of which was laid July
28, 1869. The building is of brick, with a chapel and
Sabbath-school room on the ground floor and a large
audience room for chui'ch service above. The size is
40x86 feet. The cost of the building was $17,600.
The land cost $6,500. At first only the ground-floor, or
Sunday-school room, was furnished. The first services
were held in the new edifice July 6, 1870 ; the first ser-
mon by Rev. Benjamin M. Adams July 10, 1870 ; and
the church was dedicated October 30. The Sunday-
COLORED AND METHODIST CHUB OSES.
245
school was organized with three teachers, and now has
eighteen ; with twenty scholarSj and now has seventy-
^ five. Superintendents: Joshua Hamblin, George Mat-
' ton, John B. Rowlee, Dr. John Robinson, John Kers-
well, James A. Hamblin, R. S. Seckerson. The Rev. Mr.
Thomas labored with great assiduity, contributing very
largely of his own income to the church in whose his-
tory his pastorate forms a bright page. He was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Moses Bedell in ISVO ; Rev. "W. E.
Tompkins, 1871 ; Rev. James Robinson, 18'72 ; Rev.
C. Kelsey, 1873-"74 ; Rev. T. M. Terry, 1875-'78 ;
Rev. T. D. Little wood, 1878-79. During the pastor-
ates of these latter two, the church debt was cancelled.
In 1880, Rev. John A. Roche, D. D., was appointed
pastor, a man of great zeal, godliness and superior talent,
whose labors were largely blest. He was succeeded,
1882, by Rev. C. W. Powell; the Flatbush and Sheeps-
head Bay churches being united in one charge.
"Church in the Woods."— In 1835 the colored
Methodists established a church, since known by the
above name, at the eastern terminus of East Broadway,
at the crossing of the Flatland Neck road. In 1838 it
was fully organized by Rev. Samuel Todd, Presiding
Elder. Frank Cummings and Cato Oliver were made
trustees, in connection (according to the statement of
Mr. Samuel Anderson, Sen., one of the few surviving
members of the old church) with seven trustees of the
Fleet St. Church of Brooklyn. A frame church was
built, with help from friends in Flatlands, Flatbush and
Brooklyn, on land bought from Richard Johnson, next
the woodland of Michael Strykcr's estate. Money was
raised by subscription in Flatlands and Flatbush, with
some slight help from Brooklyn, and a frame edifice
erected. The church was afterwards burned, and dis-
sensions arose among the members, so that it was finally
decided to organize anew as an Independent or Con-
gregational Church. By the aid of Rev. Dr. Storrs, of
Brooklyn, it was so organized as a Congregational
Church, with Rev. Abram Brown (colored) as acting
pastor; and a new edifice of brick, cost $800, was erected.
Ministers: Revs. George Leviere ; Marbley ; James
Carter. The church is partly supported by the Home
Missionary Society of the Congregational Church.
Flatbush Mission School. — Mrs. Gertrude L.
Vanderbilt organized, in February, 1856, a colored Sun-
day-school, which for some three years assembled in a
little room at the rear of Judge Vanderbilt's house.
Through Mrs. Vanderbilt's exertions it resulted in an
incorporated " Society for the Amelioration of the Col-
ored Population of Flatbush." A church was erected
on the north side of the main road to Brooklyn (site
now enclosed in south-east corner of the deer-paddock in
Prospect Park) ; and, when the land was afterwards
taken for the park, it was removed to lots upon the
north-west terminus of Catharine street. When these
lots were afterwards cut away by the extension of the
Brighton Beach Railroad, — and Catharine street was ob-
literated by the opening of Malbone street, Washington
and Tompkins avenues — the church organization was
dissolved; not, however, without having accomplished
much good among the colored population of the vil-
lage.
M. E. Church, of Parkville, organized 1865. —
John L. Strong, son of Rev. Dr. Strong, in 1853, soon
after the founding of Greenfield, went over to the new
village one Sunday afternoon to arrange for the estab-
lishment of a Sunday-school. With assistance from
Adrian and his son John N. Bergen, and Wm. H. Tay-
lor, they soon had a flourishing school, which met in
the house of Mr. Teunis Bergen, and became the pa-
rent of all the evangelical churches in the village. In
1865, a few professing Christians, under the lead of
Mr. Edward Ridley (Ridley & Sons, Grand street,
New York), then of Gravesend, established religious
services at the public school-house; afterwards, at resi-
dences of Mr. Sutherland, W. H. Taylor and J. Tib-
bets. Finally, during the year, an organization was
effected; with Edw. Ridley, J. Tibbets, W. Whitely,
W. H. Taylor, Geo. Wilson, as trustees. Lots were
purchased, on the corner of Foster and Second streets,
and a frame structure was erected, at a cost of $4,500,
which was dedicated April 1, 1866, by Bishop Janes.
Before this, however, the church was supplied by Rev.
L. W. Anderson; in April, 1866, the Rev. Nich. Or-
chard was appointed pastor; followed, in 1869, by Rev.
Geo. A. Graves. During his pastorate the opening of
the new Ocean Parkway or Boulevard necessitated the
removal of the church, and it was so removed to Law-
rence street, west of the Boulevard, between Second
and Third streets. But, finally, through Mr. Ridley's
efforts, a new edifice and parsonage were erected in
1872, at a cost of $16,000. It has a fine steeple, is ele-
gantly furnished, and was dedicated October, 1873,
$10,000 being subscribed toward the liquidation of the
debt, at the second meeting of the congregation. Rev.
W. P. Estes, pastor from 1872, was followed, 1875, by
Rev. H. Asten; he, 1878, by Rev. John A. Roche, D.
D.; he, 1880, by Rev. Geo. Taylor; and he, 1881, by
Rev. W. C. Blake. After the disbanding of Mr.
Strong's Sunday-school, consequent on the gradual de-
velopment of several church organizations in the vil-
lage, the Methodist Episcopal Church appointed Mr.
Wm. White, of Brooklyn, as superintendent. He
served one year, and was followed (by successive re-
elections) by Mr. Edw. Ridley, to the present time.
The Sunday-school building is remarkably elegant and
well equipped for its special purpose; and the school is
self-supporting, costing about $600 per annum. Teach-
ers assert that the opening of this Boulevard has ex-
ercised a very demoralizing effect, not only upon the at-
tendance of the school, but upon the churches and
other portions of the community.
Parkville Congregational Church was organized
April 10, 1866, by the New York and Brooklyn Congre-
246
HISTORY OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
grational Association, by appointment of Joseph Suth-
erland, Daniel M. Cumieky, Standish Mason, William
Staites, Richard Perrin, Charles A. Bermers, Ezekiel
Robin and John Wilson, as Trustees. The first officers
were John Wilson, Glerh ; Standish Mason, Ezekiel
Robin and John Wilson, Deacons. A neat and com-
modious church was soon built, at a cost of $10,000,
and Rev. J. B. Hopwood became pastor in 1866 ; fol-
lowed, 1868, by Rev. H. Belden. who served three
years. In 1874, Rev. J. W. McEckron was called ;_
but, in 1877, was followed by Rev. Thomas Douglas,
who resigned after three years, and was succeeded by
Rev. W. H. Shannon, the present pastor. Present
Officers: J. V. N". Bergen, James Sutherland, William
Spencer ; Mr. Bergen, Clerk. The Sunday-school,
organized 1866, has had, as Superintendents, J. Y. N.
Bergen, Thomas H. Stevens, W. H. Hudson, James
Sutherland, Rev. W. H. Shannon.
Windsor Terrace Sabbath-School. — After es-
tablishing a flourishing Sunday-school at Parkville, Mr.
J. L. Strong, in 1 854, undertook a similar enterprise in the
new village of Windsor Terrace ; and, with Mr. George
Hudson and others, organized a prayer-meeting, which
proved a success. Upon Mr. Strong's leaving for Penn-
sylvania, in 1855, Mr. John D. Prince, Superintendent
of the Sunday-school of the Flatbush Reformed Church,
was induced to assume the charge of this work; and for
nearly twenty-five years, "rain or shine," he rode
across the country, every Thursday night, to fulfill his
appointment at Windsor Terrace. He resigned in 1880,
leaving in the village a religious element which ulti-
mately bore fruit in a church organization. In connec-
tion with this prayer-meeting, a Sunday-school was
organized August 16, 1871, of which Lewis P. Eager
was Superintendent, E. B. Estes, Secretary, and Hoyt
Palmer, Treasurer; the school meeting at a house on
the north-west corner of Coney Island road and Van-
derbilt street. The school is well equipped and has
had, as Superintendents, J. S. K. Wittke, 1873 ; and,
since 1875, by re-election, Mr. C. C. Martin, the well
known Bridge Engineer. Although there exists at
Windsor Terrace a legally appointed incorporation,
there is, as yet, no organized church ; but those in
charge of the Sunday-school felt that upon them
devolved the responsibility of providing means of reli-
gious worship to those who were coming into the place
from the city. Several efforts were made, but unsuc-
cessfully, till Mrs. C. C. Martin enlisted her husband's
interest. By his efforts was secured a certificate of
incorporation for an association under the title of " The
Windsor Terrace Sabbath-school," the corporate mem-
bers of which were C. C. Martin, E. B. Estes, J. S. A.
Wittke, Samuel P. Seaman and John S. Wildridge ;
application made December 23, 1873, and granted by
a Judge of the Supreme Court January 5, 1874. This
association, with legal rights to purchase and transfer
property, etc., secured a site on the west side of East
Fifth street, between Greenwood avenue and Vander-
bilt street, on which was built a frame chapel for lecture
and school purposes, which was dedicated February is
1874. This was accomplished largely by the efforts
of Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Wittke." Regular Sabbath
and week-day services have since been maintained con-
ducted by pastors of churches in the city and vicinity
especially Rev. Thomas H. Wray. The enterprise
still depends on voluntary subscriptions, but has accom-
plished a good service to the village.
Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Cross.—
[Sketch contributed by Peter J. Curran, M. B. of
Flatbush). Prior to 1848-9, the few Catholic residents
of Flatbush, and of Kings County generally, outside of
the City of Brooklyn, had no place of worship, and
were only occasionally accommodated by missions eon-
ducted by the clergy of the Jay Street Roman Catholic
Church of that city. Under the pressure of a long-felt
want for a more accessible place of worship, the old
" Curran House," still standing in the Cemetery grounds
then recently purchased, was selected for the purpose,
and a weekly mass and confessional established. The
first priest in charge was Father Quinn, from St.
James', Brooklyn. He resided in the upper part of the
house, a portion of the lower being used as a chapel.
From the latter part of 1848, to about the middle of
1850, Fathers Quinn, Briody and Gillespie, in the order
named, served as pastors. Meanwhile the number of
Catholics in Flatbush had increased ; and, with the
consent of Father McDonough, the Vicar-General of
Long Island, they purchased eight lots on the corner
of the present Erasmus and Prospect streets. On these,
in the fall of 1851, they erected a neat and commodious
frame church, about 75x50 feet in size. It had a low,
slanting, shingle roof, and was surmounted by a plain
Roman cross of wood. With but slight alterations,
the building, like its predecessor in the cemetery, still
exists and is now used as the parochial school-house. In
this edifice, costing $1,300 (no debt incurred), mass
was first offered by Father Bacon, of Brooklyn, after-
wards Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland, Maine.
Father Gillespie, the resident pastor, removed to Cali-
fornia in January, 1852 ; and the church was served
by Father Eugene Cassidy and others until April, when
Rev. Andrew Bohen was installed as its first regular
pastor, removing the pastoral residence to Erasmus
street, one door from Prospect. In the winter of 1852,
a parochial school, the first in the county towns, was
established in the gallery of the church, under charge
of Mr. John Savage, and with about 125 scholars, of
both sexes ; there being, at this time, about 450 par-
ishioners. A Sunday-school was also established; and,
in 1853, a sacristy was added to the church. In 1854 a
division was made of the Holy Cross parish ; that por-
tion of New Lotts called East New York being made a
separate parish and the Church of St. Malachi erected.
For awhile, the Flatbush priests served these parishes
ROMAir CATHOLIC G RUE OSES.
247
alternately ; and, in 1855, Father Bohen was succeeded
in the pastorate by Rev. John Dowling. The teacher,
Mr. Savage, also left Flathush, and was succeeded by
Timothy Hurley, a gentleman of the highest culture,
who chose to hide his abilities in a village-school. His
invariable suit of "pepper-and-salt" was known through-
out the five towns of the county — a decent garb, as
warm in winter as it was cool in summer. With close
shaven face, sharp pinched features, a keen gray eye, a
broad honest forehead, a large and powerfully chiselled
mouth, with a chin of ponderous size, both bespeaking
firmness — the whole a pale, kind countenance— he was
ever and completely the school-master. He lived to
see almost two generations schooled in his manly, but
gentle ways ; and left behind him a name synonymous
with education throughout the county towns. Mr.Mc-
Donald, Mrs. John Hoey, Charles McLaughlin (brother
of Rev. James) have also been honored teachers of this
school. Mr. Hurley also had a second term of service
after these. The church gallery, which had hitherto
served as a school, in 1855-6 became too straitened for
the increase of scholars; and a small frame structure
(formerly a carpenter's shop) was presented to the par-
ish by Patrick H. Curren for the purpose, and was '
moved from its original site to the present location of
the Convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph. It is now
used as a dwelling-house on Grand street, to which it
was removed years ago. Father Dowling was killed
by being thrown from his wagon, September 28, 1858,
and is buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery. Father
Bartholomew Gleason succeeded to the pastorate, and
became the first occupant of the new parochial residence,
purchased by the parish, corner Prospect street and
Dutchman's Lane, now East Broadway. In September,
1860, Rev. Stephen Cassidy became pastor, but died
in October, 1861, from ailments contracted in the dis-
charge of his duties. Rev. Thomas McLaughlin fol-
lowed ; under him the school-house was enlarged, the
parochial property improved, and the whole parish felt
the influence of his large-hearted character and personal
magnetism. Ill health caused him to leave in 1864,
and his place was taken by Father Strain, during whose
time a new school-house was improvised out of an old
coach-house, on the site of the old one. It was removed
in 1872, when the Sisters of St. Joseph came to Flat-
bush. Father Strain took an especial interest in the
school, and under his supervision it, as well as the
religious societies of the parish, flourished. He died
suddenly, and was followed by Rev. James Moran, and
he by Rev. Michael Moran. In 1869, Rev. James J.
Doherty became pastor, and gave a new impetus to the
surroundings of Holy Cross. Through his efforts the
new church, the largest and richest in the county towns,
was erected ; the Sisters of St. Joseph were introduced ;
the old church was converted into a school-house ; a
curate was provided ; the parish was divided into two
districts and a new church organized in the village of
Parkville, and placed under the care of the learned
Father James MoKiverken. September 1, 1872, the
corner-stone, of the new chnrch was laid, and the com-
pleted edifice was dedicated June 8, 1873. It is 65x127
feet, of Croton-brick, with Dorchester-stone trimmings,
and in the nineteenth century French-Gothic style, with
a tower and spire in the northeast corner, 150 feet high.
Its interior decorations are in polychrome, and it accom-
modates a congregation of 1,000, and cost about $40,000.
Thomas P. Houghton, of New York city, was the archi-
tect ; and Thomas Ryan, the builder. Father Doherty,
much broken in health, closed his pastorate of nearly
ten years. May 22, 1881, and was followed by Rev.
Bernard McHugh ; Father Marron being curate. Tinder
their care all the various Roman Catholic interests of
Flatbush are prospering.
The Sisters of St. Joseph, who now have charge
of the Roman Catholic parochial schools, for both sexes,
came into the parish November, 1872, from the Mother
House, at Flushing, which is also the Convent of St.
Joseph. The first sisters here were Sister Alphonsus,
Superioress J Sister Aurelia, Sister Loyla and Sister
Gertrude. The present community comprises the Su-
perioress, and teachers, as follows : Sister Sylvester,
Sister St. Heri, Sister Sidonia and Sister St. Ignatius.
Miss R. Moan is the church organist and also instructor
in the school. The services of the Catholic clergy
of Flatbush, not only in their parish, but in their
faithful ministrations at the County Asylum, Hospital,
Nunnery and Almshouse, not to mention the Small
Pox Hospital, located in this town, entitle them to
most unstinted praise.
Roman Catholic Church at Parkville. — Before
the erection of the Roman Catholic church at Plat-
bush, the catholic residents of the country towns were
entirely dependent upon the city of Brooklyn for their
religious privileges; though, on certain occasions, ser-
vices were held at the convent, at New Utrecht.
After the Flatbush Roman Catholic church was
erected, the catholics of Parkville, New Utrecht and
Gravesend were all included within its juristiction. In
the latter part of 1869, Rev. Mr. Moran, resident
priest at Flatbush, initiated an organization at Parkville,
which was completed in 1870, for a congregation and
the erection of a church edifice for those of his faith.
A neat frame edifice, in the Gothic style, was erected
on Lawrence avenue, near First street, at a cost of
$12,000, the corner-stone of which was laid August 21,
1870, and the .building finished November 27, 1870.
It was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Roman Catholic Bishop of
Brooklyn, and received the name of " Church of St. Hose
of Lima.'" The church is prosperous and well attended.
During its first three years the church was supplied
by the Flatbush church : Rev. James McKiverken,
appointed October, 1874, the first and present pastor of
this and Sheepshead Bay flock, has, since July, 1879,
been assisted by Rev. William Doherty. There is a
248
HIS TOUT OF KINGS COUNTY.
flourishing Sunday-school in connection with this
church.
Cemetery of the Holy Cross.— Several efforts,
previous to 1849, to purchase property for a Roman
Catholic cemetery, failed, owing to the unwillingness of
the towns-people to have a cemetery of any character
within the limits of the town. But, during the spring of
that year, a tract of land in the eastern section of the
town was secured, and the Cemetery of the Holy Cross
founded. The farm, of which this land formed a part,
originally belonged to Joost Van Brunt. In 1 '772 he
sold it to Hendrick Suydam, who, at his death, left it to
his son, Cornelius. In 1837 certain speculators con-
ceived the idea of laying out a village in this section of
the town. Through John A. Scudder, as their repre-
sentative, a section of this farm, containing 18 acres,
was purchased in 1837 from Mr. C. Suydam, at $300
per acre, and divided into small village lots. A num-
ber of these lots were sold. Dr. Adrian Vanderveer
purchased at this time another section of this farm, con-
taining 12 acres, lying to the north of the first pur-
chase. During the panic, in 1837, Scudder failed to
meet his payments, and was obliged to relinquish his
section. John Gill, who had purchased a small lot and
built a house on it, now bought the portion sold by
Scudder. Many unsuccessful attempts were made to
procure this property from these parties for a cemetery.
At length James Duffey, a coffee and spice merchant
in Brooklyn, made a proposal to buy the land and erect
there a large mansion, as well as to build and operate
spice-mills. This gave color to the idea that the me-
chanics engaged in the mill would buy lots and build
here. Gill finally consented to sell for $2,700. After
the property came into Duffey's control, he changed his
mind in reference to the spice-mills; and accepted a
tempting offer from Rev. James McDonough, pastor
of what was then St. James Church, Brooklyn, but
afterward became the Brooklyn Cathedral.
This first purchase for the cemetery, of 17 acres, 3
rods, was made in June, 1849, by Rev. J. McDon-
ough acting for Right Rev. John Hughes, who was
then Bishop of New York and Brooklyn. Dr. Vander-
veer would not sell his section. On July 14, 1849,
Thomas Moran, who was the first victim of the cholera
in the town, died, and was the first person interred in
the cemetery. The second purchase was made from
Mr. Samuel Young, whose house, in the rear of the
cemetery, had been accidentally destroyed by fire.
Not desiring to rebuild in this locality, he sold his
land, consisting of one acre, to the cemetery, for $500.
The third purchase was in 1857, from the heirs of the
estate of Adrian Vanderveer, M. D., who sold 19 acres
3 rods, at $500 per acre. This portion was not used
for twelve years, until November 3, 1869, when the
first interment was made. During 1869 another sec-
tion, consisting of 22 acres, was bought from Leffert
Cornell. This was formerly the Cornelius Vanderveer
farm. For this section about $18,000 was paid by the
cemetery.
The title of the property is vested in the Bishop of
the Brooklyn diocese. In the spring of 1855, a neat
chapel was erected in the cemetery, and dedicated by
Right Rev. John Loughlin, Bishop of Brooklyn.
The first superintendent of the cemetery was James
Egan, who held the position until April 1, 1858; when
P. H. Curren was appointed, who through faithful dis-
charge of his duties held the position for twenty-six
years. On his resignation, in 1879, the bishop ap-
pointed, on March 1, 1879, his son Wm. H. Curren as
superintendent, through whose assistance many of these
facts have been gathered.
There have been, since the founding of the cemetery,
152,322 interments. The greatest number in one year
has been 6,000. This was during the last visitation of
the cholera. The average would be about 5,000. Dur-
ing the cholera, 278 were buried in one week. The
diocesan vaults for the burial of the Catholic clergy
are under the chapel. There are twelve large vaults
in different parts of the cemetery. Although owned
by the Brooklyn diocese, the right to bury is not re-
stricted to it. The yearly average of funerals from
New York City is about seven hundred. The services
at the cemetery are under the supervision of the parish
priest at Flatbush village.
First Baptist Church of Flatbush, organized
April 29, 1872, with Joseph Steele, H. J. Egleston,
John D. Randolph, R. H. Estes, E. C. Dickinson, as
trustees, and 19 members and their families. They first
worshipped in a class-room of the Methodist church ;
afterwards, for nearly three years, in second story of
Schoonmaker's Hall, on Flatbush avenue — the pulpit
for the first year being supplied by Rev. J. B. Cleaver.
In 1873, Rev. L. F. Moore was called as first pastor;
followed, after two years, by Rev. F. T. Cailhopper,
who resigned 1877, and was followed, December 1,
1881, by Rev. Reuel C. Bowen, then a theological
student, but now the installed pastor. During Mr.
Moore's pastorate, a chapel was erected on west side
Ocean avenue, south of Church Lane ; it was dedicated
September 27, 1874. This edifice was remodelled and
enlarged, and otherwise improved, in 1880. A Sunday-
school was organized at same time as the church, of
which the Superintendents have been H. J. Egleston,
R. H. Estes, L. I. Boone, and "William B. Green, the
present incumbent. The present church officers are
H. J. Egleston and R. H. Estes, deacons ; Mrs. Nancy
Randolph, deaconess ; Albert Zisett, treasurer.
Second Reformed (German) Church of Flat-
bush.— Fifteen years ago the German population of
Flatbush depended for religious privileges upon the
German church at New Brooklyn (now corner Herki-
mer street and Hazard avenue), three miles distant. In
1874 an effort was made by F. C. Suckow, pastor of
the New Brooklyn German church to form a congrega-
EDUCATIONAL.
249
tion in Flatbush, and a preaching service was com-
menced March 1st in the Methodist chapel. On 18th
of same month the church was organized by a com-
mittee of the South Classis of Long Island, with 55
members ; the first consistory being John J. Snyder,
John Ziegler, elders, Gustave Enck, Fred. Osman,
deacom. The pulpit was, for some time, supplied by
Rev. F. C. Suckow and Rev. Julius Hones. On July
11, 18Y5, the corner-stone was laid of a neat two-story
frame and brick edifice, erected on the Reformed
church property, corner East Broadway and Bedford
avenue, at a cost of $5,500. The first settled pastor
was Rev. F. A. Freidel, called December 25, 1875;
resigned in the Spring of 1881. The next was Rev. C.
H. Sohwarzback, the present pastor, called during the
Summer of 1881. A prosperous Sunday-school has
always been connected with this church.
Educational. — The early Dutch settlers of Kings
county brought with them from the Fatherland a due
appreciation of the importance of religious and educa-
tional privileges. The schoolmaster was regarded as
occupying a social position second only to that of the
" dominie ; " indeed, under certain circumstances, he
was required to perform some duties pertaining to the
ministerial ofiice. As we learn from Bbodhead's His-
tory of New York, Evert Pietersen was examined by
the Classis of Amsterdam, in Holland, and sent out
with a colony of emigrants as schoolmaster and
ziekentrorster, or " consoler of the sick," that he might
" read God's word and lead in the singing until a min-
ister should arrive." One of the stipulations made
with Johannes Van Eckkelen, the schoolmaster of
Flatbush, by the consistory of the church, in 1682, was
that, " when the minister shall preach at Breuckelen or
New Utrecht, he shall be required to read twice before
the congregation (at Flatbush) from a book used for
the purpose. In the afternoon he shall read a sermon,
or explanation of the catechism, according to the
practice approved by the minister." These men were
always required to be church-members, and of good
repute. Governor Stuyvesant, in 1649, earnestly
besought the Amsterdam Classis, by letter, " to send
out pious, well qualified, diligent schoolmasters,"
adding that nothing "is of greater importance than
the right, earnest instruction of the youth." Dr.
Strong, who wrote his History of Flatbush forty years
before the late Tbunis G. Bbegen issued his ''Early
Settlers of Kings County, ^^ had earlier access than the
latter to traditions which antedate existing records.
This fact may serve to reconcile the differences which
seem to exist between these two authorities in regard
to the first schoolmasters. In accordance with Dr.
Strong's statement, Adriaen Hegeman, clerk and
schout, was the first schoolmaster, 1659-1671 ; while,
according to Beegen, Reynier Bastiaensen Van Giesen
was the first. It will be seen that it is quite possible
that Hegeman acted in this capacity, from 1653 or '54,
the date of his first coming to Flatbush, until 1660, in
5th June, of which year (according to Bergen's trans-
lation of the first records) the consistory made an
agreement with Van Giesen to become schoolmaster.
He served until October 26, 1663, when Pilgrom Cloeq
was engaged, and probably served until 1671. This
covers the period for which Dr. Strong could find no
other schoolmaster than Hegeman, and places the date
of the employment of a schoolmaster at a much earlier
point. It is also in accordance with Dutch custom; for
it cannot be supposed that the first settlers were here
for nearly fifteen years without a schoolmaster and
krank-besoecker. From 1671, Dr. Strong and Mr.
Bergen agree as to their lists of schoolmasters.
The school-master was also employed as fore-singer
and sexton ; and, to increase his incom >, he had charge
of all interments, for which he received a certain fee.
He was required to ring the church bell before each
session of the school. This practice was kept up until
about 1794, a period of nearly one hundred and fifty
years. He was to " instruct the children, also, on Wed-
nesday and Saturday afternoons in the common prayers
and the catechism." He was " required to keep school
nine months in succession, from September to June.
It was his duty to provide the basin and water for the
administration of baptism, and to make arrangements
for administration of the sacrament." He was also re-
quired to '• give invitations for funerals, dig the grave
and toll the bell." " For a speller he received three
guilders, and four guilders for a writer " (probably in-
struction in spelling and writing). In addition he had
a stated salary of " six hundred guilders -n grain, and a
dwelling-house, pasture and meadows." These require-
ments continued in force for nearly one hundred years.
In Dr. Strong's history we find an agreement with one
of the earliest teachers and also one with the last
teacher, in the Dutch language, in 1773, in which there ;
is very little, if any, change in the requirements. The
first school-house was situated upon a lot of land oppo-
site the old lecture-room of the church and next to the
land now owned by the Academy. In 1823 the church
used the south portion of the lot, to build on it a par-
sonage. The first school-house was a wooden structure,
composed of three buildings joined together. It stood
until 1803, when, becoming much dilapidated, it was
resolved to sell it, and move the village school into the
academy. The building was sold to Bateman Lloyd,
who took it down and constructed with the timber a
store near the northwest corner of the main road and
Church Lane, which remained until 1825. There were
twenty-one tchool-masters employed from 1654 to 1802.
Patrick Noon was the last teacher in the old school.
The village school was taught as a distinct school,
however, in the south end of the Academy. Mr. Hege-
man was its first teacher in the Academy. Only the
inost elementary English branches were taught. Hege-
man left in 1823. The Dutch language was taught
250
HISTORY OF KIKGS COUNTY.
until about 1765, when Petrus Van Steenburgh was
teacher. He was the first to teach English in connec-
tion with the Dutch. Anthony Welp was the last
teacher of the Dutch language. Gabriel Ellison, in
1776, was the first to teach English exclusively in the
village school.
Erasmus Hall Academy.— To the Rev. Dr. John
H. Livingston and Senator John Vanderbilt is due the
'credit of founding an Academy in this village. With
the active co-operation of the prominent citizens, in
1786, they entered upon the undertaking with com-
mendable zeal. The sum of £915 was raised by sub-
scription, the list being headed by Senator Vanderbilt
with £100 ; and, during 1786, a large and commodious
building 100 feet front and 36 feet deep was erected.
An arrangement was made whereby a valuable lot
in the center of th-e town was secured. This most
desirable piece of property was held by Mr. Jacob
Lefferts. The church, always closely associated with
the education of the young, offered to Mr. Lefferts
two other tracts of land, one lying directly west of the
graveyard and facing on Church Lane; the other sit-
uated on East Broadway, near what is now the corner
of Nostrand avenue, upon which property the " Lloyd
Mill " was afterward erected. The consistory then, on
December 29, 1797, executed a lease for this land in
perpetuity to the Trustees. The property, in case the
Academy ceases to exist, is to revert to the church.
The amount raised by subscription did not meet the
expense incurred in completing the building, the total
cost of which was $6,250. To liquidate this debt the
inhabitants who held a deed for "Twillers" and "Corlears"
Flats, relinquished their right and title to the Trustees
of the Academy, who sold the property at the rate of
$16 per acre. From this sale the Academy realized
$1,500. The balance of the proceeds was divided
among those inhabitants who would not relinquish their
interest in the Flats. On the 18th of May, 1787, an
application was made to the Regei.ts of the University
of the State of New York for a charter of incorpora-
tion, which was granted ISTovember 20, 1787; the incor-
porators named being John Vanderbilt, Walter Minto,
Peter Lefferts, Johannes E. Lott, Aquila Giles, Corne-
lius Vanderveer, George Martense, Jacob Lefferts, Wm.
B. Gifford, Hendrick Suydam, John J. Vanderbilt, Rev.
Martinus Schoonmaker, Philip Nagel, Peter Cornell,
Rev. John H. Livingston, D. D., James Wilson, Samuel
Provost, John Mason and Comfort Sands. The name
chosen for the "new school was in honor of Desiderius
Erasmus, the distinguished patron of literature in Hol-
land in the sixteenth century. The academy, fi-om its
commencement, was bitterly opposed by many of the
old inhabitants of the town, who afterward supersti-
tiously attributed all their misfortunes to the establish-
ment of an academy among them. The best teachers
were employed, and a system of instruction adopted
which made the institution the first of its kind in the
State. The whole of the income being thus expended
by the Trustees in raising the standard of the institu-
tion, nothing could be appropriated toward canceling
the outstanding debt. By voluntary contributions the
Trustees reduced the amount, in 1789, to $1,064.94; but
it was not until 1825 that the debt was entirely re-
moved. This was accomplished by a further sale of
the Commons, or Flats, belonging to the town, and by
voluntary subscriptions.
In 1794 the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch
Church resolved to locate their Theological Seminary
at Flatbush, in connection with the Academy, and make
Rev. Dr. John H. Livingston, who had been chosen the
first Principal of Erasmus Hall, President also of the
Theological Seminary. A few years afterward, through
certain influences brought to bear upon them, the Gen-
eral Synod removed the Seminary to Kew Brunswick,
N. J. Among a large number of prominent men who
were educated at Flatbush, we find the following
names : William A. Duer, President of Columbia Col-
lege, jST. Y. ; John Duer, one of the revisers of the Re-
vised Statutes of this State ; John Berrian, Attorney
General of the U. S. ; George M. Troup, for several
years Governor of Georgia ; Dr. Adrian Vanderveer,
one of the most prominent physicians of the county ;
John Hunter, of the State Senate ; Hon. John Vander-
bilt, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, also State
Senator, and Hon. John A. Lott, Judge of the Court of
Appeals.
Rev. Dr. Livingston resigned in 1792, and Dr. Wil-
son was chosen in his place. He held the position of
Princijaal, though employed also as Classical Professor
at Columbia College, until 1804. This he was enabled
to do by employing experienced men as his teachers.
Rev. Peter Lowe was appointed to succeed Dr. Wilson
as Principal, and remained until his death in 1818. Dr.
Strong states that, in 1797, and again in 1809, the trus-
tees sought, but did not obtain, from the legislature, the
privilege of raising £1,200 by lottery, in order to liqui-
date the debt. The plan adopted by the trustees in
former days was to employ some prominent man as
principal, and then engage experienced teachers who
should serve under him. The principal exerted mere-
ly a governing power, and participated only to a very
limited degree in the work of teaching. In later years
the principal has acted also as the first teacher, and
employs experienced assistants. Mr. Albert Oblenis
was employed while Rev. Mr. Lowe was principal, as
first teacher. Next we find the name of Joab Cooper,
in 1806, the author of Cooper's Virgil, so well known
as a text book in the schools and colleges, for so many
years. He remained for two years and was succeeded
by Mr. Valentine Derry, upon whose resignation, in
1809, Mr. Richard Whyte Thompson was appomted
first teacher. He resigned in 1814, and was followed
by William Thayre, appointed in December, 1814. He
remained, however, only a part of a year, when the
ERASMUS HALL A CADEMY.
251
trustees called Mr. "William Ironsides. In 1816 Mr.
Joab Cooper was again appointed, but resigned at the
end of the year. The position was held for the next
two years by Mr. Andrew Craig. Upon the death of
the Principal, Rev. Peter Lowe, and the resignation of
Mr. Craig, due to failing health, the Trustees appointed
in August, 1818, the Rev. Joseph Penney, as Principal.
He was the first Principal who resided at the Hall and
had charge of the classes. He employed as assistant
Rev. John Mulligan. They held the position until
1821, when Rev. Timothy Clowes, D.D., accepted the
office. In 1823, Mr. Jonathan Kellogg became Princi-
pal. Under his administration the Academy flourished
greatly ; he made many changes in methods of teaching,
and in the arrangements about the school-rooms. The
trustees in 1826-'27 built a large wing, 50 by 25 feet, for
additional school-rooms, on the N. E. corner of the
Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, and Presi-
dent of Rutgers College. During the time Dr. Camp-
bell was principal, the Regents, in 1835, determined to
establish a department for the instruction of common-
school teachers in each of the eight senatorial districts.
Erasmus Hall was chosen for the Southern District.
High price of board, and other agencies, hindered the
success of the plan in relation to Erasmus Hall, and
only two applications were received. Consequently, in
1836, the trustees resigned the trust, and the Salem
Academy, in Washington County, was chosen by the
Regents. In May, 1839, Rev. Dr. Penney, who, since
his resignation in 1821, had held the position of Presi-
dent of Hamilton College, returned to Flatbush and
succeeded Dr. Campbell as Principal, which posi-
tion he held until November 1, 1841, when Mr. James
Ferguson, A. M., was chosen. In June 1843 he re-
BHASMUS HALL ACADEMY, 1850.
building, at a cost of $1,500. Mr. Kellogg, also, made
great improvements upon the exterior of the Academy,
and in the appearance of the grounds. Nearly all of
the beautiful trees which now adorn the grounds were
planted by him. Matters did not, however, proceed
satisfactorily after a few years ; and, because of intem-
perance, he was called upon, in 1834, to resign the posi-
tion. In May, 1834, the trustees appointed Rev. Wm.
H. Campbell, who had for some time taught a select
school in the village, as principal. " Through his
superior qualifications as teacher he not only gave the
highest satisfaction, but also infused in the hearts of
the inhabitants an earnest desire for a liberal education
to a degree which had never before existed." Dr.
Campbell remained until 1839, when ill-health forced
him to resign ; and he has since occupied the position of
Principal of the Albany Academy, Professor in the
signed the position, and the trustees appointed Rev.
Richard D. Van Kleeck as Principal. Mr. Van Kleeck
was a most thorough and efficient teacher, and under
his care the institution was greatly prospered. A large
number of scholars came from other States ; and, for
many years, a number of Mexican and Cuban students
boarded at the Academy. Mr. Van Kleeck's health hav-
ing failed, he resigned on February 22, 1860, and was
succeeded by Rev. William W. Howard. On April 19,
1863, Mr. Howard, having received a call to the Pres-
byterian Church, at Aurora, Cayuga County, N. Y.,
resigned as Principal. The trustees then chose the
Rev. E. P. Mack as Principal. Mr. Mack held the
position for eleven years ; and, in September, 1874, was
succeeded by Mr. Jared Hasbrouck. Upon the resigna-
tion of Mr. Hasbrouck, the trustees appointed, as princi-
pal, in February, 1879, Rev. Robert G. Strong, a former
252
SISTOBT OF KINGS COUNTY.
graduate of the Academy, who for several years had
conducted a large and prosperous select school in the
village. Mr. Strong accepted the position, and in Sep-
tember, 1879, moved his school into the Academy.
There is attached to the Academy a large library,
which at one time contained 2750 volumes. Also a
philosopical and chemical apparatus and mineralogical
cabinet.
Select Schools. — Since the founding of Erasmus
Hall, several private select schools have existed in the
village. Among these, we mention the classical school
of Mr. John Copp. This was the first select school,
and was of a very high order. It was established in
1773-74, and was held in an old house on the corner
of Linden Boulevard and Flatbnsh Road, It was
school was taught by Miss Gerrard for several years.
In 1840 Mrs. Mitchell opened a private school at
her house in Clarkson street. This school was dis-
continued about 1876. After his resignation as Prin-
cipal of the Academy, Rev. L. T. Mack, in 1874
opened a select school on Waverly avenue, for one year.
In 1871 a select school was begun by Rev. E.- G.
Strong, the consistory of the church granting him the
use of the old lecture-room adjoining the church. This
school was merged into the Academy when Mr. Strong
was appointed Principal of that institution, in 1879.
Public School No. I. — For a number of years
the village school was held at the Academy; and mat-
ters worked harmoniously until the year 1841, when
dissatisfaction arose among certain residents of the
BEASMUS HALL AOADEMV, 1883.
broken up by the Revolutionary war, and Mr. Copp
joined the army. The next select school was taught
by Rev. William H. Campbell, D.D., in 1833, and was
discontinued after the appointment of Dr. Campbell as
Principal of the Academy.
A very flourishing and widely -known school was con-
ducted by Miss E. IST. Duryea. This school was begun
in October 12, 1837, and was largely patronized by
parties from a distance, as well as by parents residing
in the vicinity of the village. A number of prominent
persons were educated here, among whom we mention
the name of Miss Emma Thursby, the world-renowned
prima-donna. Miss Duryea closed her school because
of her failing health. A well-conducted select
village in regard to the distribution of the school
funds between the public school and the Academy. In
order to avoid further trouble in the matter, the trustees
of the Academy, in 1844, on motion of Hon. Gerrit
Marten se and John J. Vanderbilt, resolved, "That the
children of the village school be removed from the
Academy, and that the town be requested to build a
special school-house for their accommodation."
Accordingly the children were taken from Erasmus
Hall and taught for a time iu a building on the corner
of East Broadway and Flatbush avenue, owned by
estate of Mr. Stryker. The next year a commodious
two-story frame building, about forty-five by thirty
feet, was erected for a school-house, near the site of the
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
253
present building. The main floor -was fitted up for a
school-room, and the upper story was reserved as a
court-room. The primary town meetings and regular
elections were held here for many years, until the
erection of Schoonmaker Hall, in 1861. The members
of the first Board of Trustees were General Philip S.
Crooke, Captain W. Story, and Tennis J. Bergen. The
first principal of the public school, after it was with-
drawn from the academy, was Mr. John Oakley, who
remained until 1852. He was succee^ded by Mr. Dewitt
C. Wickham, who held the position until 1857, when,
because of failing health, he was compelled to resign.
The next principal was Mr. David Van Etten. At the
end of the school year he resigned, and, in 1858, the
place was filled by the appointment of Mr. Horace
Wickham. After two years his health failed, and he
resigned. Mr. E. W. Bartlett held the position until
1861. He was followed by Mr. John T. Rhodes, who
taught until 1865, when he entered the New York
Theological Seminary. On the retirement of Mr.
Rhodes, the trustees appointed Mr. John L. William,
son. In 1869 Mr. Williamson resigned, and Mi-. Charles
A. Libby became principal. He was succeeded in
September, 1877, by Mr. A. Whigam, the present
efficient incumbent, under whose influence the school
has grown rapidly. The interests of the public school
are under the care of three trustees, elected by the
town. The members of the present Board are Dr.
John L. Zabriskie, J. D. Randolph, and J. Lott Yan-
derbilt. In 1878 the accommodations became entirely
too limited. For several years both stories of the old
building had been used for school-rooms, and three
teachers employed. At a town-meeting, in the early part
of 1878, it was resolved to sell the old building, and
appropriate $19,000 of town funds, to be raised by
taxation, for the building of a new school-house. John
L. Zabriskie, M.D., J. D. Randolph, and George Ham-
blin were appointed a committee to undertake the
work. The plans were by Mr. John Y. Colyer, the
engineer of Prospect Park ; and the building (53 feet
by 85 feet in size) of brick, two stories high. The
building was begun May 1, 1878, and completed De-
cember 1, 1878. It was used for school purposes
before it was finished, on October Uth, 1878. There
18 a large, well-selected library of some 1,500 volumes;
and, at present, four teachers, besides the principal, are
employed in the main school. In 1872 a branch school
was established at the mission church for the colored
children. Miss Mary E. Paton had charge of this,
as principal, for four years; followed, in 1876, by Miss
E. Morris ; by Mrs. Ida Roberts, in 1878-'80 ; Miss
Emma W. Clark, in 1880-'81 ; and Miss Bridget
Walker, in 1881.
Parkville Public School.— At first, the inhabi-
tants on the west side of the town sent their children
to the Platbush public school. In 1856, however, the
settlers at Parkville, or Greenfield, as it was then
called, petitioned to be set off as a separate district.
This was granted June 6, 1855, and Greenfield District
School No. 1 was organized. It is now called Flathush
No. 2. Lawrence Powers, Joseph B. King and John
Hall were the first trustees. The school was held for
one year in a private house owned by Mr. Rutherford,
and situated on section 64, on Webster avenue, near
Second street. In 1856, a suitable building was erected
for a school house.
Upon the opening of the Boulevard through the
school property in 1872, this building was moved to its
present site, on Lawrence avenue, near Second street ;
and in 1876 was greatly enlarged and remodelled.
Owing to an omission in the records, we have been un-
able to obtain the full names of the different principals.
The list, as far as can be ascertained, is as follows:
The first principal was Miss Harriet Clark, 1856; fol-
lowed by Miss Harriet Brewster; Risley or Ryler and
Rodman in 1858. The position was afterward filled by
male teachers. During a part of 1858 Mr. Kirkwood
was principal. Mr. Mead, a portion of 1859, when the
District was organized as a Union Free School. Mr.
Mead was followed by Mr. Cady; Mr. Thompkins, two
years; Mr. Berry, one year; Mr. North, two years,
1865-67. Mr. A. Whigam was appointed in 1868, at a
salary of $900, which was raised after one year to
$1,100. In 1873, the position was held by Mr. Devore;
succeeded by Mr. Belden, in 1874; Mr. A. Whigam
again, from 1875, until called, in September, 1877, to
take charge of District No. 1, at Flatbush village. Mr.
Christie next served one year, resigned ; and Mr. Wal-
lace was principal for three years. Upon his resigna-
tion, in 1881, the present principal, Mr. L. H. White,
was appointed. The amount paid annually for the
support of the school has increased in the twenty-seven
years from $75 to $2,400. The board of trustees at
present consists of Mr. J. H. Wilder, H. T. Montgom-
ery, M. Ryan, P. H. Walsh and Wm. Staite. There
are at present 153 scholars, taught by four teachers.
Windsor Terrace School. — At a meeting in the
winter of 1873, called by Mr. Michael E. Finnegan, to
consider public-school matters, it was resolved to peti-
tion the commissioner of public schools, and the trus-
tees, to be set off as a separate school district, to be
known as District No. 3, of the town school. The
petition was granted, and a committee, consisting of
Mr. E. Finnegan, C. C. Martin, Theodore Magnus and
James Hardie, was appointed to carry out the wish of
the meeting. C. C. Martin, Wm. E. Murphy, and M.
E. Finnegan and , as trustees, secured the pas-
sage of an act authorizing them to bond the district
for $10,000, payable at the rate of $1,000 annually, the
first bond to be payable in 1880. A suitable school-
house, in the Swiss style, costing $6,700, from plans by
John Y. Culyer, architect, was erected on the west
side of Prospect avenue, between Greenwood ave-
nue and Vanderbilt street, and was ready for use
254
SISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
January 1, 1876. In 1874, Mr. Wm. K Walker was
employed as the first principal; remained until April,
1876, and was followed by Mrs. Carrie Blamey. She
was succeeded in September, 1876, by the present
principal, Mr. John J. Wells, who by his efficient man-
agement has done much to build up the school. The
school now numbers 100 scholars, and two teachers,
beside the principal.
Literary Societies. — A number of literary and de-
bating societies, of both a public and private character,
have flourished in the village from time to time. The
most prominent of these, the Flatbush Literary Asso-
tion, was organized in 1840. During the winter of 1841
-'42, a series of lectures on various subjects was given
by some of its members. Rev. Dr. T. M. Strong's His-
tory of Flatbush was first prepared by him, as a mem-
ber of this society, to be delivered as a lecture. After
its delivery, there was an earnest demand for its publi-
cation. Only a few copies are now in existence, and
for these extravagant prices have been offered. We
are largely indebted to Dr. Strong's history for facts
relating to the early history of the town.
Musical Associations. — The village has been long
noted for its musical talents. Several well conducted
and creditable musical associations for vocal and in-
strumental music have existed in the village. Promi-
nent among these are the Flatbush Glee Glubs of
1853-1857, and the present Flatbush Choral Society
organized in 1877. The musical talent displayed has
been quite remarkable for so small a town.
Conclusion. — We have thus traced, as minutely as
the limited space allowed would admit, the civil, eccle-
siastical and literary history of the town of Flatbush
from its earliest settlement to the present time, a pe-
riod of nearly two hundred and. fifty years. Daring all
this time, unbounded prosperity from an over-ruhng,
all-wise providence of God has been granted to the vil-
lage. Financial disaster or failure has seldom, if ever
visited it. The health of the town, with only two ex-
ceptions, during visitation of cholera, has been unpre-
cedentedly excellent. Probably no other village con-
taining so large a number of inhabitants, for so long a
period a county-seat, and lately, for many years, under
the shadow of one of the largest cities of the Union,
can show such an unblemished record for good charac-
ter, as a law-abiding, prosperous, religious and health-
ful community. May they ever treasure this record
with grateful hearts ; and may He, whose merciful
providence has granted such prosperity to the village,
still watch over those whom He has thus honored with
such a lineage of good and upright men.
Facsimile of autograph of Cornelia Earend Van Wycfc.
Emigrated from Wyck, a village of Braband, Holland, in 1660; manled Anna, daughter
of Rev. Theodoras Polhemua, the first minister of the Dutch towns; and settled In
Flatbush.
HISTORY
OF THE
TOAAAN OF NEW UTRECHT,
Esq.
LOCATION. — Where the Western end of Long
Island touches, with high bluffs, the waters of
The Narrows and the Bay of New York; be-
tween the southerly boundary of the City of
Brooklyn, and the southerly and westerly boundaries of
the towns of Flatbush and Gravesend; in the County
of Kings, is situated that region of country, covering an
area of more than eight square miles, which is called the
Town of New Utebcht. Bounded, for the greater
part, by the harbor of the greatest port of America,
and commanding a view of its commerce and of the
great cities on the Bay, the situation of the town is a
highly favored one.
Within its confines now stand the villages of New
Utrecht, Bath, Fort Hamilton, Bat Ridge, and part
of TJnionville, where live an intelligent, conservative
and law-abiding people, engaged chiefly in agriculture,
fisheries, and manufactures ; and where, also, reside
many of the professional men and merchants of the
cities of New York and Brooklyn.
Its Indian Inhabitants.— The earliest human
beings, so far as history knows, who dwelt in this
region, were two of the thirteen tribes of savages that
were found by the first European settlers on Long Is-
land ; viz., the Canarsie and the Nyack tribes of In-
dians. How long they had roamed about, or pitched
their tents in this portion of Long Island, is quite un-
known. The beds of wampum, or shells, that were
discovered near the site of Fort Hamilton, attest that
the place had been often visited, and had been very
familiar to the savages for a long time. It is, how-
ever, a familiar fact (although still to the reflective
mind a startling one), that it is scarcely more than
two hundred years ago that the dusky and mysterious
savages surrendered possession of the soil of New
Utrecht ; and, but a generation or two since, they
quite disappeared from the neighborhood.
Discovery. — The first Europeans, recorded to have
looked upon the wooded bluffs of the western end of
Long Island, where now are seen the cultivated fields
and gardens, and the walls and towers of many modem
structures, were the Italian adventurer, Giovanni de
Verazzano, and his followers. There are other hints
and allusions, in accounts of old voyages, that seem to
show that Dutch and Norwegian vessels had occasion-
ally entered the present Bay of New York, for the pur-
pose of procuring furs ; but, the first definite record
is that of Verazzano.
In the year 1524, this corsair, under a commission
from the King of France, while coasting northward
along the shores of the New World, entered the mouth
of the great river, now called the Hudson ; and, for a
brief period only, explored what he called with his
native enthusiasm, " The Most Beautiful Bay." In his
account of this discovery, he states that with his boat he
entered this beautiful bay between headlands, " through
which a very large river, deep at its mouth, forced its
way to the sea; and found the country on its banks well
peopled, the inhabitants being dressed out with feathers
of birds of various colors."
Although some writers have thrown doubt on the
authenticity of this discovery, later investigations, and
the examination of an ancient map still extant in Italy,
give new credibility to the 1 ale, that this Italian pirate,
whose vessel carried the colors of the King of France,
was the first civilized being to look upon the wooded
banks of the Narrows, on which is situated the town of
New Utrecht.
But the Italian was unmindful of the value of his
discovery ; and, apparently without even a dream of
the future of the shores he had seen, he sailed away
again and left " The Beautiful Bay " and the wooded
banks to the savages and their ancient solitude.
Eighty-five years passed by after Verazzano's depart-
ure ; and generations of savages came and went with-
out another ship's prow having cut the waters of " the
beautiful bay." At length, in the year 1609, a vessel
called " The Half Moon," under the colors of Holland,
dropped anchor in " The Great River of the Mountain."
But the Dutch mariners looked with wiser eyes than
256
SISTORT OH KINGS COUNTY.
the Italians, upon the headlands and the bluffs. Not as
fugitives or mere adventurers, but as men of enterprise
and as promoters of commerce, they deemed the land
worthy of a settlement and determined upon the de-
velopment of its resources. Their report of the possi-
bilities of- this region, made with that care and due
regard for truth so characteristic of their people,
convinced the merchants of Holland of the great value
of the discovery, and caused them to take advantage of
the situation. Soon after The Half Moon had re-
turned to the Netherlands, the Dutch prepared to
found a port on the Island of Manhattan. In 1614,
the great Dutch West India Company, in accordance
with its charter, undertook the enterprise of establish-
ing trading-posts and colonies in this new region of The
Great River; and the New Netherlands became recog-
nized as a part of Dutch Territory.
On the easterly side of the deep and rapid waters of
an arm of the sea which flowed past the island of
Manhattan, was situated another island of larger
area. Its head formed part of the bounds of the
great bay ; and it lay at the north of The Great River,
like a huge fish with its tail extending far into the
ocean. This island, now known as Long Island, had, at
the time of the Dutch discovery, various Indian names,
prominent among which was Seawanaka, or Isle of
Shells (or of Wampum) ; and, by virtue of its possessions,
was often visited by the ancient savages. To the
Dutch this island soon became so well known and ap-
preciated, by reason of its bays and havens and fertile
lands at its westerly end, that they termed it " The
Crown of the New Netherlands," and named it the
Isle of Nassau. Settlements were early made on Nas-
sau Island. Villages soon sprang up, with fine trading
and farming opportunities. But the Wallabout,
Amersfort (Flatlands) ; Midwout (Flatbush) ; Breuck-
elin, Boswyck and Gravesend, were settled and estab-
lished for many years before the lands on the most
westerly extremity of Nassau Island (extending up to
the headlands of The Great River, called then " Hamel's
Hooftden," or headlands),* were rescued from the do-
minion of the savages. Among the woods of this
region, and overlooking the broad expanse of " The
Beautiful Bay," the wigwams of the Nyack tribe stood,
undisturbed by the white man for a generation after he
had built his first house on Nassau Island.
First Settlements in the Town. — In the year
1639, an exile, and settler of New Amsterdam, Heer
Antony Jansen van Salee, applied to the Director-Gen-
eral and Council of the New Netherlands for lands ad-
joining the westerly side of the settlement of Gravesend;
but did not then receive any patent. On May 2'7th,
1643, he received from Gov. Kiefft a patent for about
• These headlands, as the Journal of the LabadM Travellers of 1679-
80 (pp. 98 and US) informs us, were the high points of land on Staten
I-^land and. upon Long Island opposite, and were named the Hooftden
from the resemblance of the shores to the Hooftden or headlands of
he channel between England (at DoTer) and France (at Calais).
200 acres lying in what is now known as the village of
Unionville, in the eastern portion of the present town
of New Utrecht. This grant was part of the purchase
made by Gov. Kiefft of the great chief " Penhawitz,"
head of the Canarsie tribe, who claimed nearly the whole
of what is now known as Kings county as his heredi-
tary right. But the patent of Gov. Kiefft to Van Salee
made but a slight inroad upon the edge of the wild ter-
ritory, lying then about the "Hamel's Hooftden" or
headlands of the Narrows, and claimed by the Nyack
tribe. New Utrecht was not yet born.
In the year 1645, after the fierce Indian war upon
the Dutch colonists (provoked by the arrogance and
short-sightedness of Gov. Kiefft), and as one of the terms
of the peace then made, all the region lying about the
Narrows and extending from Coney Island to the old
village of Gowanus, now in South Brooklyn, was again
purchased from the Indians by the Governor. But etiU
the axe of the Dutch settler was not heard about the
Narrows, and the Indian trails were the only road-
ways.
In the meantime, there had appeared the various pre-
posterous and arrogant claims of the English to lands
in the New Netherlands, which they had neither dis-
covered nor occupied. Long Island seemed ever, in the
early times, to hang as a glittering prize before the eyes,
not only of Englishmen in Britain, but of EngUsh-
men in the New World. The fugitive Puritans of
New England were equally greedy with the intolerant
aristocracy at home, and the adventurous cavaliers of
Virginia, to control the country which they had neither
seen nor settled; and which was now being opened by
the enterprise of a people whose language and rehgious
liberty were both as strange and contemptible to the
people of the British Isles, as to the other English on
the banks of the James, and on the shores of Massa-
chusetts Bay.
But the Dutch of the New Netherlands were not un-
mindful of the value of the lands they had occupied.
In the year 1647, the inhabitants of New Amsterdam
and of the Dutch towns of Long Island made a repre-
sentation to the States-General of Holland, of the im-
portance of their possessions in the New World. In-
asmuch as the English had made claims to Long Island,
the Dutch settlers took occasion to speak more partic-
ularly of that region, which they call, " on account of its
good situation, its fine bays and havens, and good
lands, a Crown for the New Netherlands."
At about the time of this representation by the
Dutch settlers, there was living in the ancient city of
Utrecht, on the banks of the Rhine, in Holland, the
Honorable Coenelis Van Weeckhoven, Schepen of
the city, a member of the Government of Holland, and
also of the Dutch West India Company. He seemed
to have been impressed by the representations thus
made by the settlers on Long Island. In Novem-
ber, 1651, he rose in the chamber at Amsterdam,
THE lOUNDINQ OI KTEW UTREOSl.
251
and announced that he ■would undertake the founding of
two colonies in the New Netherlands; one of which was
to be on, or near the Hooftden Headlands on the bay of
the Great River. He soon afterwards arrived at New
Amsterdam; and, after having obtained from the Gov-
ernment a grant, he again purchased of the Indians, on
November 22d, 1652, that portion of Long Island bor-
dering on the Narrows and the bay, called " the Nyack
Tract." The original boundary-line seemed to extend
along the bay, from a lane between the farms belonging
to the late Albert N. Van Brunt and the late Chandler
White, to Cortelyou's lane on the present highway
leading from the bay to the village of New Utrecht,
near the residence of John C. Bennett.
The price which Van Werkhoven paid to the savage
owners, or claimants, of this piece of virgin territory
which forms the foundation of the present town, was six
shirts, two pairs of shoes, six pairs of stockings, six adzes,
six knives, two scissors, and six combs. There is no
record of the ceremony which took place at this transf er-
ance of land, for articles by sixes and couples. The import
of the consideration paid is rather to be determined
by its weight as a peace-offering and symbol of respect
for ancient claims, however indefinite on the part of the
savages; for the same land had already been purchased
by the Governor. Still, the articles themselves were
also, io that primitive time, of no little value to a sav-
age tribe very few in numbers, and whose title was
even then disputed by the chief of the neighboring
Canarsie Indians.
Van Werckhoven soon proceeded to erect a house on
his tract; and, as may be inferred from a suit that was
afterwards brought, he also built a kind of mill. There-
after, he re-embarked for Holland to procure settlers for
his land, and left in charge of his grant the tutor of his
children, Jacques Corteljau. But the founder of the
town never saw his possessions in the New World again.
Soon after he had returned to Holland, in the year
1655-6, Van Werckhoven, in the beginning of his new
career, died in his native city of Utrecht ; and his enter-
prise in the New World seemed likely to fail in its very
inception. Indeed, the plan of Van Werckhoven, if it
had been successfully carried out and thoroughly devel-
oped, might have made him into a Patroon of a very
large estate of ever increasing value ; and might have
led to many difficulties and complications concerning
the rights of settlers and the land-titles of the present
day. In truth, in later times, the heirs of Van Werck-
hoven did assert their claim to the title of this part of
Long Island. But their pretensions were never seriously
sustained; and have been regarded only as a curious bit
of history, raising not the faintest cloud of suspicion
on the titles of the present holders of the land.
Van Werckhoven's agent, after the death of his
lord, was left without any means to found a colony;
and, for some years, the Nyack tract remained as of
old, with its tangled woods unbroken except by the
Indian trails and wigwam-camps. But Cortelyou, a
man of scholarly attainments, a linguist, a mathema-
tician, a philosopher, and a surveyor, was soon per-
suaded not to let "this beautiful land" (as the tract
was called by its first historian, Nicasius de Sille) lie
unfruitful and without inhabitants.
The Founding of the Town. — Accordingly, in the
year 165Y, Cortelyou determined, himself, to procure the
Facsimile of Signatare of Jaq. Cortelyou.
settlement of this region with sturdy colonists. On
January 16th, of that year, twenty-one patents were
granted by the Governor and Council-General in the
Nyack Tract, of fifty acres each; together with a house-
lot for each grantee. Nineteen persons each re-
ceived a grant; and the two other grants, in keeping
with the liberality of this people, who combined enter-
prise with charity, were reserved for the poor.
The names of the founders of the new settlement are
as follows :
Jacques Cortelliau, or Cortelyou; the Lord Counsel-
lor and Fiscal Nicasius de Sille ; Peter Buys ; Johann
Zeelen ; Albert Albertsen (Terhune) ; William Wille-
mse (Van Engen) ; Jacob Hellichers, alias Swart ;
Pieter Jansen ; Huybert Hoock ; Jan Jacobson ; Yun-
ker (or Squire) Jacobus Oorlear ; Johan Tomasse (Van
Dyoke) ; Jacobus Backer ; Rutgert Joosten (Van
Brunt) ; Jacob Pietersen ; Pieter Roeloffse ; Cla.es
Glaessen (Smith) ; Gornelis Beeckman; Teunis Joosten.
These fathers of the settlement soon began erecting
houses, clearing the forest and planting crops with all
the industry of their race. In memory of the ancient
city on the Rhine, in the Fatherland, in which Cornells
Van Werckhoven, the founder of the enterprise, was
born, and where he died at an early age, with his work
but just begun, the town was named — the Uteecht of
the New World.
First Houses. — Of these founders of New Utrecht,
Nicasius de Sille, a Lord Councillor and Fiscal, or At-
torney-General, under Governor Stuyvesant, was a man
of varied attainments, " well versed in the law, not un-
acquainted with military affairs, of fine character," a
poet and a historian. The earliest records of the town
are in the beautiful handwriting of this man, one of the
most versatile of all the pioneers of the New World.
His " History of the First Beginning of the Town of
New Utrecht," a brief, but interesting paper, is the
earliest native literature of the town; and was trans-
lated into English by the late Hon. Teunis G. Beegbn,
the worthy successor, in the annals of New Utrecht, of
the virtues and attainments of Nicasius de Sille.
Of the twenty settlers of New Utrecht, Rutgees
Joosten Van Beunt* is the only one who has male de-
* Autograph given on page 68.
258
SISTOBY OF KIJSTGS GOUNTT.
scendants in the town at this day; and, some of them,
still living on the same lands their forefathers cleared.
Cortelyou, De Sille, Van Dyck and, perhaps, Terhune,
are probably the only founders who have female de-
scendants in the town at the present time. The Van
Sicklen and Emmans families are some of the descend-
ants of Jansen van Salee.*
The first house erected in the limits of the present
town, was undoubtedly one which had formerly stood
on the ground of Jansen van Salee, in or near the pres-
ent village of Unionville; but, of the fact, there ap-
pear no authentic records. Soon after Van "Werckho-
ven obtained his grant, and just before he left for
Holland, it appears that he erected a building or small
retreat, well surrounded by palisades, as a protection
against the Indians. But the first house erected in the
colony of New Utrecht proper, after the grant to Cor-
telyou, was one made of clap-boards; which Jacob Hel-
lakers (alias Swart), tore down in Gravesend, and re-
erected on his own patent of land. The first house
actually built in the town was that of Nicasius de Sille.
tcajvls c/c^f
Facsimile of signature of Nicasius de Sille,
It was built, with others, for Van Brunt and Pieter
Buys in November, 1657, by Jacqb Hellickers, and was
carefully enclosed by a high palisade around the gar-
den. This house of De Sille was, for many years, a fine
relic of colonial life. Substantially built, after the
manner of the Dutch architects of the time (a style
which has re-appeared in the designs of the architects
of to-day); with its thick stone walls, its capacious fire-
places, its prominent chimney, its long, rambling sort
of roof of red tiles brought from Holland, its heavy
beams and long rafters, audits odd windows — with their
little panes of glass — this ancient colonial house, was, for
nearly two hundred years, an evidence of the care, sta-
bility and comfort of the early settlers of New Utrecht.
Into this house Gen. Nathaniel Woodhull, a patriotic
officer of the American army, in the year 1 7 76, in the War
of the Revolution, after having been inhumanly treated
by British soldiers in spite of his wounds, was taken to
die; and, before the old fire-place which had warmed
the colonists for more than a century, the brave patriot
enjoyed some comfort before his death. The site of
this house was not far from the old Dutch church edi-
fice and burying-ground. It was last occupied by Ba-
rent Wyckoff, who inherited it from Rutgert W, Van
Brunt. It was torn down in the year 1850, after
having sheltered and comforted generation after gen-
eration for almost two hundred years. From the
primitive days of the pioneer settlers to the more luxu-
rious life of the present time, this ancient building pre-
served its early form intact, on the old foundations,
* See page 169. ~~ ~~~^ '~~
long after many a more modern structure had yielded
to age.
At first, New Utrecht grew but slowly. The set-
tlers were in constant fear of the Indians. In the
year 1659, the Nyack tribe, in spite of the frequent
purchases of their lands and many peace-offerings
caused so much alarm that the old house of De Sille
was surrounded with a stockade. In the year 1660 in
the beginning of its fourth year, the village had grown
to consist of eleven substantial houses, and a block-
house protected by palisades. At this time, but little
more than two hundred years ago, New Utrecht was a
miniature fortress in the midst of a forest through
which the savages roamed more or less vindictively
and oblivious of the fact that the territory had been
bought of them already three times. A striking proof
that, at this time, the forest was still dense and the sava-
ges treacherous and war-like, is seen in the order issued
by the Governor, in the year 1661, that the whole village
be well palisaded, and " the trees be cut down within
gun-shot, so that men might be seen afar off."
First Town-Charter. — Towards the end of the
fifth year of the existence of this village-fortress, on
December 22, 1661, the first charter of New Utrecht
was granted by the Governor and Council- of New
Netherlands; and the inhabitants were duly authorized
to elect magistrates and to hold courts of justice.
This charter gave municipal powers similar to those of
New Haarlem and other villages settled in the New
Netherlands, which were all, more or less, modeled after
the self-government of the cities of Holland.
The first magistrates elected in New Utrecht were
Jan Tomassen (Van Dyck), Rutger Joosten (Van
Brunt) and Jacob Hellakars. Adriaen Hegeman, the
schout or sheriff of the neighboring towns of Breuck-
elin, Amersf oort and Midwout, was also authorized to
exercise jurisdiction in New Utrecht. The town was
then annexed to the district known as " the five Dutch
towns of Long Island," which included Gravesend.
At about this time, Governor-General Stuyvesant
made an official entry into the village ; hoisted the
standard of the Prince of Orange on a high flag-staff,
erected in the centre of the settlement ; and then went
to the house of Rutgers Joosten Van Brunt, who gave
a public entertainment ; the first public banquet re-
corded in the annals of New Utrecht.
Thus the town began its life with the principle of
self-government, which the Dutch had brought with
them from the Fatherland, and transplanted into the
New World without ostentation and without the shadow
of a boast that they were the founders of liberty on
the American continent.
Of the magistrates, Jan Tomassen was appointed
Sergeant, and received from De Sille the gift of a
halbert as the badge of his office. The same donor
also presented the inhabitants with ten muskets and
sufficient ammunition to protect them from the Indians.
CAPT. SGOTT-8 RAID UPON THE TOWN.
259
RESIDENCE OF NICASIUS DE SILL^, NEW UTRECHT, L. I., I657.-DEM0USH ED IN 1850.
For two years, thereafter, the pioneers of New
Utrecht continued diligently to clear their forests and
plant their crops. Secure in their position from the
few marauding Indians around them, they pursued the
arts of peace until the quiet state of the village was
suddenly, and without warning, broken by the war-
like arrival, before the gates of the palisades, on
January 12, 1663, of the notorious renegade and
adventurer, John Scott, and his motley followers.
Capt. Scott's Raid upon the Town. — This was
no Indian raid, for the seventy horsemen and sixty
infantry were clothed in civilized array. They had
come in search of conquest from the eastern end of
Long Island, and belonged to some of the English
colonies there. There was no war then between
England and Holland ; but this Scott had got hold of
one of the numerous grants of Long Island in which
the English had asserted rhetorical claims to undis-
covered lands ; and, filled with the high-sounding words
of his grant, had proclaimed himself President of the
English towns of Long Island. "With noise and
bluster, Scott and his troop clattered through the
peaceful Dutch towns of Long Island ; threatened the
astonished inhabitants ; and, on the heights of Brook-
lyn, with the deep waters of the East river pro-
tecting him for the time from attack from the fort,
shouted his empty defiance at the soldiers of Stuy-
vesant, and at the Governor himself in the distant
Stadt Hnys.
Into quiet New Utrecht this Puritan guerilla-band
came, with all the pomp and circumstance of war, and
proclaimed King Charles of England sovereign of all
America, from Virginia to Boston. Into the unguarded
block-house of the town, serenely resting in a time of
peace, the braggart entered and boldly upset the
cannon. Then, replacing one in a port-hole, which the
guerrillas called " The King's Port," they fired a salute
in honor of their easy victory. Jacob Hellaeckers,
then a magistrate of New Utrecht, was insulted by
Scott and ordered to swear allegiance to the King.
This the sturdy descendant of the heroes who had
fought for the rights of men in the Fatherland, refused
to do. Then, with dire threats and defiant shouts, and
the drawing of a sword upon the sick wife of Rutgert
Joosten Van Brunt, with intimations that they would
run her through with it (and they actually did pursue
her, until stopped by the crowd that coUeoted), the Puri-
tan warriors sheathed their ignoble swords and retired to
260
SIS TORT OF KIN^GS COUNTY.
the eastern end of Long Island as soon as they heard
of the movement of Stuyvesant's soldiers.
The details of this extraordinary attack were de-
scribed under oath before a magistrate by the follow-
ing people of New Utrecht : Arien Willems, Harmen
Coerten, Treyntie Claes (wife of Rutgert Joosten Van
Brunt), Jan Cleef, Christiaen Antonis, Jan Van Deven-
ter, Jacob Hellakers, Teunis Idens, Baltasar de Voos,
and Francois de Bruyne.
A letter of protest was, thereafter, directed to Scott
and the English by Governor Stuyvesant, and Mcasius
de Sille and commissioners were sent to interview the
English. Scott was seen and interrogated as to his
threats and raids. His reply was to flaunt in their faces
an unsigned document which he claimed gave him title,
and proved the right of the English to all Long Island,
and to the New Netherlands. These bombastic speeches
made but little impression upon the Dutch commission-
ers, who broke up the interview with the simple state-
ment that their governments in Europe would have to
settle the matter.
Thereafter, New Utrecht devoted itself anew to the
gathering of the crops and the improvement of its
lands. The schepens (magistrates) of the town elected
at this time were Baltasar de Vos and Francis de Bruyn.
A Change of Masters. — After the vainglorious
proclamations and salutes of the Puritan raiders had
died away, the little town of New Utrecht had only a
few months of that quiet which furnishes no food for
romantic history. On December 8th, 1664, there
appeared in Nyack Bay, between New Utrecht and
Coney Island, a fleet of vessels bearing the flag of En-
gland. There was still peace between England and
Holland, to be sure ; but the cannon of a squadron were
more potent than the muskets of raiders ; and, the fleet
having nothing else on hand in the way of adventure
more tempting, with the aid of the English of New En-
gland and of the eastern end of Long Island, accom-
plished successfully the piratical capture of the New
Netherlands. This ignoble conquest was fitly crowned
by the sale of some of the Dutch soldiers and patriots
as slaves in Virginia.
New Utrei ht was obliged to submit, with the other
towns on Long Island, to this capture by the English, on
account of the great preponderance of numbers and of
arms on the side of the English; for the fleets of Holland,
which but a few years before, in the war with England,
had swept the English coasts and cleared the Thames
to London, were all far away in the Fatherland in
ignorance of English treachery. The English flag was
now raised over New Utrecht, and a new Provincial
English government was organized under Gov-
ernor Nicolls. A few months after the capture, in
the year 1665, the Governor summoned delegates from
all the Dutch towns to a convention. The delegates
from New Utrecht were Jacques Corteljau, or Cortel-
you, and Tunker, or Squire, Fosse, or Baltasar de Voss.
A New Town Patent. — In the year 1666, the new
English government, for the sake chiefly of obtaining
additional fees and perquisites, declared that all the old
patents which had been granted to the Long Island
towns were invalid, and ordered new ones to be ob-
tained. Accordingly, in the year 1666, New Utrecht
received a new patent from the Duke of York, for
which the much longed-for fees had to be paid by the
villagers. In the year 1668, on August 15th, Governor
Nicolls issued a new patent or charter to De Sille
which confirmed the town privileges of New Utrecht.
It may be inferred that the English government, at this
time, had considered the propriety of giving the town
another name, probably on account of its rather diffi-
cult pronunciation by the English tongue; for, the char-
ter recites, with gracious condescension, as though after
a remonstrance or request by the inhabitants, that the
town is permitted to retain its Dutch name. We shall,
probably, never know how near the name of NewUtrecht
came to extinction; or, what a narrow escape the native
city of Van Werckhoven had from being swallowed
up in the New World by the name of New Kent or
Dover, or some other English town.
A copy of the new laws of the English, called " The
Duke of York's Laws" (for they were framed by him
and his advisers) , was sent to New Utrecht and the other
Dutch towns. New Utrecht was graciously allowed to
elect its own clerk. But a new tenure of the land was
ordered to be obtained, by the inhabitants, from the
Duke; and all of them were required to bring in and
surrender their old grants and obtain the new patents.
It was further decreed that, after March 1st, 1665, no
purchase of lands from the Indians was to be valid, un-
less the Governor's leave was first obtained, and the
Indian proprietor acknowledged the same before the
Governor. At the same time. New Utrecht with the
other Dutch towns of Long Island, was made into the
district called " The West Riding of Yorkshire."
Another Change of Masters.— But the English
dominion over the New Netherlands, so piratically ob-
tained in a time of peace, did not continue long. In
March, 16'72, England and France declared war against
the Republican States of Holland; and, on the morning
of July 29th, 1673, after almost nine years of English
rule, the people of New Utrecht awoke to behold
another fleet in Nyack Bay. This time the ships bore
the welcome standard of the Netherlands, unfurled in
the war which the monarchs of England and France had
declared against the republican states of the Father-
land. With joy, the flag of Holland was again raised
on the flag-staff of the old block-house of New Utrecht.
The chronicles of the time relate, with much sedateness,
that the people welcomed their countrymen with great
rejoicing; and the Dutch fleet in Nyack Bay was
crowded with the sympathizing visitors who came in
boats from New Utrecht.
New Utrecht was received back into the hands of
TO WN-GRANTS— POPULATION— MILITIA— 8LA YES.
261
the people who had laid its foundations, and had occu-
pied and improved its territory. On August 8th,
1673, the village formally acknowledged with groat
satisfaction, the old laws of the Fatherland. Governor
Colve issued a new charter, and New Utrecht, and the
other Dutch towns of Long Island, were formed into a
new district, which is now known as the County of
Kings. Francis de Bruyn, of New Utrecht, was ap-
pointed its Secretary.
On the 29th of August following. Captain Kuyflf and
Lieutenant De Hubert were commissioned to administej'
the oath of allegiance to the Dutch Government to the
people of New Utrecht; and, on the same day, every
pian in the town took the oath with great alacrity. The
number was forty-one.
On the nomination of New Utrecht, the Council of
War selected as magistrates, Thomas Jansen, Jan
Thomassen, Hendrik Mattyssen and Jan van Deventer.
The End of the Dutch Regime. — But the war
waged by England and France against Holland soon
came to an end with the treaty of Westminster, entered
into on February 19th, 1674. Evidently weary of war
and diplomacy, the States-General surrendered their
possessions in the New World, in lieu of other advan-
tages in the Old. With bitter chagrin the settlers of
the New Netherlands, destitute of arms, yielded to the
formidable numbers of the English. Again, an English
fleet anchored in Nyack bay before New Utrecht, on
the 27th and 28th of August, 1674. It immediately
attacked a sloop full of cattle, which was crossing to
the Neversink in New Jersey, seized all the cargo, and
then took possession of all the cattle left in New
Utrecht, and laid an embargo on all the grain. The end
of the Dutch dominion in the New Netherlands was
celebrated that night by the feast of the English
squadron on the beef obtained from New Utrecht
farms; and the Dutch flag never again was unfurled
from the old flag-staff. It was off the present Fort
Hamilton that Col. Nicoll demanded of Stuyvesant the
surrender of the New Netherlands.
The Dongan Patent. — In the year 1684 the New
York Council directed the towns of Long Island once
more to renew their patents. In the year 1686, New
Utrecht obtained from Gov. Dongan another charter
for the consideration of six bushels of good winter
wheat per year, to be delivered in New York. This
annual rent continued to be paid down to the close of
the Revolution; when, in 1786, the supervisor paid the
State Treasurer the sum of £13, 158, in full for all
arrears, and in commutation for all future rents.
Establishment of Boundaries between New
Utrecht and Brooklyn.— On February 14th, 1702, the
boundaries of the town of New Utrecht were fixed, and
a famous " winter white oak tree " was marked as a
point on the line between New Utrecht and Brooklyn.
More than one hundred and forty years afterwards, in
or about the year 1845, Teunis G. Bergen, then super-
visor of New Utrecht, and Martenus Bergen, then super-
visor of the eighth ward of Brooklyn, placed a mon-
ument in the stump of this same white oak tree, to
further mark the easterly angle of Brooklyn on the
boundary line of New Utrecht.
Town-Grants, 1684. — Thereafter, the town of
New Utrecht having been purchased at least three
times from the savages, (without including the numer-
ous private tenures of land,) and having been favored
with six different patents or government grants, each
covering about the same territory ; and having passed
through four changes of government, entered upon a
comparatively quiet portion of its colonial history.
This continued for about ninety years, until the dissatis-
faction and discontent of all the American colonies with
England broke out into the War of the Revolution.
Meanwhile, the town had continued to grow in popu-
lation and increase in value. The area of arable land
had been extended, and more buildings had been
erected.
In common with the other colonists of America,
the Dutch had introduced the slave-labor of Africans ;
and New Utrecht seems, early under the English rule,
to have owned a few slaves.
In the year 1675, the dwelling-house of Cortelyou
and the greater part of the village was burned. At
this time the assessment-roll of the town gives a valua-
tion of £2,852, 10s.
In the year 1679, two Hollanders visited New
Utrecht, and, in the record of their travels, have pre-
served some interesting views of the domestic life of
its people at that primitive time. The diary sets forth,
with much quaintness and amusement, how their vessel,
on entering the Narrows, was boarded by numerous
Nyack Indians, with canoes full of fruit for sale ; how
they visited the wigwam of these Indians, near where
Fort Hamilton now stands, and found seven or eight
families of the tribe living in one hut and eating
pounded maize or Indian corn ; how they were hos-
pitably received by the settlers in various plantations,
where they sat down before the great fires in spacious
chimney-places and feasted on peaches and melons, and
other fruits strange or extraordinarily luscious to their
Old World tastes.
The principal occupation of the people at this time
seems to have been the cultivation of grain and
tobacco, and the raising of cattle.
Increase of Population — Names of Inhabitants
— 1698. — In the year 1698, the population of the town
had increased, from the twenty settlers of the year 1657,
to the number of two hundred and fifty-nine (259), of
whom forty-eight (48) were slaves.
The list of names of the people of the town in the
year 1698 (about forty years after its settlement) in-
cludes very many of the ancestors of the inhabitants
of the present day — ^names still familiar to the records
of the town :
262
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Pieter Cortelyou ; Aert Van Pelt ; Anthony Van
Pelt ; Cornells Van Dyck ; Abraham Williamsen ;
Dirck Van Sutphen ; William Jansen Van Barkeloo ;
Facsimile oC tlie Signature of 'Wyllem Jansen Von BarlceUoo.
Rut Joosten Van Brunt ; Lawrens Jansen ; Adriaen
Lane ; Jan Van Cleef ; Barent Joosten ; Gysbert Tys-
sen; Hendrik Matthysen ; Gerret Coerten ; Gerret Cor-
nelisen (Van Duyn) ; Harman Garretsen; Denys Ten-
^^V-^^
fQyJA.d'.
yO^^dUA-j-jiT^'
Fa<isimile of tlie Signature of Gterret Cornelissen Van Duyn.
nissen; Cornelis Van Brunt; Joos De Baun; Cryn Jan-
sen ; Matthys Smack ; Pieter Van Deventer, and others.
Militia. — About 1698 the militia of the town
was organized with the following officers ; Captain,
John Van Dyke ; Lieutenant, Joost Van Brunt ; En-
sign, Matys Smake.
In the year 1738 the population of the town was two
hundred and eighty-two, of whom one hundred and
nineteen were African slaves. The names of the in-
habitants during this year included the following: Van
Brunt, Berry, Van Pelt, Cortelyou, Denyse, Barkeloo,
Stillwell, Van Dyck, Suydam, Ditmas, and Vanderveer.
About this time a regular ferry was established from
Yellow Hook (near what is now called Bay Ridge),
across the Narrows to Staten Island. In 1753 the ferry
was kept by John Lane.
In 1749 the seines of Justice Cortelyou, at the Nar-
rows, caught 9,000 shad.
On November 26, 1759, a large bear, in attempting
to swim across the bay to New Utrecht from Red
Hook, was shot by Sebring of Brooklyn.
Slaves. — In the year 1755 there were sixty-seven
(67) slaves in New Utrecht, which were owned by the
following persons, who were then the wealthiest people
of the town: Petrus Van Pelt; Jacques Cortelyou, Jr.;
Denyse Denyse; Saartje Barkeloo; Caspar Cropsey;
Gerrit Kouwenhoven; "William Van Nuyse; William
Van Nuyse, Jr.; Rutgert Van Brunt, Jr.; Andries
Emmans; Joris Lot; Evert Suydam; Jacobus Van
Nuys; Hendrick Johnsen; Haert Van Voerhees;
Thomas Van Dyck; John Laan; Gerret Van Duyn;
John Johnson; Rutgert Van Brunt; Roelof Van
Brunt; Wilhelmus Van Brunt; Thomas Pollock; Neeltje
Pietersen ; Rebecca Emmans ; Captain Petrus Van
Pelt.
New Utrecht's Share in the Revolutionary
War.— In the year 1776, at the outbreak of the War
of the Revolution, New Utrecht was early occupied by
the British troops, who remained in possession, from the
Battle of Long Island to the evacuation of New York
— a period of seven years. The troops were quartered
on the inhabitants all this
time ; and those who joined
^--i/V./J^^, the American ranks from
New Utrecht, were forced to
make night-journeys across
the Bay or the Narrows, in
fishing-boats, to Staten Island and New Jersey. The
traditions of personal conflicts and quarrels between
the villagers and the troops; and of attacks by boats at
night are numerous and amusing. But, through every-
thing, the British kept a firm
hand on the granaries, cattle
f/ap and crops of the village. The
' bluff at Fort Hamilton, called
Denyse's Ferry Landing, was
occupied during the time of
the Revolution by the houses of Denyse Denyse,
Abram Bennett and Simon Cortelyou. Here, in Au-
gust, 1776, a party of Americans established a battery
of two or three twelve-pounders ; and, without wait-
ing for an attack, opened fire on the frigate A%ia^
DENYSE'S PEEET, FOET HAMILTON, L. I.*
which headed the fleet of Lord Howe, as it arrived to
subdue the rebellion. The guns of the fleet rapidly re-
turned the compliment, and one twenty-four pound shot
lodged in the wall of Mr. Bennett's house, and three in
the house of Denyse, the kitchen narrowly escaping
destruction. On August 22d, 1776, 16,000 British
and Hessian troops effected a landing in face of the fire
of the little battery. Thus, the first resistance made to
the British arms in the Middle States of America, was
on the soil of New Utrecht, near where the present
Fort Hamilton stands.
After the Close of the Revolutionary Struggle
the town began a new era of prosperity and
* Copied from engraving in Lossimg's PJeld-Booft of the BevolutiUm, U,
598. Tlie view is from tlie road on the liigli sliore, a little below Port
Hamilton, looking southeast ; the house In the centre belonged to
Simon Cortelyou, a tory, during the Eevolution. Gravesend Bay Is seen
beyond the house and the distant land is Coney Island B
t:OCLESiASTlCAL HISTORY.
263
growth. As the new laws and the new spirit be-
came prevalent, the Dutch language began to lose its
prominence, until it remained only as a historic treasure
reverently guarded in every home, and used constantly
as a means of secrecy, or as a bond of intimacy, under
the sway of the more opulent English tongue.
Record of the War of the Civil Rebellion. —
In the time of the Civil War the town furnished many
-soldiers to aid in subduing the rebellion of the South-
ern States. Encampments of volunteers preparing
for the campaign were frequently had on, and near, the
Bluffs at Fort Hamilton, in addition to the regular
troops who marched from that place to the war. Fort
Lafayette, (formerly called Fort Diamond), situated on
the reef in the Narrows, nearly opposite Fort Hamil-
ton, became famous in the Civil War, as the prison of
many a Northern man who actively sympathized with
the South.
Statistics of Population, Valuations, etc. —
Gradually, in the course of later years, other villages
have grown within the limits of the town. In these,
greater changes have taken place in recent times, than
in the original village of New Utrecht, which has
firmly resisted great modern innovations, and has pre-
served to a large degree the same general outline for
some generations. The four other villages that have
thus sprung up within the limits of the present town
are, Bath, Bay Ridge, Port Hamilton, and part of
IJnionville.
The growth of the town in population for many years
past is shown by the following table :
1647, 20 settlers ; 1673, 41 males took the oath of al-
legiance to the Dutch Government; 1698, 211 and 48
slaves; 1738, 282; 1810, 907; 1820, 1,009; 1840,
1,283 ; 1845, 1,863 ; 1850, 2,129 ; 1855, 2,730 ; 1860,
2,781; 1865,3,394; 1870,3,296; 1875,3,843; 1880,4,742.
The valuation of the town from £2,852. 10s. in 1675,
grew to $304,954 in 1823, and $1,108,350 in 1870. In
1870 the town produced a value of $214,500.
Of improved land the town has now nearly 1,800
acres; and the products of its crops, although they have
gradually changed in kind, from the grain, tobacco and
cattle raising of earlier days, to the market-gardening
that furnishes the best vegetables for the New York
market of to-day, are still of far more value than any
of the other towns of Kings County.
The number of citizens in the town who voted for
President or Governor within the last three years is as
follows: In 1880, Republican, 993, Bemocratio, 1,324;
in 1881, Republican, 178, Democratic, 402 ; in 1882,
Republican, 202, Democratic, 595.
Supervisors, 1713-1797.— The following is the list
of the Supervisors of the town since the year 1713 : In
1'714, Joost Van Brunt ; from 1715 to 1720, Andreas
Emans ; in 1721, Peter Cortelyou ; from 1722 to 1744,
twenty-two successive years, Joost Van Brunt ; from
1744 to 1757, thirteen successive years, Rutgert Van
Brunt ; from 1758 to 1766, Albert Van Brunt ; in 1767,
Roelof Van Brunt ; from 1768 to 1777, Albert Vart
Brunt.
Prom this year, down to the year 1782, owing to the
occupation of the town by the British troops, it seems
that a Supervisor was not elected.
Prom 1782 to 1785, Isaac Cortelyou; from 1786 to
1788, Jacques Barkeloo ; from 1789 to 1794, Isaac Cor-
telyou ; in 1795, '96, and '97, Adrian Hegeman.
Constables. — The first constable after the English
conquest, on the records, was Hendrick Matyssen Smack,
in 1669.
Overseers. — The first overseer, of which any account
is preserved, was Luykes Mayerse, in 1672.
Town Clerks, Etc. — The office of town clerk was
instituted by Governor Andross on the 3d of May, 1679.
The first person recorded to have held the office was
Joost de Baene, in 1686.
Justice of the Peace. — The first was Jacques Cortelyou
in 1675. The first assessors on the records are Myndert
Korten and Jan Hansen (Van Nostrand) in 1687. The
first member of the State assembly from the town was
Myndert Korten, in 1698. The ^rst judgie of the Court
of Common Pleas of the county was Cornells Van
Brunt, of New Utrecht, in 1716 ; and Peter Cortelyou
assistant judge in 1702. The first com,missioners of
highways on the records are Aert Van Pelt and Andries
Emmans, in 1721. In 1775, among the deputies sent
from Kings County to the Provincial Congress of New
York to resist the British oppression, was Denyse De-
nyse, of New Utrecht.
Ecclesiastical History. — In the early days of the
settlement the people worshipped with the congre-
gation of the Reformed Dutch Churches in Flatbush,
Flatlands and Brooklyn. Previous to 1677, during the
pastorate of the Rev. Johannes T. Polhemus, religious
services were held in a school-house, or in a private
building.
First Church — In the year 1677, the Reformed
Protestant Dutch Church of New Utrecht was organ-
ized, the dedicatory services being conducted by the
Rev. Casparus Van Zuren. The names of the first
elders were : Jan Guysbertz and Myndert Korten ; the
first deacons were Arian Willemsen (Bennett) and Jan
Hansen (Van Nostrand). More than 26 families formed
the congregation, and 27 persons were communicants at
the beginning of the church organization. The follow-
ing is the list of the original members : Jan Hansen
(Van Nostrand) and wife ; Myndert Korten and wife ;
Daniel Vorveelen and wife ; Jan Gysbertz; Willemtje;
Neeltje ; Adrian Willemsen Bennett and wife ; Jan
Pietersen Van Deventer and wife ; Nyntie Van Dyck ;
Gysbert Tysz Van Pelt and wife ; Adriaantje ; Joost
Du Wien and wife ; Pieter Veritie ; Jean du Pre ;
Nicholas du Pre ; Lourens Jansen and wife ; the mother
of Joost du Wien ; Annetje Bocquet ; Magdalena Van
Pelt.
264
HISTORY OF KIN^aS COXTNTY.
The first church edifice was erected in the year lYOO.
It was built of stone, octagonal in shape, with side walls
of boulders, and a steep shingly roof surmounted with
a belfry over the center ; upon the belfry was an iron
cross, surmounted by a large cock or rooster.
The bell, which was hung in the belfry then, is proba-
bly the same one which still summons the worshippers
of to-day to their devotions.
Of pyramidal shape in the interior, with wooden ceil-
ing and wainscoting; with chairs instead of the more
uncomfortable pews of recent times; and with a high
pulpit shaped like a tumbler and capped by a sounding-
board, with a gilt dove with the olive-branch on the top,
this ancient building must indeed have been a quaintly
picturesque place in which to worship God.
During the revolutionary war the church edifice was
used as a hospital and also as a riding-school by the
British officers; as though in contempt, not only for
rebels, but also for those who could worship God in
any other than the English fashion.
The site of this building was in the old graveyard
at the westerly end of the village. After standing for
one hundred and twenty-eight years, it was torn down
in the year 1828; and, in the year 1829, the present
church edifice was erected.
Pastors of the Church. — The list of pastots of
the church is as follows :
1667-85, the Rev. Casparus Van Zuren ; 1685-'95,
the Rev. Rudolphus Varick; 1686-1702, the Rev. Wil-
helmus Lupardus ; l705-'4.3, the Rev. Bernardus Free-
man ; 1714-41, the Rev. Johannes Arondens ; 1746-
'84, the Rev. Ulpianus Van Sinderin ; 1755-56, the
Rev. Anthonius Curtenius ; 1757-'84, the Rev. Johan-
nes C. Rubel ; 1784-1824, the Rev. Martinus Schoon-
maker ; 1 787-1818, the Rev. Petrus Lowe. In the year
1792 Dominie Lowe conducted the services in the
English language for the first time. 1809-'34, the Rev.
John Beattie, D.D.; 1834-'66, the Rev. Robert Ormis-
ton Currie, D.D.; 1867-'80, the Rev. David S. Sutphen;
1880, the Rev. Alfred Brush, the present pastor.
Sabbath Schools. — In 1825 John Carpenter, M.D.,
organized the first Sabbath-School in the village of Fort
Hamilton, and was the founder of the Sabbath-schools
of New Utrecht.
On October 18, 1877, the church celebrated its two
hundredth anniversary with appropriate exercises and
exhibition of ancient relics. The Rev. D. S. Sutphen
and the late Hon. Tennis G. Bergen delivered the
addresses of the day, and read the Ten Command-
ments in Dutch.
The consistory of the church at that time were :
Adrian Bergen, John L. Van Pelt, J. Remsen Bennett,
Peter Kowenhoven, elders ; Peter A. Hegeman, Tennis
Schenck, William H. Wright, Harmon W. Cropsey,
deacons.
The M. E. Church of New Utrecht.— The next
church organized in the town of New Utrecht was the
Methodist Church. The people of that religions de-
nomination held religious services in Bay Ridge
with the aid of members of Methodist churches
in Brooklyn, for some time before any church
edifice was erected. The first church building -was
erected by the Methodists in 1831, on Conover's Lane
not far from the extension of the line of Fifth avenue
upon land donated for the purpose by Mr. John Ben-
ham. This building in June, 1848, was destroyed by
fire caused by boys. Its value was about |1,500.
The second church building was erected about the
same year of the destruction of the former one, on
what is now called Stewart avenue, between Ovington
avenue and Bennett's lane. Its value was about
$1,300; on land given, rent free, by Mr. Simon Denyse,
A third Methodist church was built in Bay Ridge, in
the year 1875, on the corner of Ovington and Fourth
avenues, on land formerly belonging to the Ovington
estate and bought of Mr. Parsons. The name of the
present church is " Grace M. E. Church; " and the size
of the building is 32 feet by 50 feet long, exclusive of
recess behind the pulpit. The value of the church and
land is about $8,500. A handsome parsonage stands
on a lot on Ovington avenue, adjoining the church,
and is valued, with the lot, at $6,000.
The present trustees of the church are Jacob J.
Moore, Henry Duryea, and Adrian B. Denyse. The
present membership is 40; the number of scholars in
the Sunday-school is about 40, and the present superin-
tendent is Adrian B. Denyse. The present efiicient and
eloquent pastor of the church is the Rev. H. C. Glover.
The following is the list of Pastoes of this church
and that of Unionville :
1843-44, Rev. Lorenzo D. Nickerson ; 1845, Rev.
Saulsbury ; 1846-47, Rev. Edward 0. Bates;
1848-49, Rev. James D. Bouton ; 1850, Rev. James
McBride; 1851-52, Rev. Benjamin Redford; 1853-54,
Rev. Edward H. Fanning ; 1855-'56, Rev. John F.
Booth ; 1857-58, Rev. Richard Walse; 1860-6 ', Rev.
Ezra Miner ; 1862-'63, Rev. Robert R. Roberts ; 1864
-'65, Rev. Henry C. Glover ; 1866-'67, Rev. William
H. Russell; 1868-'69, Rev. L. D. Nickerson; 1870-'72,
Rev. Nicholas Orchard ; 1873-75, Rev. Samuel A.
Seaman; 1876-'78, Rev. Alex. McAlister ; 1879-'81
Rev. H. C. Glover.
The Methodist Church at Unionville, part of
whose congregation are within the town of New
Utrecht, was built in the year 1844, with the title
" Fisherman's Church." It was dedicated by the Rev.
Henry Chace, for many years the eloquent pastor of
the Mariner's church, in Roosevelt street, New York
city. The present membership of the church is 40;
scholars in Sunday -School, 75. The list of pastors is
the same as that of the Methodist church at Bay
Ridge. The present trustees are : Stephen Mans,
Garrett Wyckoff, Oscar D. Way, Cornelius Cosine and
Edmund Morris.
CSTTR CBE8—ED UGA TIONAL.
265
St. John's Episcopal Church. — In the year 1834,
a little Episcopal Church was organized at Fort Hamil-
ton and called &t. John^s Episcopal Church. It was
founded by the garrison at Fort Hamilton and some
Episcopal families of the neighborhood. The heirs of
the Denyse farm, the Rev. Hugh Smith, the Rev. Jas.
P. Clark, Dr. John Carpenter, and Miss Smith, gave
the land. The Rev. Jas. Dixon Carder was the first
rector in 1834; he was succeeded by the Rev. Sylvan us
Nash in 1845, after whom came the Rev. Michael Scho-
field, in 1847; the Rev. Joseph Ransom in 1861 ; the
Rev. W. H. D. L. Grannis in 1867; and the Rev. Henry
E. Hovey in 1869. The church was then without a
regular rector for five years, until the Rev. R. B. Snow-
den was appointed in 1874, and is the rector at the
present time.
This is the Garrison Church, and is also attended by
many Episcopal families of the neighborhood. In
this little brown wooden building many distin-
guished officers of the army have worshipped; such as
the late General Robert E. Lee, who, then a Captain,
was a vestryman in 1842. Gen. Stonewall Jackson was
baptized there, after the Mexican War; and Admiral
Glitz, then a Captain in the Navy, was a vestryman in
1860.
The Protestant Episcopal Church of Bay
Ridge, dedicated as Christ Church, was started by the
late Mr. J. A. Perry, of Bay Ridge, in the year 1852.
Associated with him ia the movement were Messrs.
Theodore Sedgwick, W. C. Langley, Daniel Richards
Charles Prince and Henry C. Murphy. The church
edifice was completed and the first service held in it on
Trinity Sunday, May 22nd, 1853, according to the
forms of the Protestant Episcopal Church, the sermon
being preached by the Rev. Henry B. Bartow. The
first Church Wardens were Messrs. Joseph A. Perry
and John B. Kitching ; Vestrymen, Messrs. W. C.
Langley, Theodore Sedgwick, Daniel C. Winslow,
Benj. C. Townsend, Joseph Dunderdale, Daniel Rich-
ards, James Weir and George Fletcher. The church
building was originally built with the understanding
that, if the Rev. Dr. Stone would not accept the rector-
ship, it should be dedicated to the forms of worship of
any Christian church which a majority of the sub-
scribers should determine. After the first service, a
consultation was held among the members of the con-
gregation, and it was decided that the edifice should be
used as a Protestant Episcopal Church, and that the
Rev. Mr. Bartow should be called to be the rector. He
accepted the call and remained in charge from Sept. 8,
1853 to June 28, 1854, when he resigned. The list of
Rectoes of the church is .is follows :
The Rev. Theodore Irving, L.L.D., to February 9th,
1857; the Rev. John P. Hubbard from April 16th,
1857, to June 20th, 185a ; the Rev. Uriah B. Tracy
from December 20th, 1859, to November 12th, 1864.
The Rev. John A. Aspinwall entered upon his duties as
rector on the first Sunday of December, 1864, and has
now been for more than eighteen years in charge of the
parish.
The names of the Wardens elected on Easter, 1881,
were Messrs. J. A. Perry, (since deceased), Wm. H.
Thomas ; Vestrymen, Messrs. B. C . Townsend, Jas.
Weir, Edward Kent, George Self, S. W. Thomas, W.
A. Perry, S. M. B. Hopkins, P. W. Perry.
The old church building was doubled in size in 1869 ;
and, in 1877 a large building was erected by the side of
the church for a Sunday-school. The Rectory was
destroyed by fire July 5th, 1873, but was rebuilt the
same year, and the land purchased on which the old
building stood. The cost of the church building all
complete was $20,630 ; the cost of Rectory and land
was $16,000 ; the cost of Sunday-school building,
$7,000. The number of the congregation is 320, of
whom 145 are communicants. In the Sunday-school
are 200 children. The names of the recent superin-
tendents are Mr. J. A. Perry, Rev. U. T. Tracy, Mr.
George Self, Mr. H. G. Hadden, Rev. J. A. Aspinwall,
Mr. F. W. Perry.
On August 26th, 1881, the parish met with the great-
est loss it ever sustained, by the death of Mr. Joseph
A. Peeby, one of the founders of the church, who in the
words of his pastor was " a Christian of the highest
type, a man of the most exalted and lively character,
and from the first even to the very last a devoted friend
and supporter of the church and parish." For years
Mr. Perry was the Comptroller of Greenwood Cemetery,
and his charming residence on Bay Ridge Avenue was
an ornament to the town of New Utrecht.
The Colored Church in Unionville, attended by
many of the colored residents of the town, and called
The African Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, erected
its edifice in 1869.
The Roman Catholic Church, in the village of
Fort Hamilton, has a large congregation and a substan-
tial church edifice.
In addition to the church buildings already mentioned,
several for the use of Sunday-schools have been erected
and exercises are held at Fort Hamilton and Edge wood
in Conover's Lane, under the auspices of the Reformed
Church. The building used by the Sunday-school at
Edgewood is a tasteful structure and an ornament to
the vicinity.
Educational. — The schools of the town were orig-
inally under the auspices of the Reformed Protestant
Dutch Church ; and, until the War of the Revo-
lution, instruction was given in the Dutch lan-
guage as well as in English. .The Dutch always car-
ried the schoolmaster with them, and he frequently in
the olden time filled the ofiice of clerk and bell-ringer
to the congregation, read the commandments, led the
singing, and dug the graves. At the present time the
public schools of the town belong to the commissioner's
district of the county towns of Kings county, of which
MISTORT Ot KIKi^S OOXTNTY.
C. Warren Hamilton, Esq., is commissioner. The pub-
lic schools of the town at the present time are the fol-
lowing : Public School No. 1, William H. Hoag, Prin-
cipal; Public School No. 2, E. V. Cooke, Principal;
Public School No. 3, A. Rockfellow, Principal; Public
School No. 4, James T. Simpson, Principal.
In the past few years numerous improvements have
been made in the school-houses. A new and commo-
dious structure has been erected for School No. 4 ; and
District No. 2 is to have a model building at a cost of
$10,000.
The Old Village Graveyard.— The old grave-
yard of the village, near where the first church edifice
stood, still preserves the old lines and shows the grassy
mounds over the graves of the early dead of pioneer
times, as well as over the remains of those who died but
a short time ago. The graceful monument erected to
the memory of Drs. Du Bois and Crane commemorates
deeds of noble sacrifice. In the year 1856, some ship-
ping in the Quarantine, then opposite Staten Island,
communicated the fatal seeds of yellow fever to the in-
habitants of Bay Ridge and Fort Hamilton. Family
after family was broken up or sadly ruined by the ter-
rible scourge. In the endeavor to stay the ravages of
the disease and help the afilioted, these two physicians
bravely did their utmost until they, too, fell victims to
the pest and were interred in the ancient church-yard.
Since then, the quarantine hospitals have been estab-
lished lower down in the Bay, near Sandy Hook ;
and nothing has occurred to detract from the sa-
lubrity of the air of New Utrecht throughout its whole
area.
Modern Public Buildings. — Within recent years,
a new building has been erected by the Young Men's
Christian Association in the village. More recently a
new Town- Hall has been built on 86th Street, near
where it crosses the old highway, from the shore of The
Narrows to the village. This new structure, with its
pretentious form, its double towers visible from the wa-
ters of the Bay, its spacious meeting-room and court-
room, and its numerous cells for prisoners in the base-
ment, is a monument of modern political power, and an
evidence that the old conservative feeling of the people
has been imbued at times with another spirit. Near the
Fort, on the Shore Road, rise the walls and turrets of
the Kings County Inebriate Asylum, an imposing
proof of the humane sentiment in modern government.
Hotels, Roads and Drives. — No portion of the
country, within easy reach of the metropolis, has a
situation more favorable as a retreat in summer from
the enervating heats and offensive odors of the city,
than the stretch of shore along this town, from Bay
Ridge to Gravesend. For many years, the Hamilton
House at Fort Hamilton, under the management of the
late Hawley D. Clapp, was a well-known resort and
much frequented by summer visitors, until its destruc-
tion by fire a few years ago.
The Bath Hotel, near the beach at Bath, has long
been well and favorably known as a first-class house •
and, surrounded by groves and summer cottages has
formed one of the breathing-places of New York.
Within a few years the name of the hotel has been
changed to that of The Avon Beach Hotel, for what
reason history knoweth not.
ChurcKs Hotel, near the Port, Pope^s Hotel, at Bay
Ridge, Bennetfs, near the Bay Ridge wharf, Gropsey's
in New Utrecht village, are among the old land-marks
of the town ; and Heegan's and Slater's are well known
to amateur fishermen.
Before the Revolution the highway of travel from
New York was through Brooklyn to Fort Hamilton,
and across the Narrows to Staten Island. Thereafter,
arose the old Highway from the village of New
Utrecht, by the Floss-pond, to the Narrows. The
Shore Road, from Bay Ridge, along the bluffs, over-
looking the Bay, to Fort Hamilton, is one of the most
picturesque roads in the vicinity of New York. It
winds with the graceful lines of the shore, past old
homesteads and modern residences, along vine-covered
fences and cedar woods, at a height varying from
twenty to seventy feet above the water. It may, with
truth, be said, that the views from this drive are unsur-
passed by those seen from any other avenue in the
world. The tall spars of the ships of every clime,
from the great East Indiaman to the trim coasting-
schooner, the huge fabrics of excursion and river
steamboats, the colossal hulls of ocean steamers, the
stern sides of men-of-war, and the bright sails of
pleasure-yachts and river-craft of every kind, as they
move to and fro in the Bay and through the Narrows,
form a picture of ever changing interest against the
dark back-ground of the hills of New Jersey and of
Staten Island, with the sombre ramparts of Fort Wads-
worth.
On this road stand the old homes of the late Jacques
Van Brunt, the late John I. Bennett, the late Remsen
Bennett, the old Barkeloo family, the Ross estate, the
late Chandler White, and the late Hon. Teunis 6.
Bergen, whose portrait and biography will be found in
the following pages.
On this same picturesque road are, also, the residences
of Holmes Van Brunt, Judge Charles Van Brunt, of the
New York Common Pleas Court, Isaac E. Bergen,
Richard Bennett, Wm. Gelston, Thomas T. Church,
the late Hawley D. Clapp, Van Brunt Bergen, Garret
T. Bergen, J. Martin Bennett, John Bennett, Wm. and
Adolphus Bennett, Winant Bennett, Daniel Van Brunt
and the late Rulefif Van Brunt, Major Berrier, John
McKay, J. Cornell White, and others.
On the ridge of the bay, from the boundary line of
Brooklyn to the beginning of the Shore Road, are the
residences of Henry A. Kent, Sedgwick, Wm. C. Lang-
ley, the late Michael Bergen ; and, on Owl's Head, the
country residence of the late Hon. Henry C. Murphy,
BIOGRAPHY OF SOK TFUNIS G. BERGER.
26/'
well known in the history of Kings County, but whose
name and fame more properly belong to the annals of
the City of Brooklyn. This is now the home of Mr.
E. C. Bliss.
On and near Bay Ridge avenue, stand the ornate
residences of the late Joseph A. Perry and Edward
Kent.
On Second avenue are situated the Bay Ridge Athe-
neum Building and the beautiful and tasteful homes of
B. C. Townsend, Wm. H. Thomas, that of the late
Wm. Kitching, commanding a view of the Bay ; and,
near by, the tower of the residence of Mr. Bullock.
Not far from the Episcopal Church are the residences
of Henry Hannah, Herman S. Bergen, Mr. Wilde,
the floral gardens of James Weir and the residence of
Mr. George T. Hope, of the Continental Life Insurance
Company of New York and the Bennett and Denyse
homesteads.
Along the line of the shore, beyond the Fort and
towards Coney Island, are found the residences of Col.
Wm. Cropsey ; the summer house of the late dra-
matic actor, Barney Williams ; and the hospitable sum-
mer residences, beyond Bath, of Mr. Robert Speir, Jr.,
of Brooklyn, and his distinguished sons, the well known
physicians of Brooklyn, Drs. S. Fleet Speir and Robert
Speir, as also the residences of Mr. Robert Benson
and Mr. Archibald Young.
In New Utrecht village and on the highways leading
thereto, in Church Lane and Conover's Lane, are the
residences of those who still bear the names of the
early settlers of the town, the Hegemans, Van Pelts,
Emmanses, Conovers, Monforts, Suydams, WyckofEs,
Larzalaers, Kouwenhovens, Van Brunts, Duryeas,
Bennetts, Denyses, Williamsons, Snedekers, Morrises,
Bogerts, Moores, Cropseys, Lots, Carpenters, Wrights,
Lakes, and others — names which still maintain the
reputation of those who founded the community and
have continued the sturdiest of human virtues from
generation to generation.
Railroads. — The old Plank Road, from Bath,
through the village, to Greenwood and Brooklyn, was
surrendered to the first railroad in New Utrecht, under
the management of C. Godfrey Gunther, ex-mayor of
New York City ; and the railroad was continued,
through Unionville, to Coney Island. Very recently,
two new railroads have been established from Bay
Ridge, on the estate of the late Michael Bergen, to
Coney Island, viz., the JSTew York and Matihattan
Beach R. R. Co., and the N. Y. and Sea Beach R. R.
Go. The Brooklyn City R. R. Co., within the last few
years, exchanged its horses for locomotive engines on
Third avenue to Fort Hamilton. By these roads many
thousands of people are daily convey ea, through the cul-
tivated fields and gardens of New Utrecht, to the cool
shores of the Bay in the summer season; and the limits
of the town are being brought into closer contact with
the great commercial centre of the New World.
Through the force of politics many new roads have
been ruthlessly opened as avenues, with mathematical
accuracy, across the beautiful old lanes and highways
of the town ; and lots for residences have been staked
out of late on many an ancient farm. Two or three new
factories have been established, and shops and stores
erected.
Manufactories. — The Oar Works of Michael
Feigel, in the village, and the Fames Hat Manufac-
tory, at Bay Ridge, are among the most prominent of
recent industries. Very lately a large corporation has
purchased a part of the water-front, at Bay Ridge, of
the estate of the late Michael Bergen, with the inten-
tion of building and fitting out vessels on an extensive
scale.
The changeful and progressive spirit of the time is
showing its influence more and more on the ancient
Nyack Tract which Van Werokhoven purchased of the
Indians. The homes of the early Dutch colonists have
nearly all fallen in decay ; the woods which the settlers
cleared, in fear of the weapons of the Nyack and
Canarsie savages, have, for the most part, disappeared ;
the plantations of grain and tobacco, and the pasture-
fields for cattle, have given way to the highly-culti-
vated gardens which supply the freshest vegetables of
the New York market ; the quaint roofs and gables of
the substantial colonial homesteads are being crowded
out by the lighter and more ornamented dwellings of
to-day ; one by one the old land-marks are fading
away, and step by step the great city is encroaching
upon the old plantation of Van Werckhoven. Before
many years shall have elapsed the lines of every farm
will be buried beneath the wave of suburban progress.
Whether these changes will prove more pleasant and
beneficial than the old ways, it is not for this sketch of
New Utrecht to predict; but it is certain that it will be
long before any new American spirit will produce upon
this soil any nobler human virtues than those which
the founders of the settlement brought with them and
transmitted to their families for generations, and
which still preserve in the New World the name and
fame of the historic Utkecht, on the Rhine, in Holland.
Hon. Teunis G. Bergen, farmer, statesman and an-
tiquary, was born in the town of New Utrecht, on the
6th of October, 1806. He was the eldest child of Gar-
ret Bergen and Jane Wyckoff, his wife. He clearly
traced his ancestry to Hans Hansen Bergen, a native
of Bergen, in Norway, who came over to the New
Netherlands with Wouter Van Twiller, the second di-
rector of the colony. Bergen's wife (whom he married
in 1639) was Sarah, the daughter of the Walloon
emigrant, Jane Joris Rapelje, who came to this coun-
try in the ship Unity, in 1623, and first settled at Al-
268
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
bany; afterwards removing to New Amsterdam, and
thence (1635) to the Waleboght on Long Island. Sarah
was herself a historic character, being the first white fe-
male child born within the limits of the present State
of New York — at Albany. Thus, from a stock not
originally of the Netherland blood, but which became
afterwards thoroughly incorporated with the first
Dutch settlers of this county, sprang this most distin-
guished Dutch scholar. His early youth was mainly
spent between work upon his father's farm at Gow-
anus, and at the common school of the district. As
youth merged into manhood, he applied himself to the
study and practice of surveying, in which he soon be-
came proficient. To the main duties of an active life
he added those of a farmer; and, not forgetting those
he owed to the community in which he resided, he
faithfully discharged such as were imposed upon him
by the choice of his fellow-citizens, as soldier, civilian
and statesman. He held the position of Ensign, Cap-
tain, Adjutant, Lieut.-Colonel in the militia; and,
finally, that of Colonel of the 241st Regiment, N. Y. S.
N. Gr. He was Supervisor of the town of New Utrecht
for twenty-three years in succession (April, 1836, to
April, 1859); and from 1842 to 1846 was Chairman of
the Board. He was a member of the Constitutional
State Conventions in 1846, 1867 and 1868, and was re-
peatedly a member of the Democratic State Conven-
tions. He was a delegate to the National Democratic
Convention, held at Charleston, S. C, in 1860, and vig-
orously opposed the resolutions of that body which
caused the breach between the Northern and Southern
Democratic party. The last and most notable public
office which he held by the choice of his fellow-citizens
was that of Representative in Congress from the Sec-
ond Congressional District, in 1864, when he was
elected by a majority of 4,800 over his opponent, the
" Union " candidate. In that session of the House of
Representatives his party was in the minority; but,
true to his Dutch principles, he stood firm to his party
to the completion of his term of service. The pages
of this History of the County of Kings bear frequent
witness to Mr. Bergen's many public services in behalf
of the interests of the county and of its several towns,
as well as of the city of Brooklyn. That he was so
frequently called upon, in these public affairs, was a
most striking tribute to his ability, industry and integ-
rity.
On his retirement from public and professional du-
ties, he devoted his leisure hours to those antiquarian
and genealogical investigations which possessed, for
him, so great a fascination. These investigations ran
most naturally in the lines of Dutch (and Kings
County Dutch) ancestry and history. In the earlier
years of his life, spent among the hills and by the water-
side at Gowanus, and at New Utrecht, he knew no lan-
guage but the Dutch — not as spoken now-a-days, but
with the idiom and pronunciation of two hundred years
ago — and corrupted, in a measure, by the gradual in-
troduction of the English. By education, he soon be-
came versed in the English language; but he nevei
ceased to cultivate the language of his boyhood, which
he lived to see almost eradicated, in this county, ae a
spoken language. It sometimes seemed to his friends
as though he thought in Dutch, but spoJee in English-
and there was always a certain peculiar accent to
his pronunciation, especially when a little excited, as if
both tongues wrestled at his lips for precedence. By
birth, and education and study he was admirably quah-
fied to decipher the Dutch records, both public and
private, which he frequently had occasion to consult.
His pure character and great experience as a land-sur-
veyor in the settling of town-boundaries and private
estate-lines among the old Dutch families of the
county, also, gave him access to many ancient docu-
ments and sources of information which would have
been closed to any other person. So that, he early be-
came an expert in all that related to the Dutch and
their descendants, not only in the county, but upon
Long Island and even in New Jersey. In the history
of the Dutch families of Long Island he was not only
(with the exception of Rikbr) the first gleaner, but he
was by far the most thorough, exhaustive and authori-
tative. His untiring and self-sacrificing researches into
the almost obsolete records of the ancient Dutch
churches of Long Island and New York have un-
earthed numerous and important materials for the use
of modern historians; while his discoveries, in out-of-
the-way places, of many of the detached birth, baptis-
mal and marriage records, and the restoration of the
same, have conferred inestimable benefits upon the gen-
ealogist and antiquary. His published writings were
numerous and important. Scattered through the vol-
umes of the New Yoek Genealogical and Biogea-
PHiCAL Recced will be found valuable papers on Rec-
ords of Births of the Society of Friends, Gravesend, L,
I., commencing 1665; the Van Dyke Family; Mar-
riage Records of Gravesend, commencing 1664; a list
of Deaths in Capt. Granfs company in 1762; the Mont-
foort Family; Pioneers of the Revolutionary War;
the Martense Family; Contributions to the History of
the First Settlers of Kings county; Memorials of
Francays D''Bruynne; the Van Duyn Family. Some
of these formed portions of " A Register of the Early
Settlers and Freeholders of Kings county, N. Y.,from
its First Settlement by Europeans to 1700, with Biogra-
phical Notices and Family Genealogies," which was
published in 1881, a few weeks after his death. Before
this, however, in 1866, he had issued " The Bergen
Family," an octavo of 298 pages; in 1867^ the history
of his wife's ancestry, " Genealogy of the Van Brunt
Family," in 80 octavo pages. But the crowning glory
of his well-spent life, so far as family-history is con-
cerned, was a second edition of his " Bergen Family,
so improved and augmented as to embrace, by regular
BIOGRAPHY OF HON. TEUNIB G. BERGEN.
269
descent and intermarriage, a large portion of the
Dutch population of Southern New York and Eastern
New Jersey; forming a handsome illustrated volume of
658 octavo pages. In 1878 appeared his " Genealogy
of the Lefferts lamily," l&lb-m^, a.n octavo of 172
pages. In 1877, also, at the 200th anniversary celebra-
tion of the Reformed Dutch Church of New Utrecht,
he delivered an " Address on the Annals of New
Utrecht," of great historic value; and which was printed
for private circulation by the consistory of the church.
He left, also, in manuscript, "A History of New
Utrecht," which antiquarians are hoping to see issued,
in due time, by competent hands. He left, moreover,
translations of several important manuscripts relating
to Kings county matters.
Mr. Bergen was one of the founders of the Long
Island Historical Society, and one of its officers up to
the day of his death. He was, also, a member of the
New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, his
contributions to which have been already noted.
He was a man of simple habits and few wants. In
the language of his intimate friend and neighbor, the
late Hon. Henet C. Muephy, " he adhered always to
plain, honest lines of activity ; caring in no degree
whatever for upstart distinctions; proud of the fact
that he was a farmer, bearing upon his body the evi-
dence that by the sweat of his brow and the labor of
his hands, he earned the right to a comfortable footing
in the world; his chief pride was that his neighbors
had unqualified confidence in his integrity. He was a
power in his rural district, because his neighbors could
say of him with certainty, as Burns declared of Gavin
Hamilton:
' What once he says he winna break it,
What's no his ain he winna take it.'
Because of this trust in him he came to be frequently
called upon by them to do public service. In culture
and interest in matters of history, he exhibited a dispo-
sition worthy of the warmest admiration. As before
stated, he spoke the Dutch tongue with fluency, and
delighted to dilate upon its beauties. As the Presi-
dent of the St. Nicholas Society of Nassau, he figured
as a sort of literary and social St. Nicholas, indicating
the Past and the Future, and imparting to the material
struggles of every day a flavor of the pleasant but van-
ishing traditions of the Fatherland." Personally he was
an industrious, staid and sober citizen — a thorough
" Dutchman of the old school " in all things. He was a
man of great method and scrupulous attention to busi-
ness ; and, with his patrimonial possessions, had acquired
a considerable fortune, which he used prudently and
most unostentatiously in the advancement of the great
objects to which he devoted so much of his attention.
He was a regular attendant upon the church of his an-
cestors, but liberal in his consideration of other men's
religious belief. He died, at New Utrecht, of pneumo-
nia, on April 24, 1881; cut down suddenly, like a sheaf
of corn ripe in its season. Family, friends, neighbors
and fellow-citizens long will miss his genial smile, his
helpful hand, and the daily example of his sturdy char-
acter and active life. [The foregoing has been com-
piled from a memorial sketch, by Dr. S. S. Pueplb, in
the N. Y. Genealogical and Biographical Record, for
October, 1881 ; and from a manuscript biography writ-
ten by Mr. Bergen's old neighbor and life-long friend,
the late Hbney C. Muepht, Esq. — Editor.]
HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF BUSHWICK
With the co-operation of J. M. Steakns, Esq., Brooklyn, E. D.
ITS EARLY SETTLERS AND PAT-
ents. — On page 80, we stated tliat tlie territory em-
braced within the ancient town of Bushwiek was
purchased from its Indian proprietors, by the West
India Company, in August, 1638 ; and, on pages 81 and
87, we indicated the beginnings of its earliest settlement
(1641-1650) by certain Swedes and Norwegians, or
Normans as they were called, together with a few
Dutchmen. These persons, such as Bergen and Moll
at the Wallabout, Garstaensen and Borsin on the East
river, Yolhertse at Greenpoint, and Jan the Swede on
the site of the subsequent village of Bushwiek, seem to
have occupied and cultivated their bouweries, independ-
ently of one another, and subject directly to the au-
thority of the director and council at Manhattan, from
whom they received their patents. It is probable, indeed,
that they had originally strayed into these wilds with a
sort of purpose of pre-empting the lands, trusting to
secure a title when the opportunity should occur. Nat-
urally they erected their lodges, or huts, near the small
creeks flowing into the East river (or, rather, sxibject to
its tides) ; since these afforded convenient landing-places
for small boats, which were then the only means of com-
munication with Manhattan Island. We have no evi-
dence of any attempt to lay out a regular settlement,
or to organize a town, until 1660, a period of over
twenty years from the date of the first patent.
In the consideration of Hans Hansen Bergen's patent
at the Waaleboght, page 8, it will be remembered
that we reached and somewhat overlapped the bound-
ary line between the towns of Brooklyn and Bushwiek,
— a boundary line, which, according to the earliest
patent of the town of Brooklyn, was identical with Ber-
gen's northerly bounds. It might be designated on the
map of the present city of Brooklyn, by a line drawn
from the East river, following the course of Division
avenue, to about at its junction with Tenth street', and
from that point extending in a somewhat south-easterly
direction towards Newtown.
Adjoining this land of Bergen's on the north, was a
triangular tract of land, which was granted by the
West India Company, September 7, 1641, to Lambert
HuTBBETSEN MoLL, a ship carpenter, who had pur-
chased it from one Cornells Jacobsen Stille, on the 29th
of the preceding month. It had, even then, a house
upon it, and this Stille was probably one of those
" squatters " to whom we have already referred. This
patent embraced, by estimation, fifty acres, though it
was subsequently found to be nearer sixty. It extended
along the East river, from the old Brooklyn line to a
little north of the present Broadway, and from the East
river front to near Tenth street. The confirmatory
patent, granted by Gov. Nicolls, in 1667, clearly identi-
fies it as including what has been more recently known as
the Peter Miller Farm, the Berry Farm, and BoerurrHs
Woods. Moll seems to have removed to Esopus, about
1663, and the land became the property of Jacobus
Kip, of Kipsburg, in the City of New York, where he
was a prominent citizen and oflicial ; and, though it
was confirmed to him by Gov. Nicolls, in 1667, it does
not appear that he ever resided on this farm, or even in
Bushwiek, nor that he paid taxes here. During his
ownership, a block-house was erected, as a resort for
the scattered settlers in case of hostility from the
Indians, upon the high point of land which jutted into
the river about the foot of South Fourth street,
and which was known in the olden time as the
" Keike " or " Lookout." The name came to be ap-
plied to the high land overlooking the whole shore
through the present Fourth street, and southward to
the Boerum land, and so down to the Wallabout Bay.
In 1693, Kip's executors sold the farm to James (some-
times called Jacobus) Bobin, a resident of Long Island,
who was in possession until his death about 1741. It
is afterwards found, 1761, in the possession of one
Abraham Kershow (Carshow, Cershaw, or Corson) who
devised it to his sons Jacob and Martin, who were in
possession as late as 1786, when they divided the farm,
Jacob taking the northerly, and Martin the southerly
half. Jacob Kershow's portion passed, by deed, to one
EARL T B USHWICK PA TENTS.
271
Peter Miller, in 1790, who devised it to his sons, David
P. Miller and John P. Miller, and died in 1816. David
P. Miller sold his, the northerly, portion, to Daniel S.
Griswold, and it partly passed to one John Henry, who
had it surveyed into city lots. John P. Miller sold his,
the southerly part, in 1823, to Abraham Meserole, by
•whom it was subsequently surveyed into building lots.
Martin Kershow's portion, by sale under a Chancery
decree, in 1820, passed to Jacob Berry, who surveyed
and mapped it into building lots, his map bearing the
date of 1828.
That portion of the Moll Patent, subsequently known
as BoenmCs Woods, passed to Jacob Bloom, the owner
of what became the Abraham Boerum farm in the pres-
ent Nineteenth Ward. This land was owned by Philip
Harmon, and came, at length, to one John Moore, and
one Grradon, and was, probably, the latest of the Wil-
liamsburgh farm lands to be surveyed into city lots.
The seven acres purchased by John Skillman, in 180Y,
was the subject of lively land-jobbing operations in
1836. Horace Greeley purchased lots there ; and con-
ceived them to be a mine of wealth ; but, on a financial
revulsion, was glad to deed them to the holder of his
mortgages. So of Paul J. Fish and others, joint and
several speculators there.
The next plantation to Moll's, on the north, was that
ascribed by Stiles (perhaps erroneously — since it is yet
doubtful whether " Mareckawick," which he gives as
the determining point of identification, can be definitely
located) to Moll's son, Rtkr Lambeetsbn (Moll), by
patent of March 23, 1646. He removed to the Dela-
ware River (probably about 1657); and, in 166Y, it was
conveyed to David Jochems, by whom, in 1673, it was
sold to one Van Pelt.
This farm of 107 acres, extendmg along the East
river from near the present Broadway to North First
street, with its easterly line near the present Seventh
street — is first absolutely found in the possession of
one J'fean Meserol (Meserole, or Meserol), a native
of Picardy, in France, who came to this country in
April, 1663, together with his "wife and sucking
child," in the ship Spotted Cow. No deed or patent
has ever been discovered, which will determine the
date or the manner of Meserole's entrance upon the
occupancy of this estate. It was probably by virtue of
what we understand as "squatter sovereignty." He
built his house upon the " Keikout " bluff, before al-
luded to ; and this structure was probably the same
which formed the westerly wing of the " Old Miller
Homestead," which, after surviving for over 200 years,
was demolished about twenty years ago. This house is
said to have been a favorite boarding-place of the
famous Captain Kidd, who found it a convenient re-
treat, and yet accessible to New York, whenever he
came ashore between his piratical trips. Tradition also
has it that, many years before, while engaged in his
nefarious voyages, he had made New York his domestic
port ; and, that, amid the woods of Bushwick, he had
marked the grave of one whom he had loved — the
daughter of a prominent settler — and whom he had
hoped to make his wife. But she died, during one of
his absences ; and, though he afterwards married, yet
he often sought, as opportunity offered, the grave of
his lost love. Whether this, or the facilities of secrecy
combined with nearness to the great port across the
river, drew him so frequently to the Meserole home-
stead, on the Keikout, can only now be a matter of
surmise.
To return, however, to the Keikout Farm, no deed
or patent has ever been discovered which determines
the manner or time of Meserole's entrance upon its oc-
cupancy. He died in 1695 ; and devised his entire es-
tate to his widow Jonica. He left a son, Jan Meserole,
Junior, who was already married and domiciled at the
old homestead, having two sons, John and Cornelius,
and several daughters. He entered into the domestic
interests of the old homestead, after his father's death,
in a spirit of filial affection and kindness ; and his
mother declined to prove her husband's will, as against
her son, thinking that as he was her heir at law, as well
as heir of her late husband, he would take the estate in
any event. She afterwards married a second husband
by the name of Dennison, but this did not disturb the
kindly relations between herself and her first-born son.
Nor was the second husband aware of the existence of
old Jan Meserol's will, by which he would properly
have been established by courtesy in the occupancy of
the estate. The old will had been cast aside, by both
mother and son, with seeming confidence that it pos-
sessed no bearing upon the family interests ; and Jan
Meserol, Jr., came at last to consider himself in full
possession, with a full title to the estate. After seven-
teen years, he made his will, in 1710 (proved 1712), de-
vising the Kuykout farm to his two sons, John and Cor-
nelius ; and giving other lands to his wife, and making
other provisions for his daughters. His mother survived
him but five days ; and his heirs having proved his will,
John and Cornelius undertook the management of the
Keikout farm, as tenants in common, working together
in mutual harmony and good will, and so continued re-
specting what they admitted to be each other's rights
for nearly four years. But, one day, John Meserol, the
3rd, in looking over some papers formerly belonging to
his grandmother Jonica, happened to find his grand-
father's unproved will. On submitting the document
to competent legal advice, he found that, under the
English law of primogeniture then existing in the colony,
he could, by producing proofs of his grandfather's will,
and making them refer back to the grandfather's death,
claim the estate as sole heir-at-law of his grandmother
Jonica. It was necessary to prove the will of the
grandfather, who had now been dead 21 years, and the
signatures of the witnesses, but one of whom survived.
To make the proof more effectual, and to perpetuate
272
HI8T0RT OF KINGS COUNTY.
the testimony, a bill was filed in Chancery, in which
John Meserol was complainant, and Cornelius Meserol,
Christopher Rugsby, and the Rector, and inhabitants of
the city of New York, in communion with the church
of England, as by law established, were defendants.
At the hearing, the proofs of the will were duly taken on
interrogatories addressed to several persons produced as
witnesses, and the same was fully established as a valid
will before Robert Hunter, Governor and acting Chan-
cellor of the Province of Few York. The enrollment
of the decree was fully certified by Rip Van Dam, one
of the masters in chancery, and is of record in the files
of the court of Chancery at Albany as completed on the
17th day of July, 1717.
Cornelius Meserol seems to have surrendered his claim
to the farm at discretion, as he did not appear on the
hearing and is said to have emigrated to New Jersey
and to have been thereafter forgotten by his kindled.
John Meserol the third took possession of the entire
farm, and lived at the Kuykout up to the time of his
death in 1756. He left five sons, Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob, Peter and John, and as many daughters, all of
whom appear to have respectably married, to-wit :
Janetta Colyer, Maritta Fardon, Sarah Skillman, Cat-
rina Miller, and Maria Devoe, all of whom will be rec-
ognized as ancestors in the leading families of the late
town of Bushwick.
But the will of this third John Meserol, as proved in
1756, intimates a remembrance of the old suit in chan-
cery, by which the testator obtained the farm; in closing
with these significant words : "Any of my children
making a law-suit about my estate shall forfeit all claim
to -any share therein, and be entirely cut off by my
executors, &c."
So ended the third generation of the Meserols at the
Kuykout, and indeed the proprietorship of the name in
that estate ; although a small part of it, through a de-
scendant from Catrina Miller, one of the daughters,
came to the family of Abraham Meserole. Meserole's
heirs subsequently disposed of the Kuykout estate
(107 acres) as follows : Isaac Meserole sold to Francis
Titus a parcel on the East River, on both sides of the
present Grand street, from near South First to near
North First street, and extending east far enough to
make 12 acres. Thomas Skillman, the husband of Sa-
rah Meserole, bought the share next south of Isaac's,
above-mentioned, and extending from near South First
to South Third street, as now laid out, and from the
River to near Sixth street. This land was sold to
Charles Titus, in 1785, and was by him devised to his
son Charles, in 1802. He sold to Justus Thompson,
and he sold about six acres at the river front to Noah
Waterbury. The balance passed, under foreclosure, to
Gen. Jeremiah Johnson, who shortly after sold it to
Garret and Grover C. Purman. By them it was mapped
into city lots.
Christopher Rugsby was tenant of the Meseroles in
1717, and lived on the southern half of the Keikout
farm, his house being between James Bobin's, at the
foot of South Tenth, and the Meserole homestead at the
foot of South Fourth Street. This land is believed to
be identical with the sixteen or seventeen acres to which
one Abraham Schenck acquired title before 1761, prob-
ably from Meserole in his lifetime. Schenck conveyed
this land to Andries Conselyea, by deed, August 15
1761 ; by whom it was devised to his sons, Andrew and
John Conselyea, the latter being the father of the late
Andrew J. Conselyea. In a mutual partition of the
farm, John took that part adjoining the present Broad-
way and on both sides of South Sixth to a little east of
Third Street. He conveyed it, 1821, to David Dunham
who died seized of it. It was subsequently partitioned
find surveyed into city lots, and a map filed. Of the
other portion Andrew Conselyea died seized ; and, af-
ter various judicial proceedings by his heirs, it was
mapped into city lots and sold on the market.
The balance of the Keikout farm was purchased by
David Molenaer {alias Miller) the husband of Catrina
Meserole. By his will (1779, proved 1789) he devised
the north part of his farm to his son David ; and the
south part to his son William. William Miller subse-
quently sold his share to Frederick Devoe, who had it
surveyed into city lots, afterwards dying and leaving
sons, the late John and William L. Devoe, who, with
their mother, sold most of this land in their life tim?.
David Miller died in 1815, in possession of the land de-
vised to him by his father, devising the life use thereof
to his wife Maria, who survived him until her age ex-
ceeded a hundred years. He then devised most of this
farm to his son David, who, though he died (1823) com-
paratively young, had attained distinction as a captain
in the War of 1812. He left no children, and his sis-
ter, Maria, wife of Abraham Meserole, and Ms brother,
THE OLD MILLER HOUSE.
John Miller, succeeded to his inheritance. His widow
lost her dower, as her husband had only an estate m
expectancy, after the death of his mother. John Miller
and Abraham Meserole (the latter in the interest of his
wife Maria) divided the land between them, and map-
ped out their shares into city lots. The site of the old
EARL Y PA TENTS OF B USHWICK.
2VS
homestead, after the old lady's death, was sold for
building lots — the venerable house demolished — the
earth dug down some sixty feet, and the " Old Keik-
ottt" thenceforth was only " a thing of the past."
There remained, however, a road or bridle-path,
known as the " Keikout-road," which seems to have
dated from the very beginning of the settlement. It
ran from the side of the village laid out around the
old Bushwick Church, and down near the present
North Second street to Tenth, near Union avenue.
Then, turning southerly, and with various zigzags,
now touching the present Ninth street, and again, fur-
ther south, intersecting Tenth street, diagonally, it
came to the present Broadway near Ninth street, at
the old Brooklyn line. It again turned west, along or
near said line, about a rod in width, to the shore of the
East River. Then, turning northerly along the East
River, it extended to Bushwick Creek, then " Norman's
Kill. It was, doubtless, a Pent-road, with gates, or
bars, separating the different farms through which it
Next came the patents comprising the land lying be-
tween the northerly line of the Meserole farm and
Bushwick creek ; and between the East River and a
line drawn about equidistant between Fifth and Sixth
streets, from the junction of that branch of the creek,
which now rises near Ninth and Grand streets, to the
north-westerly corner of the Meserole patent. These
patents, three in number, belonged respectively to Claes
Caestbnsen, sometimes termed " Claes the Norman," to
Geoegb Baxter, the English secretary to the Dutch
council, and to David Andbus, or Andriese.
Garslens&nSs patent, which was granted to him by Di-
rector Kieft, September 5th, 1645, included 29 morgens,
553 rods.
Baxter's patent, of twenty-five morgens, was granted
July 6, 1643.
Of Andrus's patent no record has been formed.
It is not probable that any of these individuals ever
occupied their farms. Baxter became a patentee for
Gravesend in 1645, was subsequently much employed
in public affairs ; and finally, on account of his political
rascalities, was obliged, in 1656, to leave the country.
Of Andriese nothing whatever is known; and Carsten-
sen in some way became possessed of their shares of
this property. This same tract, comprising some 130
acres, was, in 164V, granted by the governor and coun-
cil to Jan Porbus, and in 1660 transferred to Pieter
Jans de Norman, whose widow afterward married
Joost Cockuyt. Paul us Richards bought the farm in
1664, and the lands do not appear in the records again
for forty years. Then they are found in the hands of
Teunis Mauritz Covert, of Monmouth, N. J., a son of
Mauritz Covert, whose widow Antie Fonteyn married
Francis Titus, of Bushwick. By him it was conveyed
to Titus, m 1719. Francis Titus, a son of Capt. Titus
Syrachs de Vries, part owner of a grist-mill at New
Utrecht, in 1660, married a second wife, and died
about 1760, leaving five sons and five daughters. He
resided on what was known as the Col. Francis Titus
farm, in Williamsburgh, consisting of 58 acres of up-
land and 4 of meadow, to which he added 40 adjoining
on the easterly side, by purchase from Wm. Latin; and
about 12 acres of the original Keikout farm, near the
present Grand street ferry, bought of Isaac Meserole.
He also bought from Joseph Skillman the northerly
half (about 25 acres) of the Jacob Boerum farm, in the
16th ward of the present city, and had considerable
other property east of the present Bushwick avenue,
and in the New Bushwick land. This property, by his
will (proved 1764), was devised to his sons, the eldest
of whom, Francis, occupied the homestead farm, and
also acquired some 18 acres, by purchase of David
Wortman, located between the present Sixth and Ninth
streets, and mostly between Grand and North First
streets. He died in 1801, leaving the homestead to his
son. Col. Francis Titus, who erected a house on First,
near North Sixth, now torn down.
East of the farms of Meserole and Carstensen, lay
that of Jan db Swede, or John the Swede. It proba-
bly comprised most, if not all, of the land bounded
south by the farms of Bergen and Moll ; on the west by
those of Meserole and Carstensen ; and on the east by
the ancient road known as the Swede's Fly. This road
marked the easterly bounds of Jan de Swede's meadow,
which is mentioned as one of the westerly boundaries
of the township of Bushwick, in its patent of 1687; and
was itself the easterly boundary of the first chartered
village of Williamsburgh, in 1827. John the Swede's
meadow, therefore, was between Eleventh and Twelfth
streets ; and possibly, he was, also, the original propri-
etor of the back lands owned by Wortmans. He seems
to be first mentioned in Baxter's patent, in 1643, and
was probably one of the " squatter sovereigns " whose
settlement preceded grants, briefs or patents. It is to
be noted that a branch of Norman's Kill, of sufficient
depth to float small boats, in early times extended to,
or a little south, of the present Grand street, near Ninth
street; and, for the reasons stated, the inference is that
his house was located near the head of navigation on
this branch creek. The fact that a fresh water, clay-
basin pond, since known as part of the commons, near
North First and Ninth streets, favors this presumption;
and Stiles' suggestion that his farm extended east to
embrace the subsequently incorporated Bushwick vil-
lage, is contradicted by the Swede's Fly or Kuykout
road, being referred to as the eastern boundary of his
farm, by the charter of the town of Bushwick. In
many of the patents or ground briefs, the tenure or
occupation of prior settlers is recited; and we may
infer that resident patentees were on the land prior to
the date of their patents, or bought out others, who
were in possession.
The extensive tract between Jan the Swede's land
274
HISTORY OP KliSTGS COUNTY.
and Bushwick avenue, comprising land, whicli subse-
quently contained nearly one-third of the city of Wil-
liamsburgh, was owned, a little more than a century
ago, by one Daniel Boedet. It is designated on
I'lodern maps as lands of John Devoe, William P.
Powers, Abraham Meserole, James Scholes, Abraham
Remsen, Andrew Conselyea, MoKibbin and Nichols,
and others.
A tract of land was, in the year 1667, patented by
Governor Nicolls to one Humphrey Clay, then of the
city of New York.
This tract, lying on both sides of what is now Meeker
avenue,adjoining Newtown creek,had just been patented
to Adam Moll, in August, 1646; by him transported to
William Goulding; and by him transferred to Claude
Berbine and Anthony Jeroe, of Maspeth Kill. These
parties, on the Yth of January, 1653, conveyed the pro-
perty, " with the houseing thereupon," to Jacob Steen-
dam. And " whereas the said Jacob Steendam," says
the old patent to Clay, " hath been absent and gone
out of this country, for the space of eight years, during
which time the houseing, which was upon the said land
is wholly come to ruin, and the land hath been neglected
and unmanured, without any care taken thereof, by the
said Jacob Steendam, or any that hath lawful power
from him, contrary to the laws established in such
cases, within this government," the said land was de-
clared to be forfeited. And therefore, " to the intent
that no plantation within this government should lie
waste and unmanured, and that a house, or houses, may
be built upon the old foundations, as also, for divers
other good causes and considerations," the same was
fully granted to Humphrey Clay. Clay probably came
to New York from New London, in the colony of Con-
necticut, where he had been an inn-keeper, perhaps
from as early a date as 1655. In 1664, he was fined
40s. and costs, for keeping an inmate contrary to law,
and his wife Katherine was " presented for selling
liquors at her house, selling lead to the Indians, profa-
nation of the Sabbath, card-playing and entertaining
strange men." Upon trial before the court of assist-
ants, Mr. Clay and wife were convicted of keeping a
disorderly house, and fined £40, or to leave the colony
within six months, in which case half the fine was to
be remitted. They chose the latter course and removed
to New York; and thence, in 1667, to Bush wick.
Abeahaii Rycken, or de Rycke, the progenitor of
the present Rycker families of New York, New Jersey
and elsewhere, received from Director Kieft, in 1638,
an allotment of land which has been located by Thomp-
son in Gowanus, and by Rikbe in the Wallabout of
Brooklyn. A closer examination of the original patent
shows that it was located in the territory then recently
purchased from the Indians by the West India Com-
pany, and which afterward formed the old town of
Bushwick. Rycken's patent probably embraced the
lands between Newtown Creek, Lombard street, Metro-
politan avenue and the old road running from the junc-
tion of Metropolitan and Bushwick avenues to Porter
avenue, near Anthony street. This land of Rycken's
in Bushwick, or a portion of it with an addition to the
meadows as far as Luquier's mill, is afterwards found
in possession of one Joehem Verscheur, who. in 1712,
conveyed it to Cornelius, Johannes and David Van
Catts, by whose family name it has since been known.
Greenpoint. — The greater part of the present 17th
ward of the City of Brooklyn was known, from its
earliest settlement, as Greenpoint, being, in fact, a
neck of land embraced between Maspeth kill,now New-
town creek, and Norman's Kill, now Bushwick creek.
It was originally granted, in 1645, toDiECK Volckert-
sen, surnamed the Norman, who was a ship-carpenter.
He lived on the northerly side of Bushwick creek, near
the East River, in an old stone house, which was de-
molished some years since, and on the site, Messrs.
Samuel Sneeden and Jabez Williams built large and
fine dwellings. Volkertsen, in old documents, is fre-
quently called Dirck the Norman ; and thus, from his
lands and dwelling in that vicinity, Bushwick creek
derived its ancient name of Norman) s kill.
May 1st, 1670, Governor Lovelace granted a confir-
matory patent to Daniel Jochems, who had become
possessed of a part of this land by marriage with the
widow Jacob Hey, to whom, in 1653, Volckertsen had
conveyed it.
By inheritance and purchase. Captain Peter Praa,
of Newtown, who had become the second husband of
Maria Hey, daughter of Christina Cappoens by her first
husband, subsequently became the owner of the land
conveyed by the Volckertsen patent. Captain Praa, of
Newtown, was the son of Peter Praa, a highly respecta-
ble Huguenot exile from Dieppe, in France, who came to
this country with his family in 1659, and died in Crip-
plebush, March 6, 1663. Captain Praa, who was horn
at Leyden, in 1655, during his parent's temporary stay
at that place, was a man of much enterprise and public
spirit. After his marriage he spent the greater portion
of his life at Bushwick, where he commanded the
militia, and was especially distinguished for his supe-
rior skill in horsemanship. Captain Praa subsequently
purchased the balance, in 1719, from Dirck, Philip and
Nicholas Volckertsen, sons of the original patentee.
He also acquired large tracts in various places, among
which may be mentioned Dominies hook, in Newtown,
purchased from the heirs of Anneke Jans, of Trinity
Church notoriety. He lived in an old stone dwelling-
house upon the farm, since of David Provoost, near
the meadow on the east side of Greenpoint. This
house and farm came into the possession of his
daughter, Christina, wife of David Provoost, and was
occupied by her during the summer months, she being
a resident of the city of New York, until her death,
about 1795. It was destroyed by fire in 1832 or '33,
after which David Provoost, her great grandchild, and
GREENPOINT— CIVIL HISTORY, 1660-1708.
2Y5
the father of Hon. Andrew J. Provoost, built the house
nov occupied by his son-in-law, J. W. Valentine, on
its site.
. Capt. Peter Praa died in IHO, and, by will, divided
his property to his children; Catharine; Maria, yrho
married Wynant Van Zandt, and died before her
father, leaving two sons, Peter Praa and Johannes Van
Zandt ; Elizabeth, who married Jan Meserole (and to
whom was devised all the tract purchased from Dirck
Volkertsen) ; Anna, who married 1, William Bennett;
2d, Daniel Bordet, and received all the Dominies hook
property in Newtown ; and Christina, who married 1,
David Provoost; 2d, Rev. John Aronda, and who re-
ceived property in the city of New York.
Two of Jan Meserole's sons, Jacob and Abraham,
after the sale of the Keikout farm, removed to Green-
point, where they settled on land which their father
had purchased from Peter Praa. Jacob devised his
share, by will, dated July 18, 1'782, to his wife, for life,
with remainder in fee to his sons, Peter and John ;
who, in 1791, made a division, Peter occupying the
northerly half and John the southerly. Abraham, who
died in 1801, was the father of John A. Meserole, who
inherited the property on which he lived for many years,
and died intestate, in 1833. One of his daughters,
Mary, married Neziah Bliss, who resided upon this
very property, to the time of his death, and in the old
Meserole mansion, on the banks of the East River,
which house has been recently enlarged and modernized.
Thus by purchase, and through their mother, the
greater part of the Praa estate came into possession of
the Meserole family.
That portion granted by Praa to his daughter, Anne-
tie Bodet, descended to her son, William Bennet, who
died in possession, in 1805. It was by him devised to
his sons, Tunis and Richard; and, in 1813, was sold at
auction under foreclosure of mortgage, and purchased
by Ammon T. Griffing. After his death, in 1814, it
remained in possession of his heirs, until 1834, when it
passed to Gen. Jeremiah Johnson, who, in 1835, con-
veyed it to Mr. Neziah Bliss, and he in 1835 and '42
transferred it to Eliphalett Nott, President of Union
College.
Of the more modern history and progress of Green-
point, the reader will be fully informed in a subsequent
chapter.
" There were," says Mr. Stearns in an article on this sub-
jeet, " considerable tracts of land, to which neither patent
nor possessory titles were acquired for many years after the
settlement of the place. These lands were known as com-
mons, and embraced several pieces of meadow on Newtown
creek, and a space of land by Ninth street and North First
and Second streets, in WiUiamsburgh, said to have been left
open for the convenience of watering the cattle of the neigh-
borhood, as it embraced a pond ot fresh water that emanated
from springs. This common embraced between one and
two acres of land, and is mentioned in old deeds before the
year 1700. A legal controversy concerning the title to this
common may be noticed hereafter. Besides, the meadow
lands and the commons referred to, the town of Bushwick in
the rights of all its several freeholders assumed to own the
tract of land known as New Bushwick, embracing most of
that part of the town south-east of the Cross roads, or the
present Brooklyn and Newtown turnpike road.
" These New Bushwick lands were probably reservations
for woodland, to supply the people with fuel, as old wiUs
are found devising the right to cut and carry away fuel to
burn, but not to sell, from parts of those lands claimed by
the testators. The salt meadows that became, in separate
parcels, appurtenances of the different homesteads in the
town, were distributed at a much earlier date. Many of them
were vested by the original patents, and all that were capa-
ble of use and improvement were made the means of sus-
taining the cattle of the earliest settlers through the severe
winters of those times, before artificial grasses were culti-
vated on the uplands. Some portion of those meadows, how-
ever, wei'e too sunken to be of use, being below the ordinary
tides, and hence remained without a claimant, till they were
sold by the towns of WiUiamsburgh and Bushwick."
Civil History, 1660-1708. — The scattered agricul-
tural inhabitants of the territory now comprised in the
eastern district of the city of Brooklyn, seem to have
made no attempt towards a regular settlement, or the
organization of a town government, for a period of over
twenty years from the date of its purchase from the na-
tives, by the West India Company. In February, 1660,
the troublous times led to the enforcement, by the gov-
ernment, of stringent precautionary measures for the
protection and safety of the established towns upon the
western end of Long Island. " Outside residents, who
dwell distant from each other," were directed also to
" remove and concentrate themselves within the neigh-
boring towns, and dwell in the same ;" because, says
the order, " we have war with the Indians, who have
slain several of our Netherland people." A village and
block-house was accordingly erected by the Waal-boght
residents during the month of March, 1660, on the high
point of land (Keikout) on the East River, near the foot
of the present South Fourth street, before referred to.
Simultaneously, almost, the first steps were taken to-
wards the establishment of a settlement in another and
more remote portion of the territory. On the 16th of
February, according to the record, " as fourteen French-
men, with a Dutchman, named Peter Janse Wit, their
interpreter, have arrived here ; and, as they do not un-
derstand the Dutch language, they have been with the
Director-General and requested him to cause a town
plot to be laid out at a proper place ; whereupon his
honor fixed upon the 1 9th instant to visit the place and
fix upon a site."
Accordingly, three days after, on "February 19th,
the Director-General, with the Fiscal, Mcasius de Sille
and his Honor Secretary Van Ruyven with the sworn
surveyor, Jaques Corteleau, came to Mispat [Mespath]
and have fixed upon a place between Mispat kill [New-
town Creek] and Norman's kill [Bushwick Creek], to
establish a village ; and have laid out, by survey, twenty-
two house lots, on which dwelling-houses are to be built."
276
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
March Vth, according to the record, "Evert Hede-
man, having erected the first house, between William
Traphagen and Knoet Mouris, near the pond, came to
dwell in the same." Other houses were erected during
the same year.
A year later, " March 14th, 1661, the Director-General
visited the new village, when the inhabitants requested
his honor to give the place a name ; whereupon," taking
his inspiration, no doubt, from its immediate surround-
ings, " he named the town Soswijck, i. e., the Town of
Woods.
Application was then made and granted for certain
town privileges. This application was signed by twen-
ty-three men, viz.: Peter Janse Wit; Evert Hedeman;
Jan Willemse Yselstyn; Jan Tilje; Ryck Leydecker;
Hendrik Willemsen; Barent Gerritsen; Jan Hendrick-
sen; Jan Cornelisen Zeeuw; Barent Joosten; Francois
de Puij; Johannes Casperse; Francisco deNeger; Pieter
Lamot; Carel Fontyn; Henry ; Jan Catjouw; Jan
Mailjaert; Hendrick Janse Grever; Gysbert Thonissen;
Joost Casperse; Willem Traphagen; Dirck Volkertse.
The Governor also took occasion to call the attention
of those living outside of the village to the great dan-
ger to which they were exposed, and to recommend
their instant removal to the greater security now offered
them by the erection of a number of neighboring dwel-
lings. He, furthermore, commanded the villagers to
nominate six of their number, from whom he would
select three as magistrates for the town of Boswyok.
The people, therefore, nominated six of the most prom-
inent of their number, viz. : Gysbert Theunis, Jan Cat-
jouw, Ryck Leydecker, Peter Janse Wit, Jan Cornells
Zeeuw and Jan Tilje, of whom the last three were se-
lected by the Governor and confirmed as magistrates of
Boswyck.
Boswyck, like New Utrecht, having no schout of its
own, was subject to the jurisdiction of Hegeman, the
schout of Breuckelen, Amersfoort and Midwout, and the
district became thenceforth known as the Five Dutch
Towns.
The village seems to have had a rapid accession of
new settlers, for in May, 1661, we find the magistrates
preferring a request for the grant of new lots and the
eptablishment of roads.
On the 28th of December, foUowmg (1662), " the magis-
trates of the village of Boswyck, appeared before the council,
representing that they in their village, were in great need of
a person who would act as clerk and schoolmaster to instruct
the youth ; and, that, as one had been proposed to them, viz. :
Boudewyn Manout, from Crimpen op de Lecq [a village in
Holland] they had agreed with him, that he should officiate
as voorleser or clerk, and keep school for the instruction of
the youth. For his [services] as clerk he was to receive 400
guilders in [wampum] annually ; and, as schoolmaster, free
house rent and firewood. They therefore solicited, that their
action in the matter might meet the approval of the Director
General and Council in Nieuw Netherland, and that the
Council would also contribute something annually to facili-
tate the payment of the said salary."
The Council assented, and promised, that, after he
had been duly examined and approved by the reverend
ministers of the city, they would lighten the annual
burden of the village by contributing annually/ 25
heavy money.
Manout was afterwards appointed court clerk, upon
which office he entered January 5, 1663. We present
here a fac-simile, taken from the old Bushwick records
of Manout's signature, curious for its combination of
the date with the name.
It is noteworthy that, in December of this year, the
Director and Council, hearing that Hendrick Barent
Smith, " in contempt of the published and recently re-
newed orders," continued to reside " on his separated
plantation in the neghborhood of Boswyck, to the det-
riment and injury of said village," ordered him to break
up his building within twenty-four hours ; and in case
of his default, the magistrates were empowered to de-
molish it.
It appears from records that during the third year
of the existence of the village, its prosperity was on the
increase ; for, on the 8th of February, 1663, the magis-
trates requested the Council to compel Jean Mailjeart,
a Frenchman, to part with a few of his lots for the ac-
commodation of new comers.
After a full hearing of the case, Jan Mailjaert, " as
the welfare of the village of Boswyck requires it," was
ordered to give up sufficient land for six lots, each lot
being six rods broad, and five and a half rods long, on
payment by the new comers of 25 guilders in seawant
for each lot.
Amid the numerous evidences of increasing prosper-
ity among the settlers of Boswyck, we must chronicle
the gratifying and creditable fact that they voluntarily
subscribed, March 30, 1662, the sum of forty-seven
guilders, " to ransom Tunis Craeyen's son Jacob, then a
prisoner among the Turks."
On page 28 of the old Bushwick record, is the follow-
ing muster-roll of ofiicers and soldiers of the town in
1663 : Captain, Ryck Ly decker (Schout) ; Ensign, Jan
Tilje Casperse; Secretary, Boudwyn Manout; Sergeant,
Evert Hedeman; Corporals, Pieter Jans Wit, Jan Hen-
dricks, Alexander Conquerare ; Privates, Gysbert Tu-
nissen (Schepen), Barent Joost (Schepen), David Joch-
emsen, Hendrick Grever, Jan Mailjaert, Andries Ba-
rentse, Jan Parys, Evert Mauritz, Charles Fountain, Jan
Cornel Zeieuw, Corn. Janse Zeieuw, Joost Caspersen,
Johannes Caspersen, Melle Caspersen, Francois de Puj,
Jan Williams Essellstein, William Traphagen, Barent
Gerretse ; {Drummer), Dirck Volkertse, Volkert
CIVIL AND ECCLESIASTICAL EVENTS
217
Dirokse, Jan Botzer, Wessel Gerrits, Nicolaes Jones,
Tunis Martin, Carel Carelsen, Claes Wolf, Wouter
Gysbertsen, Jacob Gysbertsen, Caesar Barentse, Carel
Reyckwyl, Francois d'Meyer, Antoin d'Meyer.
Thus quietly engaged in agricultural pursuits, the
little community of Boswyck maintained the even tenor
of its way, until disturbed, in 1663 and 1664, by the
political excitements which preceded the conquest of
New Netherland, by the English. Throughout those
times, Boswyck remained loyal to the States-General.
At a meeting of the magistrates of most of the Dutch
towns in the province, convened on the 1st of Novem-
ber, 1663, to discuss the condition and affairs of the
country, Boswyck was represented by HycJc Lydeck&r
and Gysbert Teunissen.
January, 1664. The Council received a petition from
Abraham Jansen, carpenter, requesting permission to
erect a mill near the village of Boswyck. He was re-
quired to appear, together with the magistrates of that
village, before the Council, and explain as to the pro-
posed location. They did so, on 1st of February, and
the magistrates of the town, on being interrogated, ex-
presssd a cordial wish to have the water-mill erected on
Mispat Kill, which was accordingly granted.
In February, 1664, William Traphagen, for insulting
one of the magistrates of Bushwick, by calling him a
false judge, was sentenced by the Governor and Coun-
cil, to appear with uncovered head before the court of
Bushwick, and, in the presence of the fiscal, to beg par-
don of God, justice and the insulted magistrate ; and
to pay, in addition, thirteen guilders to the overseers of
the poor of the town, with costs.
In May, of the same year, Jan Willemsen Van Isel-
steyn, commonly called Jan of Leyden, for using abu-
sive language and writing an insolent letter to the
magistrates of Bushwick, was sentenced to be fastened
to a stake at the place of public execution, with a bridle
in his mouth, a bundle of rods under his arm, and a
paper on his breast bearing the inscription : " Lampoon
writer, false accuser and defamer of its magistrates."
After this ignominy he was to be banished, with costs.
On the same day, William Jansen Traphagen, of
Lemgo, for being the bearer of the above insolent let-
ter to the magistrates of Bushwick, as well as for using
very indecent language towards them, was also sen-
tenced to be tied to the stake, in the place of public
execution, with a paper on his breast, inscribed " Lam-
poon carrier." His punishment, also, was completed
with banishment and costs.
Bushwick was represented in the General Assembly
of April, 1664, by Jan Van Cleefa,nd Guisbert Teunis-
sen. Although English authority was distasteful to the
inhabitants of the town, they submitted to it with char-
acteristic Dutch apathy ; but they soon found that the
petulance of Stuyvesant was far preferable to the arbi-
trary rule of the English governors. But little of in-
terest is to be found in the town records of Bushwick
at that period, except evidences of the arbitrary rule of
the English colonial authorities.
Jan Striker and Guisbert Teunissen represented the
town in the Hempstead Convention, at which the Duke's
laws were promulgated.
Not only did Governor Nicols assume control of civil
affairs in the town, but he issued orders regulating ec-
clesiastical matters; appointing clergymen, and prescrib-
ing the amount of salary to be paid by the town, and
even designating the persons to assess and collect it.
"Anno 1665, the 2Yth of December, the minister,
who was sent to preach by the Hon. Gov. Richard
Nicolls, preached his first sermon at the house of Gys-
bert Tonissen."
The name of the minister who preached the above
mentioned " first sermon " is not given in the record ;
neither does it anywhere appear who his successors
were, or whether they were Dutch, English or French.
It probably is sufiicient for us now, as it was for the
good people of Boswyck in their day, to know that
they were the governor's favored gentry, and probably
in his interest.
It is hardly necessary to say that it was the Church
of England which the governor thus sought to impose
on the people of Bushwick.
But, though obliged to pay the taxes, they would not
attend the preaching of the person so officiously thrust
upon them, and finally he and his " Beloved Roger "
were withdrawn. This attempt to force an established
church upon the town of Bushwick, was felt to be a
galling injustice, and finally, with other infractions, led
to a public meeting of the people of the county, held at
Flatbush, in 1664, whereat were passed several strongly-
worded resolutions, condemnatory of the English, for
their faithlessness in violating the conditions of the
treaty, and in compelling them to litigate in a language
which they did not understand. A significant expres-
sion of the feeling of the people on this point, is found
in the fact that two cases then pending before the court
of sessions, were withdrawn, and referred to arbitrators
appointed by the meeting ; the parties alleging that
they were Dutchmen, " and did not wish to have their
rights adjudicated by an English court." It was, also,
agreed by the meeting, that they would have nothing
to do with the courts, and that they would settle all
differences in future by arbitration. The inhabitants
thereafter adhered so strictly to these resolutions, that
the courts were seldom occupied by civil causes, and
usually adjourned on the first day. No lawyer resided
in the county before 1783; and the Episcopal Church
was not established here until IV'76, during the occupa-
tion of the town by the British, during the Revolution-
ary war. The Dutch churches supported all the poor
of the county; all who could labor being employed, and
no poor-tax was raised in the county until the year
1V85.
In February, 1687, Governor Dongan granted a pat-
11?,
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
ent to the town of Bush wick (given at length in Stiles'
Hist, of Brooklyn, pp. 345-380), conferring on it the
usual corporate privileges of towns in those days, and
accurately defining its boundaries. These boundaries
did not include the site of the subsequent village of
Williamsburgh. This probably arose, not from any
oversight, but from the fact that the site of Williams-
burgh was originally surveyed and owned by the Dutch
West India Company.
The good people of Bushwick, in common with other
towns, had suffered so long from the misrule of the big-
oted Duke of York, James the II, that the news of his
abdication, in 1688, and the succession to the English
throne of his daughter Mary, and her husband William,
Prince of Orange, was received with a general outburst
of heartfelt joy.
The misguided zeal or ambition, however, of certain
persons who were impatient of delay, defeated the de-
signs of the new government, and involved the province
in scenes of turmoil and strife.
Although the Dutch inhabitants of Bushwick gener-
ally were peacefully inclined, and patient under the ar-
bitrary rule of the English governors, there were
among them some who were less tractable ; and occa-
sionally instances of disorderly conduct are recorded —
noticeably in 1693, 1694 and 1697.
" On the 30th of August, 1693, Jurian Nagell, of Bushwick,
together with two others of Brooklyn, endeavored to stir up
sedition among the crowd, who had assembled at a general
training of the Kings County militia, on Flatland plains.
Captain Jacques Cortelyou deposed before the Court of Ses-
sions, that, ' being in arms at the head of his company,' he
heard NageU say to the people then in arms on said plains,
in Dutch, these mutinous, factious and seditious words, fol-
lowing, viz. : ' Slaen wij-der onder, wij seijn drie & egen
een ;' in English : ' Let us knock them down, we are three
to their one.' Nagell subsequently confessed his error, and
was released with a fine.
The women, also, participated in the disorders of the times,
for on the 8th of May, 1694, Rachel, the wife of John Luquer,
and the widow Jonica Schamp, both of Bushwick, were pre-
sented before the court of sessions, for having, on the 24th of
January previous, assaulted Capt. Peter Praa, and ' teare
him by the hair as he stood at the head of his company, at
Boswyck.' They, too, were heavily fined, and released after
making due confession of their fault."
The number of settlers in Bushwick during the Dutch
Regime was probably less than twenty-five families,
not exceeding a hundred people, including the fourteen
French emigrants, that constituted the primaiy village.
But thirty-three names were on the tax lists in the year
1703, over forty years after the English had possession
of the country. Counting five to a family, would give a
population of 165 ; which number was scarcely doubled
at the beginning of the present century.
In 1706, the improved lands assessed in Bushwick, as
then in fence, were as follows :
Hackert Hendrickse (widow), 186 acres ; Peter Praa, 68 ;
Humphrey Clay, 53 ; Peter de Wit's widow, 96 ; Charles
Fountain, 50 ; Tennis Wortman, 97 ; Francis Titus, 136 ;
James Bobyne, 50 ; John Meseroll, 170 ; Jurian Nagell, 95 ;
Cornelia Van Katts, 108 ; John Luquier, 108 ; John Luquier's
Mill, 25 ; Philip Volkert's, 54 ; Peter Layston, 50 ; John
Camp, 40 ; Joohem Verscheur, 60 ; Auck Hegeman, 40 ; Peter
Williams, 60 ; Joost Dyeye, 107 ; Garret Cooke, 50 ; (Ja)
Cobus Collier, 30 ; William West, 14 ; Derick Andriese, 14 ;
Cornelius Laguson, 53 ; Hendrick Jansen, 54 ; Gysbert Bog-
ert, 10 ; Dorothy Verscheur, 70 ; Gabon (or Galen) LaqiuU,
36 ; Ann Andriessen, 30 ; Gabriel Sprong, 16 ; Teunis Titus,
47 ; Hendrick De Forest, 14 ; Jacobus Jansen, 20 ; Charles
Folkerts, 110 ; John Hendrick, 36 ; Frederic Symonds, 61 ;
Philip Nagell, 13. Total acres, 2,443.
Chas. L. Fotjntaine, ) ,
Peter Peaa, '\ Assessors.
Peter Cortilixav.— Surveyor.
On the 12th of August, 1708, the town of Bushwick
received from Gov. Cornbury, a new patent, confirma-
tory of that previously granted by Gov. Dongan.
During the administration of Lord Cornbury, the
colony was called upon to exert all its energy in furnish-
ing men, provisions and munitions of war, for the earlier
colonial wars. In connection with this war, tradition
has preserved a most romantic and touching episode,
which occurred in the town of Bushwick.
A prominent young man named Peter Andriese was
about to be married to the daughter of Jan Stryker, of
Flatbush, when he was induced to enlist in the army.
The entreaties of his friends, and of his intended bride,
failed to dissuade him from his purpose, and he departed
with his comrades. Days, months and years passed,
his Jlancee every hour expecting to hear of her betrothed,
but in vain. At last, overcome by sorrow and hope
deferred, death made her his victim ; and on the very
day of her burial, Andriese unexpectedly made his ap-
pearance in town. For years he had been a captive
among a tribe of the Northern Indians, and had returned
too late.
Ecclesiastical History — 1700 to 1824.— In the
absence of any ecclesiastical records, there is no evi-
dence of the organization of a church, or the erection
of a house of worship, in this town, prior to the com-
mencement of the last century.
Mr. Stbaews thus remarks :
"Coming out of a storm of papal persecution, in their
Fatherland, the settlers of Boswyck brought with them a
high religious purpose to sustain the integrity of their reli-
gious professions in this land of their adoption. But, they
soon came in contact with the calculating political policy of
the Dutch governors and the West India Company, to subor-
dinate religion to the control and profit of the government.
The laws enacted by Stuyvesant in 1656,against conventieles,
show the temper of the Dutch Government — ' That no person
should exercise the office of a religious teacher, unless his
credentials were issued by the civil authority.' The Reformed
Religion as settled by the Synod of Dordrecht (Dort) was made
the only religion to be publicly taught. Lutherans with the
others were forbidden free public worship. And the settle-
ment of Quakers and vagabonds, in the Province, without
previous permission, was prohibited. With such conserva-
tive supervision, it is not singular, that the volatile French
settlers of Boswiok found few inducements to a religious
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
279
faith, whose services, if held at all, were conducted in a lan-
guage they did not understand. And, while it was an offense,
to be punished by the magistrate, if they met to compare
views and instruct each other in religion, as they had learned
it in France, it is not singular that religion degenerated
among this handful of people ; so that, for near forty years,
after the settlement of the town, no church seems to have
existed in any form of visible organization. The Dominies
from Brooklyn and Flatbush occasionally visited the place,
and ' comforters of the sick ' visited the families and officiated
at burials, from time to time. But this remote town realized
more severely than other places, the general poverty of reli-
gious privileges, prevailing in all the New Netherlands. The
half-dozen religious teachers of the Reformed faith in all the
province, seemed especially jealous of their faith or denomi-
national interests, to the extent of sanctioning the acts of re-
ligious persecutions, inaugurated by the government. They
had neither the numbers nor the facilities for the religious
teaching of the people ; and yet they were so fearful of core-
venticles, or their fanaticisms, that they would constrain the
people to a semi-heathenism, instead of allowing them any
scope for personal inquiry and social worship. For all the
forty years after the settlement of the town, there is scarcely
a way-point of religious interest in its history. If preaching
they occasionally had, in the town-house or private dwellings,
it was doubtless of a stiff, unyielding character, more theo-
logical than religious, more dogmatical than sympathetic,
more speculative than practical. The few lights from the
Holland schools came to demonstrate their pedantry among
these remote people of the border, rather than to instruct their
hearts in the duty and peace of love to God."
" A part of the communion service still in use," says
Peime, "bears the date of IVOS, from which it is in-
ferred that the church was formed about that time.
There is also a receipt extant, for a church hell, dated
in 1711, which renders it probable that the house of
worship had been erected not long before." This edi-
fice was octagonal in form, with a very high and steep
pyramidal roof, terminating in an open cupola or bel-
fry, the whole greatly resembling a haystack. Exter-
nally, being constructed of frame work, it was dimuni-
tive and rustic in aspect. Internally, it was a mere in-
closure, without pews or gallery, till near the close of
the century; the congregation furnishing themselves
with benches or chairs. In 1790, the building received
a new roof ; and, in 1795, a front gallery was erected,
and the ground floor furnished with pews. It was taken
down in 1840.
The people of Bushwick constituted a part of the
Collegiate church of the county, and, as such, were min-
istered to by the pastors of the Five Dutch towns. Ac-
cording to the preceding dates, of course, Messrs. Free-
man and Antonides were the first pastors, and preached
here alternately every third Sabbath. There is still ex-
tant a receipt from the former, for salary, in 1709.
In 1787, the Rev. Peter Lowe was installed here as
collegiate pastor with the Rev. Martinus Schoonmaker,
who resided at Flatbush. Having withdrawn from the
oversight of this church to the exclusive charge of the
associate churches of Flatbush and Flatlands, he closed
his-labors here in the year 1808. He was succeeded in
1811 by the Rev. Dr. John Bassett, a native of Bush-
wick, where he was born, October Ist, 1764; and a man
of extraordinary erudition. He was an excellent Her
brew scholar, as is attested by the fact that he was, in
1797, appointed by the General Synod of the Re-
formed Protestant Dutch church, to fill a professor's
chair in Queen's (now Rutger's) College, New Bruns-
wick, N. J., which position he held for many years.
During this period he engaged the services of a col-
league. Rev. John Barent Johnson, likewise a native of
Kings county, who was installed in 1796, and who sub-
sequently became the pastor of the Reformed Dutch
Church of Brooklyn. He was, also, a thorough classi-
cal scholar, and generally had several young men in his
family and enjoying his instruction. Although not
gifted with great powers of imagination or eloquence,
he was a sound and edifying preacher ; and the history
of Brooklyn during the war of 1812, attests his fervent
and lofty patriotism. It may be further mentioned as
a proof of his ability, that being equally familiar with
the Dutch, as with the English language, he undertook
the translation of Vonderdonk^s History of New
Netherland, for publication; but by some means the
manuscript was lost, and the task was subsequently re-
peated by the late Gen. Jeremiah Johnson. Mr. Bas-
sett, in 1824, was suspended from the ministry for
intemperance, and died on 4th of February of that year.
During the Revolutionary War. — The Revolu-
tionary history of the town is by no means so inter-
esting as that of its neighbor, Brooklyn ; and its revo-
lutionary spirit, outspoken and free at first, was, like
that of Brooklyn, also, quickly nipped in the bud by
the disastrous result of the battle of Long Island, in
August, 1776. Previous to that event, during the year
1775, the popular sentiment and action was at once
loyal and energetic in behalf of the American cause.
Bushwick was then represented in the First New York
Provincial Congress, and also, at the subsequent ses-
sions of the same body, in '75 and '76 ; and at the con-
ventions of the State in 1776 and '77, by Mr. Theodoras
Polhemus ; and many of her prominent citizens, such
as Ab'm Ranst, Ab'm Luquere, John Titus, Joost Dur-
yea, Alexander Whaley and others, were foremost in
all county and local action which was calculated to ad-
vance the interests of their country. At the battle of
Brooklyn, and in the retreat which followed, Bushwick
was represented by a militia company under command
of Capt. John Titus. Also, in a list of oflicers chosen
by the different companies in Kings County, who have
signed the Declaration, and taken their commission we
find among the Light Horse, Jacob Bloom, 2d Lieuten-
ant; &^di'P%t&v Wykoff, Quarter- Master ; Ab'm Van
Ranst, 1st Lieutena-.it ; Peter Colyer, 2d Lieutenant •
John Skillman, Ensign. Wm. Van Cott, of Bushwick,
shot a British oflicer who was engaged in reconnoiter-
ing the American lines on Port Putnam, and then put
up his gun, saying he had done his part for that day.
280
SISTOM Y OF KIJSTGS GO UNTY.
Bushwlck During the British Occupation,
1 776-1 780. — After that unfortunate battle, the town
■was subjected to all the inconveniences and evils of an
armed occupation. In ISTovember, 1776, a regiment of
Hessians, under Col. Rahl, had their winter quarters
here, and constructed barracks on the land then be-
longing to Abraham Luquere ; the timber for said bar-
racks being taken with military freedom, from the Wal-
labout swamp. Many of the troops were also billeted on
the inhabitants. The leading patriots were either in
active service, or had been obliged to leave their homes
and estates to the tender mercies of the invaders; and,
in some cases, to confiscation. Their families were sub-
jected to the arbitrary authority of British officials, and
to the insults or depredations of the soldiery who were
quartered upon them. Their woodlands, brush-wood
and fencing were rapidly appropriated to camp uses,
their teams impressed into the king's service, and, in
many ways, they were made to feel the power of their
conquerors.
Of the auxiliary troops of the British army. Gen.
Johnson's Manuscript Recollections of the Revolution
says : " Col. Rahl took ujd his quarters in Bushwick,
with a regiment of Hessians. They constructed bar-
racks on the land of Abraham Luqueer, although many
of them were also quartered on the inhabitants. The
regiment of Col. Rahl made free use of the wood in the
Wallabout swamp, which extended along north of the
Cripplebush road, from the bay to Newtown creek." In
the humane treatment of the conquered enemy, the Hes-
sian soldiers, after they became acquainted with the
people of the island, would compare with the British,
much to the disadvantage of the latter. The testimony
of the prisoners of the Wallabout prison ships is often
highly creditable to their humanity. They had first,
however, to be disabused of the conviction so craftily
impressed by the British, of the barbarity and savage
cruelty of the Americans. But their cupidity and
proneness to commit petty robberies (appropriating
every species of property upon which they could, with-
out much personal risk, lay their hands) has begot for
them the reputation of arrant thieves. " It was seldom,
however," says Field, " that they wantonly injured the
property of others, as they did in the case of Hendrick
Suydam, situated upon what was then known as New
Bushwick lane (now Evergreen avenue, in the Eigh-
teenth ward) which connected the Jamaica turnpike
with the Cripplebush road to Newtown. His house,
which still stands, is a venerable and well preserved
specimen of Dutch architecture, the lower story built
of stone of sufficient thickness, almost, to serve for the
walls of a fortress; and lighted by small windows with
long paaes of glass set in heavy sash, which give it a
quaint air of peering through spectacles. Its walls, ac-
cording to the traditions of the family, were erected not
less than one hundred and sixty years ago, and the house
was located (according to the invariable practice of the
old Holland settlers), in a little hollow where it would
be protected from the sweep of the dreaded north wiad
The airy sites and broad prospect, which so entice the
occupants of Brooklyn soil, had no attractions for the
phlegmatic and comfort-loving Dutch race. The old
farmers quietly hid their houses away in the little valleys
and turns of the road, much as a cautious fowl creeps
into a hedge and constructs its nest for a long incu-
bation. Hendrick Suydam, like his brother, the stout
Lambert Suydam of Bedford, captain of the Kings
County troop of horse, was a sound whig; though com-
pelled, from his situation in the midst of the British
camp, to take the oath of allegiance or suffer the con-
finement of a fetid and infected prison, with numbers
of his Bushwick neighbors. He could not, however^;
obtain his freedom from an infection scarcely less pestif-
erous than the other alternative, the lodgment, in his
house, of a squad of Hessian soldiers. So filthy were
their habits, that, in the summers succeeding their occu-
pancy of the houses of Bushwick, Brooklyn and Flat-
bush, where they had been quartered, a malignant fever
ensued, which carried off numbers of the inhabitants.
In consequence of their peculiar habits, so abhorrent to
the fastidious neatness of the Dutch, these Hessians
were termed the Dirty Blues. During the occupation
of the Suydam house, a Hessian captain, for want of
other occupation, or possibly to spite his Dutch host,
chopped with his sword several large pieces from one
of the side posts of the doorway. As a memento of
the old troublous times, and to keep green the memory
of the wrongs which so deeply embittered him, the old
whig would never permit the defacement to be repaired.
With true Dutch pertinacity, in the same humor, his
deseendauts have very commendably preserved the
tokens of the detested occupation of their domicile by
a foreign enemy, and the marks of the Hessian sword
are still apparent."
The greatest trouble experienced by the farmers dur-
ing the war, was from the tories, or cow-boys, who
were amenable to no law, and influenced by no motives
of humanity or honesty. Old Mrs. Meserole, who lived
on Greenpoint, used often to say that, though residing
alone with a young family around her, she was never
molested by the British officers, or their men ; but she
lived in constant dread of the tories.
Rappelje's tavern, at the Cross-roads, was the favor-
ite rendezvous of these robbers; and, as long as they
infested the towns, there was no quiet or safety in the
land. After the British left the countiy, they disap-
peared, many of them going to Nova Scotia.
A battalion of guides and pioneers, composed of
three companies, were quartered in the town of Bush-
wick, from 1778 until November, 1783. They were a
set of notorious villains, collected from almost every
part of the country, and organized under the command
of Captains McPherson, Williams, Van Allen and
Purdy. Williams and Purdy were from Westchester
BUSHWICK DURING TJTE BUTTISH OCCUPATION, 1776-
281
county, Van Allen from Bergen county, N. J., and Mc-
pherson from the south. This command supplied the
British army with guides and spies for every part of
the country; and, whenever an expedition was organized
to attack any place, drafts were made on this battalion.
After the peace, these men dared not remain in this
country, and were not wanted in Britain. Nova Scotia
was their only place of refuge, and thither they went,
where proper provision was made for them by the
British authorities.
After the provisional treaty of peace, these guides
returned to quarters at Bushwick. They numbered
about one hundred and fifty under command of Capt.
McPherson, and were encamped on the farm of Abm.
Van Ranst, then an exile. The dwelling, which stood
about one hundred and fifty yards northward from the
Bushwick church, was occupied by the captain himself,
who kept a guard of honor, and a sentinel constantly
stationed at his door. In this connection we may re-
late the following anecdote, as given in the Manuscript
Recollections of Gen. Johnson :
"In the month of August, 1788, on a fine evening, seven
young whigs were together along the shore opposite to Cor-
lears hook, the tide being then quite high. Two British long-
boats had drifted on the shore, where they had lain for some
time. It was pi'oposed to take the boats up Bushwick creek
and lay them on the meadow of John Skillman, as prizes,
which was forthwith done. A few days afterwards, in the
month of September, several of the party, being at the Fly
Market in New York, were told that Capt. McPherson had
caused the boats to be removed to his house, and had pur-
chased paint and other material with which to put the boats
in order for his own use. It was immediately resolved to re-
move the boats, that night, from the captain's quarters. A
gallon of shrub, some crackers and a salmon were purchased
for the expedition, a small hill on John Skillman's land was
designated as the place of rendezvous, and nine o'clock was
named as the hour. Three of the party brought up a boat
with oars to row away the boats with; and, at the appointed
hour, the whole party, consisting of William Miller, Joseph
and Francis Skillman, John Bogart, John Conselyea, Francis
Titus and the writer, were assembled at the appointed place,
It was a beautiful moonlit evening and the soldiers were
playing about the fields. The little party of whigs regaled
themselves with their provisions, until about ten o'clock,
when two of their number ventured to reconnoitre, and re-
turned with the report that the boats lay near the house,
that a party were dancing and frolicking there, and a senti-
nel was at the door. Meanwhile, a dark cloud was rising in
the west, foreboding a violent storm. It came on, and then
we went, took up the boats, carried them over a stone wall,
and dragging them about one hundred and fifty yards,
launched them into SkiUman's creek. When we took the
boats the sentinel at the door had deserted his post; we
found a fine marquee pitched near by, which was trembling
in the rising storm. I cut a few sky-lights in the top, and
then severmg the weather braces, which sang like fiddle
strings, it fell prostrate. So violent was the lightning and
ram, that we did not see a living person, besides ourselves,
before we were out of Bushwick creek with the boats, which
we took up the river to John Miller's, opposite Blackwell's
island, and left them in his barn, returning to Francis Ti-
tus's in our boat, at sunrise. In passing down Bushwick
creek, one of our prizes filled with water, but we did not
abandon her. On our arrival at the mouth of the creek, the
storm was over, the moon shone brightly again, and we were
hailed by a sentinel who threatened to fire upon us, to which
we answered roughly, and passed on our way.
"The next day all Bushwick was in an uproar. The Yan-
kees were charged with infringing the treaty of peace; the
sentinels and guards who lay in Mr. Skillman's barn, within
fifty yards of the place where the boats were launched, were
charged with un watchfulness. It was not known who took
the boats, before November 25, 1783. The act was caused by
the feeling of resentment which the whole party had against
Captain McPherson. He was a bad man, and when his sol-
diers were accused by neighbors with thefts, and other an-
noyances, retorted upon their accusers with foul language,
etc."
Mr. Wm. O'Gobman, in his admirable antiquarian
sketches, in the long Island Weekly Star, under date
of October 8, 1880, says: "The old Skillman House,
which may be considered to have been the headquar-
ters of the expedition, is still standing, in Frost street,
between Lorimer and Union avenue. Its exterior is
altered from the old Dutch pattern to modern shape,
but the interior is characteristic of the first settlement.
Thirty years since the eye of the tourist often took
pleasure in viewing the fine old house of former
days, standing as it then did on a grassy knoll well
planted with large trees. At that period the spring
tides used to cover the marsh up to the garden of the
house ; and, by sunset at such times the landscape shone
with the splendor of primitive time. But sad is the
change for the landscape; more or less the salt mead-
ows are being filled in and the spring-tides visit it no
more. The back of the house now fronts on the street,
and the old hall door (in two sections) now guards the
rear entrance. Of the Van Ranst homestead nothing
remains but the foundations, still to be seen on lots
Nos. 245 and 247 "Withers street, near Kingsland ave-
nue, five blocks away from the Skillman House. The
headquarters of McPherson and his spy-battalion were,
until their removal two years since, the guard-lodge of
the Cannon Street Baptist Cemetery."
Upon the occasion of the evacuation of the city of
New York by the British army, and its occupation by
the Americans, November 25th, '83, a number of the
inhabitants of Bushwick met and appointed December
2d, as the day, and the banks of the East river, in full
view of the city, as a place of rejoicing, and sent an
address and invitation to Washington, who returned a
courteous reply — given at length, in Stiles' History of
Brooklyn.
Among the patriots of Bushwick, we may here re-
cord the names of John Provost (grandfather of Hon.
A. J. Provost), who escaped the pursuit of a detach-
ment of British soldiers on Greenpoint, and was
obliged to secrete himself for three days in Cripple-
bush swamp ; during which time he sustained life
by milking the cows which pastured there; of John
A. Meserole, who was taken and confined in the Pro-
282
mSTOEY OF KIlSrGS COUNTY.
vost jail at New York; of John I. Meserole who was
mistaken for John A., while out gunning in a skiff, and
arrested as a spy, but subsequently released; and of
Abraham MeseroU, another member of the same family
who was in the American army. Jacob Van Gott and
David Miller were also in the service, and taken pris-
oners. William Conselyea was taken during the war,
and hung over a well and threatened in order to make
him confess where his money was; Nicholas Wyckoff
was engaged in vidette duty with a troop of horse; and
Alexander Whaley was one of those decided characters
of whom we should be glad to learn more than we
have been able to ascertain, in spite of much inquiry
and research. He was a blacksmith, residing at the
Bushwiok Cross Roads, on land forming a part of
Abraham Rapalye's forfeited estates, and which he
purchased at the commissioners' sale, March 21, 1785.
(Liber vi, Convey. Kings Co., 345). The building
which Mr. "Whaley occupied was erected by himself,
on the south side of the present Flushing avenue, his
liberty-sign pole rising from a little knoll some twenty
feet west of the house. His blacksmith-shop was on
the site of the present house, east of the old Whaley
house. He died at Bushwick, in February, 1833, in
the eighty-eighth year of his age. Bold, faithful, and
patriotic, and odd withal, he made his mark upon the
day and generation in which he lived. His obituary
notice (all too brief) says that "he was one of the
pioneers of American liberty; being one of those who
assisted in throwing the tea overboard in Boston har-
bor. He was the confidential friend of Washington,
and in all the relations of life he always did his duty."
Several estates were confiscated, among which were
those of Williams, Rapalje and others; the owners
finding it convenient to go to Nova Scotia.
Although opposite political opinions were frequently
entertained by different members of the same families,
it is worthy of remark that they always acted honestly
towards one another. Though a great number of the
inhabitants of Bushwick were whigs, the royalists even
were men of peaceable character and integrity. This
fact, as recorded by a venerable eye witness of the
Revolution, speaks volumes in favor of the ancestry of
Bushwick.
Bushwick, from the Close of the Revolution
to 1854.— There were in Bushwick, at the close of the
Revolution, three distinct settlements, or centres of
population, each retaining its old Dutch name, and
very much of its old Dutch quaintness of appearance.
These were het dorp, the town plot, first laid out by
Gov. Peter Stuyvesant, in 1661, at the junction of
North Second street and Bushwick avenue; het Kivis
padt, since known as the Cross roads, at the crossing
of the present Bushwick avenue and the Flushing
road; and het strand, or the strand, along the East
river shore.
Set Dorp, or the town plot of Bushwick, was the
centre of town life, towards which all the princinal
roads of the settlement verged; and, in every direction
as the citizen receded from it, he receded from civiliza-
tion.
MAP D.
HET DOEP, OK BUSHWICK GEEBN.
1. Bushwiok Church. i,
2. Town-House. 5.
3. School House. 6. Conselyea House.
7. Old Bushwick graveyard, indicated by dotted line.
> Devoe Houses.
The remains of ancient Bushwick, says the Newtown Anti-
quary, Mr. Wm. O'Gorman, " cluster around the Dutch Ee-
formed Church on the confines of North Second and Hum-
boldt streets, Brooklyn, E. D., where the animosity of
Governor Stuyvesant planted them in 1661, to gratify his
hatred against the English Kills of Newtown. On March
14th, 1661, he probably emerged from the old Conselyea
House on Humboldt street — irascible old man that he was—
supporting a heavy dinner on his historic wooden leg, rather
unsteadied from heavy lager, and pronounced and christened
the new village ' Boswijck,' which the moderns have made
Bushwick, the Low Dutch name for ' heavy woods.' The
venerable homestead of the Conselyea family stands angle-
ways to Humboldt street; with its front looking.asof yore.on
old Bushwick Church, its rear to Jackson street. It is worth
a visit. Part of the building has been lately cut away, The
last occupant of the name was 'Aunt Katty, ' widow of And'w
J. Conselyea. She died in 1873, and the family of Conselyea
departed with her cofldn through the old portals of the home-
stead, never to return. A writer of that day thus describes
the rooms left vacant: ' The window sills are of sufficient ca-
pacity to seat three men comfortably, and are each one foot
in depth; the window sashes are the same as were originally
placed here, with nine small 6x7 panes of glass in each sash,
nET DORP, BUSHWIGK OREEN.
283
The ceiling of this i-oom is particularly worthy of notice. It
is supported by five ponderous beams that measure 14^x7^
inches in thickness, and are twenty feet long. They are
painted brown, and give the room rather a gloomy appear-
ance. The flooring is of boards that ai'e 17 inches in width,
and these broad boards always mark a house as very ancient.
The old cupboard of 150 years ago was removed to Jamaica,
and is now preserved in the house of John Conselyea, of that
township; it was and is yet an ornamental piece of furni-
ture.'"
The old Bushwick church was an octagonal edifice,
standing on the site of, and facing the same way as the
present one. Its portrait will be found in the Ecclesi-
astical History of Kings County. The wrinkled and
homely old one-story town-house, and the school-house
on the opposite side of the Wood-point road, -which leads
from the church to a point of woods on the meadows, near
Van Cott and Meeker avenues; the group of one-story
Dutch cottages, with their long curved sloping roofs,
marking the entrance of Kyckont lane, which connected
Bushwick church with Kyokout or Lookout point, on the
East river, crossing Grand street near Tenth; all these
formed a scene of primitive Dutch life, exceedingly at-
tractive from its simplicity and almost grotesque quaint-
ness. And, so it remained until 1835. In 1840, the old
church (Map d, Fig. 1), was replaced by
the present edifice. In 1846, Maspeth
avenue was opened to Newtown, and
several houses erected upon it, this side
of the creek. The old town-house yet
stands (Map d. Fig. 2), and around it
centre the memories of the ancient, civil,
ecclesiastical and educational glories of
Bushwick. In front of it (or more
probably of its predecessor), contuma-
cious John of Leyden was exposed to
the public gaze, ignominiously tied to a
stake, with a horse-bridle in his mouth,
a bundle of rods under his arm and a
label on his breast, stating that he was
a writer of lampoons, etc. Here, too,
a thief was once punished by being
made to stand under a gallows, with a rope around his
neck and an empty sword scabbard in his hand ; and
here, also, saddest sight of all, a venerable clergyman
of the town, who had incautiously married a couple
without observing the formalities demanded by the law,
was condemned -to flogging and banishment ; a sent-
ence, however, which, in consideration of his gray
hairs, was commuted to that of exile from the town.
" Long after the Revolution, the old town-house con-
tinued to be the high seat of justice, and to resound
with the republican roar of vociferous electors on town
meetings days. The first Tuesday in April, and the
fourth of July, in each succeeding year, found het-dorp
(now Anglicized to Bushwick Church), suddenly meta-
morphosed from a sleepy little Dutch hamlet into a
brawling, swaggering country town, with very de-
bauched habits. Our Dutch youth had a most enthusi-
astic tendency and ready facility in adopting the con-
vivial customs and uproarious festivity of the loud-
voiced and arrogant Anglo-American youngsters. One
day the close-fisted electors of Bushwick devised a plan
for easing the public burden, by making the town-
house pay part of the annual taxes ; and, accordingly,
it was rented to a Dutch publican, who afforded shelter
to the justices and constables, and by his potent liquors
contributed to furnish them with employment. In this
mild partnership, so quietly aiding to fill each other's
pockets, our old friend Chris. Zimmerman had a share
until he was ousted, because he was a better customer
than landlord. At last the electors of Bushwick grew
tired of keeping a hotel, and sold the venerable struc-
ture to an infidel Yankee, at whose bar the good do-
minie could no longer feel free to take an inspiriting cup
before entering the pulpit ; and the glory of the town-
house of Bushwick departed." (Field).
The school-house which stood near (Map d. Fig. 3),
was occupied by a district school until within a few
years past — -latterly under the charge of the Board of
Education.
In sight of the church, and covering the present
OLD BUSHWICK GRAVEYAED.
junction of Parker street and Kingsland avenue, was
the ancient graveyard of the original Dutch settlement,
for many years unused and its few remaining monu-
ments neglected, broken and almost undecipherable.
In 1879, Isaac De Bevoise, grandson of Isaac, who was
here buried, undertook the pious duty ot removing
such remains as were left. He collected seven large
casket-boxes of bones, whose identification was impos-
sible ; besides a few remains which were identified by
neither cofiin- plates or headstone. He estimated them
at 250 skeletons, and he remarked that all had sound
teeth — save the one tooth which used to hold the
Dutch pipe. The work of removal was done at the ex-
pense of the old families, under the direction of the
Consistory of the Church ; and the boxes are deposited
under Bushwick Church. The few inscriptions in this
•284
HISTORY OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
old burial-place have been preserved by Stiles, in
Hist, of Brooklyn, ii. 374 ; and by Town-Clerk Wm.
O'GoEMAN, in the L. I. City Weekly Star, Dec. 31,
1880.
From the old burying-ground, and looking along the
old Woodpoint road, the two venerable De Voe houses
might be seen (Map d, 4 and 5), standing (on either
side the old road) between Parker and Bennett
streets, near De Bevoise avenue. They are well de-
picted in the accompanying sketch taken in the fall of
1867.
THE DE VOE HOUSES, AS SEEN FROM THE OLD GRAVEYABD.
On De Bevoise avenue was the old De Bevoise
house, later known as the residence of Charles I. De
Bevoise. Here, again, we must let our Newtown
friend, Town-Clerk Wm. O'GoEMAiir describe :
" The ' Manor House ' on Meeker Avenue is a good point to
stroll f rom,when historically inclined, towards old Bushwick
township. Here wound its way the "Woodpoint road to the
old town dock ; and here, within sight of each other on oppo-
site Bides of Meeker Avenue, are the Wyckoff and DeBevoise
homesteads. Each of them has its history, antedating the
Declaration of Independence by many years. But each
house has likewise a middle history, connecting the past gen-
eration with the present by two living and hearty links. *
* * In the Manor house we see the birth-place of Nicholas
Wyckoff, President of the First National Bank. He was
Supervisor of Bushwick town. Step across Meeker Avenue,
and on the edge of the open lots stands the old DeBevoise
house. Charles I. DeBevoise was born in that house, and he
too became a Supervisor of Bushwick township. We believe
they are the only representatives of Bushwick now remaining.
" Bushwick, from its birth under the old Dutch Governor
Stuyvesant, was a lively little township, and much prone to
irritate her neighbors. In fact she was a thin wedge driven
from Greenpoint to the ocean, right through the extremities
of several sleepy towns ; and, as her humor was, she con-
stantly kept one or other of them awake. The Supervisor of
little Bushwick of that date must be active, of an aggressive
turn of mind, but withal good-humored, and endowed with
the vitality of perfect health. These were the dne-quornons
demanded of all candidates in her elections; which were a
species of Olympic games once a year to her.
"The competitors were many, and to be successful was
esteemed of great honor. Charles I. DeBevoise and Nicholas
Wyckoflf bore off these honors in their day. In their stock of
health they out-distanced all competitors. It is doubtful if
either of them has lost a tooth — they are neither of them
venerable — they are merely men containing some eighty
years of accurate recollections and of the best health. This
represents their physical condition, the only province of the
=^_ tourist. Their reputation as citizens is
known of aU." [Mr. Wyckoflf died while
_ — these pages were passing through the
press. — Editor.]
"The "Wyckoff House" was erected
by Theodorus Polhemus, of Flatbush, who
married Anna Brinckerhoff here, and here
settled. He afterwards became the chosen
representative of Bushwick in the Con-
gress and Conventions, from 1775 to 1777.
He died in 1781, and after Independence
his children sold out to Peter Wyckoflf, the
father of the President of the First Na-
tional Bank. But the Wyckoflfs still held,
and still do hold, their ancestral farm on
the boundary -line between Brooklyn and
Newtovsm, beyond Metropolitan Avenue.
The ex-Supervisor resided there; while
the Polhemus- Wyckoff estate, with its old
house, has passed to the stranger."
Of the genealogies and romances of
the Polhemus and connected famiUes
of Schencks, Hikers, Eemsens and Lar-
ramores, the town-cleek discourses
most genially and instructively.
" Thirty years since and the Manor House grounds on
Meeker avenue presented a Baronial appearance ; the Wyckoff
woods and the Wycoff-Polhemus house had retained all its
companion trees, barns and out-houses. Two imjnenie
poplars stood sentries at the gate on the Woodpoint road ;
they have yielded to time, and are no more. In the last
stages of their decay, our thoughts often reverted to the
times when the Bushwick farmers carried their produce to
the old town-dock past the same trees and watched the
growth of the young saplings newly planted.
Thirty years ago, and nothing was disturbed along the
Woodpoint road, on its way to the town-dock of Bushwick ;
but, in 1880, all is uprooted, and the town-dock itself and its
tide-water are traversed over by the horse-cars. The spectar
tors of the old poplars never dreamt of such changes ; but
the Wyckoff house is now, as ever, a farm-house.
The DeBevoise house is also on the old Woodpomt road ;
and, for generations, was the homestead of the DeBevoise
family, of Bushwick, descended from Carel DeBevois, the
Huguenot, who became the first school-teacher and town-
clerk of Brooklyn. It still belongs to Charles I. DeBevoise,
and in that house he was born, and there, too, he was mar-
ried—once, if not twice ; and we believe history records that
his father, Isaac DeBevoise, did also endure similar experi-
ence of these changes in life. The ex-Supervisor resides in
the large mansion adjoining the old house, nor have his eyes
ever failed, for upwards of eighty years, to rest on the place
OLD BUSHWIGK MILLS.
285
of his nativity — which circumstance is rather a unique ex-
perience of constancy in this our land of change. The
Schenck famUy, of Brooklyn, are closely entwined with
these DeBevoises, of Bushwick ; in proof of which, on a
window of the old house, remains the name of a bride
from that family, cut on her wedding-day, immediately be-
fore she had assumed her new name of DeBevoise. The
fifth generation are now represented in continuous residence
from Carel DeBevoise, of 1736, who was a farmer, and the
first of the name in Bushwick, to Charles I., and his son,
Isaac DeBevoise ; and, still later, to a six-year old boy, the
son of this last Isaac.
The bam of the DeBevoise house is precisely as the Hes-
sians of General Rahl had left it— warm and comfortable in
a plentiful neighborhood, which these warriors of so much
per head soon learned to appreciate and fully to enjoy. To
the sound of the drum they trampled down, in 1776, a new
clay floor ; and, this accomplished, they eat, drank and
smoked out their long occupation. Of the English tongue,
they teamed but little from the natives of Bushwick, who,
indeed, knew little of it themselves ; all spoke in Dutch, and
in secret they cleaved together until the war was over.
Few of them returned to Europe ; many remained in Bush-
wick ; Louis "Warner, who lived near Cooper's glue factory,
Hendrick Plaus, and Christopher Zimmerman, who, for
many years, was miller at Luquere's mill, were of this
number, and are yet well remembered. The Prince of
Hesse made money by their absence ; a Hessian lost to him
was a clear gain — such being the terms of bargain and sale
of that Princely Potentate with Royal George III., of
England. It was a glorious bargain for all parties, save to
King George, who had to pay expenses."
On Bushwick avenue, near the north-east corner of
that avenue and North Second street, was the old
Beadel house, now used as a grocery-store ; and several
other old houses long remained in the immediate neigh-
borhood of the church. North-west of the church and
close to Bushwick creek was the residence of Abram
Van Ranst, a lieutenant of the Kings County Militia,
who fled, with his family, to Harlem, at the time of the
battle of Brooklyn. His house became the head-quar-
ters of Mr. Pherson's corps of refugees and tories.
Het Kivis Padt, or the Cross-roads, on Bushwick
avenue, between Johnson and Adams streets, long re-
tained several of the old houses which clustered there
in the olden time.
The inhabitants residing along the water-side {Het
Strand of the olden day) at the close of the Revolution,
were Martin Kershow, David Miller, Charles Titus,
Andrew Conselyea, Thomas Skillman, Francis Titus,
William Bennett and John Titus. Speaking of the
Titus family, John M. Steaens, Esq., says :
" But as we passed northerly along the shore, we came to
an ancient tavern, since fronting on First street, just south
of Grand, on land conveyed to Francis Titus by Isaac
Meserole, prior to 1758. By whom this celebrated public
house, known for generations as the 'Fountain Inn,^ was
built, I do not know. Its site was devised by Francis Titus
to his son, Charles, who was known as old ' Charlum Titus,'
and who kept this place for many years. Of a Saturday
night, the settlers usually gathered around its bar, and con-
tributed to a weekly carousal, and bacchanal songs, such as
should have startled the sensibilities of a Christian people.
As a general result, in less than half a century, three-fourths
of the farms in town had changed hands through the ruin
wrought by the influence of the Fountain Inn. Passing this
not^d inn, our pathway leads past the old Titus Homestead,
where the Francis Tituses, for three generations, lived and
died. Here we pause to relate an incident illustrative of
human gratitude and human selfishness. Teunis Mauritz
Covert died at Monmouth, N. J., seized of the land since
known as the old Titus Homestead, many years previous to
1719. Francis Titus had married his widow, and brought up
his children. The eldest son, Teunis Covert, under the laws
then prevailing, was the sole heir of this farm, to the exclu-
sion of all his father's younger children. On the 16th of
May, 1719, this Teunis Covert makes a deed of this farm to
Francis Titus, his 'loving father-in-law,' for his care and
expense in bringing up the grantor and his father's other
children ; and then described the home and farm as occupied
by the grantee, containing fifty-eight acres, &c. This land
continued in the possession of Titus for over thirty years,
but the generous step-son was not remembered in the step-
father's will, made some thirty years afterwards. Devising
a large estate to the testator's own children, to wit: Francis,
Charles, Jan, Johannes and Titus Titus, and charging there-
on legacies to his daughters, Antie, Hellena, Elizabeth,
Janetje, Hyeotte and Christina, reserving an estate for life
or during widowhood, to his wife, Elizabeth — yet, his step-
children are all forgotten ; and this Elizabeth he turns out
to poverty if she marries again. The step-son, who gen-
erously gave up his estate, an inheritance from his ancestors,
received not even an honorable mention when the recipient
of his benefaction made his last earthly preparation for his
death-bed.
Pursuing our way along the East River shore, we come to
the old homestead of the Wortmans, who, for nearly a
hundred years, had an honorable name among the denizens
of Bushwick, and only ceased to be mentioned as leading
citizens about 1780. This old homestead is now represented
by a more modern domicile near Bushwick creek and Second
street, on property now of General Samuel I. Hunt. The
farm originally had ninety-six acres, some forty acres of the
western part having passed to one William Laytin, and by
him was sold to Francis Titus, mentioned above. The
remainder was owned by one William Bennett, and was
devised by him to his son William, as to the northwestern
part, and to Jacob Bennett, as to the southeasterly part.
The former passed to William Vail, and through him to the
wife of Samuel I. Hunt ; the latter was afterward known
as the farm of Frost, O'Handy, Butler and Sinclair."
Subsequently, but prior to 1798, were erected the
houses of Peter Miller and Frederic Devoe. In 1798,
also, William Van Cotts resided at the Sweede's Fly.
One by one, however, these old farm-houses have dis-
appeared before long rows of modern brick dwellings.
The Boerum House, on Division avenue, between
Broadway and Kent avenue (see cut on next page),
and the Remsen house, on Clymer street, near Kent
avenue, long remained as mementoes of the past.
Old Bushwick Mills — both tide mills. — Luqueer^
(later known as Master's), erected in the year 1664,
by Abraham Jansen, who received a grant of the
mill-site and privileges, was, with the exception of
Brower's mill, on Gowanus creek, the first established
in the present city of Brooklyn. It stood on a branch
of Maspeth (Newtown) creek, near the junction of
286
SISTORT OF KINGS COUlTTT.
Grand street and Metropolitan avenue. " A few years
since," says Mr. T. W. Field, " there was no more
striking scene near the metropolis than the view at this
point. As the road to Jamaica struck the marsh, a
rude bridge, with the most fragile railing which ever
deluded a tired passenger to lean against it, crossed a
narrow strait in the mill-pond. A few rods to the left
stood an unpainted hovel dignified with the name of
the Mill, against the side of which, and dwarfing it by
comparison, himg suspended the gigantic wheel. Close
to the bridge stood another tenement whose meaner
appearance made the mill-house respectable. This was
the toll-house, one of a class of structures which are
only less universally detested than the quarantine and
the pest-house. Across the broad level marsh, nearly a
mile in width, rose the hills of Newtown, covered with
their tall forests, amid which,here and there,open space's
of cultivated lands checkered the green expanse with
squares of brown
earth or crops of
various colors.
Through the green
salt - meadow, the
slumbrous tide-wa-
ter currents wound
their unseen cours-
es ; and, in the midst
of the verdure, rose
the broad sails of
vessels, which ap-
peared as incongru-
ous with the green
meadow as would
a western prairie
over which tall
ships were sailing.
A mile or more to
the right, on an-
other branch of
Maspeth kill, stood
another structure, known as Schenck's mill, the site
of which is only known by tradition, so completely
have its ruins been concealed by alluvial deposits,
swept by the rains from the cultivated fields around."
Near at hand, behind the house of Mr. Nicholas
WyckofE, was still the little burying-ground where
slept all of that name who heard the clatter of the
mill and the splash of the sluggishly turning wheel.
" The Schencks were of old Bushwick, from its settle-
ment in the primitive times, when the Newtown tide-
water ebbed and flowed to the boundary of the little
plot ; but now the rail-track bounds the cemetery on
the one side, and the gas-lamps of Brooklyn illuminate
it by night ; evidences of modern habits quite incon-
sistent with the notions of those who spent their quiet
Uves to the sound of the old Schenck mill— the site of
which is hardly in the traditions of the venerable Nich-
olas WyckofE himself. The old road from John Eden's
store on Metropolitan avenue around its junction with
Newtown and Brooklyn retains its Knickerbocker
aspect with singular tenacity ; the more wonderful
because the road is a frequented thoroughfare but
traffic glides past in silence and respects the repose of
houses formerly much disturbed by the military tramp
of the Revolution." Sixteen head-stones occupy the
Schenck Cemetery ; the remaining inscriptions are pre-
served in Stiles' Siatory of Brooklyn, ii, 378, but
more particularly in a valuable article, by Wm. O'Gor-
MAN, Esq., Town Clerk of Newtown, in L. I. Weekly
Star for January 14, 1881.
The physician of old Bushwick was Dr. Cornelius
Lowe, who enjoyed the practice of Bushwick, New
Lotts and a part of Newtown. He was an ardent
patriot, unmarried, boarded with Alexander Whalley
and died about 1830. He was
THE BOEEUM HOUSE.
succeeded by Dr.
George Cox, who
boarded in the Eev.
Dr. Basset's family,
removed to Wil-
liamsburgh after it
became a village,
and became con-
nected by marriage
with the Miller
family,
Greenpoint
since the Revo-
lution. — Isolated
by its peculiar posi-
tion between New-
town and Bushwick
creeks, and occu-
pied only by a
few large farms,
Geebnpoint, or
" Cherry-Point," as
it was formerly
called, may be said to have enjoyed an almost sepa-
rate existence from the rest of the old township of
Bushwick. It contained, during the Revolutionary
period, and for years after, only five (Dutch) famihes,
each having its own dwelling-house, its own farm, and
its own retinue of jolly negroes in field and kitchen.
On the shore of Newtown creek, on present Clay
street, between Union and Franklin avenues, resided
Jacob Bennett, whose father, then quite an old man,
owned and lived upon a farm on the opposite side of
the creek, which he subsequently gave to his son-in-
law, Mr. Hunter, from whom it derived its present
name of JEunter's Point.
Some years after the war, another Bennett house was
erected near the present bridge, and was subsequently
sold to a Yankee by the name of Griffin; but this, like-
wise, has disappeared before the march of improvement,
GBEEJSrPOI]SrT SINGE THE REVOLUTION.
287
On the edge of the meadows near the north-east
corner of the present Oakland and Freeman streets, on
premises since owned by James W. Valentine, stood
the old Peovoost dwelling, which was the original Capt.
Peter Praa house. See page 274.
On the river bank, between India and Java streets,
was the old Abeaham Mesbeolb house; which was
originally built more than one hundred and sixty years
since, although the western part of it was added about
1775. John A. Meserole, a descendant of the original
proprietor and a Revolutionary patriot, had possession
of the place at the time of the Revolution. A troop
of Hessians were quartered in the house, and made
free with all the live stock on the farm, except one
cow, which the family hid in the woods, in a nook since
occupied by S. D. Clark's grocery store. A building
known as the Baisley house was afterward erected on
this estate, on the present Huron street, near Franklin.
On Colyer street, near and east from Washington,
stood the house of old Jacobus Coltee, the worthy
ancestor of all of that name in this vicinity.
The last of the series of these originals was the resi-
dence of Jacob Mesbeolb, near Bushwick creek, on
Lorimer street, near Norman avenue.
These five buildings, with their barns and barracks,
and the old slate-enclosed powder-house, below the hill
(on the spot since covered by Simonson's ship-yard, and
which was afterwards removed as an undesirable
neighbor), constituted the whole of Greenpoint settle-
ment.
Cherry Point was almost isolated because of a pecu-
liar lack of facilities for communication with the outer
world. The only road, from there to any place, began at
old Abraham Meserole's barn, ran diagonally across,
north-east to the east end of Freeman street, then past
the Provoost premises, then south toWillow Pond, thence
along the meadow to the Cross-roads, and from that
point to Wyckoff's woods, so to old Bushwick church
" round Robin Hood's barn " to Fulton Ferry, where the
wearied traveler embarked in a ferry-scow for Coenties
slip, at the city, and was thankful if he arrived there in
safety, it being a little more than he had reason to expect.
As for going to Astoria, it has been described as
being something like taking a journey to the Moon ;
there being no road thither, until the erection of the
Penny-bridge, in 1796, which let the people out into
the mysteries of the island, and left them to feel their
way around in the woods to Astoria. Each farmer,
however, owned his boat with which he conveyed pro-
duce to the New York market; and, for all practical
purposes of intercommunication with each other or
with their friends in Newtown, Bushwick or Brooklyn,
they used the boat much more frequently, perhaps,
than the road.
The modem history of Greenpoint dates from the
year 1832, when Neziah Bliss, in connection with Dr.
Eliphalet Nott, purchased some thirty acres of the
John G. and Peter Meserole farm. In 1833, he bought
the Griffin farm; and in 1834 he caused the whole of
Greenpoint to be laid out in streets. In 1838 he built
a foot-bridge across Bushwick creek. At about the
same time the Point was re-surveyed, and the Ravens-
wood, Greenpoint, and Hallet's Cove turnpike was in-
corporated. This road, which was opened in 1839, ran
along Franklin street, and was subsequently continued
to Williamsburgh. Although, even as late as 1853, this
road was not graded, it proved to be the opening door
to the growth of Greenpoint.
The first house-builder was John Hilly er, the mason,
who boldly broke ground in the field on India street, in
November, 1839; the edifice, a substantial brick one, be-
ing sufficiently completed to admit of his occupying it
with his family, in June of the following year. A few
months after, Mr. Brightson commenced building on
two lots in Java street, and almost simultaneously, three
other buildings were begun, viz.: a building, which
afterwards became an inn, well remembered by the
oldest inhabitants of Greenpoint as Poppy Smith's
tavern ; the residence of Mr. Archibald K. Meserole,
on the hill, north side of Eagle street, between Frank-
lin and Washington streets; and the store-house, after-
wards Vogt's paint shop, built by Cother & Ford for
A. K. Meserole.
From this time buildings increased so rapidly as to
defy the most active historian to keep track of their
erection.
Many of these houses stood up on stilts, bearing
very much the appearance of having been commenced
at the roof and gradually built downward, a sufficient
number of stories being appended to reach the ground.
This style of building, peculiarly characteristic of
Greenpoint in the earlier days, obtained mostly on the
locality known by the people of that day as " the Or-
chard," and, also, in Java, Washington and Franklin
streets, and was rendered necessary by the extreme
depth of the mud, always the great drawback of the
place.
Trade at Greenpoint commenced in the store-house
above spoken of. David Swalm succeeded the first
tradesman here.
A coal-yard was opened at the foot of Freeman
street, on the East River, at the projection of the shore
which originally gave Greenpoint its name. This
establishment was purchased, in 1849, by Abraham
Meserole, who transferred the business to the corner
of Java and Franklin streets ; and the yard was
speedily followed by other lines of industry, and by
various manufactories.
A Union Sabbath-school was established in the au-
tumn of 1845, under the superintendence of William
Yernoon; and sessions were held at various places in
the village. The Episcopalians commenced here in
1846. The Methodist, Baptist, and Dutch Reformed
denominations commenced their distinctive church or-
288
SISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
ganizations in 1847, and were followed by the Univer-
salists and Roman Catholics in 1855.
The profession of medicine was first represented in
Greenpoint by Dr. Snell, from Herkimer county, N.
T., who settled here in 1847. He was followed in
1850 by Dr. Job Davis, and he, in turn, by Doctors
Peer and Hawley, Heath, "Wells, and others.
The first magistrate and constable were appointed
about 1843.
Mrs. Masquerier, in 1643, opened the first school.
This good woman's ministrations were finally sup-
planted by the public-school system; and in 1846, a
school-house was erected on the hill east of Union ave-
nue, between Java and Kent streets, and which was
first presided over by Mr. B. R. Davis. This was the
commencement of School No. 22.
In 1850 a ship-yard -w&s established by Mr. Eckford
Webb (since Webb & Bell) ; and the first vessel con-
structed was a small steamer called the Honda, which
was made to ply upon the Magdalena river of South
America. Since that day he has constructed many
vessels. Other ship-yards were established, until ten
or twelve were at one time in active operation, turning
out every variety of craft, from the humble skiff to
the largest wood and iron steamers.
In September, 1852, the Francis'' Metallic Life-Boat
Company was incorporated, with a capital of $250,000,
and erected a large and commodious factory. They
had a successful career, until the repeal, by Congress,
of that section of the steamboat law respecting life-
boats, when the demand fell off, and, so did the com-
pany.
The ferry between the foot of Greenpoint avenue
and the foot of Tenth street, New York, was estab-
lished, in 1852, by Neziah Bliss, and soon afterwards
transferred to Mr. Shepard Knapp. Previously, all
water communication "with New York had been by skiffs,
at a charge of four cents per passenger.
In 1853 the Greenpoint Gas Light Company was in-
corporated, with a capital of $40,000, and a patronage
at the outset of twenty-six customers. In the summer
of 1854, what was projected as the Greenpoint and
Flushing plank-road was first used. The intended ter-
mini of this road were the Greenpoint ferry and a
point on the Astoria and Flushing railroad, half a mile
from the latter place. By reason of the opposition of
some Dutch farmers along the proposed route the road
was not completed according to the original design;
but united with the Williamsburgh and Newtown road
at the end of Calvary cemetery.
(The history of Greenpoint, subsequent to 1854, is
included with that of the consolidated city of Brook
lyn).
Arbitration Rock.— We have thought desirable to
place in permanent form, by re-producing it in these
pages, the substance of a very interesting article by
Welliam O'Goeman, Esq., the antiquarian town-clerk,
of Newtown, published originally in the Long Island
Weekly Star, concerning this historic land-mark be-
tween Old Bushwick and its neighbor, Newtown.
"Arbitration Rock" marked the final end of that
famous fight between Newtown and Bushwick, which
raged with unabated fury, from the days of Governor
Stuyvesant, in 1660, to 1769. Stuyvesant loved Bush-
wick. He hated Newtown. He bequeathed a legacy
of rancor to the two towns ; but he also opened up a
field on which all the brave sons of either town could
display their determination to defend their boundary
rights.
In Governor Cornbury's time the dispute between
Newtown and Bushwick had waxed hot and furious to
a white heat. It suited the Governor to a charm. He
"saw" twelve hundred acres in it — he "discovered
sinister practices," he realized "pernicious conse-
quences."
The Bushwick men claimed that their boundary
extended to the straight line which ran from the
Old Brook School to the northwest corner of Ja-
maica. The Newtown men claimed that their bound-
ary ran from the "Arbitration Rock" to the same
point ; or more clearly to be understood — the New-
town men claimed up to the present dividing line
between Newtown and Brooklyn, where the city lamps
shine on old Mrs. Onderdonk's house.
It is a long walk on a hot day from the Old Brook
School to Mrs. Onderdonk's house beyond Metropolitan
avenue : the longer it was, the more acres it would
give to Lord Cornbury, the Governor of the province.
The evidence was very confiicting between Newtown
and Bushwick. The boundary line oscillated between
them like a pendulum, from the arbitration rock to the
Old Brook School, and so for years it had vibrated
back and forward, but fastened to the same suspension
point on the East New York hills in the Cemetery of
the Evergreens. It was a large gore of land, and con-
tained 1200 acres of land for Lord Cornbury. There
were riots between the Bushwick men and the New-
town men, and some houses were burnt and some
houses were torn down. Governor Lord Cornbury, of
all men, hated " anarchy ;" and he considered it to be
the duty of an impartial Governor to remove the cause
of such anarchy. He decided that the gore lot of 1200
acres belonged neither to Bushwick, nor to Newtown.
Jle also decided that the tract of 1200 acres belonged to
himself, the Lord Cornbury.
He was surrounded by a body of able counselors —
Arma Bridgens, Robert Millwood, William Huddle-
stone, Adrian Hoogland, and of course Peter Praa—
Peter Praa from Greenpoint, always keen after real
estate ; and among these disinterested persons, or in-
struments, in vulgar eyes, the Governor divided the
1200 acres of Newtown land. Newtown, at this un-
expected Juncture, had need of trustworthy men, and
on the 6th of May, 1706, the township vested all their
arbitha tion rock.
289
powers of defence in Richard Alsop,* Joseph Sackett,
Thomas Stevenson and William Hallett. This law-
suit lasted twenty years, and the Town House and all
the public lands of the township had to be sold to fee
the lawyers, a useful precedent for future Newtown
officials who may have to carry on law-suits. The re-
sult of that law-suit was not decisive ; the boundary
line between Newtown and Bushwick remained un-
decided until the Vth day of January, \1Q9, on which
day the dividing line was run out to the full satisfac-
tion of Newtown, and so remains to the present day.
What became of the grantees after Lord Cornbury's
recall is not positively known ; Newtown fought them
under the name of the " Faucouniers " from 1712 to
1727, in a suit in which Richard Alsop and John Coe
were plaintiffs on behalf of Newtown. Peter Praa, of
Greenpoint, had sold out his patent two days after it
was granted. Peter was too sagacious to trust to such
titles ; but the name of Bridgens, true to its instincts,
broke out again in 1873, as a plaintiff in the celebrated
ejectment suit against the property owners of Laurel
Hill, so sensationally got up by Weston, the walker.
In the columns of the Sun he had provided an old
oaken chest with an ancient will in it, both of which
little adjuncts made up a little romance only to be
spoiled by the fact of the same will having been in
printed form for twenty-five years previously, and con-
tinuously in every house on Laurel Hill. So history
repeats itself.
The following report terminated the dispute of a
century :
"Pursuant to an act of the Governor, Council and General
Assembly, appointing John Watts, William NicoU and Wil-
liam NiooU, Jr., Esquires, or the major part of them, or the
survivor or survivors of them. Commissioners to run out and
ascertain a line of division between the Counties of Kings
and Queens, as far as the townships of Bushwick and New-
town extend :— We, the said Commissioners, having called
the parties before us, and duly heard and considered their
several proofs and allegations, do adjudge and determine
that the Division Line aforesaid, shall be and begin at the
mouth of Maspeth Kills, or creek, over against Dominie's
Hook, in the deepest part of the creek, and so run along the
same to the west side of Smith's Island, and so along the
creek on the west side of that island to and up a branch
LEADING OUT Off THAT CKEEK TO THE POND OR HOLE OF WATER
NEAR THE HEAD OF MR. SCHBNCK'S MILL POND ; AND FROM
THENCE EASTERLY TO A CERTAIN ROCK COMMONLY CALLED
THE 'Arbitration Rook,' and marked N. B., a little west-
ward of the house of Joseph Woodward ; and from said
rock running south twenty-seven degrees, east to a heap of
stones with a stake in the middle known by the name of the
'Arbitration Heap ; ' and from thence in the same direct
line up the hills or mountains until it meets the line of
• In this connection we cannot but allude to a series of exceedingly
interesting papers, by Mr. O'Gorman in the L. I. Weekly Star, of
March and April, 1880, on the Alsop Family, of Newtown, whose
ancient mansion, rich in Colonial and Bevolutionary history, stood on
the edge of Newtown Creek, near the Penny Bridge. It was de-
molished in October, 1879, and its site, as, also, that of the Alsop
family burylng-grouad, is now within Calvary Cemetery grounds.
Flatbush, as the same is described by the survey and card
hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and
seals this 10th day of January, Anno Domini, 1769.
John Watts.
W. NiCOLL.
Sealed in presence of us, W. Wickham, John S. Eoome."
The Annals of Newtown tells us that the survey was
performed, January 7th, by Francis Marschalk, and
thus describes the boundaries :
" Beginning at a certain rock, commonly called the
Arbitration Eock, marked N. B. ; said rook lies N. 16 de-
grees 3 minutes W. 4 chains 50 links from the northerly
corner of the house, formerly the house of Frederick Van
Nanda, and now in possession of Moses Beigle ; running
from said rock S. 27 degrees E. 155 chains to a noted heap
of stones, with a stake in the middle, known by the name
of ' Arbitration heap,'' and from thence in the same direct
line up the hill or mountain until it meets the line of Flat-
bush."
The Woodward House still stands in the same good
preservation that Lord Cornwallis left it in the Revo-
lution ; and the Beegel House is occupied by the Onder-
donk family.
After the Revolution Mr. Hendrick Beegel made
another survey of the line, and in 1837, during the Su-
pervisorship of Mr. DeBevoise, the line was again run
over and monuments erected over its entire length.
The late Mr. Nicholas Wyckoff, President of the First
National Bank of Brooklyn, in 1880, made a proposi-
tion to the Commissioners appointed to re-survey the
boundary line between Kings and Queens Counties ; to
" replace, at his own expense, by a monument to be ap-
proved of by the Commissioners, the old 'Arbitration
Rock,' once of such importance, but blown to pieces by
some parties ignorant of its historic and trigonometrical
value as a ' Bench Mark ' in the survey of the base line
between Kings and Queens Counties."
A note in Hiker's Annals, page 171, has led its read-
ers into a labyrinth of confusion, and they have propa-
gated the error far and wide — as the Annals of New-
town is a standard work every way worthy of its repu-
tation for research and accurate details. The note
reads :
"This house is that now occupied by Mrs. Onderdonk.
Arbitration Rock has disappeared. It stood in the meadow
lying opposite this house, on the other side of the road, and
early in the present century was blown to pieces, and re-
moved by individuals who probably knew not its value as an
important land-mark."
In fact, however, the Arbitration Rock is as intact
and sound as when the commissioners and surveyors
were vociferating around it in January, 1769.
"On November 19th, 1880, another group of excited
men, the late Nicholas Wyckoff, Peter Wyckoff and
Wm. O'Gorman, stood around the same old rock watch-
ing its discovery by Martin G. Johnson, Surveyor. Mr.
Johnson had found the old rook, from which he had
started his own survey in 1850, when he had com-
290
HISTORY 01 KlJSrOS COUNTY.
menoed to lay out the streets and blocks of Bushwick,
and mark their position with the stone monuments, still
existing in the ground, all over from Greenpoint,
through all the limits of ancient Bushwick as contained
in the several wards now incorporated into Brooklyn.
Far off through all the fields Mr. Johnson determined
his angles with the theodolite and measuring-chain ; from
many distant points he defined the position of monu-
ments long since ploughed over ; and, when he would
call out that ' here is one,' or ' one ought to be here,'
there was consequent excitement to dig down and see
that his calculation was correct. And, indeed, a monu-
ment was invariably found wherever the word was
passed that one ought to be found. The same process
through the fields revealed them in plenty ; but large
trees had grown up since the monuments were set in
1850, and the face of nature had changed considerably
since that time. But the trigonometrical work of the
young surveyor still holds good and will be the perma-
nent base-lines for all ages to old Bushwick, no matter
what name will be granted her in the vicissitudes of
time. "
"Finally, the converging sights of the theodolite from
all the monuments intersected each other on the time-
honored head of the old Rock, and thus established its
identity beyond question. The 'Arbitration Rock ' is
therefore still in existence. "
" The history of the fight between Newtown and
Bushwick — a legacy bequeathed by old Governor Stuy-
vesant — embraces the period included between 1656 and
1769. The territory included that gore-lot of country
between the old Brook School at Maspeth and the
Arbitration Rock beyond Metropolitan avenue, narrow-
ing to a point toward the hills beyond Ridgwood. In
that direction there is still some undefined trouble, and
the Legislature of last year issued a commission to
certain persons to settle it."
Henry Boerum. — Among the old Long Island names is
that of BoERUM — a name which the citizens of Brooklyn
have perpetuated in Boerum street, and Boerwm place. The
emigrant of the family was a Hollander, and his descen-
dants, for many generations, have been landed proprietors
on the Island. His father, Jacob Boerum, married Adrianna
Remsen. a daughter of William Remsen, at the Wallabout.
They had eight children — Henry being next to the youngest,
born April 8, 1793. He passed the days of his boyhood on
his father's farm, and during the idle winter months, availed
himself of the limited educational advantages afforded by
the public schools of his time and locality. After he grew
to man's estate, he managed the farm, which, at that time,
meant hard work, as all the market truck had to be carried
to the Wallabout in a wagon, then put in a row-boat, pulled
across to the New York market, and sold out by measure as
the hucksters now do. On November 21, 1837, he married
Susan Eapelje, a daughter of Polkert Rapelje, at Cripple-
bush, of the well-known family of that name, which has
been prominently identified with Long Island almost from
the date of its first settlement. May 1, 1828, he purchased
from the executors of the estate of Folkert Rapelje sixty-
two acres of land, being a part of the old Rapelje farm, at
Cripplebush, for the sum of $7,000, on account of which he
paid $2,700— money which he received as a part of his wife's
dowry — and gave a mortgage for the balance, $4,800. He
was a hard worker and good manager; and, in October, 1834,
he had paid off his indebtedness, the executors having given
him the privilege of paying on account of the principal
when he paid his yearly interest. In 1835, during the great
land speculation, the homestead farm was sold, by which he
secured, as his part, several thousand dollars, which, together
with his earnings, amounted, in 1843, to some $20,000.
About this time, the bubble burst, taking away from him
the greater part of his income. He also sold, in 1835, three
and one-half acres of the Cripplebush farm for $3,500, with
which he built the house now occupied by his son, F. Eapelje
Boerum. In 1853, De Kalb avenue was opened, graded and
paved through the farm, and Mr. Boerum began selling lots
and making loans on the property to purchasers, enabling
them to erect dwellings thereon. His policy toward piu-
ohasers was a liberal one, and resulted in the rapid develop-
ment of that part of the city embraced within the limits of
the Cripplebush farm, and indirectly to considerable con-
tiguous property. Within the borders of the fai-m now
stand some 500 or 600 houses. Mr. Boerum pursued a
similar policy with respect to his part of the old Boerum
homestead, at Bushwick; and, it was mainly through his
instrumentality that the section commonly called Dutch-
town was buUt up and populated. In all matters of public
interest he always took an intelligent and helpful part; and,
although he was not, in the active sense, a politician, his
judgment was often sought by those in authority, and he
was many times asked to become a candidate for pubhc
honors ; but he almost invariably declined, though he served
two terms as Assessor, and two as Alderman of the old 9th
ward. He was, from time to time, connected with numerous
well-known institutions, having been an organizer and
director in the old Brooklyn Gas Company, the Mechanics'
and City Banks, the Mechanics', Montauk and Atlantic
Insurance Companies, and as stockholder in the Brooklyn
Academy of Music, and the Brooklyn Athenssum. Mr.
Boerum had seven children ; a son and daughter died in
infancy. F. Rapelje Boerum was born October 26, 1829, and
now occupies the old homestead. He married Diana
Remsen, May 26, 1868, and has three children living. Charles
died in boyhood. Susan was born February 22, 1835, and
married Charles Vanderveer, deceased, and has three children,
Adrianna, born November 27, 1886, married Charles Bush,
and Agnes, born September 27, 1889, died October 24, 1875.
Mr. Boerum was a man of plain, unostentatious manners
and unquestioned integrity. His life was a busy one from
boyhood, and terminated May 8, 1£68. In a quiet way he
did much good, was instrumental in developing a now
important part of the city, and left the impress of his busi-
ness capacity and high commercial honor on the times in
which he lived. He was a friend and companion of the
leading Brooklynites of the period during his manhood; and
his name is inseparably linked with that part of the city
within the borders of which he lived and died. When he
passed away his death was sincerely regretted by a large
circle of friends and acquaintances, and such honor was
paid to his memory as was due to one who had long been an
influential resident of the city. His wife died May 18, 1859,
aged fifty-seven years.
Hon. Wiluam Conselyba.— The subject of this article is
a son of the late Judge Joseph and Ann (Hopper) Conselyea,
^npAoj, ±,s:Tdtcrv.^'
^t
^^^^
/^<:y^^t^9^^-?^
^HI'.U-c''
JBIOGRAPHim.
291
and was bom in Bushwiok, Kings county, N. Y., October
12, 1804.
Mr. Conselyea's early life was spent on his father's farm
and in assisting his father in the milk trade, in which the
latter was extensively engaged, and his educational advan-
tages were limited to those afforded by the common schools
of Bushwick. In 1835 he embarked in hotel-keeping at the
corner of North Second street and Bushwick avenue, and,
in 1840, remov«d to the corner of Grand and First streets,
WiUiamsburgh, where he opened a wholesale and retail
liquor store. In 1845, he assumed the proprietorship and
management of a hotel at the corner of Bushwick and
Flushing avenues. During a portion of this period, and
later, he was a well-known auctioneer until his removal to
his present residence, 457 Bedford avenue, in 1870, since
which time he has lived retired from active business.
In 1840, Mr. Conselyea, who had, since his majority, been
a consistent democrat of the old school, but never an
aspirant for office, was nominated for Member of Assembly
from Kings county, but was defeated by the election of his
uncle, William Conselyea 1st. In 1843, he was again nomi-
nated for the same office, and was elected, and served until
the expiration of his term.
April 6, 1825, Mr. Conselyea was married to Anna Maria
Griffin, daughter of A. Tabor Griffin, of Bushwick, who has
borne him nine children, two of whom are living. After a
happy union of fifty-eight years' duration, both Mr. and
Mrs. Conselyea are in excellent health, considering their
ages, and are looking forward to several years more of
peaceful companionship.
Hon. Adrian M. Stjtdam. — Jacob Suydam, grandfather
of Adrian Martense Suydam, was born February 3, 1740, set-
tled at Bushwick and married Elizabeth Leaycraft, April
14th, 1764. He was a worthy and respected citizen, and
died in Bushwick, July 27, 1811. His children, who attained
mature age, were George, born June 30, 1767, who married
Jane Voorhees, and died at Gravesend ; Gertrude, born June
35, 1770, who marriSd Adrian Martense ; Jacob, who was
born March 3, 1773, and married Cornelia Farmer, of New
Brunswick, N. J., and Hendrick, who was born May 16,
1778, and married Helen, daughter of John Schenck.
Jacob Suydam, son of Jacob Suydam, was the father of
Adrian Martense Suydam, and died August 31, 1847. Ad-
rian Martense Suydam was born on the old Suydam home-
stead, in Bushwick, where he has been a life-long resident.
November 25, 1836, and is now tilling a portion of the farm
of his forefathers.
Mr. Suydam's educational advantages were limited to
those afforded by the district schools of his native town; and
he early began to assist on the farm, a portion of which
passed into his possession, in 1844, when he was only
eighteen years of age, and which he has occupied continu-
ously to the present time.
January 5, 1852, Mr. Suydam was married to Sarah G.,
daughter of Nicholas Wyckoff, who died in 1863, having
borne him four children, only one of whom is now living.
Mr. Suydam, having passed his lifetime thus far on the
homestead of his family for generations before him, has
seen many changes in his section of the city — of Brooklyn —
and is, at this date, the only farmer, except one, living along
the old Bushwick road, who has spent his days on the place
on which he was born.
In 1869, there was nc house on the Suydam farm, except
the ancient residence of Mr. Suydam, out of which his
grandfather was driven by the British during the Revolu-
tionary war. During the year mentioned, Mr. Suydam,
wishing to induce settlement in his neighborhood with a
view to developing that section of the city, gave a man a
lot on condition that he would at once erect and occupy a
dwelling thereon ; and, since then, his policy has been so
liberal that, at the present time, there are no less than one
hundred and twenty-five residences within the borders of
the old homestead, bounded by Klnickerbocker avenue,
Vigelius street, Broadway and Palmetto street. Palmetto
street. Woodbine street. Evergreen avenue. Ivy street and
Central avenue have since been opened through the home-
stead, and some of them are being rapidly improved. It
was years after Mr. Suydam assumed control of his farm
before there was any means of reaching the ferries, except
by private conveyance, and he relates that he has seen men
hunting on the site of the present City Park.
In 1855, Mr. Suydam was elected alderman from the
eighteenth ward, and served one term. A few years later,
he served a term as a member of the Board of Education.
In the fall of 1873, he was elected a Member of the Assembly
of the State of New York, and twice re-elected, serving the
terms of 1873, 1875 and 1877, during the administrations of
Governors Dix, Tilden and Robinson, with credit to himself
and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He is, at present,
one of the trustees of Bushwick Savings Bank, and a
director of the WiUiamsburgh City Fire Insurance Company
and the Kings County Fire Insurance Company.
HISTORY
OF TtlE
TOWN OF WILLIAMSBURGH,
Esq.
Op BEOOKLTisr, E. D.
THE WOODHULL SPECULATION —
After the close of the Revolutionary War, the
farmers of Bushwick pursued in peace their oc-
cupations of raising grain and cultivating gar-
den vegetables for the New York market. But, ere
long, upon the shores of the river which formed their
western border, appeared the nucleus of a village; and,
even while they rubbed their astonished eyes, it ex-
panded to the fair proportions of a city. Instead of
slowly amassing money by plodding labor and close-
fisted huckstering, they found fortunes fairly thrust
upon them by the enhanced value of their farms; due
to the enterprise of others, whom they considered as
Yankee intruders. They hesitated at first, dazzled by
the prospect, and suspicious of the motives of those
who offered it. Bwtjinesse prevailed and the first pui--
chase made — the rest was simply a matter of time.
Richard M. WoodhuU, a New York merchant, of in-
telligent and comprehensive views, albeit somewhat
speculative in his conclusions, was the pioneer in this
movement. He had already established a horse-ferry,
from Corker's Hook (near the foot of present Grand
street. New York) to the foot of the present North Sec-
ond street, in Brooklyn; and the concentration of trade
from Long Island, at this apology for a ferry, natu-
rally suggested to him its probable occupation, to a
limited extent, near the eastern terminus of the ferry,
for a village. Had he reasoned from experience as to
the growth of cities, he might have been deterred from
this venture. New York City, which at the period of
the Revolution had but 24,000 inhabitants, possessed at
this time (1800) less than 61,000. There was, indeed, a
highway from the settled parts of the city to Corlaer's
Hook; but Chatham street was then the margin of the
built up city, and the scattered farmsteads, shops and
hotels along the Bowery were mere suburbs of the
town. Had he stopped to consider that from thirty to
forty years would be required to crowd three square
miles of vacant lands with houses, and to occupy the
De Lancey and Willet farms with population, before
his projected city on the opposite Long Island shore
could become a practical success, he might have saved
himself from infinite trouble and ultimate bankruptcy.
True, he had a ferry established. But this could not
accommodate the people whose employment was in
New York. A horse-ferry, with two miles of travel on
the New York side, before the business portion of the
city could be reached, was to most persons a formida-
ble objection to locating so far from their employment.
But Woodhull was infatuated with his scheme; and, as
he could not easily, in the then temper of the old
Dutch residents, purchase the much-coveted land in
his own name, he employed one Samuel Titus, of New-
town, to secure the title from Charles (old " Charlum ")
Titus of some 13 acres of his farm, which he after-
wards re-purchased from the said Samuel Titus, at
cost. This land, situated in the vicinity of North Sec-
ond street (then called Bushwick street) was soon laid
out by Mr. Woodhull in city lots, and named Wil-
liamsburgh, in compliment to his friend. Col. Williams,
U. S. engineer, by whom it was surveyed. A shanty
ferry-house and a tavern near by, were erected; one
Lewis bought some lots and put up a hay-press and
scales near the present North Third and First streets,
where it was intended to bale the hay-crop of Long
Island for shipment and the New York market; and an
auction was held, at which a few building-lots were
disposed of. But the amount realized came far short of
restoring to Woodhull the money he had thus prema-
turely invested. His project was, fully, a quarter of
a century too soon. It required half a million of peo-
ple in the city of New York, before settlers could be
induced to remove across the East river, away from
the attractions of a commercial city. Woodhull found
that notes matured long before he could realize from
his property; and barely six years had passed before
he was a bankrupt, and the site of his new city became
subject to sale by the sheriff. By divers shifts, the ca-
lamity was deferred until September 11th, 1811, when
the right, title and interest of Richard M. Woodhull in
TSB MORRELL SPECULATION:
293
the original purchase, and in five acres of the Francis
J. Titus estate, purchased by him, in 1805, near Fifth
street, was sold by the sheriff, on a judgment in favor
of one Roosevelt. James H. Maxwell, the son-in-law
of Woodhull, became the purchaser of Williamsburgh;
but not having means to continue his title thereto, it
again passed under the sheriff's hammer — although a
sufficient number of lots had, by this time, been sold to
prevent its re-appropriation to farm or garden pur-
poses. Woodhull and Maxwell's experience was that
which is common to men who think in advance of their
times; but they will ever be mentioned with respect as
the "fathers of the town."
The Morrell Speculation — Yorkton. — Mean-
while, another rival was in the field, Thomas Morrell,
of Newtown, who had purchased from Folkert Titus
the ancient Titus homestead farm of 28 acres; and who,
with James Hazard, to whom he sold a moiety, had
laid it out in city lots, and had a map made of the
same, whereon Grand street was laid down as a divid-
ing line. Morrell then, in 1812, obtained from the city
of New York a grant for a ferry from Grand street.
Bush wick, to Grand street. New York; the same point
to which Woodhull's ferry also ran. Yorkton was the
somewhat pompous name given to the territory along
the river, between South First and North Second
streets; and Lobs' map of Yorkton was dignified to
the position of a public record. The Morrell ferry
gradually superseded "Woodhull's in the public estima-
tion, so that both owners became rivals; and disputes
ran so high between them that they would not permit
each other's teams to pass over their respective lands,
— all this tended to retard the progress of the village.
Grand street became the permanent site of the ferry ;
and the old Titus homestead (on the north-east side
of South First street), long known as " Old Charlum's"
Fountain Jww, became the head-quarters of village poli-
tics, where the destinies of town and county were often
discussed, on winter nights, over hot flip and brandy
slings.
But, while Morrell succeeded as to the ferry, Wood-
hull managed to preserve the name Williamsburgh ;
which applied at first to the 13 acres originally purchased,
and had extended itself to adjoining lands, so as to
embrace about 30 acres, as seen in Poppleton's map, in
1814, and another in 1815, of property of J. Homer
Maxwell. But the first ferry had landed at Williams-
burgh, and the turnpike went through Williamsburgh
out into the island. Hence, both the country people,
and the people coming from the city, when coming to
the ferry, spoke of coming to Williamsburgh. Thus
Yorhton was soon unknown save on Loss' map, and in
the transactions of certain land jobbers. Similarly, the
designations of old farm locations, being obsolete to
the idea of a city or a village, grew into disuse; and
the whole territory between the Wallabout Bay and
Bushwick Creek became known as Williamsburgh.
Williamsburgh. — At the time the ferries were es-
tablished, there was no open road to the water side, ex-
cept that of the Newtown and Bushwick Bridge Co.,
which came to the shore at Woodhull's ferry. There
was no open shore-road connecting the two ferries, nor
any from the Wallabout to Williamsburgh; for, blind
to their own interests, the owners of the shore-land re-
fused to have any road opened over their property
along the shore. Consequently the ferries could not
prosper, their cost exceeded their income, and both
owners died in embarrassed circumstances, and with
blighted hopes. Subsequently, the ferries were con-
solidated.
The Wallabout and Newtown Turnpike.—
While Woodhull (and his successor) and Morrell were
at variance about towns and ferries, Gen. Jeremiah
Johnson had purchased the farm of Charles Titus, 2d;
and in his goings to and fro between his farm and Wil-
liamsburgh, became much annoyed at having to open
and shut no less than 17 barred-gates, within a distance
of half a mile along the shore.* His proposition to
the owners of these lands to unite with him in securing
a legislative act for the opening of a two-rod road,
along the front of their property from the Wallabout
Bridge to the Newtown and Bushwick Bridge road at
Woodhull's ferry, was not only declined, but strenu-
ously opposed. Whereupon, taking the matter in his
own hands, he himself surveyed the proposed road,
gave due notice of application, got up a petition, and
by personal interest at Albany secured the required
authority — and, within a month the road was opened
by commissioners of the two towns. The effect was
magical; for, before this there had been no means of
vehicular travel with Brooklyn, except by the New-
town road from the Bushwick Cross -Roads. Now
the business largely increased at the ferry, and public
attention, began to be drawn more than ever to the
many advantages of residence afforded by Williams-
burgh. For, situated as it was, opposite the very heart
of New York city; with a bold water-front upon the
East river of a mile and a half extent (entirely under
the control of its own local authorities) ; with a suffi-
* In this connection we quote, from a MSS. lecture by Mr. Barnes, on
the Wallabout, the following description of the " old-time " route from
G-en. Johnson's place, corner Kent avenue and Hewes street, to East
New York: "travel up the farm-lane (Hewes street) some distance be-
yond the present Lee avenue church, thence south-easterly along the
farm to the then woods, across the creek to Nostrand's lane, and up this
lane (near the site of Husted & Co.'s brick stables) on Flushing avenue,
then south-east to land of Henry Boerum, thence southerly to Bedford,
then along old Bedford road, facing to the south of Fort Greene to
Baker's Tavern on Long Island railroad to Fulton street ; then a road
or lane, to the ferry, six miles away— a journey of two or three hours.
This, however, was short, compared with the distance from the late
Abm. Bemsen's house (adjoining Scholes farm, and but one beyond
Gen. Johnson's). This.family had to travel up their farm line to the
church at Bushwick, thence along the Bushwick road to the Cross-
Eoads, and along Cripplebush road to residence of J acobus Lott, where
Nostrand's lane Intersects the road, and then along the Cripplebush
road and Bedford road, past Fort Greene to Baker's Tavern on Long
Island railroad, and to Fulton street, and so to the ferry— ten milee
and taking four or five hours."
294
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
cient depth for all ordinary commercial purposes; and
•mth the ground rising gradually from the river to the
height of about forty-five feet above water-level, it
seems as if, on the whole. Nature had designed the ter-
ritory for the site of a city.
Village Beginnings.— The village grew apace ;
theM. E. Church (organized 1807) erected, in 1808, the
first place of worship ; the North American Hotel was
built about the same time ; and by 1814 the town num-
bered 759 persons. About 1819, a distillery was estab-
lished at the foot of South Second street, by Noah
Waterbuet, whose enterprise has earned for him the
appellation of the "Father of Williamsburgh." A
native of Groton, Ct., he came, in 1789, at the age of
fifteen, to Brooklyn, where he learned to be a shoe-
maker.
At the age of twenty-one years, together with Henry
Stanton, he took the Catherine Street Ferry; and, after
carrying it on awhile, entered into the lumber trade, and
subsequently established a rope- walk. He removed to
Williamsburgh, in May, 1819, where he purchased from
Gen. Jeremiah Johnson the half -acre of land on which,
with Jordan Coles, he built the distillery above referred
to. Subsequently purchasing eight adjoining acres, he
laid it out in city lots ; gradually got into the real
estate business ; frequently loaned money to the village
in its financial embarrassments ; originated the City
Bank, of which he became the first president; as also
of the Board of Trustees of 1827; and, in many ways,
promoted the welfare of the village. His life was one
of enterprise, public spirit and high integrity.
It was early found that the laws relating to common
highways were entirely inadequate to the opening of
streets and other improvements needed by a village or
city. If the plan had been adopted of opening all
streets by common taxation, improvements might have
been, effected; and, in the end, their expense would have
been equitably apportioned ; that is, when the whole
village plot was improved alike and paid for. But, in
this new community, every person wished his particular
property improved, and had rather pay the expense
than have such improvements deferred till the general
public were willing to assume the special burden of
such improvements. Mr. David Dunham, a merchant
and citizen of New York, became interested in Wil-
liamsburgh, by purchase at the Sheriff's sale, when the
right, title and interest of James H. Maxwell (Wood-
hull's son-in-law) were sold out on execution in favor of
James J. Roosevelt; who continued to follow the pro-
perty with his financial accommodations, until 1818
brought the final extinction of the original pioneer in-
terest of these two founders of the village. Dunham
shared his purchase with Moses Judah and Samuel Os-
born ; established the first steam-ferry from New York
to Williamsburgh ; and had his name applied to Grand
street, as laid down on "Loss' Yorkton Map." But,
though the street was soon widened ten feet on the
north side, the new name would not stick. Grand
street it was, and is to this day.
In 1820, David Dunham, above named, donated land
near North First street, on which a school-house was
erected, known as District School No. 3, of the Town
of Bushwick ; and the population of the town, includ-
ing the village, was, at this time, 934, of which 182 were
colored. In July of this year, an advertisement in the
Long Island Star announces a bear-shooting, at the
Fountain Inn, which " the rifle companies of Major
Vinton and Captain Burns are particularly invited to
attend with their music. Green turtle soup to be ready
on the same day, from 11 A. M. to 10 P. M." In Octo-
ber, following, three persons were indicted at the Kings
County General Sessions for hull-haiting at WUUams-
burgh ! which argues well for the moral sentiment of
the new community. In 1823, the village sustained a
severe loss in the death, by drowning, of Mr. David
Dunham, " merchant and citizen of New York," whose
efforts had "materially changed the appearance of
Williamsburgh, and were adding constantly to its im-
provements. The Williamsburgh Ferry and Turnpike,
maintained by him, are real and lasting benefits to the
city and to Long Island." "Never disheartened by
disappointment, nor diverted from his object by indol-
ence or opposition," he was justly considered "the
friend and founder of the village." His ferry con-
tinued to run ; manufacturers (especially of whisky or
rum and ship-cordage) acquired something of a foot-
hold in the place ; and there appeared one or more corner
groceries and a village tavern, besides " old Charlum "
Titus' i^MW«am Inn. In 1825, Garret and GroverC.
Furman, New Yoi-k merchants, purchased twenty-five
acres on South First street, about 150 feet from what is
now Grand, near corner of Second street, at $300 per
acre ; and had it mapped into city lots. They then
offered the Dutch Reformed congregation their choice
of a lot 100 feet square upon which to erect a church,
which was accepted; then building-lots began to be
enquired about in that neighborhood. The first two
lots were sold to Dr. Cox for $150, after which they
sold so fast that the price was advanced to $200, and
in less than six months to $250, etc.
Village Organization.— It was not long before the
necessity of a village organization, with officers posses-
sing the power to compel the opening and improving
of streets, the digging of wells and the erection of
pumps, and other public conveniences, and to restrain
and limit the unneighborly selfishness of particular citi-
zens, was made fully apparent. Moreover, no general
survey of a village plot had been made; and the people,
in public and private, began to discuss, and gradually
to agree upon the need of a village charter.
Village Charter.— Finally John Luther and Lemuel
Richardson (or rather George W. Pittman), having
purchased sites for two rope- walks between North Third
and North Fourth streets, procured a survey of the ad-
VILLAGE CHARTER.
295
jaoent lands into street and lots, and made application
to the legislature for an act which should confer upon
the place the usual village powers. The desired act of
incorporation was passed April 14, 1827, defining the
village boundaries as " beginning at the bay, or river,
opposite to the Town of Brooklyn, and running thence
easterly along the division line between the towns of
Bushwick and Brooklyn, to the lands of Abraham A.
Remsen ; thence northerly by the same to a road or
highway, at a place called Sweed's Fly, thence by the
said highway to the dwelling-house, late of John Van-
dervoort, deceased ; thence in a straight line northerly,
to a small ditch, or creek, against the meadow of John
Skillman ; thence by said creek to Norman's kill ;
thence by the middle or centre of Norman's kill to the
East river ; thence by the same to the place of begin-
ning." The charter named five Trustees to serve till the
time of the village election, viz : Noah Waterbury,
Abraham Meserole ; Lewis Sanford, and Thomas T.
Morrell ; also, John Miller, who declined serving ;
which Board were duly sworn in April 26th, and or-
ganized April 30th, by choosing Noah Waterbury,
President ; Abraham Meserole, Secretary ; and Lewis
Sanford, Treasurer. Their only noteworthy acts were
the granting of several tavern licenses (the proceeds,
$10 each, accruing to the poor of Bushwick), and pro-
curing a survey of the village to be made by Daniel
Ewen, for which $300 was raised by special tax. The
first village election was held Nov. 5, 1827, and the old
trustees were re-elected, by a nearly unanimous vote,
except that Peter C. Cornell was elected in place of
John Miller. The votes being one to six of the popu-
lation gives 114 as the population of the village proper.
While the new city fathers speedily evinced a com-
mendable degree of enterprise in their efforts towards
the improvement of the place, their wisdom was
not altogether commensurate with their zeal. The
charter itself lacked precision, in some respects, and its
vagueness seems to have been often improved by the
early trustees as a warrant for the exercise of extraor-
dinary powers. This embroiled them in legal and
political contentions with private owners of property,
who, for the first time, became subject to municipal
regulations. Thus, the attempt to open 1st street along
the East River front between South 1st and South 2d
streets, gave rise to a long and bitter lawsuit between
Jordan Coles, as plaintiff, and the village, in which
Coles was partly successful, but the open street re-
mained in the hands of the public. Again, the Board,
unwittingly, became the cats-paw of certain domestic
speculators who rendezvoused at the old Fountain Inn,
during the days of its decline, and these hatched
schemes to possess themselves, under color of the law,
of the parcels of land owned by non-residents and out-
siders. By instigating taxation and assessment sales
of these lands, with and without law, they were enabled
to purchase them " for a song," much to the detriment
of the village, as it gave rise to much uncertainty as to
land-titles. Tet the practice continued until probably
10,000 lots were sold for non-payment of taxes or
assessments, while there was not law enough in these
assessment or tax-titles, under which to acquire or hold
the lands. But thus were matters too often managed
by those who " had the ear " of the little handful of
trustees, who held their sessions in a small, wooden
house, with its gable to 1st street, about 75 feet north
of Grand ; wherein, also, was a tin and stove store, and
the office of a Justice of the Peace.
In January, 1829, the village had reached amikstone
in its career — it had a debt! In February it had a
post-office, Lewis Sanford, postmaster; in June, a hook
and ladder company was formed; and, during the year.
North 3d and South 2d streets were built, and 1st street
between Grand street and the Brooklyn line was opened.
In 1829, a school census revealed these facts, that Wil-
liamsburgh had a population of 1,007, including 72
blacks ; 148 dwelling houses, including 10 stores and
taverns; 5 other stores; 5 rope-walks, 1 distillery ; 1
turpentine distillery; 1 slaughter-house, and 2 butchers;
3 lumber-yards ; 1 M. E. church ; 1 Dutch Reformed
church ; 1 district and 3 private schools, etc., etc. In
1832, a Methodist Protestant church was formed by
secession from the M. E. church. In 1835, a census of
the town of Bushwick (inclusive of Williamsburgh)
gave a population of 3,314 ; and 2 distilleries, 4 rope-
walks, and one grist-mill, with a total of $398,950 of
raw material consumed, and $481,272 produced — all of
which, (except the grist-mill) were within the village
limits, as were, also, 3,000 of the population. This was
exclusive of many smaller establishments, wood-yards,
storehouses, etc., together with 72 village streets, of
which 13 were opened, and about 300 houses. This year,
also, the W. Gazette was started. These facts illus-
trate the progress the village had made, despite the
errors of its trustees, the machinations of land-
jobbers, and the depressing failures of its first found-
ers. And, encouraged by these facts, its inhabitants
bestirred themselves to procure an enlargment of their
charter and a strengthening of their corporate authority.
On their application, a legislative act was passed,
April 18, 1835, extending the village limits by adding
all the present 16th Ward, of Brooklyn, from the
Sweed's Fly Road to Bushwick avenue, and the present
18th Ward, as well as a portion of the 18th Ward,
between Humboldt street and the old Wood Point
Road. The new charter created a Board of nine
Trustees, to be annually elected, of which Edmund
Frost was chosen President, and the energy and enter-
prise of the new board soon inaugurated a new era in
the history of the place. Several large and substantial
wharves and docks were built, new avenues of trade
opened by the construction of turnpikes, more streets
laid out, and (against the strenuous opposition of New
York) a new ferry established to Peck Slip, a move
296
HTfiTOBY OF KIN as COUNTY.
ment which, more than anything else, perhaps, contrib-
uted to the increase of Williamsburgh's population and
prosperity — adding, as it did, an inducement to many
New Yorkers to locate their residences on some of the
beautiful and eligible sites covering the eastern shore
of the East River.
The Era of Speculation. — Speculation had now
grown to enormous proportions. In 1828, in addition
to the " Williamsburgh " and " Torkton " settlements,
the Jacob Berry farm, of twenty-five acres, next to the
East River and Brooklyn line, and the Frederick Devoe
farm, of ten or twelve acres, extending from the river
to Yth street and along South 5th and 6th streets, had
been laid out in village lots and mapped. In 1833, one
Holmes Van Mater, of New Jersey, having purchased
the David Van Cott property, of twenty-four acres,
extending from 6th street to the old Keikout road, near
10th street, and from South 3d to Grand street, and for
the space of a block to North 1st and beyond, between
9th and 10th streets, including the "common" near
9th and North 1st streets, had it mapped out into lots.
John Miller had a map made of 1 1 acres, the north-
erly half of the land, inherited from David Miller, his
lather, being part of the old Keikout fai-m and of a
piece of land extending from 7th to 10th streets, bought
by David Miller of one Roosevelt. Maria Miller
Meserole had the south half of the same land — mapped
by the village and-then in partition in 1849.
Nearly all of the present Thirteenth and Fourteenth
Wards of Brooklyn — the original chartered limits of
W. — was laid out into lots before 1834, when a general
map of the village was made by D. Ewen, setting out
the entire chartered village into prospective city lots.
Prior to this Edmund Frost, Silas Butler, Charles
O'Handy and William Sinclair had laid out twenty -five
acres, extending from near North 2d street to North
10th, and from 6th street to 9th street. Sharp and
Sutphen had also seventeen acres laid out from North
2d to North Vth, and from 3d to 6th street. These
parcels were of irregular shape and matched to contig-
uous lands by irregular lines.
A company purchased several farms and combined
them in a map of 939 lots of land in W., the title being
vested for convenience of sale and the execution of deeds
in one William P. Powers, a handsome, amiable and
honest young man, who was law-clerk in the office of
John L. Graham, in New York. Powers also held title
to one hundred and ninety-seven lots located between
9th street and Lorimer street, and South 3d street and
North 2d street, and lying on both sides of Union
avenue; also, he held title to the Abraham Meserole
farm, west of Graham Ave.
The greatest rivals of Powers' associates were one
John S. McKibben and Thomas Nicholls, and, associated
with them as banker and friend, one George D. Strong.
Nearly all the land south of the Maserole farm, held by
Powers as above, to the Brooklyn line and the cross-roads.
was purchased by McKibben, Nichols and Strong, and
mapped into city lots, both upland and swamp. The
only portion of what was made the third district of
Williamsburgh, remaining to the original owners was
the part of the Meserole farm lying between Graham
avenue and Bushwick avenue, the John Skillman
farm, near North 2d street, to the northerly village line
and to the meadows, and from Union avenue to near
Leonard street — the land formerly of John Conselyea
deceased, afterward owned by Andrew J. Conselyea, as
to part, and Mrs. D. W. Townsend and Mrs. Schenck
as to other portions, and John Devoe as to land on the
southerly side of North 2d street, from Lorimer street
to Bushwick avenue. But all these several farms and
lands were mapped as city property by their old farm-
owners and put on the market in competition with the
land-jobbers' stock-in-trade. The village had already
assumed jurisdiction, under an act extending its limits,
passed in 1G35, and laid out the streets as they are now
recognized.
Such are the matter-of-fact details of the growth of
the paper suburbs of our growing town. Its springs of
life were hid away in the speculating haunts of New
York city in dingy upper rooms of 142 Fulton
street and No. 5 Nassau street, where often at mid-day
and at early night-fall gathered those who thought
there was something more than Kidd's money hid away
in the meadows and uplands of the old town of Bush-
wick.
At public and private sale large numbers of lots were
disposed of, moneys were paid for margins and mort-
gages were taken back for part of the purchase money
to twice the intrinsic value of the property. All went
merrily, the land-jobbers were reputed to have become
wealthy, and their customers saw fortunes in their
investments. And the pasture-lands and fields which
then made up nine-tenths of the territory of Williams-
burgh were clothed in the hopeful imaginings of the
holders of lots with all the incidents of a busy, bustling
town.
During the year 1836, a company purchased the Con-
selyea (formerly Daniel Bordet's) farm, together with
an adjoining estate, traversed by the present Grand
Street, laid it out (part of map of 939 lots), and erected
thereon fourteen elegant firet-class dwellings, designed
to be the pattern houses of a new and model city. The
advance in real estate and population was unprece-
dented— lithographed property-maps set forth in glow-
ing colors the unrivalled opportunities and advantages
for profitable investments, which were eagerly caught
up by the uninitiated, until by this time (1836) real
estate in Williamsburgh actually exceeded its present
value.
The Period of Financial Collapse— Finally the
bubble burst, and in the crash which followed— known
as the "General Commercial Crisis of 1837," Williams-
burgh suffered deeply. A perfect business paralysis
FINANCIAL COLLAPSE— A NEW START— CIVIC ASPIRATIONS.
297
ensued, which seriously shattered the foundations of
real and substantial property. Between cause and
effect intervening circumstances delayed the ultimate
catastrophe to collateral investments; so that not until
1839 or '40 did Williamsburgh fully realize that the
prestige of her second founders was lost. The fourteen
model dwellings were followed hy no similar erections;
here and there a half -finished building, abandoned by
its owner, suggested the vanity of all human hopes; the
noise of the axe and the hammer was stilled through-
out the village. From 1840 to 1844, the Court of
Chancery was fully busied in clearing away the rubbish
of private bankruptcies from investments made in these
lots, that they might stand discharged from judgments
and liens in the hands of responsible capitalists, and in
a condition for improvement.
A New Start. — But, healthful legislation, and in-
creasing facilities of access, gradually restored business
to its wonted channels; so rapid was the progress of
the village that in less than ten years, its population
had doubled, and its ultimate position as a city became
a fixed fact in the public mind. For, during the period
(1835-1844) where political and financial history had
been so unhappy, social, religious and educational ad-
vantages had rapidly increased and helped to lighten
the general gloom. In 183 7, the Episcopal Church was
organized in the city; in 1838, the Williamshurgh Ly-
ceum was established; in 1839, the Baptist denomina-
tion gained a foothold. In 1840, the opening of the
Houston Street ferry opened a convenient transit to
residents employed in the great manufactories along
the eastern water front of New York City; the village
press was augmented by the advent of the Williams-
hurgh Democrat; and the first omnibus line was estab-
hshed. The village census gave a population of 5,094.
In 1841, the Roman Catholic denomination established
itself in the Dutch village neighborhood; and the Odd
Fellows organized a branch. In 1842, the First Pres-
byterian, and in 1843 the First Congregational Church
was commenced; while during 1843-44 the place be-
came a favorite resort of the " Millerite," or Second
Advent craze .In 1844, an amended village charter was
adopted, under which three trustees and one collector
were chosen for each district. From this point, up to
1860, the social, educational and literary interests of
the village assumed more definite proportions and vigor;
while the number of church organizations was rapidly
increased in each of the denominations; and the Wil-
liamsburgh Bible Society was formed. In 1848-49, ap-
peared the first Village Directory, published (as also
the year following) by Henry Payson; and continued
1850-'5, up to by Samuel and T. V. Reynolds; the
increase of population from 1845-1850 being 19,448.
The year 1851 saw the establishment of the Williams-
burgh Savings Bank; the Williamsburgh Dispensary;
the Division Avenue Ferry, and three new churches.
Civic Aspirations. — Williamsburgh now aspired to
be a city. Several motives conspired to this result.
The village government had often exercised doubtful
powers, in matters of public improvement. Its several
charters, subjected, as they were by the courts, to the
strictest construction, were found to allow of too little
discretionary power, to be always available in emergen-
cies which were constantly arising. Again, the village
trustees being mostly men of limited business experi-
ence, could not readily work up to a technical and
strictly constructed law. It is due, however, to the old
village trustees, to say that their carelessness, as to the
provisions of the charter, oftener arose from an over-
ambition to serve the public in its needed improve-
ments of the village, than from any corrupt motives of
personal profit. And, not infrequently, they found
themselves, as a Board, involved in litigations initiated
by the very persons who had petitioned for improve-
ments, and whose property was benefited thereby, per-
haps to even double the assessments charged to it for
the expenses. An unwise fostering of the fire-department,
for the sake of its political influence, also gave undue
influence to the rowdy element of the population, which
soon showed itself in an increased turbulence of the
town-meetings, at which alone legal taxes could be or-
dered. This, with the impossibility of getting, in the
town-meeting, a fair expression of the real public voice
- — since the meetings could be so " packed " as to leave
nine-tenths of the village voters out on the sidewalk —
led to legislation for the establishment of a Board of
Finance, which should determine the amounts to be
raised for specific objects and provide for their inser-
tion in the tax levy.
The City Charter. — Such a Board was created
March 1, 1849, by act of Legislature, and consisted of
the President and Trustees of the village, with the
Town Supervisor and nine other men especially elected
for the purpose. But this did not sufiice; and finally,
the required city charter, drawn by S. M. Meeker, Esq.,
Village Counsellor, received the sanction of the Legisla-
ture, April 7,1851; the election for city officers was held in
November following, and the charter went into effect
January 1, 1852.
Street Nomenclature of the Village of Wil-
liamsburgh.-— The names of public streets frequently
express fragments of local history. Some are only to
be interpreted by traditions. Men who lay the foun-
dations of a city, or map the locations so to be occupied,
are apt to respect a scripture example, in calling their
cities " by their own names '' — or, by the names of favo-
rites and friends. Bushwick had no very conspicuous
men ; so, when it became the site of a future town, no
local denizen had sufficient sympathy with the matter
to wish to couple his name with what seemed so absurd
a project. Thus, in old "Williamsburgh no streets pre-
serve the memory of the Titus, the Miller, the Meserole,
the Devoe, the Berry families; nor, even that of its
founders, Morrell or Woodhull.
298
HISTORY OF KINGS GOUJSTTT.
Mr. Dunham sought, indeed, to apply his name to
the present Grand street; or, at least, to sixty feet wide
of the southern portion of it. But the widened street,
as a centre line of departure in the designation of all
the streets, took the more significant name of Grand
street. And WoodhuU street, in designating the streets
by numbers, was succeeded by " North Second" street.
All the regular streets of the village were designated
by numbers, except Grand street and the lane known as
Water street; a portion of the old road along the East
River shore; and a street laid out on the Commission-
ers' map as " River street," whose site was over the
waters of the East River and has been closed.
In the designation of the streets First street ran
along the East River, Second street was parallel or
nearly parallel to it, and so the streets were numbered
as we went east from the East River up to Twelfth
street. And north from Grand street the first street
having the same general directions was North First
street. The old Jamaica turnpike, from the old Ferry
out, was North Second, and so on to North Thirteenth
street, at or along Bushwick creek. Then, south of
Grand street and running in the same general direc-
tion, though not exactly parallel. South First street to
South Eleventh street, at the old Brooklyn line. In
this use of numerals there was a certain degree of con-
venience ; but strangers are often confused by con-
founding First street with North First, or South First,
etc.
But it is in the present Fifteenth and Sixteenth
wards, that we find the streets designated by historical
names. Lorimer commemorates the middle name of
John and James Lorimer Graham, two famous land-
jobbers there in '36. Fwen street was named after
Daniel Ewen, city surveyor, residing in New York,
who surveyed both the old and new village. Graham
avenue still flatters the above named Grahams. Smith
street commemorated Morgan L. Smith, and Mushwick
avenue was the boundary between Williamsburgh
and Bushwick. N. iS<3co«d's<ree« was extended on the map
of the new village to Bushwick. Powers street, in the
present Fifteenth ward, was named after William P.
Powers, a clerk in the office of John L. Graham, who
was made nominal proprietor of 939 lots for the con-
venience of their sale and conveyance to purchasers;
also of several other parcels of land. He appears on
the record as the greatest land-jobber of the period.
While, however, profits belonged to others, the respon-
sibilities and losses were sometimes fathered on him.
But he has always borne the character of an upright,
honest and cultured gentleman. Ainslie street was
named after James Ainslie, Esq., who for many years
administered local justice in Williamsburgh. Devoe
street represented the Devoes, who owned a block or
two of land adjoining North Second street on the
South side, and whose home was in Bushwick — and
not Frederick Devoe, whose farm was on the East
River shore. Going north of North Second street or
the old Jamaica Turnpike, the first street parallel to it
is Conselyea street, whose eastern portion runs through
the farm late of Andrew J. Conselyea, and about an
acre of land of William J. Conselyea his brother; henee
the name ; Shillman street, now Skillman avenue to
distinguish it from Skillman street in old Brooklyn
derived its name from John Skillman, Senior, who
lived and died on the same farm, at or near the pres-
ent residence of Charles M. Church, son-in-law to
John Skillman. Jackson street was probably named
from Daniel Jackson, who, in connection with Gra-
ham and Reuben Withers, had some landed interests
in Williamsburgh. Withers street was named after
Reuben Withers, late proprietor of the Houston street
Ferry. Frost street was named from Edmund Frost
who was associated with Handy, Sinclair and Butler in
a tract of land in the Fourteenth Ward. Michardson
street was named for Lemuel Richardson, whose worthy
name is elsewhere mentioned as one of the pioneers in
building up Williamsburgh. Sanford street (chang-
ed to Bayard) was in honor of Edward Sanford, a
distinguished lawyer associated with John L. Graham
in many real-estate transactions. His name had been
applied to a street in the Seventh Ward, Brooklyn :
hence the change. The substituted name was pro-
bably taken from the name of a street in the city of
New York.
Going south from Grand street Eemsen street was
named after Abraham A. Remsen, who owned land at
its junction with Union Avenue. There is another
Remsen street near the City Hall, old Brooklyn, and
the name of the E. D. street was changed to Maujer
street in respect to Daniel Maujer, Esq., who, about
the time, represented the Fifteenth Ward as Alder-
man.
Nicholas Wyckoff, the late worthy President of the
First National Bank, has his name perpetuated, in
Wyckoff street. Stagy street, with its homely name, has
doubtless out-lived its patron, who is probably known
to but few, if any, of the existing citizens. Scholes street
represents the family of James Scholes, dec, late of
what is now the 19th Ward. Meserole avenue was
named from the Abraham Meserole through whose farm
it ran; and not from Abraham Meserole, husband of
Maria Miller of the present Thirteenth Ward. Johnson
street, or avenue, commemorates the memory of the late
General Jeremiah Johnson. Boerum street was named
from old Jacob Boerum, who had a farm of 58 acres
within the limits of the present Sixteenth Ward, Brook-
lyn. This farm was the subject of the great Cleveland
law suit.
McKihben street was named after John S. McKibben,
who caused a map of a part of the Jacob Boerum
farm, as the land of McKibben and Nichols, to be made
and filed. Siegel street, which (on changing the name
of duplicate streets in Williamsburgh by the Commou
STREET NOMENGLATTfRE.
299
Council of Brooklyn) superseded Marshall street, was in
honor of General Siegel of the late war.
Moore street was named for the late Thomas C.
Moore, a manufacturer of wire sieves and netting,
who owned lands in that neighborhood. Varette street
was named from Lewis F. Varette, a land speculator,
who operated on the sale of village lots there and else-
where.
Goohe street was probably named from an old resi-
dent near the Cross-Roads. Debevoise street (covering
a part of the old Brooklyn and Newtown turnpike, by
the Cross-Roads) was named from Charles Debevoise,
who lived on Flushing avenue, near the western
terminus of this street.
The custom of perpetuating the names of the oldest
inhabitants by those of streets is more marked in the
old City of Brooklyn than in Williamsburgh. In the
latter place many whose names are thus perpetuated
were really residents of the City of New York, and
only interested in Williamsburgh, as speculators.
Trustees of the Village of Williamsburgh. —
1827. Noah Waterbury, Pres ; Abraham Meserole,
Sec; Peter C. Cornell ; Thos. T. Morrell (son of Thos.
and bro. of John M.) ; John Miller (had a small farm
of about 11 acres, below South 2d and South 4th, from
the East River to near 10th street, and a large family) ;
Lewis Sanford, Treas.; J. Brush, ColVr; Daniel S.
Griswold, Vill. Counsel; David Dunham, Clerk.
1828. James M. Halsey, Pres.; John Henry (rope-
maker, and owner of lands between 2d and 4th streets) ;
John Luther; James Ainslie (for many years Justice of
Peace) ; Samuel D. Mills (milkman) ; J. Brush, Collector;
W. C. Townsend, Clerk; Abraham Meserole, Treas.
1829. Same board — except John Morrell (with his
brother, Thomas T., real-estate dealer ; also grocery busi-
ness, conspicuous in early village affairs; was father of
Francis V. and Thos. I., who carried on, for many
years, the builders' hardware business, being prede-
cessors of existing firm of C. H. Tiebout & Sons), vice
Ainslie, and John Devoe (son of Frederick D., whose
farm was between South 4th and South 6th streets.
East River and Vth street), vice Sam. E. Mills; John
Devoe; P. C. Cornell, Clerk; Riley Clark, Treas.
1830. Edmund Frost, Pres. (lumber dealer, and inter-
ested in lots in N. W. part of village, in company with
Butler O'Handy & Sinclair); Lemuel Richardson (gro-
cer; afterwards manufacturer of locks and builders'
hardware, comer Houston and Norfolk streets. New
York, of which the business of H. C. Richardson,
deed., 59 Grand st., was a branch. Was a careful bus-
iness man, of excellent judgment, and sterling qualities;
was about the only citizen who survived the land-job-
Wng speculators of the village, without becoming bank-
rupt, which gave him a high position in the com-
munity); John Eddy; Jacob Berry (owner of Berry
farm, father of Abraham J. B., the first Mayor
of the subsequent city of W. — of Richard B.,
cashier of Tradesmen's Bk., N. Y., — of Evander B. and
of a dau. who m. Geo. Bell, of N. Y.); James Ainslie;
Peter Way, Clerk; John Luther, Treas.; P. P.
Schenck, ColVr.
1831. Edmund Frost, Pres.; Lemuel Richardson;
Sam. D. Mills; and James Ainslie; Geo. W. Pittman
(cordage mf'r); Chas. H. Davis, Clerk ; John Luther,
Treas.; P. P. Schenck, Coll.
1832. James M. Halsey, Pres.; John Luther; John
Henry; John Morrell; Richard Churchward; Jacob
Berry, Treas.; P. P. Schenck, Clerk; W. J. Fish, Clerk,
part of year.
1833. Edmund Frost, Pres.; Lemuel Richardson; Jas.
Ainslie; John Morrell; Wm. Leay craft (son of Rich. L.
of N. Y. ; father of Wm. H. L., and Mrs. Demas Strong;
was a J. of P., and had an office with Justice Leonard
T. Coles, in old Trustees Hall, 1st St.) ; John L. Gra-
ham, Vill. Counsel (figured largely in land-jobbing,
became bankrupt 1837-40); Jacob Berry, Treas.; P.P.
Schenck, Clerk.
1834. Edmund Frost, Pres.; Lemuel Richardson ;Wm.
Leaycraft; John Luther; John Eddy; P. P. Schenck,
Clerk; J. L. Graham, Counsel; Lewis Sanford, Coll.
1835. (Most of the 15th and 16th Wards, of present
City of B., added to the village; number of Trustees
increased to nine).
1836. Wm. Leaycraft, Pres./ Daniel Wood (carpenter
and wood-turner) ; Edwin Ferry (grocer); Jas. Guild
(hotel-keeper, cor. No. 6th and 1st sts., and was a noted
miniature painter); Robert B. Dikeman (rope-maker,
and brother of late Hon. John Dikeman); James Ains-
lie; Henry Cooke; T. B. Clarke (segarmfr.); Rich.
Leaycraft, Treas.; Alanson Ackerly, Coll.
1837. Edmund Frost, Pres.; John Morrell; John Skill-
man (owner of a large farm in present 15th Ward; was
father-in-law of Chas. M. Church, Esq., who resides at
old Skillman homestead, cor. Lorimer and No. 2d sts.;
also had sons John and Joseph S., still living); Abm.
Meserole; John Snyder (undertaker in 15th Ward);
Lemuel Richardson; Henry Cooke; Hiram Ross; Wm.
Leaycraft; P. P. Schenck; Joseph Conselyea, Treas.;
Alanson Ackerly, Coll.; Ed. Sanford, Counsel.
1838. Edmund Frost, Pres«./ John Skillman; John C.
Minturn (distiller); Henry Cooke; John Wright (father
of Mrs. Grahams Polly; a coppersmith in Cherry st.,
N. Y.); John Snyder; David Garrett (ropemaker and
prominent in fire department) ; Wm. Wheaton (wheel-
wright) ; P. P. Schenck, Clerk; C. L. Cooke; Judge Jos.
Conselyea, Treas.; Alanson Akerly, Coll. (restaurant,
foot of Grand St., until very lately) ; Edward Sanford,
Counsel (lost with the S. S. Arctic).
1839. John C. Minturn,* Pres.; John Skillman;* C.
L. Cooke ;f David Garrett; Henry Meiggs (of So. Ameri-
can R. R. fame); J John Cook (an Englishman, lawyer);
Thos. J. Fenwick* (bookbinder, partner with one
Fieri) ; Jas. D. SparkmanJ (cork mfr., in Co. with Jas.
L. Truslow; made a fortune; was at one time a
300
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
supervisor; became Pres. of Mfrs. Nat. Bank, wliioli
lie caused to be rem. to the building of Brown
Bros. & Co., Wall St., N. Y.; but complications
in some new bus. ended in Ms bankruptcy, impair-
ing, for a time, the standing of the Bank, which, by-
returning to W., with capital made good by stockholders?
has since been prosperous. Mr. S. afterward became
Pres. of Fireman's Fund Ins. Co., and d. a few yrs.
since at Bordentown, N. J., at the old Joseph Bona-
parte mansion). Eusebius Hopkins;* Wm. Frisby ; J. J.
Bennett;* J Jacob Backus; J Alanson Ackerly;J Samuel
CoxJ (flour and feed, cor. 4th and So. Ist sts. ; a careful
bus. man) ; William GolderJ (builder) ; Henry Payson,
Clerk; John Titus, Treas.; Hiram Ross, Coll.
1840. — Henry Meiggs, President ; William Lake,
(dock builder and contractor) ; Wm. Colder;* D. W.
Van Cott* (milkman) ; Hiram Ross ; And. J. Consel-
yea* (owned a forty-five acre farm in present Fifteenth
Ward, partitioned 1853 among his heirs); Edward
Neville* (kept K. Co. Hotel, corner of First and South
Seventh streets — now occupied by W. City Fire Insur-
ance Co.) ; John Titus* (merchant tailor. First, near
Grand street); L. D. Cuddy ;|| John Skillman ; John
Cook ; II Eusebius Hopkins ; Col. Wm. Cons elyea, Jr.,
Treasurer; Henry Payson, Clerk; Alex. S. Tuttle,
Collector (livery stable). 544 names on poll list this
year.
1841.— John C. Minturn, President; A. B. Van-
Cott (jeweler); Jasper F. Cropsey (owned property in
Grand, between Third and Fourth streets), refused to
serve ; James Fiori (of Fenwick & F., bookbinders) ;
L. D. Cuddy ; Wm. Richardson (son of Simon R.,
partner of Wm. Wall, cordage manufacturer) ; Peter
y. Remsen (son of Abraham A., lawyer for many
years in Williamsburg, noted for the elegance of his
chirography and the skill and exactness of the law
papers which he prepared); George Doyle (builder);
Richard Berry ; Henry Meiggs ; Edmund Frost ;
Noah Waterbury ; Henry Payson, Clerk; W. Conselyea,
Jr., Treasurer ; W. D. Lowerre, Collector.
1842.— John C. Minturn, President ; L. D. Cuddy;
Lemuel Richardson ; P. V. Remsen ; James Noble
(coal) ; Robert Seeley (restaurant, South side of Grand
street, near Ferry); Daniel D. Winarit (billiard-table
manufacturer. New York, School Trustee in Williams-
burg for two or three years ; after the consolidation a
member for some years of Brooklyn Board of Educa-
tion); Marvin W. Fox (from Bozrah, Connecticut,
teacher); Nathaniel Willett (enterprising builder
erected present Calvary P. E. Church and City
Armory, and mason work of Christ's Church, on Bed-
ford avenue; at one time owned Union Hall, corner of
Clymer street and Division avenue); James N. Engel,
Five trustees (*) res. this year and their places were filled by special
election ;% one (t) refused to serve.
Of above Board those marked * resigned before term expired:
0 elected at special election.
Treasurer (distiller, foot South Second street, mainly
of burning fluid and camphene); W. D. Lowerre Col-
lector. No Counsel elected 1841 or '42 : A. D. Soper
acted. 670 names on poll list.
1843. — John C. Minturn, P/'eszd'ewi!; Lemuel Richard-
son ; Peter V. Remsen ; M. W. Fox ; D. D. Winant •
Wm. Lake ; David Garrett ; Eusebius Hopkins ; W". D.
Lowerre ; Henry Payson, Clerk ; Richard Berry
Treas.; Jeremiah Meserole, Collector (saloon N. E.
cor. Gd & Ist sts).
1844.— Noah Waterbury, Pres.; Robert Sealy;
Benj. N. Disbrow (wholesale liquor, N. Y.); John
A. Burdett (had ppy. interests in Gd. st., cor. loth—
still lives at Newtown, L. I., a garden farmer);
Timo. Coffin (a native of Block Island; as a shipmas-
ter followed the seas for many years; at length, settled
on shore and run a freight-line of sailing vessels to
Philadelphia and Baltimore ; some financial reverses
came to him towards the close of his life. He became
pres. of the Board in 1845 ; coll. of taxes in 1852 under
the new city government; was a man of amiable temper,
polished manners, and a kindly benevolent spirit, and an
honorable, upright and honest man) ; Isaac Sherwood (a
leather merchant of New York) ; A. P. Cummings (one
of the proprietors of the N. Y. Observer, which, by his
economy of expenditures, he made a financial success.
He res. at cor. of So. 9th and 4th streets, where he had
24 lots of land, which passed to the hands of a Dr.
Wade. The house has given place to stores, fronting
on 4th St., and the other lots are now occup. by the res.
and garden of Jost Moller, Esq., the sugar refiner, and
that of Hon. Sigismond Kaufman) ; B. S. K. Richardson,
Treas.; Grahams PoUey (an extensive distiller, cor.- of
No. 4th and 1st sts, began life as a carman; rose to in-
dependence; took a great interest in popular educa-
tion and in charity to the poor); Alfred Curtis (a
book-keeper, eldest son of Lemuel R., a stage proprie-
tor ; was at one time in bus. with his father. He ran
a line of stages in New York up to about the time of
his death, which was sold to give place to street rail-
roads for enough to give his family a competence. He
served as village treasurer to acceptance. His
wid., a sister of Andrew B. Hodges, still lives. A dau.
m. Gen. Jeremiah V. Meserole, and another is now the
wid. of the late Dr. John A. Brady) ; W. S. Wiggins,
Coll. (Shoemaker, Ewen st.) ; Paul J. Fish, Gon'l (lawyer
in W. several years; came here in 1836 or 7; devoted his
chief attention to real estate; was for a time Master in
Chancery ; shifted his residence from W. to Water-
town, N. Y.; came back; then lived in Plainfield, N.
J.; finally died poor).
The Village Charter was this year amended and
adopted, in which three trustees and one collector were
chosen for each of the Districts.
1845.— Timothy Coffin, Pres.; Thos. J. Van Zant
(acquired a good estate in umbrella bus. as partner
of Alex. McDonald, in N. Y. : at this time was in
TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE.
301
coal bus. in W., at foot of So. 5th st.; a prominent
member of the First Baptist Church; lacked the edu-
cation and culture fitting one for public life) ; Jonathan
Odell (merchant in New York ; had quite a plot
of land N. W. cor. of So. 8th and 2d sts., which he
afterwards sold to Thomas Brewster and moved
away); James Dobbins (rope-maker, employed some
years by Schermerhorn, Bancker & Co.); JohnHanford
(hatter in Grand st., betw. 4th and 5th streets, was an
excellent politician ; went to the legislature for several
years ; and, though he failed in business, his compen-
sation of $300 a session, as it was then, enabled him to
live without employment for the balance of the year,
with his wardrobe as if just taken out of a band-box) ;
Grahams PoUey ; David Lindsay (carpenter in the
Third district, elected as a Democrat; with limited
opportunities he was a man of practical good sense,
and generally respected as honorable in his devotion
to public interests ; became a Republican during
the war; was father of David and George Lindsay,
members of Assembly some two or three years);
Isaiah Pittman (cordage mfr. ; after selling out to
Schermerhorn, Bancker & Co. the walk from 2nd
to E. of 4th, betw. No. 3d and No. 4th sts., went to
Connecticut, where he died some years since); James
M. Aymar (stationer and bookbinder, was elected J. of
the P., and afterwards devoted his attention to the
office during his term. He was a man of fair intelli-
gence, but dogmatical in his opinions) ; B. S. K. Rich-
ardson, Treas; C. Daniels, Coll.; Richard Walsh, Coll.
(arespected citizen of the present 14th ward, coll. several
years; by trade a shoemaker) ; Isaac Henderson, Coll.
(afterwards interested in the If. Y. Evening Post, from
which he accumulated quite a fortune, and is the owner
now of the building 206 Broadway, New York, in
which the paper is published) ; G. E. Baker, Coll.;
Henry Baker, Clerk.; P. J. Fish, Counsel.
There were this yr. 856 names on poll list — but a
large non-voting pop. was then in the village, as the
State Census the next yr. gave vill. about 11,000 pop.
1846. — David Lindsay, President; William Wall;
Timothy Coffin; Thomas J. Van Zant; John Hanford;
Eusebius Hopkins; James W.Stearns (milkman in North
Fifth street); James M. Aymar; James Roper (a re-
spectable builder) ; J. J. Snyder, Clerk; B. S. K.
Richardson, Treasurer; Levi Darbee, Collector (pro-
prietor of the Williamsburgh Gazette, started by Adras-
tus Fish, brother of Paul J. Fish, from 1835 to 1838,
when it was transferred to Levi Darbee. It was con-
tinued as a weekly journal till January, 1850, when it
was changed to a daily, and so continued to the time of
its' suspension, on the consolidation of Williamsburgh
and Brooklyn ; and it was superseded in the city pat-
ronage by the Brooklyn Daily Times. Mr. Darbee
vas industrious, but lacked the breadth of enterprise
and tact essential to maintain a new enterprise) ; R.
Walsh, Collector; I. Henderson, Collector; Homer H.
Stewart, Esq., Corporation Counsel (a cousin of ex-
Governor John W. Stewart, of Middlebury, Vermont,
a graduate of Middlebury College, and a lawyer of
good practice and ability. In some special matters his
services were of special utility to the village); J. Quin,
Street Inspector.
184'7.— Timothy Coffin, President; William Wall;
Thomas J. Van Sant; William Lake ; James Gallau-
dett (a shoemaker, afterwards a grocer in Grand
street) ; Henry Aldworth (a coal-dealer at the foot
of Grand street, noted for having written and pub-
lished a book against the Bible, but was honest
in his dealings); Stephen Waterman [member of the
firm of Burr, Waterman & Co., manufacturers of pat-
ent iron strapped blocks for ships; the business was
prosecuted with a fair success and after the death of
Mr. Waterman by his surviving partners); John H.
Gaus (a baker, at 135 Ewen street); Charles W.
Houghton (mahogany dealer in N. Y. ; at one time
Pres. of the late Farmers' and Citizens' Bank) ; George
E. Baker, Clerk (continued in the office for three years;
went to Washington and was for several years Private
Secretary to Hon. Wm. H. Seward, Sec. of State; after-
wards edited and published the speeches of Mr. Seward
— which had quite an extensive sale) ; Levi W. Ufford,
Treas. (a respectable dry-goods merchant, in First
street, and though, at one time, well off, after the
burning of Central Hall, in Fifth street, which he
owned and failed to have insured, he had adverse for-
tune, and he died about a year since, in South Brook-
lyn, quite poor; William H. Colyer, Coll. (printer and
publisher; a relative, I believe, of the Harper Broth-
ers) ; S. B. Terry, Coll.; D. Chichester, Street, Well and
Pump Insp.j Riih. Walsh, Coll.; no Atty. or Counsel
chosen.
1848. — Noah Waterbury, Pres.; Wm. Wall; Stephen
Waterman; Wm. H. Sweezey (from Newark, N. J.,
who returned there soon after his official term termi-
nated; he was a substantial citizen); John S. Trott, Jr.
(with his brother was a distiller; their business was
afterwards removed to Cherry street, N. Y. ; but John
S. Trott died some years since and his brother con-
tinued the business) ; Abraham D. Soper (an able law-
yer who failed in retainers in cases of importance, by
his almost constant practice in the Justice Courts ; he
subsequently represented the town in the Legislature.
In whatever he undertook, his practice was adroit and
generally successful. He removed to W. Virginia and
purchased a large tract of land, part of which he sold
to some oil speculators, at prices that gave him a com-
petence for the rest of his days ; he became a member
of the Constitutional Convention, that organized the
new State of W. Va. ; he was one or two years in the
Legislature and then became a Circuit Judge, and rode
his circuit, generally, on horseback, over the rough
roads of the country, till he was over eighty years of
age. There is no doubt but Judge Soper's influence
302
HISTOET OF KINGS COUNTY.
and labor in the State of Ms adoption, was beneficial
and conservative and at the same time progressive. He
was the father-in-law of Nicholson P. O'Brien, who for
many years was iis law partner in W. ; also of Addison
Diossy, a lawyer in N. Y. Two daughters accompanied
him to W. Va., married and settled there; he had
two sons, lawyers, one in practice here and one in
W. Virginia) ; Henry McCaddin (an undertaker, whose
business was the north side of Grand street, near
First street); John H. Gans; Abel Smith (for sev-
eral years Colonel of the 13th Reg. of the State
Militia; he carried on a liquorice factory, on Devoe
street near Lorimer. At the commencement of the
war of the Rebellion, Col. Smith recruited a regi-
ment in the N. part of the State, which he intended
to accompany to the front. But, in taking the cars at
Ballston, N. Y., he accidentally fell under the wheels
and was killed) ; George Joy (stone cutter) ; W. H.
Colyer, Richard Walsh, Stephen Ryder, Collectors; L.
W. Ufford, Treas.; Geo. E. Baker, Clerk.
1849. Timothy Coffin, President; Samuel M.
Meeker (a lawyer, whose carefulness has realized a for-
tune, became identified with the Williamshurgh Sav-
ings Bank ; the Williamsburgh City Fire Insurance
Company ; the First National Bank, and the Wil-
liamsburgh Gas-light Company, from the organiza-
tions of each. In the current of a quiet life and quiet
affairs, he has ever proved a safe counsellor, but has
generally employed more positive lawyers, as counsel,
to conduct his cases in the courts ; has nursed his pet
institutions, in their infancy, and though avoiding any
speculative risks, he has made them a marked success ;
is now President of the Williamsburgh Savings Bank,
whose deposits have increased since 1851, from noth-
ing, to $21,000,000); Wm. Bunting (a paper commis-
sion merchant, in New York) ; Francis V. Morrell (son
of John Morrell, had a hardware store at the corner of
First and North First streets, afterwards moved to the
corner of First and Grand streets); John S. Trott, Jr.;
Andrew B. Hodges {Secretary of the Williamsburgh
Fire Insurance Company, afterwards name changed to
the Citizens; now having its principal office at 158
Broadway, N. Y.); Henry McCaddin ; C. W. Hough-
ton; Anthony Walter (then proprietor of Union Hall,
at the cor. of Meserole and Ewen Sts., now 16th ward;
has since served a term as sheriff of Kings county, and
one term as justice of peace); Oliver Leach (a butcher,
at 105 South 4th St.); Henry E. Ripley, Coll. (a son
of the Rev. Mr. Ripley, pastor of the Cong, church of
Lebanon, Ct., came to W., and engaged in the lum-
ber trade, foot of So. 4th St., with David Kilgour, as
a partner ; his business was hardly successful ; but
Mr. R. saved a high character for integrity, served as
Collector, 1850 ; after the consolidation was a member
of the Board of Assessors till age and infirmities
admonished him to retire ; purchased a handsome farm
at Huntington, L. L, on which he lives, in dignified
and peaceful retirement); R. Walsh, Coll.; Stephen
Ryder, Coll.; Henry Payson, Treas.; Geo. E. Baker
Clerk.
1850.— Edmund Driggs, Pres.; D. D. Winant; Sam-
uel Groves (a native of Nova Scotia, followed the
sea in boyhood ; early came to the U. S., and served
in a privateer from one of our Eastern cities, dur-
ing the war of 1812 ; then came to N. Y., and sailed
as master in merchant vessels for many years, and
to all parts of the world ; his wife, whose character-
istics were as singular as those distinguishing sailors
from landsmen, accompanied him, in many of these
voyages. Her kindness of heart endeared to her her hus-
band's crews, and created in her an attachment to the
sailor's home on the sea; when Capt. G. came to W,
with an accumulation of of over $30,000 he abandoned
the sea, and sought to follow the life of a retired gentle-
man. But his habits of command stuck to him; and
sometimes in public affairs, acted out his old quarter-deck
disregard of the opinions of others, which interfered
with his influence in public life; he was always supposed
to be the original figure, of " The meek man with the
iron cane'^ in the conceit of a facetious club that styled
itself the Great Northwestern Zephyr Association, that
used to hold carnivals at the Neville's Hotel cor. of
1st and So. Vth St.); Horatio N. Fryatt (had a fertihzing
chemical factory at the foot of Division avenue on the
site of MoUer, Sierck & Co's Sugar Refinery; he was in
partnership with one Campbell) ; Chauncey .A.Lay, book-
keeper and supervisor for the Messrs. Kemp, Masons &
Builders for many years; afterward Sup't, for Terence
McGuiggin, Street Contractor; for several of the last
years of his life he managed for his dau. in the Hoop
skirt business in Grand street near Fifth; he accumula-
ted, including the house he occupied, some $40,000,
chiefly by careful investments in stocks) ; Daniel Keilly
(liquor saloon) ; Harris Comstock (a measurer of Lum-
ber); Thomas Green (a tanner — colored sheep-skins
and morocco); Henry Oltmans (Grocery at the cor.
of McKibben st. and Graham avenue. In later years
has been agent and surveyor for the Kings Co. Ins.
Co.; is Trustee of the W. Savings Bank; is a German
and always well esteemed); Henry E. Ripley, CoU.;
James Murphy, Coll. (for many years a member of the
Board of Education in Brooklyn, and commands the
highest confidence of the people) ; John W. Braisted,
Coll. (a Jeweler in Wyckoff St.); Henry Payson,
Treas.; John Broach, Vill. Clerk (then Book-keeper
with George W. Smith, popularly known as "Broom
corn Smith,'''' see biography following).
1851.— D. D. Winant, Pres.; W. T. Leitch (a mer-
chant in N. Y.) ; Daniel Barker (a spice grinder in N.
Y.); Alexander Hamilton (builder) ; Daniel Riley; Har-
ris Comstock; James Salters (carpenter and joiner);
Fordyce Sylvester (eng. with Norman Francis in the
manufacture of saleratus); Dan'l Lindsay; JohnMaerz
(grocer, Meserole street); Benjamin N. Disbrow, GoU.;
TSE CITY OF WILLIAMSBUEGH.
303
Henry Cornwell, Coll. (a carman in the employ of
William Wall) ; James Murphy, Coll.; W. H. Colyer,
Treas.; John Broach, Clerk.
This was claimed to be a reform Board. But its ca-
pacity as a whole was far below the Board it super-
seded. It brought forward in public life two at least
who under the first year of the city became defaulters
to the city for a large amount of money.
The City of Williamsburgh— 1852-1854— The
first officers of the new city were Dr. Abraham J. Berry,
Mayor; Wm. H. Butler, City Clerk; Geo. Thompson,
Attorney and Counsel; Jas. F. Kenny, Comptroller;
Horace Thayer, Edmund Driggs, Thos. J. Van Sant,
Daniel Barker (First Ward); Richard White, Absa-
lom Roper, Jesse Hobley, Harris Comstock (Second
Ward); Daniel Maujer (President of the Board); Wm.
Woodruff, And. C. Johnson, Edwin S. Ralphs (Third
Ward); Aldermen. Dr. Berry, the new mayor, was
well fitted for his responsible office by a gentlemanly
bearing, courteous and affable manners, liberal educa-
tion, political experience and personal acquaintance
with previous village affairs.
This year witnessed the incorporation of the Farmers
and Citizens' Bank, with a capital of $200,000 ; the
Williamshurgh City Bank, with a capital of $320,000,
and the Williamshurgh City Fire Insurance Co.; and
the establishment of th6 Williamsburgh Medical So-
ciety, and (April) the Qreenpoint Ferry.
The third issue of the Williamsburgh Directory con-
tained 7,345 names, an increase of 1,742 over those of
the previous year. It estimates the population of the
city as over 40,000.
1853, January — -The Board of Aldermen was as
follows : Daniel Barker; Thomas J. Van Sant; Jared
Sparks; Abel C. Willniarth (First Ward). Jesse Hob-
ley; Joseph Smith; George W. Ratern; Harris Com-
stock, President (Second Ward). William Woodruff;
Edwin S. Ralphs; John Maerz; Andrew 0. Johnson
(Third Ward). '
The public-schbol census of persons between the
ages of four and twenty-one years, shows 10,907
whites and 214 colored, total, 11,121 ; the population
of Wilhamsburgh being, at this time, between 40,000
and 50,000. The aggregate number of children
attending the public schools of the city, during any
part of the previous year, was 9,372, of which 834 had
attended the entire school year. Fifteen private
schools were also reported, with an attendance of
about 800.
This year showed a rapid growth in institutions; the
Fulton Insurance Co., with a capital of $150,000 ; the
Mechanics (now the Manufacturers' National) Batik
of Williamsburgh, with a capital of $250,000 ; the
Williamsburgh Missionary Society ; the Young Men's
Association, connected with the Third Presbyterian
church; the Third (colored) Baptist; the Grace
(Protestant Episcopal); the First Mission (Methodist
Episcopal); the German Evangelical Mission; the
(Roman Catholic) St. Mary of the Immaculate Con-
ception, and the St. Paul's (German) lutheran churches.
The New York Sunday School Union's annual report
credits Williamsburgh with twenty-five Sabbath-Schools
of every different denomination ; with four hundred
and sixty-six teachers, average attendance 387 ; 4,600
scholars registered, with average attendance of 3,239 ;
6,297 volumes in Sunday-School libraries. Infant-class
scholars (included in above) 465. Bushwick had, at the
same time, ten different Sunday-Schools, ninety-eight
teachers, average attendance 84 ; 702 scholars, average
attendance 472 ; 1,190 volumes in libraries ; 55 infant
class scholars.
During this year were organized the Children's Aid
Society ; the Howard Benevolent Society ; the Young
Men's literary Association; and the Young Men's
Christian Association, of Williamsburgh ; the Bush-
wick Avenue Baptist ; Third Unitarian ; Second
Congregational Methodist ; Graham Avenue Protest-
ant Methodist ; Ainslie street Presbyterian, and Ger-
man Evangelical Lutheran churches.
1854, January — Under a change of polities, the Hon.
William Wall became Mayor, on the Whig ticket.
Commencing life as a journeyman rope-maker, he had
become the proprietor of the largest cordage-factory in
the vicinity. Shrewd and successful in business matters,
he lacked, perhaps, that comprehensive judgment of the
complicated interests affecting the government of a city
of 40,000, which would have ensured his official success.
He soon came in conflict with the Board of Aldermen,
and became famous for his frequent exercise of the
veto-power. A compilation of these vetoes, made un-
der his direction, by John Broach, Esq., then City
Clerk, was afterwards printed in a pamphlet of over
100 octavo pages. Failing, however, to mould the
Board of Aldermen to his views by vetoing their do-
ings, he conceived the idea of annihilating a power
which he had cause to esteem so dangerous ; and
became, during the first year of his administration, an
earnest advocate of the consolidation of the cities of
Williamsburgh and Brooklyn.
This was finally accomplished, by Act of Legislature,
taking effect January 1, 1855.
1854. The Board of Aldermen was as follows: Jared
Sparks; Abel C. Wilmarth; John C. Kelly; Sam'l B.
Terry (First Ward). Joseph Smith; Geo. W. Baker,
President; Caleb Pink; John Linsky (Second Ward).
Wm. Woodruff; John Maerz; Thomas Eames; Joseph
Nesbit (Third Ward).
City Clerk, Wm. G. Bishop; Comptroller, Joseph
W. Beerdon; Commissioner of Streets and Repairs,
Leonard T. Coles; Treasurer, Miner H. Keith; Collector
of Taxes, Fordyce Silvester; Attorney, John Dean.
The Consolidation of Williamsburgh and
Brooklyn was a measure which was twenty years in
advance of the time when it might advantageously have
304
HISTORY OF KIJSrGS COUNTY.
taken place; and, for a time, it greatly injured the local
trade and sociaX prestige of this portion of the present
City of Brooklyn. It reduced Williamsburgh to the
position of an insignificant suburb of a comparatively
distant city, which was in no way identified with, or
informed of the needs, economies, or real interests of
its new adjunct. It was said that Williamsburgh, at
the time, was bankrupt ; but the more than thirty
miles of streets, opened, curbed, flagged and paved,
at a cost of from one to two millions of dollars,
was a contribution to the new City of Brooklyn which
more than balanced the debts added to the common
fund.
The Wallabout Canal.— One of the grandest pro-
jects for Brooklyn during the days of the "City of
Williamsburgh" was first suggested by the late Thomas
W. Field, Esq., viz. : the extension of what is known
as the Wallabout Canal through a street, first called
River street, 150 feet wide, laid out for the purpose, to
the junction of Moore street and the present Broadway;
and through Moore street to Newtown Creek.
The bridges were proposed to be raised so as to give
some eight feet in the clear between them and the
surface water of the canal. Lighter-barges would
have been towed through without disturbing the
bridges. But, if ships with cargoes in bulk were to
pass through the canal, the bridges could be turned on
the turn-tables. Basins at favorable places could have
been constructed by private enterprise where vessels
could lay without encroaching on the use of the
canal.
This grand project could have been chiefly con-
structed by the owners of the land that would have
become water-front along the borders on each side. It
would have afforded, when complete, four miles of
such water-front that, ere this, would have been
crowded with furnaces and factories, requiring facili-
ties for heavy freighting to their doors.
Skill and science would have been required to keep
this canal clear. But, it would have relieved the section
through which it passed, of a large surplus of surface-
water that concentrates there. A 50-foot street on each
side of the canal would have given room to sewers
with outlets in the open bay, as at present. The waters
of the canal might have been locked at the two termini
and lighter-barges have been let in only at high tides
and the waters have been kept at a uniform height and
so not exposed the debris at the bottom, only when, in
cold weather, it was undertaken to wash out and clean
the channel. This canal was proposed to be excavated -
fifty feet wide, with wall of stone about a foot above
the surface of the water at high tide, and a shelf was
to be made about 5 feet wide on each side to serve for a
tow-path either for horse or steam power. The bridges
at the street crossings were to be about 100 feet in length,
weighted at one end, so as to balance on a turn-table on
the street outside the tow-path, so as to make the span
60 feet over the channel.
John Broach was bom in Millstone, Somerset County,
New Jersey, April 23d, 1812, of American parents, descended
directly from Eevolutionary stock; his great-grandparents
having taken an active part in the struggle for American
independence, and sacrificed all their worldly posessions in
the cause, except a considerable amount of Continental paper
money, which was handed down, and remained in possession
of the family, but did not enrich them, at the time of his
birth.
He received such educational advantages as the village
school of his native town afforded, until about fourteen
years of age; when, having lost his parents, he was obliged
to do something for his own support, and procured employ-
ment as a boy of all work in a country store for a few
months, after which he received some additional education;
paying for his own tuition by assisting the teacher in the
instruction of the smaller scholars.
In the spring of 1827, being then about fifteen years of age,
he left his native village and came to the city of New York,
an orphan and alone, to seek his livelihood.
He soon succeeded in finding a distant relative who kept a
grocery store in the outskirts of the city, on the old Bloom-
ingdale road, near what was then called Love Lane, and is
now Twenty-first street; a section of the city which was
called the "Reef" on account of the peculiar roughness of
the locality. With this relative he engaged on trial, at any
wages he might prove himself to be worth, as a clerk in his
store. His friend and employer was an estimable man, but
probably few portions of the city could be found less favor-
able to the moral development of a youth of fifteen years of
age, just from the country.
From this time until about twenty-five years of age, he
engaged in various mercantile and laboring employments,and
experienced the vicissitudes which a youth, left entirely to
his own direction in a large city, would naturally be subjected
to. In 1835, he formed the acquaintance of Miss Cordelia
Knox, a most amiable young lady (his present wife), and
they were married in the spring of 1836. -He then began to
think seriously of prepax-ing himself to fill some more useful
and respectable position in society, and attended night schools
for the study of book-keeping, and other mercantile knowli
edge. By this means he soon fitted himself for, and obtained
employment in nioi-e extensive mercantile business.
In the spring of 1845, he removed to the village of Wil-
liamsburgh, now the eastern district of the city of Brooklyn,
and soon became identified with the customary associations
of a growing village. He was active in the formation of the
Mechanics' and Workingmen's Library Association, and was
its president for some years. In 1848, he was appointed Dis-
trict Clerk, and in 1849 was elected Trustee of the Public
Schools in Williamsburgh, and was re-elected successively,
to the same office, until 1854, when the consolidation with
Brooklyn took place, and his business would not permit his
attendance at the Board of Education in the Western District
of Brooklyn.
In the spring of 1850 he was elected clerk of the Village of
Williamsburgh, being the first clerk of the village elected by
the people. He was re-elected in 1 851, and remained in ofiice
-' 4*-? V '
■Byiti'-byAi-fPjXdhxii
Xjini-hy AB.niU-^'-
#~:;-|§f^^^f
-C-llO^-iy .f^^li
SlOGBAPStM.
305
until the city charter of the village took effect in 1852. He
was one of the Charter Trustees of the Williamsburgh Dis-
pensary, in 1851, and has remained a trustee and treasurer of
that institution up to the present time. He was associated
with the founders of the Industrial School Association of
this district, in 1854, was one of the first trustees and is still
a trustee, and has been twenty-eight years treasurer of that
institution.
In 1853, the Williamsburgh City Fire Insurance Company
was organized, and he was appointed Assistant Secretary of
that company, and in June, 1854, was called from that posi-
tion, without any solicitation on his part, to the one he has
since that time and still occupies, as Cashier of the Williams-
burgh Savings Bank. He was also private secretary to Hon.
WiUiam Wall, while he was Mayor of Williamsburgh in
1854, and up to the time of the consolidation with Brooklyn.
In 1859, he was appointed under a special act of the State
Legislature, together with Hon. Edmund Driggs and George
Field, Esq., of his district, and the Mayor, Comptroller, and
City Treasurer of Brooklyn, on a commission to adjust and
settle all claims against the late City of Williamsburgh.
By this commission the outstanding claims against the City
of Williamsburgh, which had long been a source of much
annoyance and litigation, were satisfactorily adjusted and
settled, and the WUliamsburgh Savings Bank took the bonds
of the City of Brooklyn for the necessary amount to pay off
the claims allowed by the commission.
He took a deep interest in the war for the Union, and his
three sons, all the children he had living, were early under
arms in the field. Two of them,one in the 14th Brooklyn and
the other in the 8th New York regiments, were in the first
battle of Bull Run. He also assisted in fitting out several
other young meu for the field before the Government ar-
rangements were completed for equipping the soldiers speed-
In 1862, his eldest son, John H. Broach, with his father's
assistance, raised a company in Williamsburgh, and joining
the 173d Regiment New York Volunteers, proceeded to New
Orleans and participated in the siege of Port Hudson and the
battles leading thereto, and also in the Red River campaign,
during which time he was commissioned as Assistant Adju-
tant-General.
AH of his sons served during most of the war and were
honorably discharged. One, however, his second son, James
A. Broach, reached home only to die, within a few days after
his discharge, of a fever contracted in the army at Savannah,
Georgia.
Mr. Broach has been a resident of Williamsburgh thirty-
eight years.
Sylvester Tuttlb.— The subject of this biographical
sketch was bom in Patchogue, L. I., September 5th, 1806,
the son of Rev. Ezra Tuttle, who was an active and zealous
minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, widely known
and respected in his time. The son inherited his father's
strong religious feeling, which became the controlling ele-
ment in his character. Before he was twenty-one Mr. Tuttle
entered upon a business career in New York City. Industri-
ous, careful and shrewd, he rose rapidly, and in a few years
became sole proprietor of a large hat and fur store in Chat-
ham Square, which was one of the only two houses in the
trade that was able to withstand the panic of 1887. He be-
came interested in the coal trade in the Eastern District of
Brooklyn in 1846, and soon afterwards sold out his business
in New York, associating his son with him in 1855. He rap-
idly extended his trade until it assumed large proportions in
the city of Brooklyn.
After many years of active business life, Mr. Tuttle made
a tour of Europe in 1871. While abroad he contracted a
malarial disease, a recurrence of which proved fatal May 25,
1874, in his 68th year. Mr. Tuttle's energy, activity and in-
tegrity enabled him to acquire a fortune, of which he made
noble use. He was called to fill many responsible positions.
In politics he was an active Republican. But he was best
known as a sincere Christian man, whose daily walk and
conversation proved him to be an earnest servant of God. In
early life he became a member of the Forsyth Street M. E.
Church, in New York, then an active member of the South
Fifth M. E. Church. He was also a large contributor to-
wards the erection of St. John's M. E. Church, at the corner
of Bedford avenue and Wilson street, and, until his death,
served as one of its Trustees. He was greatly interested in
the North Third Street Mission, and devoted much of his
time to personal religious work. A man of fine feelings, he
responded heartily to the cry of distress, and gave freely in
charity. A public-spirited citizen, he used his means for the
good of the city and of his fellow men, and his memory is
cherished in the hearts of all who knew him.
Ezra B. Tuttle.— Ezra B. Tuttle, a son of the late Syl-
vester Tuttle, a biographical sketch of whom appears next
preceding this, was born in the city of New York, May Slat,
1834. He was educated in private schools in New York and
in New Haven, Conn., and at Doctor Gold's once popular
agricultural school, at Cream Hill, Litchfield County,
Conn.
At the age of eighteen he was placed in charge of one of
his father's offices, and when he attained to his majority he
became associated with his father as a partner in his busi-
ness.
In the summer of 1857, Mr. Tuttle was married to Miss
Frances R. Day, of New Haven, Conn., daughter of Zelotes
Day, Esq. They have two sons. The elder, Winthrop M.
Tuttle, was educated at the Polytechnic Institute and is now
assisting his father in his business. The second son, Frank
Day Tuttle, graduated with honors from the Polytechnic In-
stitute, and has recently entered Yale College as a student.
Mr. Tuttle has long been prominently identified with the
leading commercial, religious and charitable interests of
Brooklyn, holding at the present time the positions of vice-
president of the Brooklyn Cross-Town Railroad Company,
trustee of the Williamsburgh Savings Bank, director of the
Kings County Fire Insurance Company; president of the
board of trustees of St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church,
of Bedford avenue ; vice-president of the Brooklyn Church
Society ; trustee of Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, N.
J. ; trustee of the Brooklyn Homeopathic Hospital : trustee
of the Brooklyn City Mission and Tract Society ; trustee of
the Brooklyn Bible Society, and a member of the Missionary
Board of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF NEW LOTS
^^fhiM^ %^^^^m^/^u^
By
School Commissioner of Hural District, Kings County.
ORGANIZATION. — New Lots was organized, as
a town, on the 12th day of February, 1852. Prior
to that date, the territory was included within the
limits of the town of Flatbush, and was known as
"The New Lots," in contradistinction to "The Old
Lots," near the present village of Flatbush^ In area, it
is the smallest of the five county towns, although the
largest in population, numbering, according to the cen-
sus of 1880, 13,681. It contains only about six square
miles. Its seniors in age, Flatbush and Flatlands, were
early settled by the Dutch, the honest, hardy sons of
toil, who have made Long Island what it is often rightly
called, the "Market Garden of America." As years
rolled over our ancestors of those neighboring town-
ships ; and, as their available lands became tilled and
their families increased, they turned their eyes toward
the wilderness, that then lay between them and the
cypress-crowned hills of the northeast. There they be-
held arable lands in abundance, and thither went their
sons to till the plains, where now stand thickly popu-
lated villages.
Early Settlers. — The names of some of the old
settlers are still perpetuated by descendants, who now
stand in the front rank of honorable citizens, increasing
the prosperity and controlling the interests of New
Lots. Among those who bear the names of the early
settlers, and who in some instances occupy the old
family mansions, are the Vanderveers, Van Siclens,
Wyckoflfs, Van Sinderens, Rapaljes, the Lotts and
Schencks.
The Old Village of New Lots is situated on
the main road leading from the village of Flatbush,
and familiarly known as the " Old New Lots Road."
Here are stately mansions of recent erection adorned
with modern embellishments. Here, too, stands the
Reformed Church, the oldest in the town, and a two-
story frame school-house. The village is noted as a
pre-eminently healthy place; nearly all its inhabitants
being connected with families remarkable for their
longevity. Besides this, the town includes three other
villages, viz.: EcLSt New York, Cypress HiUs and
Brownsville.
East New York is the largest village in the town,
both in population and area. Prior to the year 1835,
the residents of the territory now embraced within the
limits of the town were farmers, and most of their
dwellings were situated on the New Lots road. And,
where East New York now stands, there were but three
or four houses ; one known as the " Half Way House,"
and kept for many years by the Howard family. The
old tavern still stands at the junction of Broadway and
the Jamaica turnpike. It has stood there for over one
hundred years ; and, past its doors, marched a part of
the British army in the eventful battle of Long Island,
It was the favorite stopping-place for the farmers on
their way to market, and many a merry tale has been
spun wfthin its walls, mute witnesses of the many
changes in the several generations that have passed
away. It is showing signs of decay and must soon
give place to more modern improvements. [A view
of this historic tavern — so intimately connected with
the Battle of Brooklyn — will be found upon the map
of that battle, opposite page 53. — Editor]. Another
old landmark was situated at the corner of Pennsylva-
nia and Atlantic avenues. It was a three-story dwell-
ing, built of stone, and known as the " Old Stone Build-
ing." It was torn down a few years ago, and on the
site were erected buildings of more modern structure.
Such was the place in 1 835, when the late John R.
Pitkin, Esq., a wealthy merchant of Connecticut, passed
through it. The land was level, with just enough in-
clination to the Great South Bay to make the problem
of sewerage easy of solution. Its nearness to the cities
of New York and Brooklyn, and the general appear-
ance of the place, impressed him so favorably, that he
conceived the idea of founding a city to rival that of
New York. He purchased the Linington, Wyckoff,
Van SiclenandStoothoff farms, containing a tract about
two miles in length and about one mile in width. He
had the land laid out into streets and city lots. He
BB OWNS VILLE— CYPRESS HILLS— FIBST TOWN ELECTION
307
rujii
Mir
named the place East New York, because it was situ-
ated east of New York City. Lots were sold varying
from $10 to $25. The panic of 1837 proved disastrous
to Mr. Pitkin's enterprise, and he was obliged to relin-
quish all the property to its original owners, except that
portion lying between Wyckoff and Alabama avenues,
which still retained the name of East New York. In
July, 1853, the late Horace A. Miller and James Butler
purchased about fifty acres of land lying east of Wyck-
off avenue, and commenced the erection of neat and
comfortable dwellings, and sold them at reasonable
rates and on easy terms : thus adding largely to the
population and growth of the village, which contained,
according to the census of 1880, about 8,000. There
are six railroads terminating at East New York : two
steam and four horse roads. The Broohlyn and Ja-
maica steam road, running to Jamaica, connecting
with the Long Island road from Hunter's Point to all
parts of the island. Rapid-transit trains are run on
this road from Flatbush avenue depot, at intervals of
about twenty minutes, stopping at the Howard House
and other stations in the village.
Brownsville. — This village is situated at the ex-
treme westerly portion of the town. It takes its name
from its founder, Mr. Charles S. Brown, who purchased
the original land title about eighteen years ago ; laid
the land out into city lots and sold them to the present
owners. Its streets are well laid out at a uniform
width of about fifty feet. There are about three hun-
dred and fifty frame buildings in the village, most of
them comfortable cottages, occupied by a worthy and
industrious class of mechanics. The close contiguity
of the village to the city of Brooklyn will cause it to
share largely in the rapidly increasing prosperity of the
city wards adjoining it. During the past two or three
years, a number of fine stores have been erected, and its
business interests largely increased. Its present popu-
lation is about 2,000.
Cypress Hills.— The village of Cypress Hills is
situated in the north-easterly portion of the town.
Pulton avenue is now extended, from East New York,
throughout its entire length to the Queens County line.
A horse-car road is in operation upon it, greatly facili-
tating travel between the village and the City of
Brooklyn. The nucleus of Cypress Hills was formed
around the once famous hotel of John I. Snediker,
about forty years ago. The Jewish and Cypress Hills
Cemeteries being soon after founded, extensive marble
works followed, adding largely to the business of the
place. The establishment of the Brooklyn Water-
Works, buildings, pump-wells and machinery, near the
village, also enhanced its material prosperity. The
population of the village is about 3,000.
The enviable location enjoyed by the town of New
Lots, is certain to bring to dwell within it a largely in-
creased population, within a brief period ; — so soon, in
fact, as one of the various projects on foot to bring it
into rapid communication with the East River
Bridge shall be accomplished. Possessed of extra-
ordinary natural advantages, it will inevitably become
the home of manufacturing industries, the establish-
ment of which is all that is now required to give it
rank among the foremost towns of the State.
Many of the residents of the town are engaged in
business in the cities of New York and Brooklyn.
There is, however, a large manufacturing interest in
the town, which will be considerably increased on
the introduction of public water, the works of which
are rapidly approaching completion. Among the most
important manufactories may be mentioned the Unex-
celled Eire Works Company, which has a working
force of 150, and whose paid-up capital is $35,000 ;
Miles Brothers' Brush Factory, where nearly 200 men,
boys and girls, are constantly employed ; Corrigau's
Brush Factory, established in 1876, by its present owner
and operator. It employs about fifty hands, turning
out about 10,000 dozen leather-back horse-brushes an-
nually. Its annual consumption of leather is about
3,000 sides ; that of bristles and fibre, about three
tons ; Nelson's Torpedo Factory, where paper explosive
caps are made, employs about 100 persons; the capital
invested is $250,000; Bavies <& Sons' New Jersey Mills,
Cummings <& Sons' Moulding and Planing Mills,
Rickitts' Pencil, Whip and Toy Factory, where thirty
hands are constantly employed, capital invested $150,-
000; McGruigan's Shoe-hutton-hole Factory employs
about fifty girls, at average wages of about eight dol-
lars per week. There is a vast business carried on in the
manufacture of clothing at the houses of the poorer in-
habitants. These industrious tailors are, for the most
part, Germans, and are a noteworthy, honest, frugal and
thrifty class of operatives.
A great obstacle to the growth of the town has been
the want of a water supply, but that is about to be
furnished by the Long Island Water Supply Company,
organized under the provisions of the laws of this State.
This company has entered into a contract with the
authorities of the town, and is preparing to perform its
obligation. The company will expend in the construc-
tion of its system of water-works, half a million of dol-
lars. A substantial reservoir is now in course of con-
struction, and about twenty miles of pipes laid. Two
hundred fire-hydrants are to be placed in the streets,
and the public buildings supplied with free drinking-
hydrants. It is expected that the works will be com-
pleted before the close of the present year.
The First Town Election was held at the hotel
of John I. Snediker, Cypress Hills, on the first Tuesday
in April, 1852, at 2 o'clock P. M. J. U. Forbell, P. L.
Wyckoff and William H. Suydam were appointed In-
spectors. Mr. Gilliam Schenck acting as Clerk.
The following Town Ofiicers were duly elected : —
Supervisor, Ferdinand L. Wyckoff ; Tow7i Clerk,
Gilliam Schenck ; Tax Collector, Samuel E. Vander-
308
HISTORY OF KIlSrGS COUNTY.
veer; Assessors, Peter Rapalje, William Simmons,
Williamson Rapalje; Commissioners of Highways,
John G. Williamson, James L. Williams, John Drew;
Justices of the Peace, Stephen P. Stoodoff, George W.
Seaman, Abrm. S. Eldert, William H. Suydam; Town
Supt. of Schools, J. Pascal Strong ; Constables, Joseph
H. Weeks, Thomas M. Burtis, John Duryea. Whole
number of votes polled, 193.
1883, Present Town Officers, — Supervisor, Dit-
mas Jewell; Town CferA;, Louis Bier derman; Tax Col-
lector; George W. Palmer; Justices of the Peace, Chas.
Gertum, William Shirlock, Emil Schiellein, William
Watson; Commissioners of Highways, Thilip L. Jar-
din, N. Livingston Duryea, Thomas F. Ryan; Assessors,
George Forbell, William Stoodoff, Henry I. Eldert.
The town is divided into five election districts. The
total number of votes polled in 1883, at the annual
election for Supervisor, was 2,249.
Union Gas Light Company. — The site upon
which the works of this company are built is about one
acre in extent, lying almost in the centre of the town.
The buildings front on Adams street, and are solid
structures of brick.
The capacity of the works are ample to meet the re-
quirements of East New York, and the territory sur-
rounding it, for many years to come. The facilities are
now adequate to a supply of 60,000 feet every twenty-
four hours. At present only 12,000 feet of gas are
nightly being supplied throughout the town; but, in the
winter season the demand averages about 25,000
feet.
The utmost credit is due to the Union Company for
the liberal scale on which they have provided for the
supply of an article so indispensable to the business in-
terests and the home comforts of this community, as is
the article of gas. That the company has acted towards
the people in an unselfish, and, it were not too much to
say, a generous manner — is apparent from the fact that,
save one dividend, they have appropriated all the
earnings of the company to the improvement of the
works.
The history of the Union Gas Works extends back to
1861, in which year they were built, at an original cost
of $50,000. But, in the year 18'72 it was found that the
facilities were inadequate to an efficient supply, and the
large gasometer, built by Thomas F. Rowland of Green-
point, was purchased, new retorts erected and buildings
added and stocked with new machinery, at a cost of
about $70,000.
Newspapers. — The newspaper enterprise of the
town dates as far back as 1838, when the late John R.
Pitkin, Esq., the pioneer of East New York, commenced
the publication of a monthly paper called " The Me-
chanic." The office of publication was in what was
then known as the " old stone building " at the corner
of Atlantic and Pennsylvania avenues. The Mechanic
was devoted to the interest of real estate in the village
of East New York, in the sale of which Mr. Pitkin was
largely interested. Its publication, however, was dis-
continued after the first year.
In 1853, Mr. C. Warren Hamilton issued the first
number of the "Kings County Advertiser and Vil-
lage Gua7-dian." The office of publication was also
in the '-old stone building." The Advertiser reached
its third volume, when it passed into other hands and
under the name of the "Kings County Joumai" was
continued until about the year 1865. In I866 Mr
Matthew Cooper, a practical printer, became a resident
of East New York, and soon after commenced the pub-
lication of the Kast JVeio York Sentinel— m inde-
pendent paper. It is published every Saturday, and
has a large and increasing circulation.
In 1870, a stock company was organized under the
name of the "New Lots Journal Association," and
about the first of September of the same year, issued
the first number of the New Lots Journal, with the
Rev. Joseph I. Elsegood as editor. The stock of the
Journal was, soon after, sold to A. B. Proctor and C.
Warren Hamilton. Its publication was continued by
them, under the name of the Kings County Leader.
On the 3d of January, 1874, the stock and fixtures
were sold to Messrs. A. H. W. Van Siclen and Richard
Pickering, who commenced the publication of the
Long Island Record. About a year after, Mr. Van
Siclen withdrew, and its publication was continued un-
der the proprietorship of Mr. Pickering. The Record
is an independent family and business journal; and, un-
der its present management is rapidly growing in
public favor, as its increasing circulation gives ample
proof. It is published every Saturday morning in the
village of East New York.
The East New Yorh Laterne, a weekly newspaper
published in the German language, was established on
the 10th of February, 1878, by the German Press As-
sociation of the town of New Lots, " Limited." C. W.
C. Dreher, by whose efforts the paper was started, be-
came its responsible editor ; and, after the first six
months, sole proprietor, he having bought out all the
stockholders. The paper was then enlarged, and en-
tered upon its era of success, maintaining among the
German population of the town and neighborhood a
conservative influence in all matters pertaining to the
welfare of the people. Up to February 10th, 1883, it
had firmly established itself, supplying a want which
made itself felt among that nationality. In the spring
of 1883, Mr. Philip Midas became Publisher, Editor
and sole Proprietor. The Laterne is published everj
Friday, and, as an advertising medium, it is not excell-
ed by any other paper in the town.
Police Department.— In 1870, the Metropolitan
Police District was abolished, and the towns of Kings
County were left without police protection. The
Brooklyn Police Bill was accordingly amended, giving
authority, to the Town Boards of the several towns, to
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
309
apply to the Police Comniissioners of the City of
Brooklyn, under a requisition for the appointment of
as many men as policemen as was deemed necessary.
Under this authority, the Board of the town of New
Lots, in 1871, applied for the appointment of three
men ; who were duly appointed. In 1873, three more
policemen were appointed. A building was rented, on
Liberty avenue, for the use of the police as a station-
house and lock-up. The building was, however, found
to be entirely inadequate to meet the wants of the De-
partment ; and, as a law had been passed, giving
authority to the Town Board to bond the town in the
sum of $10,000 for the purpose of erecting a Town
House, in some central location, it was deemed best to
proceed at once, under the provisions of the Act, to
erect a building for the use of the police.
Accordingly in June, 1873, a plot of ground, 50 by
100 feet, was purchased of Horace A. Miller, on Butler
avenue, between Atlantic and Fulton avenues, for the
sum of 11,400; and a substantial two-story and basement
brick structure erected thereon. On the 11th day of
December, 1873, the building was formally handed
over to the town. A local paper, speaking of the com-
pletion of the building, says : " The building committee.
Judges Dowling, Hamilton and Wolfert deserve the
thanks of the citizens for the manner in which they
have watched over the interest of the tax-payers of the
town. The Town House is a credit to the Town Board ;
to the architect, Wm. T. Smith, and to the contractors,
Messrs. Sullivan and Seidler ; and we fully agree with
the Supervisor of the town, in saying that the town has
got a dollar's worth for every dollar expended."
In 1878, an Act was passed, known as the "New
Lots Police Bill," authorizing the Supervisor, President
of the Excise Commission, and the Justice having the
shortest term to serve, to appoint three Police Com-
missioners to have full control of the police department.
Accordingly, in June, 1878, the following commissioners
were appointed: Peter Sutter, Jno. K. Powell and Henry
L. WyckofE. A vacancy soon after occurring by the
death of Mr. WyckofE, the Supervisor, who was empow-
ered to fill vacancies, appointed Mr. Richard Pickering.
The department consisted of the following members:
Wm. F. Early, Captain; Henry French, Sergeant;
Peter J. Kennedy, Sergeant; John Fisher, Roundsman;
Patrick Brophy, Adam Busch, William E. Dupignac,
Simeon Neiger and Edward Downing, Patrolmen.
The present organization of the department is as
follows :
Peter Sutter, John K. Powell and Richard Picker-
mg. Commissioners ; Benjamin Rousch, Clerk; Henry
French, Captain; Patrick Brophy, 1st Sergeant; Will-
iam F. Early, 2d Sergeant; Christian Reimels, Sd Ser-
geant; John Ringshauser, Robert Kortwright, Rounds-
men; John Fisher, Wm. E. Dupignac,* Thomas J.
Herbert, Charles Nichols,* William Howard, Geo. So-
*Moimted.' -
pers, John Brinsley, William Fosdick, Charles Sutter,
Patrolmen; Samuel M. Palmer, Keeper of the Loclc-up.
The department is well equipped with Ambulance,
horses, &c., and is under most excellent discipline.
Fire Department. — On the fifteenth day of August,
1860, as P. Oscar Doremus, Samuel W. Palmer, Frank
E. Rose and William B. Howard sat in the carpenter
shop of Mr. Doremus, situated on the Southwest
corner of Atlantic and Van Siolen avenues, reciting the
many incidents connected with their experience as
members of the Old Volunteer Fire Department of
New York City, the subject of organizing a fire-
company in the town was suggested. The idea met
with a hearty response, and a meeting was held that
very evening, and a company organized under the
name of Americus Engine Co. JVb. 1, with the fol-
lowing officers : P. O. Doremus, Foreman; Samuel
W. Palmer, Assistant; Charles H. Garbutt, Secre-
tary; and Samuel Rose, Treasurer. A fire engine was
purchased in Brooklyn. The company soon numbered
thirty-four active members.
On the 5th day of February, 1861, the first fireman's
ball in the town was held at the Hotel of Henry Zubs
on the Jamaica Plank road. The ball was well
attended by the best citizens of the town. The late
Henry Jefferson acted as floor manager. In the early
part of 1862 the engine company disbanded and
organized Union Sook and Ladder Go. No. 1, with
Geo. R. Provost, Foreman; Samuel W. Palmer,
Assistant; Charles H. Garbutt, Secretary; and Samuel
L. Rose, Treasurer. A truck was purchased at a cost
of 1150. The company numbered 30 members.
On the 15th of March, 1864, S. W. Palmer, W. B.
Howard and others, from the Truck, organized a new
company known as Empire Engine Co. No. 1, with the
following oflicers : F. O. Doremus, Foreman; Samuel
Doremus, Secretary; and Samuel Palmer, Treasurer.
Under the direction of Martin Bennett and his
estimable lady a fair was held for the benefit of the
company. A handsome sum was realized, and an
engine was purchased at a cost of $700.
Hope Hose, No. 1, was soon after organized. This
company is now known as Liberty Hose Co., No. 1.
The Department was duly chartered by an act of
the Legislature March 16th, 1865, with Samuel W.
Palmer as President, W. B. Howard, as Yice-Presi-
dent, and Charles H. Garbutt, as Secretary. The
first election of ofiicers was held on the first Mon-
day in December, 1866. Samuel W. Palmer was
elected Chief Engineer, Geo. R. Provost, Assistant
Chief, and Charles H. Garbutt, Treasurer. Up to the
time of the first election, the President acted as Chief
Engineer. The Department at present consists of the
following companies :
Union Hook and Ladder Co., No. 1, with the follow-
ing officers : John Weisbrod, Foreman; August Heiden-
rich, Secretary. The company numbers forty niembers.
310
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Neptune Engine Co., No. 1, with the following
officers : William Leihman, Foreman; James De
Clue, Secretary— ^^ith. a roll of twenty-eight members.
Alert Pump Co., No. 1, with the following officers :
John Sonnen, Foreman; Martin Wernert, Secre-
tary. This company has had an average of forty mem-
bers since its organization in 1875.
Liberty Hose Co., No. 1, with the following offi-
cers : Henry Distler, Foreman; William Sheriff, Secre-
tary. This company numbers twenty-five members.
Independent Pump and Puchet Co., No. 2, with
the following officers : John Kelley, Foreman;
Fred Weinhardt, Secretary. Number of members,
thirty.
Franhlin Engine Co., No. 2, with the following
officers : T. A. Cummings, Foreman, and Geo. Mc-
Mannis, Secretary. This company numbers forty
members.
The Department is under the direction of a board of
trustees, consisting of four members from each com-
pany. Geo. F. Browning is President of the Board
and Charles H. Smith, Secretary. John J. Kennedy is
the present Chief and Geo. N. Lenfestry, Assistant
Chief of the Dejjartment. The town is divided into six
fire districts, with fire alarm stations in each district,
connected with the police station by telegraph, from
which a general alarm is given.
Churches. — There is, perhaps, no town of its size in
the State that contains so many church edifices, and
contributes so liberally toward their support, as the
town of New Lots. Nearly all religious denominations
are represented. It may well be called " the town of
churches. "
The Reformed Church is located on the New
Lots road. It was erected in 1823 ; and is the oldest
church edifice in the town. It was dedicated in July,
1824, the Rev. John Alburtis officiating. During the
following year this church united with that of Flat-
lands, in calling upon the Rev. Wm. Crookshank, who
in February, 1825, was ordained and installed pastor of
the two churches. In April, 1835, he resigned his
charge and removed to the village of Newburgh, N. Y.
On the 22d of March, 1836, the Rev. J. Abeel Baldwin
became pastor of these churches. He officiated among
them with much acceptance for many years ; finally
taking charge of the Flatlands church alone. The Rev.
John Van Buren was called to the pastorate of the
church at New Lots, and continued in charge for nearly
twelve years. He was succeeded by the Rev. C. W.
Woods ; who, after a successful pastorate of about six
years, was followed by the Rev. N. W. Pierce, the
present pastor. The Sunday-school connected with
this church numbers about 150 scholars. Mr. David
Hopkins, a long and zealous worker in the church, is
the present Superintendent.
Reformed Church, East New York.— In 1838, a
New Reformed Church was built, in the village of
East New York. It is situated on New Jersey
avenue, near Fulton avenue. This church was dedica-
ted in the Spring of 1839; Mr. Williamson Rapalje
Sen'., one of the present elders, being one of the first
elders elected. In May 1840, the Rev. Wm. H. Camp-
bell was installed as pastor. He continued here until
the Fall of 1841; when he removed to Albany, to take
charge of the Third Reformed Church of that city.
He was succeeded by the Rev. Martin V. Schoon-
maker, whose pastorate continued for seven years.
After an interim of about a year, the Rev. J. Pascal
Strong was called to the pastorate, and served for
about five years. In 1855, the present commodious
church edifice was erected, as the old building had
become too small to accommodate the growing wants
of the community. In June, 1856, the Rev. Anson P.
Munn was called; and closed his pastorate in 1867.
On the 6th of May, 1868, the Rev. C. R. Blauvelt,
began his ministry in the church, continuing until
1875; when he was succeeded by the Rev. William J.
Hill, who after a very successful ministry of seven
years, was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Daniel
Van Pelt.
The Sabbath-School connected with this church
numbers 472 scholars. Its success is largely due to
Mr. Ditmas Jewell, who during a period of nearly
twenty years zealously performed the duties of Super-
intendent. Mr. Jewell was succeeded by Mr. Miles A.
Brown, the present able Superintendent.
Trinity P. E. Church. — Celebrated the 25th,
Anniversary of its consecration, on Sunday the 23d
day of November, 1879, with a " Jubilee." The ser-
vices were of a highly interesting character, and at
their conclusion the rector, Rev. Dr. J. I. Elsegood,
delivered a historical address. In this he quoted from
a letter written by the first rector of this parish, the
Rev. Dexter Potter, who was prevented, by age and
feebleness, from being present, the following facts :
In 1854, or a short time previous to this date, when
vacant lands in and about East New York were being
purchased with a view to form a village, one of those
concerned in that business, the late Mr. Horace A. Mil-
ler, offered to give the lot of ground on which the
church now stands, provided a Protestant Episcopal
church could be erected thereon. The Rev. Dexter
Potter, to whom the offer was made, after due consulta-
tion with the Bishop of the Diocese, commenced the
collection of subscriptions for that purpose. While he
was thus engaged, the building owned by the Dutch
Reformed congregation, in East New York, became for
sale and was purchased by a gentleman for other than
ecclesiastical purposes. This building was purchased
by the Rev. Mr. Potter, who was obliged to advance
a considerable sum from his own means, in order to ef-
fect the purchase. The building was removed to the
ground donated by Mr. Miller, where it now stands,
and the Parish was organized September 11, 1854. The
ECCLESIASTICAL SISTORY.
811
deed of the lot was given to tlie Wardens and Vestry
of Trinity Church, in East New York, and an excellent
bell was given to the parish by Mr. D. D. Lyon, then
the sexton of Trinity Church, New York City.
The consecration sermon was preached by the Rt.
Eev. Alonzo Potter, D.D., Bishop of Pennsylvania.
The names of the first Wardens and Vestry-men of
this Parish were as follows : Lyman Cobb and Her-
man H. Kettenhorn, Wardens; Noyes G. Palmer,
Robert Edmunds, James Davies, James S. Williams,
James D. Davies, Augustus Ivihs, Charles R. Miller
and Samuel Davies, Vestry-men. On the 24th of
March, 1857, through the decease of much a loved
brother, the Rev. Mr. Potter was constrained to resign
the Rectorship of the Parish and remove to Cambridge,
Mass., where he still resides.
The Rev. J. F. Delaphine Cornell was then chosen
Rector of the Parish. He was a young gentleman pos-
sessed of considerable talent, eloquence and zeal, and he
entered upon his work amid great and many en-
couragements; but in October, 1858, through an
over-taxation of the brain, he became suddenly and
completely mentally prostrated. He was removed at
once to the Insane Asylum at Platbush, where he still
continues without hope of recovery. In October, 1859,
■ the Rev. Charles Cleveland, D.D., was called to, and
■ accepted the Rectorship of the parish. He continued
faithfully at his post until February, 1866, when he
was removed by death.
In May of the same year, the Rev. T. McKee Brown
accepted a call to become Rector, and continued until
May, 1868, when he resigned in order that he might
enter upon another field of labor. The Rev. John
Morgan then became Rector, and remained until Octo-
ber, 1868.
In the summer of 1869, a vestibule, or porch, and a
pleasant chancel were added, lancet windows were
made to replace the old square ones, the organ loft was
renovated, altered and improved; and the entire build-
ing within and without was handsomely renovated and
refurnished. A handsome chancel window was or-
dered and paid for by the Sunday-school of the parish.
In 1873 the present organ was purchased and paid
for by the " Ours " Association; which, with the Ladies'
Aid, and the Penny Aid Societies are most important
aids for church work. In 1875 the old and uncom-
fortable pews were removed, and the floor relaid; the
present attractive pews were introduced with centre
and two sides aisles.
The Sunday school connected with this church is in
a very flourishing condition, numbering about 500
scholars. Much credit is due to Mr. James D. Davies,
who for nearly twenty years was its kind and faithful
Superintendent. About a- year agoMr. Harry E. Cluff
was appomted as Mr. Davies' successor, and is the pres-
ent Superintendent.
Ebenezer M. E. Church.— In the early part of
the year 1860, the Rev., Charles Fletcher, then Presid-
ing Elder of the district embracing the town of New
Lots, preached in the Lutheran German Church on Lib-
erty avenue, East New York, to those who desired to
establish, in that village, a Methodist Episcopal Church.
Deep interest was manifested, a society organized, and
services continued in the school-house on Vermont
avenue. On the 5th day of March, 1861, a permanent
organization was effected, under the name of the East
New Yoi'k M. E. Church, and the following board of
trustees elected : John McKellop, Ebenezer Wilson,
Wm. H. Hoyt, James Miller, and Wm. Hardenburgh.
On the 25th of July, 1863, the large Hall in the Cen-
tral Buildings, corner of Atlantic and Van Siolen ave-
nues, was rented and services were held every Sabbath.
In 1865, the church at East New York was united with
the M. E. Church at Cypress Hills, under the pastorate
of the Rev. Curtis Graham. In 1866, the church was
again separated, and re-organized as the Methodist
Protestant Church. A new board of trustees was
elected, and the Rev. E. F. Jones called to the pastor-
ate. In this year a new church was erected on Fulton
avenue, which afterwards came into the possession of
the Evangelical German Church ; and Brown's Hall
was secured as a place of worship, with the Rev. L.
. D. Nicolson as pastor. At the end of two years he
was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Aston. During the
pastorate of Mr. Aston, through the financial aid of
Mr. William Barker, a wealthy resident of Clinton ave-
nue, Brooklyn, ground was broken on the 20th of Oc-
tober, 1868, and the present commodious church edifice
on Williams avenue, erected — having received its pres-
ent name of the " Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal
Church."
The church was dedicated on the 11th of January,
1869, having been completed in the remarkably short
time of twenty-one days. The dedication sermon was
preached by the Rev. Abel Stephens, D.D.
Pastors : 1870, Rev. Mr. Smart; 1871, Rev. Joseph
Thomas ; 1873, Rev. William Platts ; 1876, Rev. C.
W. Powell ; 1879, Rev. B. F. Reeves ; 1881, Rev.
Wm. H. Russell; 1882, Rev. J. W. Simpson, the pres-
ent pastor. During his pastorate, 64 new members have
been added to the church; and during the last conference
year, the sum of $1,600 has been raised by voluntary
subscriptions in aid of the church. Extensive repairs
to the building are now in progress, and when com-
pleted, the church will rank among the first in the
town. During the pastorate of the Rev. B. P. Reeves,
a new parsonage was built on the lots adjoining the
church, at a cost of about $3,000.
In January, 1880, the church suffered a severe loss in
the death of William Veadenbuegh, a member of the
first board of trustees ; and who, for nearly twenty
years, had been a faithful and zealous member and
worker in the Church. On the 12th day of June, 1871,
Daniel Veitch, Esq., was appointed Superintendent of
312
HISTOB T OF KINGS GO UNTY.
the Sunday School, and much of itp present prosperity
is due to his faithful work during the seven years that
he had charge. The school now numbers about 300
scholars, under the able superintendency of Philip
Evans, Esq.
First Baptist Church. — On the iVth of July,
1864, a number of citizens of the village of East New
York met and organized a Baptist Sunday School.
Charles Truax, Esq., was appointed Superintendent.
He was ably assisted in his work by his estimable wife.
Mr. James J. Miller and B. P. Sturges, Esq., took a
deep interest in the school, and much good was accom-
plished. In July, 1865, a Society was organized under
the name of the First Baptist Church of East New
York, and the Rev. John Willett was chosen pastor.
Soon after, a Fair was held, and the sum of $500 real-
ized. The success of the Pair was largely due to the
kind assistance of the Washington avenue Baptist
Church, of Brooklyn. John H. Tripler, of this church,
donated 32 seats and cushions, and the church gave the
sum of $325.
Meetings were held in what was known as Wagon-
er's Hall, on Smith and Liberty avenues. On the 2'7th
of March, 1866, it was resolved to build a church; lots
were accordingly purchased on Smith avenue, near Ful-
ton. Mr. B. P. Sturges, who had taken a deep interest
in the welfare of the church, generously tendered for
the use of the society a chapel, which he had erected
near his residence, on Divison avenue. In the mean-
time, steps had been taken for the erection of a church.
The society, however, met with but little success. The
church was soon after completed, but the society found
itself heavily in debt. In 1871, Rev. W. P.Benedict
was called to the pastorate. In April, of this year,
steps were taken to free the church from its heavy bur-
den of debts ; and the church was soon in a more
prosperous condition. In 1873, Rev. W. F. Benedict
was succeeded in the pastorate by the Rev. J. H.
Dudley. But it was not till 1874, when the Rev.
Charles Coleman was called to the pastorate, that the
church was relieved from all financial embarrassment.
In April, 1882, the Rev. James L. Hodge was called
to the pastorate. The Sabbath -School connected with
the church numbers about 150 scholars, under the
able superintendency of William C. Anderson, with a
corp of twelve teachers.
German Lutheran Church, located at the corner
of Liberty and Vermont avenues, was built in 1847.
In the early part of 1848, the Rev. P. G. Zeuner was
installed as the first pastor. After about two years he
was succeeded by the Rev. Carl Schaum. He con-
tinued pastor for about fourteen years, and was suc-
ceeded by the present pastor, the Rev. J. P. Plath.
During his pastorate the congregation has largely
increased in numbers and much good accomplished.
In 1868, extensive additions were made to the building,
and it is now one of the largest edifices in the town.
The Sabbath-School connected with the church un-
der the supervision of Carl Wonnberger, Esq., is doing
a most excellent work, numbering 175 scholars with
nineteen teachers.
Andrews' Methodist Episcopal Church, located
on Clinton avenue. Cypress Hills. This society was
organized in the early part of 1851. The first meeting
was held at the residence of Richard H. Pill Sen. in
East New York ; and one afterward at the house of
Mr. Lindsey, at Cypress Hills, over which Mr. Geo. W.
Seaman presided, and Isaac B. Soper acted as Secre-
tary. At this meeting, it was decided to build a
church, the same to be 25x38 feet, and height of ceil-
ing to be 15 feet, and with a basement. Garrett Denton
Geo. W. Seaman, Isaac U. Forbill, Richard H. Pill
Sen., and Isaac B. Sopers were elected the first Board
of Trustees, all of which are now deceased, except
Mr. Pill, who is nearly ninety years of age.
The first deed was executed by Joseph P, Bridges
and wife to Garrett Denton and others, trustees of the
Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church, of Union
Place (now Cypress Hills), Town of Flathush (now
New Lots), County of Kings and State of New York,
June 23d, 1851. About this time it was decided to
break ground for the new church, its erection to com-
mence after the 15th of September of the same year.
Pastors. — The first minister officiating at a bap-
tism was Rev. Daniel DeVinne, then stationed at
Newtown ; but, in 1855 and 1856, was stationed at
Union Place, now Cypress Hills. From this time until
1861 it was supplied by local ministers ; 1861, Rev,
Stephen Rushmore ; 1862, the Rev. C. S. Williams was
the preacher in charge, and in 1863 and 1864.
The first enrollment of members found was made in
1853, but no account when the classes were formed,
There were three classes, numbered 1, 2 and 3, Wm,
Vradenburg was Leader of 1 and 2, and George H.
McCoy was Leader of Class No. 3. ' The first date of a
probationer was January 1, 1853. The Sunday-School
was organized in 1852, and George W. Seaman was
elected its first Superintendent.
In 1865-66 and '67 Rev. C. Graham was the minister
in charge. During his ministry a great revival
occurred, and a large number were converted, both m
this and adjacent communities. During 1868-69 and
'70, Rev. W. Wake was in charge; and in the year 18?0
the church was enlarged so that now it has seatmg
capacity for about 350 persons. In 1871-72, Rev. C.
T. Mallory ; 1873 and 1874, Rev. W. Gothard; 1875,
'76, '77, Rev. W. L. Holmes ; in 1878 and '79, Rev. T.
M. Terry; the Rev. F. Brown succeeded him and is now
in his third year.
In July, 1872, the name of the Church was legally
changed, and the Board of Trustees are known as "The
Trustees of the Andrews Methodist i^iscopd Church
of Cypress Mils, Town of New Lots, Kings County,
and State of New York." The number of members now
EGGLESIA8TIGAL HISTOR Y.
313
enrolled on its books is 109. In the Sunday-School
there are 269 teachers and scholars. Its membership
ia composed of those who have to earn their daily
livelihood, and who struggle hard to sustain the church.
The Society was never in its history financially better
than it is now, for which the church is largely indebted
to the ladies connected with the congregation. In
the early part of this church's history it was con-
nected with the East ISTew York charge in its Quarterly
ConfMences ; but at the Quarterly Conference held
Septemb^ 8th, 1872, it was agreed to separate and
have two distinct Quarterly Conferences.
The Rev. Charles Doughty, the present Superintend-
ent of the Sunday-School, is an earnest and faithful
worker in the church, and to him is due much of its
success as a church.
First Congregational Church. — This church is
located on Rockaway avenue, in the village of Browns-
ville. A little band, representing different evangelical
denominations, as early as June, 1866, began to meet
at private houses for social worship, in the hope of
imparting and receiving mutual benefit. At length,
the use of a room centrally located having been
secured, a Sunday-School was organized on July 28th,
1868, numbering, besides the superintendent, seven
male and four female teachers, with twenty-four male
and twenty-six female scholars. The weekly prayer
meeting was likewise continued, with services on the
Sabbath for preaching when preaching could be obtain-
ed, or, in the absence of this, for exhortation, prayer
and conference, by the few brethren who were willing
to aid. At one of these meetings, held June, 1867,
at the residence of Mr. G. S. Thatford, the query was
incidentally raised — whether the effort ought not to be
made to establish a church. The responses indicating a
willingness to contribute and labor for such an object,
it was at once resolved to institute the needful pre-
liminary measures ; which measures were happily
crowned with success. To Mr. Havilah Mowrey, city
missionary, it is only a proper acknowledgment to state
that in this, as in every prior stage of the history of the
church from the beginning, the citizens were largely in-
debted, for the result, to his wise counsels and unremit-
ted co-operation. Although beyond the limits of his
district, he seldom failed to be present at the meetings
when permitted by other engagements, and about
$2,000 raised by his personal solicitation were paid by
him towards defraying the cost of the building and its
furniture. Much credit is likewise due to J. G. Cooley,
Esq., for donating the valuable melodeon now in use,
besides $100 in money. By funds thus procured, with
other sums obtained from friends residing or having
interests in the neighborhood, and $500 appropriated
by the Congregational Union, the entire church prop-
erty was, before the commencement of this current
year, made free from debt. The ground on which the
church stands was donated by Mr. G. S. Thatford, and
consists of two lots, being 50 feet front by 120 feet
deep. The edifice itself, which is 30 feet front by 45
feet deep, cost $3,500, and was dedicated on Monday,
31st of May, 1869 ; and an ecclesiastical organization
effected under the title of the Mrst Congregational
Church of New Lots ; it having been determined at a
previous meeting, after due notice, to adopt the Con-
gregational name and principles.
At a meeting of the church and society regularly
convened, on Monday evening, December 20th, 1869,
the Rev. I. S. Davison, who had for more than a
twelve-month filled the pulpit once each Lord's day
without pecuniary remuneration, was invited to the
pastorate ; and the American Home Missionary So-
ciety having commissioned him with the promise of aid
in his support, arrangement was accordingly effected for
one year, beginning with January 1st, 1870; when two
preaching services instead of one every Sabbath were
inaugurated, together with a Pastor's Bible-Class.
At the close of the Rev. I. S. Davison's charge, the
Rev. I. C. Lockwood was called to the pastorate. In
September, 1871, the Rev. C. N. N". Pannell became
pastor, and remaiued until 1876, when the Rev. A. H.
Kirkland took charge. He continued until 1880. In
July, 1880, the Rev. H. N. Wright was called, and con-
tinued pastor eighteen months; when he was succeeded
by the Rev. Curtis Graham. He remained about one
year and was succeeded by the present pastor. Rev. C.
F. Decker. This church at present numbers about 80
members. The Sunday-school connected with the
church numbers 125 scholars ; and, under the able super-
intendenoy of Mr. E. E. Stewart, who has had charge
for the past nine years, is doing a most excellent work.
Union Congregational Church. — This society is
an offshoot of the Congregational church at Browns-
ville, and is at present temporarily located at the corner
of Johnson and Liberty avenues. The society is at
present in a very flourishing condition, and largely in-
creasing in numbers, and is soon to erect a new church
on Orient avenue near East New York avenue. It
is under the charge of the Rev. Curtis Graham. Mr.
E. E. Stewart is Superintendent of the Sunday-school,
which numbers about 100 scholars.
St. Malachi's R. C. Church.— This church, lo-
cated on Van Siclen avenue near Atlantic, was built in
the year 1854, under the supervision of the Rev. Father
Bown, pastor of Holy Cross, is the town of Flat-
bush. A parochial school was established, in 1867,
by the Rev. Father Creighton, the first resident pastor.
The school has been under the instruction of the Sisters
of St. Joseph since 1871, the Rev. Father Carroll being
then pastor. The school buildings are pleasantly lo-
cated, adjoining the church. The school is under most
excellent supervision and has an average daily attend-
ance of about 200 pupils. In 1873, under the direction
and supervision of the church, an Orphan Asylum was
established. A large three-story brick building adjoin-
314
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
ing the school buildings was purchased and fitted up to
meet the wants of the institution. Provision is made
for both boys and girls under the careful instruction of
the Sisters. In 18'72 the Rev. John Purcell succeeded
Father Carroll to the pastorate, and remained until
1874, when he was succeeded by the Rev. P. J. Mc-
Namara. On the 15th of August, 1877, the present
pastor, the Rev. Father O'Connell, took charge of the
parish. During the six years of his faithful adminis-
tration much good has been accomplished, and extensive
additions have been made to the church edifice.
The young men of the parish identified with the
church organized, on the 6th of May, 1883, the Young
Men's Catholic lyceum Association, the object of
which was to form a bond of social union among the
young men of the church, which is in a very flourish-
ing condition. Preliminary steps have been taken for
the erection of a large hall for its accommodation. The
association is a branch of what is known as the
"Diocesan Union of Kings County,'' a body com-
posed of representatives from the different Young Men's
Roman Catholic Associations of this vicinity.
The officers of the association are as follows : Presi-
dent, John Maguire ; Vice-President, James Sinnot ;
Rec. Secretary, Geo. Sherlock. It numbers about eighty
members.
St. Michael's R. C. Church. — For several years
the need of a German Roman Catholic Church at East
New York, town of New Lots, had been apparent, but
it was not until the 25th of January, 1860, that steps
were taken by the Rev. Philip Albrecht, pastor of St.
Benedict's, New Brooklyn, and St. Francis, Bedford,
by calling a meeting for the purpose of considering the
subject of erecting a church. At this meeting fifty of
the best German families were represented.
By consent of the Right Rev. J. Laughlin, D.D.,
Bishop of Brooklyn, four lots were purchased on John
street between Liberty and Atlantic avenues. The
building was planned, and work was commenced and
progressed so rapidly that the corner stone was laid on
the 18th of April, 1860. The building- was a small, plain,
frame structure, forty feet in length by thirty feet in
width, with steeple. It was dedicated by the Bishop
on the 30th day of June, 1860, and placed under the
invocation of St. Michael the Archangel. A bell was
procured and blessed by the Bishop, assisted by the Rev.
Charles Peine, on Palm Sunday, 1860. The Rev.
Charles Peine was appointed first pastor of the church.
The first baptism took place on August 6th, 1860; the
first marriage July 8th, 1860. On the 12th of May,
1861, nine boys and three girls made their first com-
munion in the new church. Palm Sunday, 1862, the
station of the cross was erected. The first mission was
held by Rev. Laufhuber, S. I., under the pastorate of
Rev. Cyril Zielinski, successor of Rev. Peine, at the end
of June, 1863.
Rev. Zielinski was pastor from February, until Au-
gust, 1863, when Rev. M. I. Decker succeeded him
from October, 1863, until May, 1864. Again, in May
1864, Rev. Peine took charge of the congregation. In
October, 1863, the pastoral residence was commenced
by the side of the church and finished by Eev. Peine.
Its first story was used for school purposes. In July
1866, Rev. Caspar Muller was appointed pastor. The
first of February, 1868, two lots on the right side of the
pastoral residence were bought for a new school build-
ing.
Rev. A. Oberschneider was pastor from August,
1863, until January, 1871, when Rev. I. Michaele be-
came pastor. He held three missions, given by the
Redemptorists, Capucins and Jesuits.
In March, 1875, Rev. Aug. Maria Niemann took
charge of St. Michael's. Rev. Niemann seeing the ne-
cessity of enlarging the church, since the congregation
had increased very much, added sixty feet to it with
the consent of the bishop in September, 1875.
This pastor was the first who introduced plain chant
and it is sung to the present day. He also bought three
more lots in 1876, and again another lot in 1878, and
two in 1879, situated on Washington street, between
Atlantic and Liberty avenues. The congregation and
work becoming greater, an assistant priest was sent on
the first of January, 1881.
In September, 1881, there was a mission given by the
Redemptorist Fathers Keitz and Zinnen.
Evangelical German Church is situated on Ful-
ton avenue, near Wyckoff. It was organizedin 1869, with
35 male members, meeting in the church edifice, which
was built by another church denomination in 1866, but
was purchased by the trustees of the Evangelical
German Church in 1872. The church is under the
pastorate of the Rev. John Eschmann, who has had
charge of the church during the fourteen years of its
existence. Under his faithful charge, the congregation
has largely increased in numbers and much good has
been accomplished.
Connected with the church is a Sabbath-school un-
der the supervision of the pastor. The school num-
bers about 150 scholars with twelve teachers. The
school has a library of about 300 volumes.
Public Schools —In the early part of the year
1740, the easterly portion of the town of Flatbush,
known as the "New Lots," was organized into a sepa-
rate school district, known as No. 2. A small one-
story frame school-house was erected near the present
school-building on the New Lots road. No record can
be found of those who taught in this first school-house,
prior to the year 1806. At that time Peter Nufns was em-
ployed as teacher, and he was the first to teach in the
English language ; his predecessors taught in the
Dutch language exclusively. Mr. Nufus ended his ser-
vices as teacher about the year 1810. That year also
ended the usefulness of the first school-house, for in
the early part of the year it was torn down to make
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
315
room for a more commodious structure. The following
were the building committee : Tunis Schenck, Isaac
Snediker, Abraham Van Siclen, John Blake and John
Wilhamson.
The building -was a two-story frame structure, the
top flooi being used for the purpose of holding lectures,
singing-schools, etc. ; the first floor was used as a
school-room. During the time the building was un-
der construction, sessions of the school were held in
the ham, now belonging to Mr. William Hopkins, Sr.
The first teacher employed in the new school-house was
a Mr. Sebra, succeeded by a Mr. Hall ; Mr. Jacob
Bergen, an efficient and successful teacher ; Mr. Wil-
liam Lawrence, from 1835 to 1838 ; Mr. John Wood-
man, from 1838 to 1844 ; Mr. H. J. Hamilton, until his
death, in 1853 ; Mr. Geo. A. F. North, 1853 to 1856 ;
C. Warren Hamilton, 1856 to IBS'? ; William Vraden-
. burgh, 1857 to 1860; J. Kelley, 1860 to 1862; Abraham
VanKeuren (at present connected with the school) ; A.
G. Kimberly as the principal of the school. In 1875,
Mr. Vradenburgh was again appointed as principal and
remained until his death in 1879. He was succeeded
by James K. Coles ; he by Charles Libby ; he by
Thomas D. Hyatt; and he by T. S. Imaly, the present
principal.
During Mr. William Lawrence's time, in 1835, the in-
terior of the building was somewhat changed. The first
floor was converted into dwelling apartments in which
the teachers resided up to the time of the engagement of
Mr. VanKeuren, the top floor alone being used as a school-
room. In 1873, the building was again remodelled.
The first floor was fitted up for the grammar depart-
ment, while the top floor was used for the primary
classes, and is so used at present. In 1880, two new
school-buildings were erected in the district as branch
schools. The following is a list of the present teachers
in the district : T. S. Imaly ; Abraham Van Keuren ;
Charles Barnes ; Miss Emma Smith ; Miss Annie
Smith ; Miss Lizzie Veiteh ; Miss Rebecca Clayton.
The following are the present school officers : William
Hopkins, Jacob Cozzine, C. G. Suydam. The number
of children of school age, residing in the district, is
-about 1000. The assessed valuation of property in the
district in 1882 was $722,320. The school-houses and
■sites are valued at $14,000.
In 1847 John B. Zabriskie, M. D., then Town Super-
mtendent of Schools, was petitioned to set off and or-
ganize a new school district, to embrace all the territory
now included in district JVo. 8, East New York, and
district M. S, Cypress Hills. The petition was granted
and a new district organized, the school being located
at East New York. The following trustees were
elected: Isaac C. Schenck, William P. Stoothoff and
David Storms. A site was purchased on Vermont
avenue near Eulton avenue and a school-house built,
which still remains, although very much changed in
appearance. It was built by Henry I. Eldert at a cost
of $479. On the completion of the building Mr. James
Clegg was employed as teacher, who, after about two
years, was succeeded by Isaac Sopers. In 1853 he was
succeeded by C. Warren Hamilton, who remained
about four years and was succeeded by Mr. A. Ketch-
um. Then followed Geo. A. P. North, who taught
until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he en-
listed; George Chapin, who remained for about five
years; when Mr. North was re-engaged and is at the
present time principal of the school.
About the year 1856 this district was divided, and
Cypress Hills was organized as district iVb. S. During
the first ten years of its existence the school was kept
in the basement of the Methodist Church of that place.
The present commodious two-story and basement
school building was erected in 1870 under the direction
of the Trustees, Richard Pickering, A. H. W. Van
Siclen and George O. Sowl. The first teacher employed
was a Mr. Wiggins; after a short time Mr. A. Ketchum;
Mr. Green, for a few months ; Mr. Rice, for about a
year ; John Reed, for eight months ; Alexis W. Bari-
teau ; Mr. Isaac Bates ; Mr. Abraham Van Keuren, an
experienced teacher ; Mr. William Vradenburgh ; Mr.
Buekerman ; Miss Buckerman, his daughter ; Mr. B.
D. Graham ; Mr. LeGrand Payne, during the summer
of 1869 ; Mr. L. Remsen Lott, until 1877 ; Wilbur F.
Morrow ; Mr. Geo. W. French ; Mr. A. A. Ashmun,
the present principal ; with the following assistant
teachers : Miss Ida Byram ; Miss Minnie Byram ; Miss
Agnes Diokerman ; Miss Miriam Simonson, and Miss
Helen Persons.
The following is the present Board of Trustees : F.
A. Marriner, D. S. Willmarth, E. C. Grunsword. The
assessed valuation of the district is $386,520. The
number of children of school age residing in the dis-
trict is 540. The school-house and site is valued at
$10,000.
In 1855 a meeting was called in East New York for
the purpose of taking action in reference to establish-
ing a school of a higher grade. Those most active in
the movement were the late Professor D. H. Crutten-
den, then -a resident of East New York ; Charles R.
Miller and Ditmas Jewell. It was finally resolved to
organize district No. 2, East New York, into a Union
Free School District — with a Board of Education con-
sisting of nine members, viz., Messrs. C. R. Miller, Dit-
mas Jewell and the late John C. Middendorf. Mr.
Miller was chosen the first President of the Board, and
Mr. Jewell succeeded him, which position he held for
many years, and was succeeded by Mr. Samuel Davis,
now deceased. Mr. Joachim Birkner, a very efficient
member of the Board, afterward held the position for a
number of years.
The school-house on Vermont avenue proving too
small to accommodate the increasing number of pupils,
an act was passed authorizing the district to issue
bonds in the sum of $25,000 to purchase a site and
316
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNT Y.
build a school-lioiise. Accordingly, a site of eight lots
was purchased on Butler avenue, near Atlantic ; and a
large and commodious two-story and basement brick
structure was erected. This building soon proving in-
sufficient for the wants of the district, a new building
was erected on Henry avenue at a cost of $15,000.
In 1880 an Academic Department was organized in the
new building with a roll of twenty pupils, under the
direction of the State Board of Regents. Mr. A. A.
Ashmun was appointed Principal. The assessed valua-
tion of property in the district in 1882 was $1,320,000.
The number of school children, 3,198. The school-
houses and sites are valued at $34,000. The following is
the present Board of Education : John K. Powell,
Fres.; C. W. C. Dreher, William Busch, Samuel A.
Livingston, Matthew Cooper, Witsen Colyer, William
C. Anderson, John Stander and J. M. Lintz ; John
Smith, Secretary.
The present corps of teachers is as follows : — In the
Butler Avenue School : Geo. A. F. North, Principal ;
assisted by Miss Rose M. Geraghty, Miss Hannah Dick-
erman, Miss Emma D. Weisbrod, Miss Mary A. Lee,
Miss Kate Schuman, Miss Maggie Dickhaut, Miss
Emma Hancock, Miss Mary Sinnott, Miss Mary E. Isa-
bell, Miss Lizzie Hulse, Miss Timothia King, Miss Maria
Allen. Henry Avenue School. — A. A. Ashmun, Princi-
pal; assisted by Miss Kate Sniffen, Miss Helen E. Stock-
ing, Miss Belle L. Provoost, Miss Maud Anderson, Miss
Anna L. Carpenter, Miss Nina Cameron, Miss Carrie
Newcome. Yermont Avenue School. — Miss Adelia B.
Murray, Principal, assisted by Miss Selina Minard, Miss
Kate R. Newcome, Miss Jenny A. Ruoff. Mr. John P.
Weikam, teacher of German and drawing, in all the
schools of the district, which position he has held for
many years. Mr. Herman Struder, a successful teacher
of German and drawing, was for several years con-
nected with the schools of this district. He was suc-
ceeded by Prof. Charles Hetterseimer.
Connected with the schools of the town are extensive
libraries, containing not less than 2000 volumes. From
one to two hundred volumes are distributed weekly to
those living in the town.
Hon. Wm. B. Rugglbs is Superintendent of Public
Instruction, Albany, New York. Mb. C. Waeeen
Hamilton, of New Lots, is the present School Com-
missioner of the Rural District, Kings County, which
position he has held for the past fourteen years.
Societies. — New Lots abounds in societies. There
are literary, beneficiary, singing and church societies,
shooting, yachting, turning and bowling clubs.
Among the beneficiary societies are Progressive
Lodge K. of P., Continential Lodge K. of P., Em-
pire Lodge No. 1 and Friendship Lodge No. 2 of the
Order of Heptasophs, or Seven Wise Men, organized
1861 ; Tyrian Lodge and Von Mensch Lodge F. and
A. M.; St. MichaM^s Kranken Untersetzungs Verein,
connected with St. Michael's German JR. C. Church ;
Rainbow Lodge I. of C. F.; Bumber Guard; Mntrecht
Lodge, organized 18th of October, 1868 ; Herman's
Sons; Louis M. Hamilton Post G. A. R.; Wilhdm Tell
Lodge; K. of H; Christine Frauen Lodge, Order Ger-
mania; Knights and Ladies of Honor Lodge, Eastern
Star Lodge; Saxonia Lodge, organized August, 1870
Order Germania; Evergreen Section, Order of Hepta-
sophs ; Ivy Division, Sons of Temperance; Court
Littlejohn, Forresters; Sons of St. George; and the
Mutual Sick Aid Benefit Society. All of these
organizations give their members an allotted sum each
week they are ill, and see that the members are proper-
ly interred after death. Some of them pay benefits to
widows. There is also a co-operative building society
which is somewhat of a social nature.
Among the liteeaet and social societies are the
Shamrock Literary Association; the Young Men's
Catholic Lyceum Association ; the Musical and Lite-
rary Coterie, Oxford Social, and the Irving Social.
The singing societies are the Concordia, Harmonie,
Concordia Gemischter Chor, and the Frochinin. The
bowling clubs are the Empire, Ours, Standard, United
Nameless, Athletics, Leisure Hour, Pastimes, Manhat-
tan, East New York, the Lady Washington and the
Lexingtons, the latter two being ladies' clubs.
The yachting clubs are the New Lots Yacht Club
Commodore William Basch, and the Fleetwood Yacht
Club, Commodore P. H. Reid, Jr.
The sportsmen's club is the Glenmore Rod and Own,
Club, of Long Island; president, Geo. U. Forbell.
The principal church societies are the Ours, connect-
ed with the Episcopal Church, which is a social or-
ganization of young people who contribute a large
amount annually for the support of their church ; the
Social Union and the Mite Society of the Baptist
Church and several aid societies connected with other
churches.
The Concordia Singing Society is the oldest Ger-
man society in the town. It was first organized in
1855, under the name of the Harmonia Singing
Society, but was re-organized on the 28th of August,
1859, as the Concordias. The first meeting was held
at the house of Mr. Charles Heitkamp, when Mr. Fran-
cis Miller was chosen president and Prof. Hermann
Kiesling as leader. Its membership comprises the
most prominent and wealthy German citizens, and the
Concordias ranks first among the societies of the town.
Masquerades, concerts and pic-nics are annually given
by the society, which are always of the highest order
and well attended, adding largely to the receipts of the
treasurer. The funds, however, are not entirely used
for the benefit of the members. Large sums are an-
nually donated to charitable institutions. In 1871, the
society sent over $200, for the relief of the sufferers
from the Chicago fire.
Prof. Kiesling continued as leader of the society un-
til his death in 1866, when the services of Prof. August
SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS
31V
Bishoff were secured, to whose able leadership the suc-
cess of the society is largely due. As an offshoot to
this society is the " Concordia Gemisohter Char." This
society is in a very flourishing condition, numbering
about 90 members. Meetings are held weekly at the
large hall of Emil Schillien on Atlantic avenue. The
following are the officers : President, Henry Thiele ;
Vice President, Frederick Brohmer ; Secretary, Wil-
liam Lutz ; Treasurer, Emil Schillien.
Peogebssive Lodge, No. 21, K. or P. — one of the
oldest lodges of the order in this State, was first insti-
tuted at Williamsburgh, Kings County, Oct. 11, 1870.
After several years of prosperity, adverse circumstances
set in, and finally, in 18 78, its charter was surrendered.
For tw© years every effort was made to resuscitate the
lodge, but without avail, and its friends gave up in de-
spair. At last, however, through the indefatigable
energy and perseverance of Deputy Grand Chancellor
W. H. Bowlsby, M.D., he having previously purchased
the paraphernalia of the lodge on his own account, an
arrangement was effected by which the original charter
was reclaimed and the place of meeting changed to
past New York, where it was reinstated, on the 7th day
of March, 1881, by Grand Chancellor O. M. Shedd,
assisted by D. D. G. C. Bowlsby, with the following
list of officers : P. C, Henry Martin ; C. C, William
H. Bowlsby, M.D. ; V. C, Matthew Cooper ; P., Rev.
B. F. Reeve ; M. of E., Daniel Sanders ; M. of F.,
Joseph Woolison ; K. of P. S., A. A. Phillips ; M. A.,
Ed. H. Wood ; I. Q., Henry Thule ; 0. G., James Mo-
sette ; Physician, W. H. Bowlsby, M.D. The wisdom
and foresight of this arrangement was demonstrated by
the subsequent prosperity and growth of the lodge,
which now numbers 150 members, representing all of
the professions and the best citizens of the town. The
following is a list of the present officers : A. A. Phillips,
Jr., P. G.; Henry Martin, C. C; William Stoothoff,
K Q.; Joseph I. Elsegood, D. D., Prelate ; James
Moore, K. of B. S. ; Daniel Sanders, M. of E ;
R. Dillman, 31. of F.; C. Bolton, M. A.; William
H. North, Z G.; B. C. Hastings, 0. G.; Trustees:
M. A. Brown, A. Snelling and Geo. R. Provost ; Dr.
Francis Miller, Medical Fhaminer. This lodge meets
weekly.
CoNTisTENTAL LoDGH, No. 85, K. OF P., was Organized
May 31, 1872, with the following charter members :
William B. Howard, C. C; Geo. H. Paterson, V. C;
Matthew Cooper, Prelate; E. R. Groves, K- of B. and
S.; John Orsborn, M. of F; Louis J. Willis, M. ofE.;
John E. Graring, M. at A.; Alex. R. Paterson, I. G.;
Peter G. Kennedy, 0. G. This lodge is in a very flour-
ishing condition, numbering about 140 members. Meet-
mgs are held every Wednesday evening. The present
officers are as follows : P. C, Geo. E. Johnson ; C. C,
Ed J. Burrows ; V. C, John E. Grinsfield ; P., John
W. Simpson ; M. of F, Wiliam Searsby ; M. of E,
Jacob C. Bennett ; K. of B. and S., Elijah S. Searby ;
M. at A., William H. Johnson ; I. G., David Souther-
land ; 0. G., Benjamin Waters.
Tteian Lodge, No. 618, F. and A. M., was instituted
at East New York, June 13, 1867, with the following
charter members : William Magee, Joseph Welsh,
Michael Murphy, Herman Martens, Thad. L. Lewis,
Francis Sanzer, Samuel W. Palmer, Louis Altenbrand,
Geo. Loomis, W. E. McPherson, Joseph Altenbrand,
Joseph Baker, Joseph Kaufman, and Fred D. Hart.
Past Masters: William Magee, 1866, Under Dispensa-
tion ; Joseph Welsh, 1867 ; H. M. Smith, 1868 ; Geo.
W. Palmer, 1869 ; Charles F. Corby, 1870-71-72 ;
Geo. W. Palmer, 1873-74 ; C. H. Chamberlain, 1875 ;
John McGeehan, 1876 ; Geo. W. Palmer, 1877; Chas.
H. Chamberlain, 1878 ; H. M. Smith, 1879 ; E. N. Rich-
ards, 1880-81 ; Fred W. Hancock, 1882-83. The lodge
at present numbers about 90 members.
VoN Mensch Lodge, No. 765, F. and A. M., was in-
stituted at East New York, on the 11th of November,
1875. It is an offshoot of Tyrian Lodge and comprises
among its members some of the most prominent and
worthy German citizens of the town. The following
are the charter members : Dr. Francis Miller ; Peter
Fisher ; Nicholas Hoffmann ; George Pflug ; Bernard
Braun ; Bernhard Midas ; Dr. C. A. Beokert ; George
Diseter ; John C. Kehrweider ; John Haubt ; G. W.
Ehrhardt ; Morris Reichmann ; J. Banzer ; Jacob
Kiendl ; Henry Bienhauer ; Daniel Sutter ; William
Jensen ; Henry Haubt ; Morris Hamburger. The char-
ter was delivered on the 21st of June, 1876.
Past Masters: Dr. Francis Miller, 1875, Under Dis-
pensation; Gustave Dettloff, 1877 ; Gustave Ehrhardt,
1879; Jacob Kiendl, 1881. Gustave Dettloff is the pres-
ent Master, and much of the success of the lodge is due
to the untiring energy and zeal of this brother. The
other officers of the lodge are as follows : S. W., Ern-
est Schnoppe ; «7! Wi, August Klaus ; Secretary, John
C. Kehrwieder ; Treasurer, Peter Fischer ; S. D., Fred
A. Schwiohs ; J. D., William Jensen ; Tyler, 1. O.
Hatfleld.
The lodge numbers about forty members. Meets
twice a week at the Masonic Hall, corner of Atlantic
and Butler avenues. East New York.
Rainbow Lodge, No. 409. U. O. S. B., installed July
23d, 1874, at Bernet's Hotel. The first officers were :
John Broecher, Noble G.; Philip Midas, Vice G.;
Ernest Fuchs, Sec; Louis AUecke, Fin. Sec; Anton
Kirschner, Treas.; Charles Broecher, Conductor. The
Mother Lodge is " Socrates," No. 223, of Williamsburg,
which presented to the new lodge a cheque for $403.26
as a starter. The present Noble Grand is Louis Buck.
Meetings are held weekly at Forehand's Hall, cor-
ner Liberty and Wyckoff avenues.
Waetbueg Home eoe the Aged and Ineibm was
organized in 1876, under the direction and control of
the different German Lutheran Dominations of the
cities of New York and Brooklyn, is largely maintained
318
SISIOET 01 KINGS COUNTY.
by subscriptions from these denominations. Its object
is, as its name implies, to furnish a home for the aged
and infirm. Extensive brick buildings have just been
completed on . Fulton avenue, corner of Sheffield, East
New York. The grounds are extensively laid out and
beautifully embellished and everything is done to meet
the wants and comfort of the inmates of the Home.
There are at present forty inmates, while the buildings
have ample accommodation for sixty. The following
is a list of the officers: Pres., William Hauff; V. Pres.,
Joseph Birkner ; Treas., E. C. Korner ; Sec, Rev. E.
Bohm.
Connected with the Home is a hospital, was estab-
lished in 1881, under the name of the Lutheran Hospi-
tal Association of New York City and vicinity, sup-
ported by subscriptions from the membership. The
buildings are ample, and are pleasantly situated on
East New York avenue, corner of Johnson. The
grounds are beautifully laid out and planted with trees
and shrubbery. The following is a list of officers :
Pres., Jacob Morsh ; V. Pres., J. Titjen ; Treas., Wil-
liam Dick ; Sec. Rev. E. Bohm.
Both institutions are under the medical supervision
of Albert Furgang, M.D., of East New York.
Post Office. — In 183*7 a post office was established
in the village of East New York. It was located in a
country variety store, on the Jamaica Plank Road,
near the present site of the dry-goods establishment of
Mr. Adolph Bookman. This store was kept by Edwin
M. Strong, appointed the first postmaster. An old
shoe-box, carefully partitioned off, served as a receptacle
for letters, which did not exceed half a dozen per day.
Mr. Strong retained the place for many years. He was
succeeded by Mr. Philip H. Reid. As the business of
the office had considerably increased, Mr. Reid removed
the office to his grocery store, at the corner of Fulton
and Sheffield avenues. East New York, where ample
accommodation was provided. After nine years of
faithful service, Mr. Reid was succeeded by Mr.
Samuel Wagoner, who removed the office to the cor-
ner of Liberty and Van Siclen avenues, after which
it was located on the corner of Atlantic and New
Jersey avenues. Mr. Wagoner held the office about
four years ; when Mr. Reid was again appointed, and
the office removed to the corner of Atlantic and Ala-
bama avenues. In 1869, Mr. Miles A. Brown, the pre-
sent incumbent, was appointed. During Mr. Brown's
term of office, many needed improvements have been
made. Letter-boxes have been located in various sec-
tions of the town, and a daily delivery of mail matter
by a carrier, established.
In 1879, a neat and substantial two-story brick build-
ing was erected, on Pennsylvania avenue, by Geo. D.
Pitkin, Esq., a large property owner in the town, to be
used as a post office, and appropriately fitted up for the
purpose.
There are at present four arrivals and four depart-
ures of the mail each day. About twelve hundred
letters are daily received at the office and about the
same number sent out.
The East New York Savings Bank, of New
Lots, L. I., northwest corner of Atlantic and New Jer-
sey avenues, was incorporated by the Act of Legisla-
ture passed May 8th, 1868, and commenced business
May 1st, 1869, with the following officers: Gilliam
Sohenck, President ; Williamson Rapalje, Vice Presi-
dent / Louis Altenbrand, Sd Vice President; Chai'les
J. Hobe, Treasurer and Secretary ; John C. Sohenck,
Attorney & Counsel. Trustees : Stephen L. Vandeveer,
Ditmas Jewell, Williamson Rapalje, Isaac C. Sohenck,
Christopher I. Lott, John J. Sackmann, Henry L,
Wyckoff, John S. Andrews, Frederick Middendorf,
Gilliam Sohenck, Philip H. Reid, Adolph Bookmann,
Charles J. Hobe, Peter J. Bergen, C. Francis Golyer,
William Kramer, James McGuu-e, John C. Sohenck,
Horace A. Miller, Williamson Rapalje, Jr., Louis
Altenbrand, Martin Bennett, Jr., Joseph Schluohtner,
J. Wyckoff Van Siclen, C. Washington Colyer, Whit-
son Colyer, Henry Ringshauser.
Its present officers are : Isaac C. Schenck, Pres.;
Gustavo Dittloff, Vice Pres.; Louis Altenbrand, U
Vice Pres.; Charles J. Hobe, Treas. and Sec; John C.
Schenck, Attorney and Counsel. The law has been
changed so that thirteen trustees only are required,
who are as follows ; Williamson Rapalje, John S.
Andrews, Peter G. Bergen, Christian Middendorf,
Isaac C. Schenck, Charles J. Hobe, John C. Schenck,
Louis Altenbrand, Martin Bennett, Herman Brome, C.
Francis Colyer, C. Washington Colyer, Henry Rings-
hauser.
The business of this bank has been so judiciously
managed, that its ratio of surplus to deposits compares
favorably with any in the State. Its officers point
with satisfaction and pride to the following figures.
Amount of Deposits, Sept. 1st, 1883, |306,000. Sur-
plus, $33,000.
BIOGRAPSY OF WILLIAMSON' RAPALJE.
31!)
^■^ffl^^v^r*''^
^^-d>^pty
Williamson Rapaljb. — The numerous and reputable
family of Rapalie is descended from that of de Rapalie,
which, as early as the eighteenth century, possessed large es-
tates in Bretagne, and ranked among the arriere-han of the
French nobility. Some of its members were distinguished
as military leaders in the crusades, others for political emi-
nence and professional talents; but, in the religious wars of
the sixteenth century, being known as Protestants, they
became the victims of Papal animosity and were expelled
from France. Joris Jansen de Rapalie, one of this proscribed
Huguenot race from Rochelle in France, was the common
ancestor of all the American families of this name. He
came to this country with other colonists in 1623, in the
Unity, a ship of the West India company, and settled at
Fort Orange, now Albany, where he remained three years.
In 1636 he removed to New Amsterdam and resided there till
after the birth of his youngest child. On June 16, 1637, he
bought from the Indians a tract of land computed at 335
acres, called Rennegaconck, now included within the town
of Brooklyn, a part of which purchase was the present site
of the TJ. S. Marine Hospital. Here Joris Rapalie finally lo-
cated and spent the remainder of his life. He was a leading
citizen, acted a prominent part in the public affairs of the
colony, and served in the magistracy of Brooklyn. He died
soon after the close of the Butch administration, his widow,
Catalyntie, surviving him many years. Daniel, his young-
est child, was born in the city of New York, Dec. 39, 1650,
and May 37, 1674, married Sarah, daughter of Abraham
Klock. He was a man of high respectability and an elder of
the Brooklyn church. He died Dec. 36, 1785, and his widow
Feb. 38, 1731. Their children were Joris Daniel, Catharine,
Annetie, Mary and Sarah. Daniel was born March 35, 1691,
and married Oct. 17, 1711, Aletie, daughter of Johannes
Cornell, at which time he lived in Brooklyn ; but he after-
wards removed to Newtown, where he died March 19, 1737,
his wife having died May 30, 1736. They had ten (10)
children, of whom Daniel, the eldest son, bought the paternal
farm in 1745, and became a leading man and a magistrate of
Newtown. Johannes, the second son, was the father of
Major Daniel Rapalje, who was born in 1748, and married
Agnes, daughter of Johannus Bergen, and became a farmer
at New Lots. About tliis time, by a Dutch perversion, the
i in the final syllable of Rapalie was changed to j, which is
still adhered to. On the opening of the Revolution he
espoused the whig cause, served as a lieutenant in the Kings
county troop of horse, and was in exile during the war. He
died at New Lots in 1796. His children were John, Daniel,
Simon and Michael. John married Charity, daughter of
Abram Van Sickelen, and had issue, Cornelia, wife of
Stephen I. Lott,and Daniel I. Simon Rapalje married Helen,
daughter of Nicholas Williamson. Their children were
Williamson, the subject of this sketch, now occupying the
old homestead of Major Daniel Rapalje on the New Lots
road; Daniel, who died when a young man; and Eliza, wife
320
SISTORT OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
of Walter Brown of Flushing. Siiiion Rapalje was a carpen-
ter by trade, and owned a farm of about 60 acres. He
brought his son Williamson up as a farmer, giving him, in
addition to the common school, the advantages of the cele-
brated Erasmus Hall Academy at Flatbush, at the time
when Mr. Craig was principal. When young, Williamson
exhibited quite a taste and talent in drawing, with a special
liking for faces and portraits. At the age of 20 he married
Ann, daughter of John Vanderveer, April 10, 1823. Their
children were : Simon, born Feb. 1, 1824, died May 9, 1827;
Margaret Ann, born Sept. 10, 1825, still living with her
father; John, bom March 16, 1827, died June 14, 1828;
Helen, born May 27, 1829, died May 16, 1869; Simon, born
Aug. 5, 1831; John Vanderveer, born April 4, 1833, died
Oct. 9, 1833; Williamson, born Sept. 8, 1884; Daniel, born
April 20, 1836; Eida Vanderveer, born Sept. 20, 1838, died
Nov. 16, 1842; Eliza, born Jan. 26, 1841; Henry Lott, born
Aug. 15, 1843; Eida Vanderveer, born June 11, 1846, died
July 31, 1852. Williamson Bapalje, Jr., married Elizabeth
Meserole Schenck, daughter of Isaac C. Schenck, Oct.
12, 1859. They have had one child, Catharine Ann,
who was born Feb. 8, 1864, and died July 26,
1866. Eliza Rapalje married James, son of John Wil-
liamson, of Flatland, March 25, 1863. Their children were
James Rapalje, born Dec. 18, 1869; Maria, born June 16,
1875. Their father was born April 2, 1837, and died Dec. 4,
1875. Mrs. Williamson and her two children are now living
with her father on the old homestead. Simon Rapalje
married Sarah Emmons Schenck, daughter of Gilliam
Schenck, Oct. 19, 1865. Henry Lott Rapalje married Sarah
E., daughter of Henry Eldert, Oct. 13, 1869. Their children :
Annie, born Nov. 8, 1870; Henry Williamson, born March 5,
1873; Daniel Lott, born Feb. 13, 1876; Cornelia, born Feb. 25,
1879.
Daniel Rapalje and Alice, daughter of Rev. Alvin Ostrom,
were married June 19, 1878. Their children have been
bom in Amoy, China — Ernest Harold, bom April 27, 18,79,
and Herbert DeWitt, born Aug. 6, 1880. In early life
Daniel displayed a love for study and an aversion to becosa-
ing a farmer. His father therefore, with the excellent
judgment that has characterized all his acts through life
told him to make his own choice of a life pursuit. Accord-
ingly he chose a classical education and went to Rutgers
college, at which he graduated. It is interesting here to
notice the cropping out of the religious element in this
family of Huguenot descent. While other young graduates
were electing to be lawyers, physicians and engiaeers
Daniel put these worldy allurements all behind him, and
chose the laborious self-denying life of a missionary. After
his college course, he entered the Theological department
at Rugters, graduating from that also. Then offering his
services to the Foreign Missionary Society, he was sent to
Amoy, China, where he has labored most successfully for
the past twenty years. During this time he has made two
visits to his old home, on the latter of which he was married.
His wife is the daughter of an old college friend, who also
went to China as a missionary, where she was born, so she
is working in and for her native land.
Ann Vanderveer, wife of Williamson Rapalje, was bom
November 11, 1803, and died January 25, 1868. Mr. Rapalje
was born June 4, 1803, and still enjoys very fair bodily
health, and the full possession of his mental gifts. His life
has been active, useful, and successful. Good sense, a vig-
orous understanding and a most practical executive ability,
joined with and controlled by a constant sense of right and
justice, have been his controlling characteristics. In the ex-
ercise of these his townsmen have insisted on his serving as
assessor for many terms in years gone by. In the Reformed ,
Church, of New Lots, he has always been a leader, and for a
long term an elder, which place he still fills. Politically, Mr.
Rapalje has always been a Democrat. His sons have succeeded
him as farmers, in which calling they are famed as being
the largest and most successful in the town. They have
buHt large and elegant houses on the old homestead,
adding to the many attractions on the old New Lots road.
Such families as the one of which this is an imperfect record,
are the safe-guards of any country of which they are
citizens.
Stephen Lott Vandeevbee lives on the old farm, which
has been the homestead of his ancestors for several genera-
tions. His house, originally built by his grandfather, and
which he has enlarged to its present spacious proportions and
fine appearance, stands in New Lots, near the lines which
divide that town from Flatbush and Flatlands. His farm of
109 acres was originally weU wooded, but has for many
years been devoted to market gardening, familiarly called
"trucking. " He was born Feb. 22, 1826, and married Jane
Alletta Kouwenhoven Feb. 20, 1850. Their children have
been five boys and two girls. For several years his sons have
managed the farm, his own industry and enterprise having
resulted in a handsome competence, which he uses and enjoys
much more sensibly than too many farmers who find no
pleasure except continued digging in the old Tut. He enjoys
fishing and sailing, in proof whereof he owns a yacht, to
whose soothing embrace he regularly devotes during the
sailing season whole days of solid comfort. Although never
a politician or an office holder, Mr. Vanderveer has always
acted with the republican party. In religious matters he
has been a consistent and representative member of the
Reformed church of New Lots, serving for the past 20 years
as its treasurer. In his school-boy days he improved the
advantages of his district school and of several terms at the
Jamaica academy, when the distinguished instructor, John
W. Brinkerhoflf, was at its head. Mr. Vanderveer is a thick
set, solidly built man of phlegmatic temperament, a picture
of contentment and good health. He has a decided taste
for antique relics in furniture and art, specimens of which
adorn his attractive home. His wife is also active and well
preserved in body and mind, and to aU appearances they
have many years before them in which to enjoy and to
benefit their family and their friends.
The family genealogy is as follows : CorneUs Janse Vander-
veer, or " from the ferry," farmer, emigrated to this country
from Alokmaer or Alkmaer, a province in North Holland, in
the Netherlands, in the ship Otter, in Feb., 1659. Settled in
Flatbush. Feb. 1677-8 he purchased of Jan Janzs, a farm.
He married Tryntje Gillis De Mandeville, and had children,
Cornelius, Neeltje, Maria, Hendrick, Jan, Dominious and
Michiel.
Jan Vanderveer married Femetje, daughter of Micheal
Hanson Bergen, January 6, 1695. Had issue: Katrina,
bap. March 29, 1696; Femetje, married Jacob Sebering, and
Jan, born July 7, 1706, died Oct. 31, 1779, who married Cor-
nelia Lott, April 29, 1732, born April 20, 1714, died Oct. 81,
1789. Had issue : Catrina, born Dec, 3, 1733, died young;
Femmete, born April 4, 1737, died Feb. 26, 1808; Catrina,
born Jan. 22, 1740, died April 3, 1829; Jan, born Oct. 35,
1745, died Dec. 7, 1808, married Gretye Eldert, May 25, 1765,
BIOGRAPHY OF STEPHEN LOTT YANDERVEER.
321
^
%
^-Z y^^'i,.j,.<!C^-'0'Zx'^ee-\_*
bom Aug. 13, 1747, died March 13, 1835. Had issues : John,
born May 19, 1766, died May 6, 1817, married Ann Lott, Aug.
11, 1791, born March 4, 1768, died Feb. 6, 1818; Johannes,
born Nov. 23, 1768, died March 30, 1833 (single); Femmete,
born Nov. 37, 1770; Cornelia, born April 5, 1775, died April
21, 1829, married Abraham Duryea; Treyntje, bom May 6,
1779, died April 3, 1829 (single); Sara, bom Feb. 11, 1783,
died May 5, 1860, married Johannes Eldert. Children of
John and Anne Vanderveer : John, bom Aug. 11, 1793, died
March 4, 1861, married Eida Suydam, April 33, 1818, born
June 38, 1795, died Feb. 5, 1873; Stephen, bom June 20, 1796,
thed Oct. 13, 1799 ; Ann Vanderveer, bom Nov. 11, 1803,
married Williamson Rapalje, April 10, 1823 ; have children
imng Jan., 1881— Margaret Ann, Simon, Williamson, Henry
' ^'^i ^d Daniel, now a missionary. Children of John
Mid Eida Vanderveer: John J., bom March 34, 1819, died
«ov. 30, 1837, married Eliza E. Dubois, April 16, 1867, had
one son, John Henry, born June 29, 1869; Henry, bom Nov.
25, 1821, died Nov. 4, 1857 (single); Ann, born June 10, 1824,
married Abraham Vanderveer, April 23, 1845, had issue ;
John A., born April 19, 1849, Maria Ann, Ida Suydam and
Charles; Stephen L., born Feb. 22, 1826, married Jane A.
Kouwenhoven, Feb. 20, 1850, bom Oct. 13, 1825, had issue ;
Eida Ann, born Dec. 23, 1850, married George W. Ryerson,
Nov. 20, 1872, bom May 27, 1849, have issues; Ella Jane, bom
March 20, 1874 ,and John Henry, born July 30, 1877; John K.,
born Nov. 18, 1853, married Julia R. Colyer, Oct. 10; 1877,
have one daughter, Marrietta Colyer, born Feb. 34, 1879;
Henry S., bom Nov. 25, 1854, married Amy R. Bogart, May
34, 1876; Susan A., bom Nov. 35, 1854, died Sept. 6, 1855;
Peter Luke, born Feb. 18, 1856, married Marietta Lott, Oct.
29, 1879; James, bom Sept. 15, 1858, married ComeUa A. Van
Siclen, Dec. 6, 1882, born Sept. 38, 1858; Stephen Lott, born
Sept. 30, 1861, died Nov. 11, 1861; Mary E., bom Sept. 80, 1861.
322
MISTOBY OF KINGS COUNTY.
-^AaytA^ /f ^^i^ ^/l^^y^Uu^^i.^
Charles B. Vanderveer. — The Vanderveer family on
Long Island sprang from Cornelis Janse (Van der Veer) —
meaning "from the ferry," who emigrated, in 1659, from
Alkmaar, in North Holland, and married Tryntje Gillis de
MandevUIe. He settled in Flatbush, of which town he was
a magistrate in 1678 and 1680. His autograph is given on
page 217 of this history. His second son, Dominicus, bap-
tized November 16th, 1679, at Flatbush, was sheriff of Kings
County in 1736, and married EUzabeth Luqueer. The Van
der Veers, at an early day, acquired a fine tract of land in
what is now the town of New Lots, which estate is still in
the possession of their descendants. Charles B. Vanderveer
was of the sixth generation who have owned and occupied
the property, and was born there in 1796. His father's name
was also Dominicus. Mr. Vanderveer's boyhood was passed
at a time when educational advantages were limited, but he
enjoyed the best then obtainable in the common schools, and
afterwards added largely to his stock of knowledge by read-
ing. At about the age of twenty-one he married Miss Maria
Van Sioklen, the daughter of a neighboring farmer. They
reared a family of eight children, of whom all except two
are living.
Though Mr. Vanderveer took no active part in politics, he
was a man of strong political convictions; in early days a
Whig, and afterwards a Eepublican. He was connected for
many years with the Dutch Reformed Church at New Lots.
He devoted his time to the care of his large farm, on which
he cleared up and improved many acres ; and to the mill
which was built on the estate about 1750. In 1839, he built
the substantial mansion on the place, which is now occupied
by his son. His wife died in 1875 and he survived her but
three years, passing away in 1878, at the ripe age of eighty-
two. He was known and esteemed as a quiet, law-abiding
citizen : a man of the strictest integrity, who, by industry,
prudence and uprightness, accumulated wealth, and kep'
through a long life the highest esteem of his townsmen.
BIOGRAPHY OF FRANCIS MILLER, M. D.
323
Francis MiLLBE, M.D., one of the oldest practitioners in
New York and Kings County, occupies a charming residence
on Bidgewood Heights, the property fronting on Jamaica
avenue, opposite Van Siclen avenue, East New York.
He was bom of poor parents, in Alzey, a small city in
Eheinhessen, Germany, on the 25th of October, 1817. He
began his education at the public school in his native city,
where he made such advancement that the preceptor, vi^ho is
still living, appointed him instructor of the second class of
his scholars.
After having acquired all the instruction obtainable at this
school, he was admitted, in May, 1888, to the University in
Heidleberg, Baden, at which institution he commenced the
study of medicine, under the tuition of the great professors
of that time, Gmelin, Puchelt, Tidemann, Bischoff, Chelius,
Naegele, and others, which names are well known to every
intelligent physician in Europe and America.
In the year 1841, he entered the University of his native
State at Giessen, in the Grand Duchy of Hesse. Here he
attended the lectures of the eminent Liebig, Wernher, Balser
and others, and in September, 1843, passed his examination
and received his diploma as Doctor of Medicine, Chirurgery,
and Obstetrics.
He was thereupon offered a position in the same University
as Assistant Prosector, which he declined, owing to the fact
that he had two brothers and a sister living in New York,
who advised him to come to America, and to bring with him
MB father, mother and two younger brothers, which he did,
and arrived in New York on the 30th of October, 1843, after
a passage of twenty days from Havre.
After his arrival in New York, he soon obtained a large
practice, became a member of the Medical Society of the
State of New York, of the Medical Society of the City of New
York, and also of the Academy of Medicine of New York.
He was one of the founders of the Society of German
Physicians of the City of New York, and was at one time its
Secretary, and later on its President.
He was surgeon of the 5th Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., for
seven years, and as a physician of the German Society for the
Poor in New York, he reported in one year alone over two
hundred cases, which he attended free of charge.
He was well acquainted and frequently in company with
the greatest physicians in New York, as Doctors Mott,
Francis, Van Buren, Anderson, Wood, Parker, Detmold, GU-
man, Taylor, Bedford, etc.
He took an active part in school matters, and served as
School Trustee for six years in the 10th Ward in New York,
and also for three years in East New York.
Finally, his great practice, by day and night for twenty-
two years, began seriously to affect his health, and upon
consulting with his colleagues, it was deemed necessary to
leave the city and remove to the country, in order to regain
his strength.
After visiting a great number of places within a radius of
thirty miles from New York, he at last decided to purchase
the land at East New York, now occupied by him, and to
erect a dwelling thereon. This house is situated on the top
of a hill, overlooking the town of New Lots, and command-
ing an extensive view of the surrounding covmtry, as weU as
of Jamaica Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean, south of Rockaway.
He was married in 1845, to a Miss Frost, of New York,
who is still living, and by whom he has three children, two
sons and one daughter. The daughter died in childhood, but
the sons are alive and married.
324
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
m-M^f
V
Isaac C. Schenck. — No one familiar with Kings and
adjoining counties need be told that, to a marked degree,
men and women bearing the name of Schenck have worthily
commanded the respect and confidence of their contempora-
ries. At each period, from the earlier to the present settle-
ment of the Western part of Long Island, some member of
this family has been called to assume a leading position in
the management of public affairs. The genealogy of this
family has been traced back to the remote period when the
illustrious Charlemagne was Emperor of Germany and
France, at which period Edgar de Schenken, in the year 798,
filled the position of Imperial Seneschal to this great ruler.
Johannes Schenck, the progenitor of the Bushwick, Long
Island, branch of the family, was born in Holland, probably
the sub-district of Kessel, Sept. 19, 1656. His father was a
judge of the province, which office was also held by his grand-
father, his great and his great-great grandfathers. He was
married in Holland and emigrated to America in 1683, land-
ing in New York, where he remained two years. From there
he went to Ulster County for five years, and then to the town
of Flatbush, where he is recorded as tovsm-clerk from 1691 to
1694, and again from 1700 to 1713.
We present herewith f ac-similes of his signature, as written
by him both in Dutch and English. He used, at various peri-
ods of his career, three different seals, copies of two of which
No. 1. No. 2.
JOHANNES SCHENCK'S PRIVATE AND OFFICIAL SEAM'
BIOGRAPST OF ISAAC C. SGSENGK.
825
r
SILVER MABKS.
we also present. No. 1 is that which he used most fre-
quently in the earlier years of his
American residence ; No. 3 is that
which he used during the later period
of his term of oflflce as Town Clerk.
Both these designs were, undoubt-
edly, taken by him from the coat of
arms of the family to which he be-
longed. This tankard-crest is also
found on an ancient spoon belonging
to him and now in possession of
one of his descendants, residing in
SCHENCK (of Sohenoken) gj-ooklyn.
FAMILY Arms. ^^^ heraldic idea intended to be con-
veyed by the tankard is that of hospitality ; in fact, the
meaning of the word Schenck, or Schenken, is butler.
During the year 1713, he left the
town of Flatbush and bought the
mill-property in Bushwick, which he
made his final home. In the year
1719, he was supervisor of Bushwick.
He died April 10, 1739. His son, Peter,
who died in 1736, was the father of
Teunis, born Feb. 9, 1733, who also
had a son Teunis, born Feb. 15, 1767.
This latter was married in 1794 to Gertrude, daughter of Isaac
Cornell, became Judge Teunis Schenck, and died Dec. 39, 1843.
Their children were : John, born, Oct. 18, 1795 ; Catha-
rine, born July 5, 1797, married Nov. 13, 1816, John Eem-
sen, of Flatlands Neck, died 1868 ; Ann, born Sept. 16,
1799, married Nov. 34, 1818, Henry S. Ditmas, of Flatbush ;
Isaac Cornell, born January 17, 1803, who is the subject of
this sketch. Peter, born Dec. 4, 1803, died AprU 3, 1866,
single ; Maria, born Aug. 19, 1805, died Feb. 15, 1875, married
Oct. 19, 1834, John Meserole, of Greenpoint, who died 1843 ;
Aletta Jane, born Jan. 4, 1808, died Aug. 11, 1831, married
Laurence, of Newtown ; Eliza, born July 9, 1810 ; Gilliam,
bom Jan. 16, 1813 ; Cornelia, born May 37, 1818, died Aug. 11,
1821.
GUHam Schenck married, Oct. 14, 1840, Ann Maria Eldert.
Issue : Gertrude C, bom Aug. 13, 1841, married Feb. 33, 1860 ;
Albert H. W. Van Sicklen ; Sarah E., born March 17, 1843,
married Oct. 19, 1865, Simon Rapalje.
Isaac 0. Schenck married Catharine, daughter of Peter
Meserole. Their chUdren have been : John C. , born Feb. 1837 ;
Elizabeth M., born Aug. 34, 1838, married Oct. 13, 1859, Wil-
liamson Rapalje ; Walter, born Sept. 33, 1840, died Sept. 11,
1841 ; Catharine Ann, bom June 30, 1843, died Aug. 31,
1869, single ; Alletta Jane, born Oct. 3, 1844, died March 3,
1847 ; Maria M., born Feb. 8, 1847, died July 8, 1847 ; Peter
M., bom May 15, 1859, died Nov. 18, 1861 ; CorneHa, born
Nov. 11, 1851 ; Sarah E., born March 17, 1854, married John
Johnson Bergen, of Jamaica.
The record of the Schencks, during the revolutionary war,
exhibits patriotic devotion, attested by active personal service.
John H. Schenck, of New Jersey, raised a regiment by his
own exertions and served with it through the war. John
Schenck, of Dutchess County, was a captain in Col. Swarth-
out's regiment of minutemen, commission issued Oct. 17, 1775,
and signed by Nathaniel WoodhuU, President of Provisional
L'Ongress. Henry Schenck was major in the same regiment,
Martin and Nicholas Schenck were captains in other regi-
ments, and Abraham was a lieutenant. Among the several
captains by the name of John Schenck there was one whose
loy^ty and devotion touched the high-water mark. Almost
at the beginnmg of the war he was asked how much gold
would secure his services for the royal side. His answer
was worthy of any man in any age. "The whole of Europe
cannot buy me ; give me liberty." Later on a reward was
offered by the British of "50 guineas for the head of Capt.
Schenck, dead or alive. ''
In civil duties we find Abraham H. Schenck, of Dutchess
county, serving in the State Assembly at Albany two terms;
John Schenck, of Queens county, three terms; Peter A.
Schenck, of New York county, three terms, and Judge
Teunis Schenck, of Kings county, three terms. Judge
Abraham Schenck, of Kings, represented his county in the
Colonial Legislature from 1759 to 1768. In addition to these
the State Senate has contained as members, Abraham of
Dutchess county, John of Washington county, and John
Schenck, Jr. , of Queens county. Ancient deeds in the pos-
session of Isaac C. Schenck, show that Johannes and Peter,
'j^^^ed
the two sons of the first Johannes, were purchasers of large
tracts of land in Bushwick and Newtown, at an early day.
Among the conveyances to Peter is that of the land which
to this day remains as the family burying ground of the
Bushwick family of Schenck. In 184 — Isaac C. Schenck
was elected superintendent of the poor for Kings county,
discharging the duties of that difficult office in the most
satisfactory manner. All purchases were economically made
in the interests of the tax payers, and no scandal ever hung
over his accounts.
In church and school matters Mr. Schenck has always held
a laboring oar. When the New Lots Eeformed church was
built in 1834 he was one of the most active and efficient
members and woi-kers. The first building committee was
Johannes Vanderveer, John Williamson, Simon Rapalje,
Abram Van Sicklen, Christian Duryea, John Blake and
Joseph Smith. The timber was cut in the woods of the
farmers of the congregation, who not only gave it, but out,
hewed and carted it. A part of it had to be sawed, and they
dug a ditch for a pit, over which the logs were placed and
sawed by hand, as saw mills were few and far away in those ■
days. Even the painting was done by the parishioners, Mr.
Schenck being one of those who painted the fence. The
building cost about |35 and was good for the times. The
first minister was Rev. Mr. Crookshank.
In 1808 a school house was built in Mr. Schenck's district,
the school being for a time kept in Mr. Blake's barn. This
barn is now owned by Mr. Hopkins. The school house built
at that time has since been moved back, but is still used.
About the year 1840 John Lehman, Jacob H. Sackman and
Mr. Schenck thought best to have the school district divided.
Accordingly Mr. Schenck went to Flatbush and saw Dr.
John H. Zabriskie, town superintendent, who came and
looked the matter over and erected the new distx'ict asked.
A public meeting was held in the old Half Way House,
where the Fulton avenue stables now are, at which Isaac C.
Schenck, William Stoothoff and David Storms were elected
trustees. A contract to build a school house was made with
Henry S. Eldert, which was located near the Reformed
church, where it stiU is, plus the additions that have been
made to it. A good share of the timber used in the frame of
tlie original building was cut on Mr. Schenck's farm and
hauled by his man.
Mr. James Clegg was the first teacher. He also repre-
sented the town of New Lots as Supervisor dm-ing the
years 1853-'54r-'55 and '57. His brother, Gilliam Schenck,
326
HISTORY OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
succeeded him in the same office from 1858 to 1874, in-
clusive, serving the long term of 17 consecutive years. In
1879 he was appointed treasurer of Kings county to fill the
vacancy caused by the death of Samuel S. Pov^ell, and at the
next election he was elected for the succeeding term.
During the four years of his administration of the financial
affairs of this county with all its vast interests, the records
show exact balances of receipts and disbursements, every
dollar properly applied and accounted for. A noted charac-
teristic of the Schencks from the earliest period has been
that in public and in private duties they have always proved
equal to the place and the occasion. This explains their long
terms of service by the repeated choice of their fellow
citizens. Cool, capable judgment, and honest, efficient ad-
ministration, have been their strong points. John C. Schenck,
his eldest son, after a careful and thorough education in
the schools, followed by adequate preliminary reading of the
great authorities, adopted the legal profession and was duly
admitted to the bar. His professional abilities and success
are sufficiently attested by the fact that he is and has been
since its organization, the attorney for the East New York
Savings Bank. The first existence of this bank was largely
due to the persistent efforts, in the face of great opposition
of Mr. Schenck and his son, John C. Gilliam Sehenok wai
elected its first president and John C. Schenck its attorney,
John C. still remains at the old home, single. At the
advanced age of 81, Mr. Schenck still retains aU his mental
powers and a fair share of physical vigor, Mrs. Schenck is
also blessed with comfortable health, and together thev are
spending the late afternoon of useful successful lives, in the
old homestead on the road leading from New Lots to
Jamaica. The house is mostly of stone, and was built pre-
vious to 1765. This venerable land-mark does not show its
age, owing to the good care of its owners. It was partially re-
built and remodeled in 1793 by Isaac Cornell, father-in-law of
Judge Tennis Schenck, who then owned it, and again in 1811
or 1813 by the Judge himself, who lived there from 1794 untfl
his death, in 1843.
THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
OF
KINGS COUNTY
1628-1800.
THE First Ministers of the Colony of New
Netherlands. — Although the settlement of New
Netherlands was undoubtedly undertaken rather as
a commercial speculation than as an experimental
solution of ecclesiastical and civil principles and govern-
ment ; and, although, in the earlier years of roving and
unsystematized traflSc which followed the discovery of
Manhattan Island, there seems to have been no higher
principle involved than that of gain ; yet, as soon as a
permanent agricultural and commercial occupation of
the country was undertaken by the West India Com-
pany, the higher moral and spiritual wants and necessi-
ties of its settlers were fully recognized. Emigrants
under their auspices, or those of the States General of
Holland, were accompanied by a schoolmaster, being a
pious church-member, who, in default of regular pastors,
instructed the children and officiated at religious meet-
ings, by leading in the devotions and reading a sermon.
Ziekentroosters, or "comforters of the sick," persons
adapted by their spiritual gifts and graces to edify and
comfort the people, also frequently accompanied or
preceded the ministers. In 1628, the pioneer clergy-
man, Jonas Michaelius, came from Amsterdam, under
the auspices of the North Synod of Holland, and " first
established the form of a church," which worshipped in
the upper loft of a horse-mill, at Manhattan. He was
succeeded, in 1633, by the Rev. Everardus Bogardus ;
and the small, plain church, which had superseded the
horse-mill, gave place, in 1642, to a new stone edifice
within the fort (now the battery). Bogardus was fol-
lowed, in 1647, by the Eev. Johannes Megapolensis,
eminent for his piety and talents, who served this con-
gregation with fidelity until his death, in 1669.
The First Church on Long Island, erected
at Flatbush. — For many years succeeding the first
settlement of the country, the settlers on the western
end of Long Island were dependent upon the city for
all their civil and religious privileges. This state of
thmgs, with all its inconveniences, lasted until Decem-
ber 15, 1654, when the first church on Long Island was
established at Midwout, now Flatbush ; and the Gov-
ernor designated Dominie Megapolensis, of New Am-
sterdam, with John Snedicor, of Flatbush, and John
Stryker, of Flatbush, commissioners to superintend the
erection of a church edifice. October 13, 1654, the Gov-
ernor issued a permit to the Rev. Johannes Theodoras
Polhemus to preach at Midwout (Flatbush) and Amers-
foort (Flatlands). P^ebruary, 1655, on the request of the
people of Midwout, an order was issued requiring the
inhabitants of Breuckelen and Amersfoort (Flatlands)
to assist " in cutting and hauling wood " for the said
church. The Brueckelen people, however, while they
expressed their perfect willingness to aid in the erection
of the church itself, objected to work on the " minister's
houBe," which it was proposed to add thereto, averring
that the Midwout folks were able to do it themselves.
They were finally obliged to conform to the Governor's
order, and the church, which was built in the form of a
cross, 28 by 60 or 65 feet, and 12 to 14 feet between
the beams, the rear to be used as a minister's dwelling,
was the first house of worship erected in Kings County.
It occupied several years in construction, although it was
probably sufficiently advanced within the year to allow
of its being used for worship. The first entries in the
deacon's book of the church of Flatbush of collections
taken on the Sabbath, begins on the first Sabbath of
January, 1655, and regularly continued at intervals of
seven days from that time forward ; thus proving that
divine service was statedly performed. There is no
record by which we can find when the first consistory
was ordained and the church regularly organized.
Until 1681 the consistory consisted of but two Elders and
two deacons. The first church was on the site of the
present Flatbush church, and cost 4,637 guilders
(about $1,800), of which Flatbush people contributed
427 guilders, the balance being given by New Amster-
dam, Fort Orange (Albany), the other county towns, and
the West India Company. As tradition avers, it was sur-
rounded by a stockade ; and, during troubles with the
Indians, the settlers of Flatbush slept in the church.
328
BISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
On the 6tli of August, 1655, Governor Stuyvesant
convened tlie inliabitants of the county, for the purpose
of ascertaining whether they approved of their " pro-
visional minister," the Rev. Polhemus, and what salary
they were willing to pay him. The Sheriff reported
that they approved of him, and would pay him 1,040
guilders ($416) per year, to be raised by tax.
Mr. Polhemus, who had previously been a mission-
ary in Brazil, was immediately settled in Flatbush, and
subsequently received a patent for a part of the prem-
ises recently owned by the late Jeremiah Lott, Esq.
Breuckelen People Object to the Church
Taxes. — In February, 1656, the magistrates of Mid-
wout and Amersfoort asked permission to request a vol-
untary contribution from the people of the three Dutch
towns,towards the proper maintenance of the Gospel. To
this the Breuckelen people respectfully objected, that,
" as the Rev. Polhemus only acts as a minister of the
Gospel in the village of Midwout, therefore the inhab-
itants of the village of Breuckelen and adjacent districts
are disinclined to subscribe or promise anything for
the maintenance of a Gospel minister who is of no use
to them." And they solicited " with reverence " that
he might be allowed to preach alternately in Breuckelen
and Midwout, in which case they were " very willing to
contribute cheerfully to his support, agreeable to their
abilities." Otherwise they begged to be excused from
contributing to his maintenance. To this the Director
and Council replied that they had "no objection that
the Rev. Polhemus, when the loeather permits,'''' should
do so. On the 15th of March following, the Sheriff
and Commissioners of Midwout reported to the Council
they were satisfied with the decree of the Council, but
that the people of Gravesend and Amersfoort had only
subscribed with the understanding " that on Sundays,
in the forenoon, they might hear the sermon at Mid-
wout, both places being nearly at the same distance
from one another as Breuckelen, at which place, if alter-
nately, as the apostille said, preaching was to be held,
it would be inconvenient for the inhabitants, by reason
of the great distance of the places, to come there to
church in the morning and return at noon home to their
families, inasmuch as Breuckelen is quite two hours
walking from Amersfoort and Gravesend ; whereas the
village of Midwout is not half so far and the road much
better. So they consider it a hardship to choose either
to hear the Gospel but once a day, or to be compelled
to travel four hours, in going and returning, all for one
single sermon, which would be to some very trouble-
some and to some utterly impossible."
It was finally arranged, by the Director-General and
the Council, that the Sunday sermon should be delivered
in the morning at Midwout, as being at a nearly equal
distance from the other three towns ; but that the
usual afternoon discourse should be changed to an even-
ing service, held alternately in Breuckelen and Amers-
foort. The three towns were permitted, on application,
to levy a tax for the purpose of paying the minister's
tax.
On November 29th, 1666, it had been agreed that Mid-
wout should give annually 400, and Breuckelen and
Amersfoort 300 guilders each towards the minister's
salary. The people of Breuckelen, however, had become
dissatisfied with the style of Mr. Polhemus' clerical ser-
vices, and their grumbling finally culminated in January
1, 1657, in this plain spoken protest to the Director and
Council.
" The Magistrates of Breucklen find themselves obliged to
communicate to your Honors that to them it seems impossi-
ble that they should be able to collect annually 300 guUders
from such a poor congregation, as there are many among
them who suffered immense losses during the late wars, and
principally at the invasion of the savages, by which tliey
have been disabled, so that many, who would otherwise be
willing, havt not the power to contribute their share. We
must be furtner permitted to say that we never gave a call to
the aforesaid Eeverend Polhemus, and never accepted him as
our minister ; but he intruded himself upon us against our
will, and voluntarily preached in the open street, under tlie
blue sky ; when, to avoid offence, the house of Joris Dircksen
was temporarily offered him here in Breuckelen. It is the
general opinion and saying of the citizens and inhabitants of
Breucklen generally, with those living in their neighborhood,
that they could not resolve, even when it was in their power
to collect the money, to contribute anything for such a poor
and meagre service as that with which they have thus far
been regaled. Every fortnight, on Sundays, he comes here
only in the afternoon for a quarter of an hour, when he only
gives us a prayer in lieu of a sermon, by which we can receive
very Jittle instruction ; while often, while one supposes the
prayer or sermon (which ever name might be preferred for
it) is beginning, then it is actually at an end, by which he
contributes very little to the edification of his congregation.
This we experienced on the Sunday preceding Christmas, on
the 34th of December last, when we, expecting a sermon,
heard nothing but a prayer, and that so short that it was fin-
ished before we expected. Now, it is true it was nearly
evening before Polhemus arrived, so that he had not much
time to spare, and was compelled to march oflf and finish so
much sooner, to reach his home. This is all the satisfaction
— little enough, indeed — which we had during Christmas ;
wherefore, it is our opinion that we shall enjoy as much and
more edification by appointing one among ourselves, who
may read to us on Sundays a sermon from the ' Apostille
Book,' as we ever have until now, from any of the prayers or
sermons of the Reverend Polhemus. We do not, however,
intend to offend the Reverend Polhemus, or assert anything
to bring him into bad repute. We mean only to say, that his
greatly advanced age occasions all this, and that his talents
do not accompany him as steadily as in the days of yore ;
yea, we discover it clearly, that it is not the want of good-
will in Polhemus; but as we never did give him a call, we
cannot resolve to contribute to his maintenance."
The Governor was inflexible in his determination that
the people of Breuckelen should pay their share of the
minister's salary, but the people were obdurate, and the
contest was a long one, the poor dominie, meanwhilfi,
being put to great straits for want of his dues.
Meanwhile a new element of discord had arisen with-
in the jurisdiction of the Dutch Government. The
PETITION FOR A MINISTER.
329
Quakers, banislied incontinently from all the colonies of
New England (except, be it always remembered, from
Rhode Island), ventured to find in New Netherlands
the home and the liberty of conscience which was else-
where denied them. Unfortunately they only stepped
"from the frying pan into the fire," and brought down
upon themselves a whirlwind of indignation and sum-
mary punishment from Governor Stuyvesant and his
clerical advisers. In spite, however, of these severe
measures, the infection rapidly spread through Long
Island, • Jamaica, Gravesend, and Hempstead soon de-
veloped the germs of Quakerism, which no civil perse-
cution has ever crushed out even to this day. Symptoms
of disaffection also appeared at Brooklyn — or, rather,
perhaps, as is usual in a disaffected community, the new
principle of non-conformity was used by many as an
excuse for their non-compliance in the matter of paying
the minister's tax. The Sheriff complained to the Coun-
cil of abuse received, while collecting the tax, from
certain parties, who, when summoned before the Coun-
cil, pleaded — one that he was a Catholic, and the other
that he did not understand Dutch. Their excuses were
pronounced " frivolous," and they were each condemned
to pay a fine of twelve guilders ($4.80). The prin-
cipal malcontent, who attempted to hire the public
bellman to go around and defame Councillor Tonne-
man, was obliged to beg pardon, on bended knees, of
the Lord and of the court, and was fined twenty-five
guilders ($10) and costs.
The Governor finally conquered the refractory
Breuckelen people, by issuing an order, on the 6th of
July, 1658, forbidding the inhabitants of the three
towns to remove their grain from their fields until their
tithes were taken or commuted — which commutations
were ordered to be paid within three days. And, when
the Governor " put his foot down " in this manner, as
was his wont, the people found it was useless to " kick
against the pricks."
In the fall of 1658, ill response to a letter sent to the
Classis of Amsterdam, of the Fatherland, by Messrs.
Megapolensis and Drisius, ministers to New Amster-
dam, one Hermanus Blom was induced to come out,
and, having accepted a call to Esopus (Kingston), re-
turned to Holland to pass his examination before the
Classis, and receive ordination.
Breuckelen People Petition for a Minister of
Their Own. — Meanwhile the people of Breuckelen, in
view of the badness of the roads to Flatbush, and the
inability of the Rev. Mr. Polhemus, on account of his
age and infirmity, to bestow any considerable portion
of Lis labor upon them, had petitioned the Governor
and Council for permission to have a minister resident
in their town. The application was favorably regarded,
and when (March 1) Blom left Holland on his return to
New Netherland, he was accompanied by the Rev. Hen-
ncus Selyns, under appointment to preach at Breucke-
len. Mr. Selyns was born in 1636, and traced his ances-
try, both on the father's and mother's side, clearly back,
through a regular line of elders, deacons, and deacon-
esses, to the first institution of the Dutch Reformed
Church as an independent establishment. And, con-
nected by blood and marriage with distinguished
ministers of that church, he could not fail to imbibe its
tenets and principles, and enter with confidence and
honorable ambition upon the studies which were to fit
him for its service. On February 16, 1660, he was, by
the Classis of Amsterdam, examined and admitted to the
ministry with full powers — engaging to serve the
Breuckelen church for the term of four years. On the
7th of September, 1660, Mr. Selyns was formally in-
stalled into the church at Breuckelen. " This ceremony,"
says his biographer, " measured by the usual standard
of great events, was, indeed, insignificant; but viewed
as the first installation of a minister in what is now a
large and flourishing city, the third in size in the United
States, and as populous as the famous city of Amster-
dam herself at the present day, it was one which
deserved, as it received, the attention of the authorities
in an appropriate and becoming manner. It was, never-
theless, to that colony, an interesting event, and it was
accompanied by proceedings calculated to give dignity
and authority to the minister. The Governor deputed
two of his principal officers to present the minister to the
congregation — Nicasius de Sille, a member of the Coun-
cil, a man of no mean attainments, and well versed in the
law, and Martin Krigier, burgomaster of New Amster-
dam, who, on several important occasions, was the
envoy of the Governor to the adjoining English colo-
nies. After the presentation. Dominie Selyns preached
his inaugural sermon, and then read the call of the
Classis and their certificate of examination, with a tes-
timonial from the ministers of Amsterdam, declaring
that during the time he had dwelt among them, he had
not only diligently used the holy ordinances of God for
the promotion of his own salvation, but had also often
edified their church by his acceptable preaching ; and,
moreover, had, by his life and conversation, demeaned
himself as a godly and pious man — a character which he
never forfeited." On the Vth, a letter was forwarded,
" by a respectable person," to the Rev. Mr. Polhemus,
informing him of Mr. Selyn's installation in the church
at Breuckelen, and thanking him in courteous terms for
his labors and attention to the congregatiom. This
attention was appropriately acknowledged by the ven-
erable pastor, who, on the 12th, sent to the new
incumbent a list of church-members residing within
this vicinity, numbering in all twenty-seven persons,
inclusive of one elder and two deacons. The population
of the village at this time was 134 persons, in thirty-one
families ; and the bounds of the new Dominie's charge
included "The Ferry," "The Waal-boght," and " The
Gujanes." Measures were taken for the speedy erection
of a church, and in the meantime the congregation
worshipped in a barn. As the people were not able of
330
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
themselves to pay his entire salary, they petitioned the
Council for assistance, and Stuyvesant agreed personally
to contribute two hundred and fifty guilders, provided
Mr. Selyns would preach a sermon, on Sunday after-
noons, at his " bouwery," on Manhattan Island. Under
this agreement the Dominie thereafter preached at the
" Director's bouwery," which was a " sort of stopping-
place and pleasure-ground of the Manhattans." After
Selyn's installation at Breuckelen, Dominie Polhemus
confined his services to Midwout and Amersfoort.
Under Selyns' able ministrations the church in Breuck-
elen increased, until, in 1661, it numbered fifty-two com-
municants, many of whom were admitted on certifi-
cates from New Amsterdam and from churches in the
Fatherland. The same year, the village of Breuckelen
received from the W. I. Co., on the request of Rev.
Mr. Selyns, a bell for their church, which "might
also be used, in time of danger, to call the country
people thereabouts together." Mr. Selyns was not,
as late as 1662, an actual resident of Breuckelen,
although the people desired it, and had been at the ex-
pense of building a h^use f or him. September 21, 1662,
the Council ordered the inhabitants of Breuckelen to
pay 300 guilders to him, for services since August
30, 1660.
Church erected at Flatlands.— On thel2thof the
same month the people of Flatlands had been permitted
to build a church ; making, with that of IsTew Utrecht,
the third Dutch church edifice within the county.
During this year, also, complaint was made to the
Consistory of the Breuckelen Church of the exposure
of the graveyards to hogs and other animals ; in con-
sequence of which, the Consistory contracted for a clap-
board fence, five feet high, to enclose the entire ground,
for the sum of seventy guilders.
Early in 1664, Dominie Selyns addressed a petition
to the Director and Council, complaining that, in con-
sequence of the great depreciation which had taken
place in seawant and beaver-skins, he found his salary
much reduced and insufiicient to meet his wants. The
Council finally decided, that any money paid to the
Dominie on account of the 600 gl. allowed to him in the
Fatherland, should be paid in beavers, at a rate not
higher than 6 gl., and any commodities in seawant in
proportion. The 600 gl. promised him here, in New
Netherland, was to be paid with beavers, in cash, at
the value of 8 gl. per beaver, agreeably to the contract
of August 30th, 1660. This year, his time having ex-
pired, Mr. Selyns yielded to the urgent solicitations of
his aged father in Holland; and, with the permission
of the Lords Directors of the W. I. Co., was most
tenderly and respectfully dismissed from his church on
the 17th of July, 1664, and sailed for home on the 23d,
in the ship Beaver, the same vessel which had conveyed
him to America.
After his departure, Charles Debevoise, the school-
master of the town and church sexton, was authorized
to read prayers and a sermon from some approved
author, each Sabbath, in the church, for the improve-
ment of the congregation, until another minister could
be found.
The records of the church at Breuckelen during Selyns'
ministry are still preserved in his own handwriting
and bear ample evidence of his devotion to his calling
— chronicling, with rare simplicity, the occurrences in
the government of the church and the occasions of dis-
cipline of his flock.
In some trying occasions of his life, when brought in
conflict with others upon questions of authority and
power, he sustained the rights and privileges of his of-
ficial position with equal firmness, dignity, and force of
reasoning. His pen and logic were never to be de-
spised by his opponents.
After his return to Holland, Selyns remained unset-
tled for two years; and in 1666, took charge of the
congregation of Waverveen, near Utrecht, a rural vil-
lage of no fame. In 16 7 5, he became a chaplain in the
army of the States ; but with this exception, seems to
have passed sixteen years of his life in the obscurity of
"Waverveen, usefully and even contentedly employed ;
for, in 1670, upon the death of Megapolensis, of New
York, he declined a call from that church to become
associated with Rev. Mr. Drisius in its charge. Subse-
quently, the call was so urgently renewed to Selyns
that he accepted, and again left his native land to
spend, as it proved, the remainder of his life in
America. He arrived at New York in the summer of
1682, and was received "by the whole congregation
with great affection and joy." He now occupied a
position among the churches of the colony which was
commensurate with his talents.
Beloved by his own congregation, he was, also, on
terms of friendship with the heads of the government
and his colleagues in the other churches in New York,
and in correspondence with distinguished men in the
neighboring colonies.
Troublous days, however, came to him with the revo-
lutionary outbreak, which placed Jacob Leisler at the
head of the government. Selyns, as well as the other
ministers, looked upon Leisler as a usurper, and threw
all the weight of their influence against him and his
party. But they committed the error of continuing
their opposition to him after his power had been fully
established ; thus themselves becoming traitors to his
government, whom he felt justified in putting down at
any cost. Dellius was obliged to escape to Boston ;
Varick, the minister of the four Dutch towns of Kings
county, was imprisoned, tried, and convicted of treason,
and sentenced to be deposed from his ministerial func-
tions ; Tessehenmaker was massacred at Schenectady,
in February, 1690 ; and Van der Bosch, of Kingston,
had been deposed previously ; so that Selyns was, for a
considerable time, the only Dutch clergyman on duty
in the province. While he had committed no overt act
CHARACTER OF REV. SEZYJVS.
331
rendering himself amenalDle to the law, he was in such
close communication and sympathy with the leaders of
the opposition, that he was constantly watched. He
was suspected of concealing Bayard, and his house
searched by public officers, for the purpose of discover-
ing him. His service in church, of which Leisler was a
member, was interrupted by Leisler himself, who there
threatened openly to silence him. His letters to Hol-
land and elsewhere were stopped in transit, and opened
by order of the government. His feelings of hostility to
Leisler were aggravated, no doubt, in a large degree by
these circumstances, and were carried by him to the
grave itself. He was one of those who approved and
recommended the carrying into execution the sentence
of that popular leader, when Sloughter wisely hesitated,
and desired to wait until he could obtain the views of
the home government on the propriety of the act.
While Leisler was lying in prison, the helpless subject
of a political prosecution, Selyns preached a sermon
against him, from the verse of the Psalmist : " I had
fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the
Lord in the land of the living." His opposition es-
tranged from him the Leislerian portion of his con-
gregation, and they refused to contribute to his salary;
and the refusal continued, under this fresh provocation,
for several years. He appealed to the Classis to in-
terfere; and even sought, through that body, the man-
date of King William, supposing that, as a Dutchman,
he could be induced by the ecclesiastical authorities at
Amsterdam to compel the payment of his arrears. He
intimated that he would, in consequence of with ol ding
the salary, be forced to give up his ministry here and
return to Holland. The Classis, in a proper 'spirit,
advised him to pacify and win back the alienated
hearts of his flock, and to suffer and forget all in love ;
and also addressed a letter in the same spirit to the
consistory and congregation. The difficulty was finally
arranged.
The great object of Selyns' labors, during the later
years of his life, was the establishment of the liberties
of his church by the procuring of a royal charter con-
firming its rights and privileges. This was at length
accomplished. May 11th, 1696, by a charter under the
royal seal, for the Reformed Protestant Dutch church
in the city of New York, which is still in full force,
and was virtually the charter of the Low Dutch Church
in America. He had now attained his sixtieth year.
" He had labored faithfully, zealously, and successfully.
Amidst all his trials, no one had ventured to breathe a
syllable against the purity of his life and conversation,
or his fidelity to the spiritual interests of his congrega-
tion, which had increased from 450 to 650 members
during his ministry among them." In 1699, he received
an assistant, in the person of Rev. Gualterus du Bois,
of Amsterdam ; and, shortly after, in July, 1701, he
died at New York, in his sixty-fifth year. In his do-
mestic relations he appears to have been fortunate.
" He was a faithful and devoted minister, honest,
sincere, and capable ; learned in his profession, pious,
and pure in his life. He was free from that narrow
feeling which begets prejudice from mere difference of
opinion. But he was fond of the exercise of power :
persevering, and pursued his object with determination,
and sought it sometimes for the sake of success, when,
perhaps, a wise regard for the feelings of others would
have led him to abandon it. He may be justly re-
garded as one of the founders of the Dutch Church in
America, who did more to determine its position in the
country than any other man; and in this circumscribed
field, in which the great business of his life was con-
cerned, his fame must mainly rest."
He never appeared as an author in print ; and his
FACSIMILE OF REV. HENRY SELYNS' SIGNATURE AND SEAL.
(IVonstofion)— " Done at Breuckelen in N. Netherland, the 9th of June, 1664.
* Your Reverences'
" Humble brother In Christ Jesus,
(Addressed to the Classis of Amsterdam.)
'Hbnricus Selyns.
332
SISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
only literary remains are contained in a little volume
of poems, of wMch a pleasant selection, translated by
Hon. Henry C. Murphy, has been published in the "An-
thology of New ISTetherland," one of the elegant issues
of the Bradford Club.
After Selyns' return to Holland, the church at
Breuckelen came again under the pastoral charge of
Dominie Polhemus, the minister of the associated
churches of the four Dutch towns of the county. The
labors of this venerable and faithful servant of God
ceased only with his life. He died on the 9th of June,
1676.
Church Erected at Breuckelen— 1666. — During
a carriage and wagon-track passed around each
end, forming an oblong circle, remitting at either end
" And a miserable road it was, filled with mud-holes
and large rocks." — [Furman's MSS.]
It was a large, square edifice, with solid and very
thick walls, plastered and whitewashed on every
side up to the eaves; the roof, as usual, ascending to a
peak in the centre, capped with an open belfry, in which
hung a small, sharp-toned bell, brought from Holland
shortly after its erection, and afterwards (1840) hung in
the belfry of the district school-house in Middagh street
Third Ward of Brooklyn. The interior was plain, dark
and very gloomy; so that, in summer, one could not see
THE SECOND BBBUCKBLBN CHUBCH, 1766.
his ministry, in the year 1666, the first church edifice
in Breuckelen was erected in the middle of the high-
way, now Fulton avenue, near Lawrence street. Tra-
dition says it was built on the walls of a stone fort,
constructed in the early days of the settlement for pro-
tection against the savages. This first church re-
mained in existence just a century, being pulled down
in the year 1766.
The second church, which was then built, stood on the
same site, in the middle of the road leading from the Ferry
into the country, which road is now known as Fulton
avenue. Immediately opposite to it (on the west side
of that avenue, and between Bridge and Lawrence
streets), was a burying-ground, unprotected by
fence or enclosure. The road was spacious, and
to read in it after four o'clock in the afternoon, by rea-
son of its small windows. These were six or eight feet
above the floor and filled with stained-glass lights from
Holland, representing vines loaded with flowers.
The old town of Breuckelen, it will be remembered,
comprised, at this time, several divisions or settlements,
each possessing local names which yet cling to them, m
spite of the streets, squares and avenues of the new city
of Brooklyn— Gowanus, Bed Hook, Bedford, Cripple-
bush, Wallabout—a.nd for all these the old church occu-
pied a very central position.
" The Collegiate Dominies," says Mr. Van Pelt, "had
many pious people and firm friends in Brooklyn. Al-
most every house was as open to them as their own
homes, and one in particular, opposite the church, was
BREJTCKELEN AND FLATS USH GHURGSE8.
333
especially designated ' The Dominie's House." This was
convenient for rest between services on the Sabbath ;
for receiving applications for baptism, membership, etc. ;
for meeting the Consistory, Church-Masters, and others;
and for attending generally to official duties."
By the death of Dominie Polhemus, the churches of
Kings County were deprived of the regular preaching
of the Gospel, and the Breuckelen church invited the
Rev. Mr. Nieuwenhausen, of New Amsterdam, to sup-
ply their pulpit, which he did until the year leYV. In
that year the collegiate churches of the county extended
a call to the Rev. Caspaects Van Zueen, from Holland,
who was installed on the 6th of September at Flatbush.
Until that time, the members of the church residing at
the New Lotts (as the eastern part of Flatbush was
termed), had been represented in the government of
the Midwout Church. But, in 1681, the Consistory was
so enlarged as to allow an elder and one deacon to be
chosen from the New Lotts membership. Of Van
Zuren little is known, except that he was an industrious
and systematic man. In 1685 he returned to Holland,
where he resumed his former charge over the church,
at Gonderac.
The records of the church at Flatbush during Van
Zuren's pastorate present the following minutes, which
may not be uninteresting to our readers :
" Eeapeoting another difficulty, touohing the preaching at
Flatbush beyond the usual turn. It was asked, inasmuch as
thia[i. e., a similar case] had occurred at a previous meeting,
on the 15th of November, 1679, whether, when the, town
which has the turn shall neglect to fetch the minister, or be
hindered by foul weather, such ought to pass for a turn for
Flatbush — which appeared improper, because in such case
the minister would then [only] sit still. After some debate
between Flatbush and the other towns, the minister observed
that the service on the Lord's day might not be neglected ;
for it could not injure the other towns that Flatbush had an
extra turn, for the other towns thereafter again took their
course [i.e., their respective turns]. That the minister not
being fetched by anybody, evidently belonged no more to
the one than to the other, and in such a case he stood free
on his own feet to give the extra turn to whom he pleased ;
that Flatbush received profit, but the other towns no injury,
[and] that this was unjust no one could pretend ; and that
Flatbush was not obligated to the other towns, but to the
mmister whom they remunerated, which was evident, inas-
much as they had purchased a piece of land 16 rods long and
13 broad, adjoining the parsonage ; and this ought to be
duly considered, although no person ought to be a judge in
his own case ; therefore the minister advised that this dif-
ference be referred and submittted to the Honorable the
Consistory of New York."
On the 14th of October, 1680, the following was
agreed to, being article 7 of a new agreement with the
minister, viz :
"Those of Flatbush shall provide that the minister's field
be enlarged two morgen, in order that the minister may
keep a horse and suitably attend to the service of the Church,
and also make all necessary repairs to the fences, dwelling,
itchens, well, and appurtenances, with earnest desire and
integrity of heart."
The interference of the British authorities, who then
held the Dutch colonies in subjection, with the concerns
of the Reformed Dutch churches, produced much un-
easiness and a considerable show of opposition among
the inhabitants of the four towns. And in 1680 the
Church Council, assembled in synod at Flatbush, form-
ally resolved that the charge and management of church
lands and property belonged to the Church Council,
and was secured to them by the Charter of Freedoms ;
and, furthermore, that the English officials were, by
their oaths of office, bound to protect and not to abridge
the rights of the church. They also chose church
masters, to take charge of the church property ; and
these officers were reappointed for several successive
years.
The Rev. Rudolphus Van Vaeick was the next
minister of Kings County, from 1685 to 1694. During
the Leislerian troubles, in 1669, he had been one of the
Dutch ministers who stood out against the authority
of Leisler, and was treated with much harshness, being
dragged from his home, cast into the jail, deposed from
his ministerial functions, and fined heavily. These
severities undoubtedly hastened his death. His con-
gregation, also, were divided, and many of them refused
to pay his salary according to the terms upon which
they called him from Holland — especially, as he says,
in a petition to the Governor, Sept. 11th, 1691, for the
six months of his imprisonment. The Court ordered
the arrears of salary due him by his congregation to be
collected, hy distress, if necessary. Mr. Varick was
naturalized on the 29th of July, 1686, and his posterity
are to be found on the island.
Second Church erected at Flatbush, 1698. —
He was succeeded by the Rev. Wilhelmtjs Ltjpaedus,
whose ministry was terminated by death in IVOl or 2.
During his ministry (1698) a sum equal to 86,291 was
raised by subscription for the erection of a new (the
second) church in Flatbush. It was built upon the site
of the first church; but unlike it, was of stone, and
larger, being 50x65 feet. The front was the longer
side, facing toward the main road, vidth a high-arched
doorway, with double doors, in the centre. The roof,
starting from each of the four walls met in the centre,
forming a high and steep " hip-roof," surmounted by a
small steeple. The pulpit was in the middle of the west
side of the building, facing the door. The male portion of
the congregation was seated in a continuous pew along
the wall, which was divided into 20 compartments,
with doors to each. In the centre of the building chairs
were arranged in seven rows, or blocks, for seating the
females and children, each chair being numbered, or
marked with the name of the occupant or family, on
the back. As the first church had contained apart-
ments for the minister, it was now necessary to erect
a parsonage. This was built of stone, on the lot im-
mediately south of, and about 150 feet from the church.
This building was taken down in 1852, when the pre-
334
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
sent parsonage was built. After this church was com-
pleted, arrangements were made by which interments
were allowed under the church, upon payment of a
liberal fee; and the care of this matter was entrusted
to the village schoolmaster, who, in addition to £4 paid
to the church, for every adult interred, was to receive
a stipulated sum (about $10) for his own benefit. All
the ministers, of the church, who died at Flatbush, dur-
ing the time of the second edifice, were buried beneath
it. It was probably completed about 1702.
Being thus again deprived of a regular ministry, the
people of the four towns empowered the elders of the
churches within said towns to procure a minister, "either
out of the province or out of Holland," and the^elders
determined upon the Rev. Bbenaedus Fkeemaw, of
^2^ ^/y«^ic>«-s«^
Schenectady, and applied to the Governor, Lord Corn-
bury, for permission to call him. Their action, how-
ever, although well-meant, gave rise to a contention
which was destined to distract and agitate the inhabi-
tants of Kings County for many succeeding years. The
people, always jealous of the English power, to
which they were unwilling subjects, and particularly
sensitive to any interference of that power with their
ecclesiastical affairs, were highly indignant because the
elders had seen fit to ask the Governor's permission to
call Mr. Freeman. In Flatbush, the disaffected even
went so far as to convene a town-meeting, whereat the
regular elders of that church were deposed from oifice
and new ones elected in their stead, who were instructed
forthwith to send for Mr. Freeman; while, at Breuoke-
len, certain busy-bodies went around endeavoring to get
signatures to a petition or call to the said Freeman, and
also for the choosing of three new elders /rom that
town, as had been done at Flatbush. Their discontent
was undoubtedly encouraged by Dominie Freeman's
evident desire to come among them — although in
direct opposition to the expressed desire of his own
church at Schenectady.
The legal examination of the contending parties be-
fore the Council, resulted in the decision by Governor
Cornbury : " The petitioners should not call or receive
Mr. Freeman. But they were left at liberty to send
for such Minister as they should think fit, from HoUand
or any other place, as hath been customary."
The opposition to Mr. Freeman, from the Governor,
the people of his charge at Schenectady, and the dis-
affected minority in Flatbush and Brueckelen, although
it retarded, did not defeat his settlement in Kings
County. Late in the year 1 705, he received the Gover-
nor's permission, and was installed at New Utrecht ;
but his troubles were not yet over. While his adher-
ents had been foistering him into the pastorate, his
opponents had formally applied to the Classis at Amster-
dam for a minister; and, in response to their request,
the Rev. Vincbntius Antonides arrived from the
Fatherland on the first of January, 1705-6, and was duly
installed at Flatbush, assuming the charge of the four
churches, to which, in 1702, had been added the newly
formed church of Jamaica.
The controversy between the two parties rapidly
increased in bitterness and extent. Freeman's adherents,
conscious of the protection of the Governor and Coun-
cil, formally demanded that the church books, lands,
and stock should be delivered into their keeping ; to
which the " original " church party very naturally
demurred. The Governor issued a warrant to the
authorities of the Flatbush and Breuckelen churches, to
deliver up said property and books to Mr. Freeman; to
which the elders of the churches of Breuckelen, Plat-
bush, and Flatlands replied by a counter-petition, recit-
ing the circumstances attending Dominie Antonides'
settlement, asserting that Mr. Freeman was " only called
minister for the town of New Utrecht," and "has
entered upon two of the same churches without any
lawful call, and has continually obstructed their minis-
ter, etc., and conclude by calling for a council, composed
of some of her Majesty's Council and the deputies of
the Dutch churches of the province, by whom the mat-
ter may be fully examined and decided.
After a full and patient hearing of all the testimony
in the case, the Council sent in majority and minority
reports to the Governor. The former, finds " that Mr.
Antonides is duly and regularly called minister of the
said towns of Brookland, Flatbush, and Flatlands,
according to the discipline, practice, and constitution of
the Dutch churches of the towns aforesaid, and that
Mr. Freeman is duly called minister of New Utrecht,
on the said island, and we believe is likewise minister of
Bushwick, though it has not been proved before us. '
The minority report, finds that " Mr. Freeman is justly
and legally called and entitled to the ministry of the
churches of Breukland, Flatbush, New Utrecht, and
Boswyck." The majority report, however, in favor of
Mr. Antonides, was accepted by the Governor and
Council, who thereupon promulgated an order directing
THE CCETUS COJSTTItOVEESY.
335
that Mr. Freeman and Mr. Antonidee should preach at
all the said churches in Kings County, alternately, and
divide all the profits equally, share and share alike ; if
either of them refused to comply with the order, he
was to be dismissed.
But neither dominie or their adherents would obey,
and so the weary quarrel went on, to the great discredit
of human nature and the Christian religion, until it had
vexed the souls of four Royal Governors and their
Councils.
Near the close of the year 1714 the long contest was
happily terminated by a convention of delegates from
the several congregations, who mutually agreed to lay
aside their ancient differences, and acknowledge Messrs.
Freeman and Antonides as their ministers. Breuckelen,
Bushwick, Flatbush, Flatlands, New Utrecht, and even
Jamaica, were all included within the charge. It was
arranged that one minister should preach on one Sab-
hath in Bushwick, and the other in New Utrecht ; the
next Sabbath, one in Brooklyn, and the other in Flat-
lands ; on the third Sabbath, one in Flatbush, the other
in Jamaica ; aud so on, in regular rotation. As to
communions, Bushwick, Brooklyn, and Flatbush were
to commune together ; Flatlands, Gravesend, and New
Utrecht, together; and the congregations of Queens
County should form another communion. Both the
dominies thereafter resided at Flatbush, in the pleasant
and harmonious discharge of their duties. They were
esteemed as men of respectable talents and acquire-
ments.
It now became necessary to procure another parsonage.
The congregations, therefore, purchased from Johannes
Johnson a house on the main road (near the corner of
Vernon Avenue, and more lately known as the Hess
property), in Flatbush. This building was used as a
parsonage until 1809.
Daring their ministry the Reformed Dutch Churches
of New Netherlands were sadly agitated by the ques-
tion concerning the organization oi a,Cmtus, or assembly
of ministers and elders, in this country, subordinate to
thfr Classis of Amsterdam. This unhappy controversy
continued until 1772, and so alienated and embittered
were the opposing parties, that many would not worship
together with, or even speak to, those of the other
party. "Sometimes" (says Steong, Hist. Flatbush,)
" they would not turn out when they met on the road.
On one occasion, it is said that two of these redoubtable
opponents, belonging to Flatbush, meeting in their
wagons, and both refusing to give the road, they each
deliberately took out their pipes and began to smoke !
How long they continued at this very pacific employ-
ment is not stated, nor is it said whether the diificulty
between them was lost sight of by the cloud of
smoke obscuring their vision, or whether their pipes
were ever turned into the calumet of peace."
Freeman was born at Gilhius, Holland ; received a
call to Schenectady, to which charge he was ordained
March 16, 1700 ; learned the Mohawk language, and
made many Indian converts. In 1721 he published a
volume of sermons entitled " The Balances of God's
Grace," and printed in Amsterdam ; also one called
" De Spiegel der Selfkennis " (or Mirror of Self-knowl-
edge), a collection, in the Dutch language, of ancient
moral and philosophical maxims, displaying a great
amount of learning and research. In 1735 he purchased
seven acres of land at Flatbush, and built a house,
which is still standing, although altered ; and died in
the year 1741. His successor in 1742 was the Rev. Jo-
hannes Akondbus, from Rotterdam, a man of contu-
macious spirit, and irregular life. He quarrelled with
his new colleague, Van Sinderen, very soon after the
latter's arrival ; and, in May, 1747, he went off secretly,
as was alleged, to the Raritan, where he was installed
as minister ; returning, however, July 31, 1748, to
Kings county, where he resumed his functions, es-
pecially in Brookland and New Utrecht. His outraged
parishioners brought charges against him before the
Coetus, which he refused to notice, whereupon he was
declared to be an unlawful minister of Kings County,
but persisted in officiating there. On appeal to the
Classis the action of the Coetus was confirmed, and on
April 16, 1752, sentence was passed upon Arondeus,
but was, however, totally disregarded by him. Pro-
posals of peace for Long Island were offered (December
5, 1752) by the Classis of Amsterdam. On the 20th of
September, 1753, the Ccetus confirmed anew their
former sentence. The last time he baptized a child, in
Queens County, was at Jamaica, in April, 1754. He
probably remained on the island, leading a dissolute life,
until 1773.
Mr. Antonides died July 18, 1744, at Flatbush, in his
74th year. He was a gentleman of extensive learning ;
of an easy, condescending behavior and conversation,
and of a regular, exemplary piety, kind, benevolent and
X^32^ ,
charitable to all, according to his abilities ; meek, hum-
ble, patriotic, and resigned under all afflictions, losses,
calamities, and misfortunes which befell him in his own
person and family, which were not a few. He was
succeeded by the Rev. Ulpianus Van Sindbeen, a
native of Holland, in the year 1746. He began to preach
at Flatbush, April 19, 1747.
Upon the deposition from the ministerial office of the
Rev. Mr. Arondeus, his place was filled by the Rev.
Antonius Cuetbni0s, from Hackensack, N. J., who was
intalled as Van Sinderen's colleague, May 2, 1755, and
died in October, 1756, aged fifty-eight years. He was
regularly educated ; and remarkable for indefatigable
diligence in his pastoral duties. He was succeeded by
386
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Johannes Caspaeus Rubel, a native of Hesse Cassel,
Germany, wlio had been settled at Red Hook, until
August, 175 7, when lie was called to be the colleague
of Van Sinderen, over the churches of Kings County.
He had previously led an insubordinate clerical life ; was
naturalized on the 23d of December, 1765 ; and in June,
1769, styled himself " Ecclesiastes in Kings County and
in the Manor of Cortland ;" and in August, 1770, " Min-
ister of Clarkstown " — probably on the strength of his
having occasionally filled a pulpit there.
Both of these gentlemen continued in the work of
the ministry until after the close of the Revolutionary
war. In politics they differed extremely, Mr. Van Sin-
deren being a firm Whig, while Mr. Rubel was as de-
cided a loyalist. Colonel Geatdon's Memoirs gives us
the following spirited picture of the two pastors. " The
principal person in a Low Dutch village appears to be
the Dominie or minister, and Flatbush, at this time,
revered her dominie, Rubel, a rotund, jolly-looking
man, a follower of Luther, and a Tory. * * * At
Flatlands there was also a dominie, Van Zinder[en], a
disciple of Calvin, and a Whig. He was, in person and
principle, a perfect contrast to Mr. Rubel, being a lean
and shrivelled little man, with a triangular sharp-pointed
hat, and silver locks which 'streamed like a meteor
flowing to the troubled air,' as he whisked along with
great velocity in his chaise through Flatbush. He was
distinguished by a species of pulpit eloquence which
might be truly said to
' brmg matters home to
men's business and bo-
soms.' Mr. Bache as-
sured me that, in once
descanting of the wily
arts of the devil, he
likened him to my land-
lord, ' sneaking and
skulking about to get a
shot at a flock of snipes,'
in shooting of which
it seems Jacob was
eminently skillful."
Steong's Flatbush relates that he was " too much in the
habit of introducing the occurrences of the week pre-
vious in his sermons on the Sabbath, and often would
allude to very trifling circumstances. On one occasion,
a good elder, who had borne with the Dominie in this
particular till his patience was exhausted, very injudi-
ciously, under the excitement of his feelings, rose in his
seat during divme service, and interrupted Mr. Van
Sinderen by saying that they had called him to preach
the gospel, and not to detail to them such matters.
The Dominie, indignant at being stopped in his dis-
course, leaned over the pulpit and replied : ' You,
Philip Nagle.-if you can preach the gospel better than
I can, come up here and try !' "
In 1784 the Consistory of Flatbush and the other
Ket. tTLPIANUS VAN SINDEREN.
churches of Kings County complained to the Synod of
N. Y., concerning the shortcomings of both of
their ministers. Van Sinderen and Rubel, and request-
ing to be released from them ; one (Van Sinderen)
being useless from advanced age, and the other (Eubel)
being of notoriously bad habits. All the witnesses
agreed that they had nothing against Van Sinderen ex-
cept his age, and that the breach between him and
Rubel had gone so far that the old Dominie could not
control his temper. Rubel was, therefore, deposed in
1784, but continued to reside in Flatbush, devoting his
time to the preparation of quack-medicines, and in his
advertisements styles himself " Minister of the Gospel
and Chymicus." He died in 1797, and his solitary
tomb-stone is still existing in the Flatbush churchyard.
Mr. Van Sinderen, at the request of the Consistory,
resigned his pastoral charge in June, 1784, although he
received a stated salary until his death, at Flatlands,
on 23d of July, 1796, in his 89th year, and was buried
there. He was a learned but eccentric man.
With Messrs. Van Sinderen and Rubel, the European
Dutch ministry in Kings county ceased. During their
ministry, in 1774, the Flatbush church was remodelled,
the chairs being superseded by 65 pews, each contain-
ing six seats apiece.
In 1785, the Rev. Maetinus Schoonmakbe, a native
of Ulster county, N. Y., then officiating at Harlem and
Gravesend, accepted a call to take charge of the colle-
giate churches of the county, to which the church at
Gravesend was then added ; -
and, on the 28th of October,
1787, the Rev. Pbtbe Lowe
was ordained at New Utrecht
as his colleague. The former
officiated in the Dutch lan-
guage until his death, in 1824;
and the latter, in the English
tongue. In their regular rota-
tion through the county, four
churches would be closed, and
two open, for divine worship
on the Sabbath. Such, how-
ever, is the peculiar position
of the county, and the easy
communication between the
several towns, that, with the
exception of Bushwick and Gravesend, each of the
others could quite conveniently follow the muiisters,
who consequently preached to full and crowded houses.
Mr. Schoonmaker, while holding the pastorate of the six
collegiate churches of Kings county, received a salary
of £150 per annum. He resided at Flatbush, where he
spent the remainder of his life in the faithful discharge
of his labors as a minister of God.
He was a man of reserved and retiring habits ; more
so, perhaps, from the circumstance that it was exceed-
ingly difficult for him to hold even a common conversa'
'IKV. PETER LOWK.
CSUR OH MASTERS— JSFJEW GRUR GH AT FLA TB USH.
337
tion without mangling most horribly the English lan-
guage. Fluent and ready in the language in which he
was educated, he displayed, by his manner and ges-
twes, all the dignity and sincerity applicable to his
position and functions. Courteous and polite, he was
a relic of the old school, and universally respected.
Indeed, it may be questioned whether the venerable old
minister had a solitary enemy. An anecdote was,
many years ago, in common circulation, which some
may consider a slander upon his abilities and acquire-
ments. Having celebrated a marriage, at the close of
the ceremony, for the benefit of the spectators, he at-
tempted to terminate it in English with the sentence,
" I pronounce you man and wife, and one flesh ; whom
God hath joined together, let no man put asunder."
His English failed him ; yet, conscious of perfect recti-
tude, and the propriety of a shorter translation, with
OLD BUSHWICK CHTJItCH.
much solemnity and emphasis, he exclaimed : "I pro-
nounce.you two to he one heef! " He died May 20, 1824,
aged 8T years. With him ceased the regular public
and official use of the Dutch language in all the pulpits
of the Dutch Reformed churches. He was succeeded
by the Rev. Peter Lowe (his colleague since October
28, 1787), who, since April 10, 1792, had preached the
afternoon service every Sunday in the English language.
"Church Masters," superseded by Trustees,
1785 ; and Seal of the Flatbush Church.— It may
here be mentioned, also, that, in 1785, the Ghurch-
Masters elected, during the preceding 170 years, by the
Gremeente," or congregation, were superseded by
Trustees, under the Legislative Act of 1784, and it is
probable that the first seal of the Flatbush church was
also then adopted. This has quite an elaborate and
curious design. At its top is represented the final
coming of the Son of God, in clouds. In the fore-
ground stands a preacher proclaiming the fact, as he
points to the clouds, and utters the words, "Lo, He
Cometh." Five skulls, at his feet, represent the dead
rising from their graves at the resurrection. On his
left are the lost souls peering out from the flames;
while, on his right hand stand the righteous. Encir-
cling this device is the corporate title of the church :
" The Seal of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church,
of Flatbush." In 1867, after the change of the corpo-
rate name of the denomination by dropping the word
" Dutch " from the title, this seal was replaced by a
new one, adopted Feb. 8, 1875, simply bearing the
corporate title of the church.
The plan of government by trustees
continued until 1804, when a special
act was passed by the Legislature,
providing that in the Reformed Dutch
churches in the State, the minister,
elders and deacons, should constitute
a Board of Trustees for the congrega-
tion.
A New Church Erected at
Flatbush, 1793. — In 1793, arrange-
ments were made for tearing down
the old church, which had become un-
safe, because of the peculiar construc-
tion of its roof. The building, now
standing, was three years in process
of construction. All the stones of the
old church were placed in its founda-
tions. The stones for the wall were
quarried at Hurlgate and brought to
Gowanus by water, whence they were
carted to Flatbush. The brown stone
used in the building was found in the
Brooklyn woods, and the bricks around
the doors and windows were brought
from Holland in ships belonging to Hon. John Vander-
bilt. At the completion of the church, in 1796, a fine
bell, imported expressly from Holland, was presented
to the church by the same gentleman. The vessel in
which the bell was shipped was captured by the British
and carried into Halifax. It was a singular fact that
the second or third time the bell was used was at the
funeral of its donor. The new church was dedicated
in January, 1797.
In 1802, the Brooklyn church called a separate
pastor; and, in 1808, the Flatbush and Flatlands
churches called Mr. Lowe as their pastor. Thus the
collegiate connection of the six Kings county churches
was partially dissolved.
^otbusft in thfa^^ t' 'mu ^^ chapter relative to the Flatbush Church, we are indebted to the Rev. B. G. Strong, the author of the History of
longlsland "Th^ jii^ ""'■' above givea, ot the old Bu3hwicl£ Church, represents a form of edifloenotunoommouto the Dutch churches of
"". J.aose of New Utrecht, and ot Jamaica, were of this octagonai, oonioal-roof ed design.— Editor.
HISTORY
OF THE
BENCH AND BAR
OF KINGS COUNTY,
1668-1832.
By
-^^^^^^^S^^^>-^^
Esq.
IT was said by De Tocqueville, the profound and
variously accomplished commentator on American
Democracy — a work which was the result of his
own personal observation — that, in our great com-
mercial cities, the lawyers, merchants, or men of trade
constitute what he deemed an aristocracy.
This is, to a certain extent, true ; for experience
has strongly demonstrated that when the possession of
actual capital, in the various forms it is capable of
assuming, becomes in any way affiliated with those
classes whose native intellectual powers have been
expanded and energized by education, these, for many
purposes, form a single class, in which mind and money
create an influence so powerful that it wields fully as
much power here as the real aristocracy of Europe can
command ; and, if not an aristocracy, it is a powerful
element in American society.
In our population of 50,155, 783, as it was numbered
a little over two years ago, there were 64,137 lawyers,
or, one in every 782 of men, women, and children. But
what is of even more significance is the fact that the
ratio is an increasing one. Twelve years ago there was
but one lawyer to every 946 persons in the population.
Nor yet does this growing numerical statement express,
even approximately, the influence on American society
of its lawyers.
If this is true concerning the blended influence
of merchants, their sagacity and wealth, with that
of the learning, acumen and executive ability of the
lawyers ; the allegation that a large portion of the
laws enacted in the United States owe their origin,
directly or indirectly, to the legal profession, aided by
the influence of the merchants and monied interests, is
by no means an exaggeration. Indeed, a close and fair
examination of the origin of these laws fully sustains
the statement.
The administration of law in our courts of justice —
in many instances really equivalent in practice to the
law-making powej- itself — naturally devolves upon thoBe
who have made our system of jurisprudence a study.
Those who understand the philosophy of law, who are
acquainted with the laws in existence, familiar with
their various (often conflicting) interpretations, are pre-
sumed to be capable of deciding what new laws are
necessary, or what modifications of existing laws the
progress of society demands. Hence, the commercial
class never fails to appeal to the large representation
of the bar always found in the law-making department
— the state or national legislature, for the enactment of
statutes touching its interest.
The elevated character of these classes, their intelli-
gence, their high sense of honor, their interest in the
perpetuity of the nation, in all that tends to the advance-
ment of morality, religion, and education, have resulted
in the enactment and enforcement of salutory laws.
The proper enforcement of law is due, in a gi-eat
measure, to a judiciary whose habits of patient, learned
and impartial investigation, quick perception, power of
analysis and combination, and liberal hearts, rendered
them, indeed, high priests of the law, in whose censers
unhallowed incense never burned.
The legal and commercial history of Kings^County
demonstrates the truth of the foregoing remarks, inas-
much as the two great classes referred to have left the
most indubitable evidence of their influence in develop-
ing its vast resources and in conducting it to its present
high and commanding position. Its commercial history
will be found in another part of this work ; while its
legal history, or the history of its Bench and Bae, will
be found in the following pages.
Immediately after the formation of Kings County, in
1683, by an act of the Colonial Assembly, dividing the
province into counties, and abolishing the ridings which
previously existed, its bar was organized.
Upon its roll are the names of many master spirits ;
those who possessed the enthusiasm of poetry and elo-
COURT-HOUSES OF KINGS COUNTY.
339
quence, who were endowed with the knowledge of law,
and capability of incisive, methodical, ingenius argu-
ment ; those whose acquaintance with precedent, whose
depth of investigation and power of penetration, and
whose administrative faculties eminently qualified them
for the career of the legislator and statesman ; this is
the solemn judgment of history.
Before the Revolution, Colonial Judges of high at-
tainments presided over the Courts of Kings County,
while lawyers of every degree of talents and learning
tried cases before them. Since the revolution. Judges,
whose names are resplendent in legal history, have pre-
sided over its Courts. John Maeshail, John Jat,
Joseph Stoey, Oliver Ellsworth, Busheod Wash-
ington, Samuel Nelson, and many other great Judi-
cial oflScers of the United States Supreme Court, have
sat on its bench. Brockholst Livingston, John
Sloss Hobeet, James Kent, Ambrose Spencer, Wil-
liam L. Marct, Eseck Cowan, John W. Edmonds,
and many other historic Judges of the Supreme Court,
all of whom are numbered with the dead, have presided
over its Courts. We might name an equally distin-
guished line of living Judges who have pronounced
the law from its bench.
At its bar Hamilton and Burr often appeared. The
first seemed born for every sphere of greatness. Equal-
ly conversant with government in its principles and
administrations in detail; he wrote and spoke with
equal power and equal distinction. "A profound jurist;
in some sense one of the founders of commercial law in
this country ; who, at a time when that branch of juris-
prudence was terra incognita to the profession of New
York, had explored its foundations and had become
familiar with its principles ; who had studied Valon and
Emerigon, and was among the first to introduce those
-authors to his legal brethren." The latter, as Chan-
cellor Kent said of him, was quick, acute, terse, polished,
sententious ; often in forensic discussions, sarcastic and
ironical, and who seemed to disdain all illustration and
expansion, confining himself with singular stringency to
the point in discussion.
Here, too, Brockholst Livingston, afterwards an ac-
complished Judge of the State and Federal Courts, as
we have seen, and who as an advocate was " copious,
fluent, abounding in skillful, sharp, analogies and beau-
tiful reflections, with a mind familiar with the best
classical productions in ancient and modem literature,
and adorned by a highly cultivated taste, and whose
forte lay in ingenious and powerful addresses to the jury,
contended for his clients."
JosiAH Ogden Hopeman, Daniel Loed, James T.
Beady, Ogden Hopeman, Wm. Curtis Noyes, and
many others among the illustrious dead, and many
among the distinguished living have, and still do, appear
at this bar.
We shall now proceed to describe the Halls of Jus-
tice, or Court-houses and other buildings which have
been used in the administration of justice; some of the
proceedings of the Courts, the judiciary and the bar of
Kings county. We shall begin with a description of
its Court-houses.
The First Court-house in Kings County at
Gravesend, 1668-1687. — The first Court-house in
Kings county was erected in 1668, at Gravesend. It
stood on one of the squares of the original village-plat,
near the present site of the Reformed Dutch Church.
Here the Courts were held until 1686, when, in accord-
ance with the provisions of an act of the Colonial Assem-
bly, passed Nov. 1, 1685, they were removed to Flat-
bush. One reason assigned for this removal was the
inconvenience to some people traveling so far from
their residences to attend Court at Gravesend.*
First Court-house of Flatbush, 1686-1758.—
Flatbush, from its geographical position, was central to
all the county. Here, in 1686, the Court-house was
erected, standing on ground long known as the " Court
house Lot," now belonging to the estate of Hon. John
A. Lott. Its site is now occupied by the fine residence
of Mr. Abraham A. Lott. It was a small, unpretending
building, and was wholly devoted to the use of the
Courts ; the Jail being separate from it. In the winter
of 1757-8 one of these buildings was burned, and the
other, the Court-house, was saved by the energetic ef-
forts of the people, who extinguished the fire by throw-
ing snow-balls upon it.
Second Court-house and Jail at Flatbush.—
It was afterwards taken down and a new building
erected ; a part of it was used for a Court-house, and
a part for the Jail. It was two stories high, well lighted ;
the lower floor being divided by a hall running east and
west ; on the south side was the jailor's room, and on
the north was the jail apartment.
It was a grim and gloomy room, something between
a dungeon and a block-house, and was constructed of
heavy oak plank, fastened to solid timbers of the same
by heavy wrought-iron spikes driven a few inches
apart. The floor was made of the same material, and
in the same way. The doors were also made of heavy
oaken timbers, about four or five inches thick ; the
planks running diagonally, and defended by heavy iron
bars, running horizontally across the door. Towards
the top of the door was a diamond-shaped opening, of
about eight inches in area, strongly bound by iron.
The hinges and lock were very heavy ; taken together,
the door was a ponderous, unwieldy affair.
The room was lighted by two grated windows open-
ing into the street, or common, near the jail. These
grates were occasionally cut by the prisoners with in-
struments secretly conveyed to them by friends. It is
related that on one occasion, the grates to one of these
windows were cut, after a long period of secret labor ;
the marks made by the instrument being filled with a
material which resembled the iron, until all the pieces
* See excerpt from Court Record, given on page 168.
340
HISTORY 01 KINGS COUNTY.
were ready to be removed. Through the aperture thus
made, three prisoners effected their escape in the night.
Another attempted to escape, but being quite corpu-
lent, he only succeeded in getting his body half way
out, where he was held in limbo by the sharp pieces of
the surrounding grate. The agony produced by this
situation was terrible, but he endured it until he
thought his fellow-captives were beyond recapture ;
then he made the air ring with his agonizing cries for
help. As his body had swollen by the irritation of the
irons against it, it was impossible to extricate him, ex-
cept by the tedious process of cutting away the bars
which held him. When finally rescued, he was nearly
dead.
In the second story of this building was the Court-
room, large and commodious for the times, with a
bench for the judges, desk for the clerk, bar for the
lawyers, two rows of chairs for the jurors, an antique
dock for prisoners, and a large number of comtortable
seats for spectators.
During the Revolutionary war, while the British
were in possession of Long Island, the gay and festive
English officers caused this court-room to be converted
into a ball-room, by the removal of its furniture and
fixtures. Here, for several years, instead of the alter-
cations and arguments of lawyers, opinions and charges
of judges, music with its voluptuous swell was heard,
to whose inspiring notes, elegant English officers, with
their wives, daughters, and the wives and daughters of
their tory friends, joined in the dance.
The original cost of this building was £448, which
was raised by assessment laid upon the taxable inhabi-
tants of the county. "In 1792, this building was
found so small and inconvenient, so much out of repair,
that a more commodious court-house was demanded.
Accordingly, in that year, measures were adopted for
the erection of a building more suitable to the in-
creased wealth and population of the county. It was
much larger that the one we have described, though
built on much the same plan. The plan, says the his-
torian, was drawn by Mr. James Robinson, and was
described in the minutes of the Board of Supervisors,
as ' The Wooden Plan,' probably from the fact that
plans for erecting a building out of other material had
been submitted to the Board."
The commissioners to superintend the erection of this
Court-house and Jail were John Vanderbilt, Johannes
E. Lott and Charles Doughty, Esq. But Mr. Vander-
bilt having resigned, Rutgert Van Brunt was ap-
pointed in his place.
The old Court-house was sold at auction to Michael
Van Cleef, who sold the timbers to Rev. Martinus
Schoonmaker. He converted them into a very respect-
able dwelling-house, afterwards occupied for many
years by his son, Stephen Schoonmaker.
The Third Court-house, at Flatbush, 1793-
1832. — The new Court-house and Jail was completed
in 1793. Its architecture differed from that of the old
Court-house in this : it had a double-pitch, or curved
roof, and was surmounted by a small cupola. Like the
former building, the court-room was on the second
floor, and was used for school exhibitions, town meet-
ings and other public gatherings. The exterior was
painted red. Unfortunately for the cause of justice
the new Jail, constructed much on the plan of the old
was quite insecure ; and prisoners not infrequently es-
caped from it, although it was frequently repaired. It
was often facetiously remarked in those days, " that
prisoners were in great danger of falling out of Plat-
bush Jail."
On November 30th, 1832, the building took fire and
was burned to the ground. During the conflagration
all the prisoners confined in the jail, except one, labored
with great alacrity to extinguish the flames ; and when
all was over, voluntarily submitted to re-imprisonment,
provided in another place. From that time till the
erection and occupation of the jail in Brooklyn, prison-
ers arrested in Kings County were sent to the old
Bridewell prison, in the city of New York ; much to
the loss of the Sheriff of Kings County, and largely to
the gain of the Sheriff of New York ; for the fees for
conducting prisoners to Bridewell — which were quite
heavy — were, by statute, given to the New York
Sheriff.
From the time of the destruction of the Court-house
by fire, Flatbush ceased to be the county town of Kings
County ; its courts and all its judicial and other busi-
ness was transferred to Brooklyn.
Temporary Court Accommodations, 1832-
1837. — During the five years following the burning of
the Court-house and Jail at Flatbush, the courts of the
county were held in the Apprentice's Library, in Nash's
Exchange building, on the corner of Fulton and Cran-
berry streets, Brooklyn.
We shall now proceed to describe
The Early Courts of Kings County.— Courts
of Justice, except the Admiralty Court, were organized
in the colony of New York by the Enghsh under the
authority of the code known as " The Duke's Laws,"
promulgated at an assembly convened at Hempstead,
Long Island, by Governor Nichols, in 1665. These
were a Court of Assizes, Court of Sessions, and Tmm
Courts. Authority was given at the same time for
Courts of Oyer and Terminer. The Dutch Courts of
Burgomasters and Schepens, were changed to the
Mayor's Court of New York.
The above composed what may be called the Mrst
Judicial System, which existed from 1665 to 1683. The
Governor, however, was empowered by his commission
to establish also a Court of Admiralty.
Under the Second Judicial System (1683 to 1691),
the Town, or Justices' Courts, Courts of Session and
Oyer and Terminer, were continued, and a Court 01
Chancery established.
EABLT TOWN AlfD JUSTICES' COURTS
341
The ThvrdJudicial System was inaugurated in 1691,
and continued during the Colonial Period. It preserved
the Court previously established and ^added, for the
first time, a Court of Common Pleas and Supreme
Court, into which last, however, the Court of Oyer and
Terminer was merged.
These Courts continued in existence down to the
Revolution. After the formation of our Government
the Court of Sessions, the Court of Chancery, the Su-
preme Court, the Court of Common Pleas and Court of
Oyer and Terminer were continued ; their procedure
remaining as it was during the Colonial Period, with
such modifications as the new government required,
down to 1821, when more changes were made in the
proceedings of the Courts.
make necessary orders or by-laws " for the welfare and
improvement of their towne provided they are not re-
pugnant to ' The Duke's Laws,' nor impose a penalty of
higher than 20s. for an offence." In civil suits it had
jurisdiction as high as five pounds ; over that amount,
an appeal lay to the Court of Sessions. In 1683 this
Court was modified. It was held by three commis-
sioners on the first Wednesday in each month, in each
town in the county, and was empowered to determine
causes for debt and trespass, of forty shillings and un-
der, without a jury, unless the plaintiff or defendant at
the joining of issue made a demand in writing that the
case be tried by a jury.
Every Justice of the Peace, resident within any town
in the county, assisted by one of the freeholders of the
THE THIRD COUNTY COURT-HOtTSB, PLATBUSH.
By the Constitution of 1846, a radical change was
made in our judicial system. The Court of Chancery
was abolished ; the Supreme Court re-organized ; the
Court of Common Pleas and the old Court of Sessions
abolished ; a County Court and Court of Sessions in-
stituted ; the Court of Oyer and Terminer was retained
as a branch of the Supreme or Circuit Courts. The
Court for the Correction of Errors was abolished, and a
Court of Appeals instituted in its place.
In the county of Kings, as well as in all other coun-
ties in the State, there existed, during the Colonial Pe-
riod:
Town and Justices' Courts.— The High Consta-
hie of the Town, with five, at least, of the Overseers of
the Town, held a Town Court. They had power to
town, was vested with power to try such small causes
with a jury, provided one of the parties desired a trial
by jury. Subsequently three justices (one of whom
was to be of the quorum), were empowered to try with-
out a jury any offender who did not find bail within
twenty-four hours after being in custody, for any
offense under the degree of grand larceny, and to inflict
any punishment, so that it did not extend to life or
limb. Such three justices, with five freeholders, had
power, without previous indictment by a Grand Jury,
summarily to try slaves charged with murder, or other
capital felonies, and to punish them, even with death.
It will thus be seen that Justices of the Peace in
that early day were clothed with judicial power equal
to the power of our present Court of Sessions, and so
342
HISTORY OFKIITGS COUNTY.
far as the trial of slaves was concerned, were equal to
our present Court of Oyer and Terminer. We cannot
find, however, any records or any minutes kept by
these courts of any trial of a criminal, or of any civil
action, except trials for inferior crimes for the recovery
of small amounts.
The First Court of Record ever held in the
County of Kings, of which any reliable minutes can be
found, convened at Gravesend, March 17, 1668.
There were several causes tried during the sittings
of this Court ; one of them was a suit brought by
Peter Faltus against Nicholas Jammer for " tortiously
taking and converting to his own use one vehical known
as ye cart with ye attendant impliments, of ye value of
ten pounds." Several witnesses were sworn for the
respective parties, and the cause was, apparently, ex-
haustively tried. The plaintiff had a verdict for the
full amount of his claim, with six cents costs of suit.
This pittance contrasts strongly with the heavy bills of
cost now allowed to the successful party in such cases.
The proceedings of the Courts in those days were,
in many respects, similar to the procedure of the
Courts of the present time. They were opened by the
time-worn proclamation: "O, yes ! O, yes !! O, ye-es !!!"
&o., &c., still used in very many of our State courts.
The following is a copy of an ancient precept, issued
by one of the Justices of the Peace, of the County of
Kings, exhibiting one form of legal documents of the
olden time :
Kings County, i-ss. m, „ , „ -^ .. . ^,
' \ Thomas Sanders, Esq., Justice of the
[L. s.] peace for said County Assigned.
To all constables and other officers as well, within the said
county as elsewhere within the Colony of New York, to
whom the execution hereof doth or may concern, Greeting :
Whereas, I have Received Information and Charge against
one James Jones Lately Come from Lebanon In ye County
of Windham, in ye CoUony of Connecticut and Liveing, It is
Said in Kings County, at the house of one Alexander Griggs
Calls himself a Weaver a Lusty Well-Sott Likely man full
faced Browne Complextioned and wears a Black Wig Irish
man ; by birth by the brogue on his Speach Who is Charged
before me to be a Dangerous person and is suspected to have
Stolen a Silver Spoon or the biggest part Silver Spoon ; as
by a Warrant Produced and the complaint of William
Dreddy in Lebanon County Connecticut aforesd some time
in ye month of this present November.
Notwithstanding Sevvorall Indeavors for apprehension of
him he hath not as yett been apprehended but hath with-
drawn himself and fled— Lately from Lebanon in ye county
of Windham in ye Colloney of Connecticut and is come of
one County of Kings These are therefore in his majesty's
name to Command You and Every of You to make diligent
Search Within your Severall Prescincts and Districts for
Said James Jones and to make hue and Cry after him from
Towne to Towne from County to County and that as well by
horseman as footman Acordmg to Law. and if you shall find
the said James Jones That then you do Carry him before
some one of his magisties Justices of the Peace Within
the County or place Whare he shall be taken to be Dealth
withall Acording to Law Hereof fails not at your perils-
Given under my hand in Dutchess County this 17th day of
November, in the fourth year of our reaign, and In The
Year of our Lord God Everlasting Ano 1730.
Thomas Sanders, Justice.
To Adrien Hageman, High Sheriff In Kings County.
Pursue After the Person In This Hue and Cry.
Long before the Revolution, magistrates or justices
courts, with limited criminal and civil jurisdiction were
tribunals of considerable importance. Each town had
a number of magistrates, appointed by the Governor-
General of the colony.
Some idea may be gained of the nature of the courts
held by them from an entry in the records of the town of
Bushwiok of a singular sentence pronounced by a magis-
trate of that town upon Jan Van Leyden, as related in
the History of Bushwick, page 277.
The trial of a clergyman before a magistrate for im-
properly marrying a couple is also recorded. The trial
resulted in his conviction, and he was sentenced to
flogging and banishment. But on account of his ad-
vanced age, his punishment was commuted to banish-
ment.
At New Utrecht, in October, 1696, a man was tried
and convicted of stealing a cow-bell. He was sentenced
to stand, for the space of three hours, under a gallows,
with a halter around his neck and an empty scabbard
in his right hand.
In the record of Kings County Court of Sessions, for
November 12th, 1695, an order was made that Mad
Jane should be kept at the expense of the county, and
that "the deacons of each towne within the same, do
forthwith meet together and consider about their pro-
percons for maintainence of said Jane."
See also pages 166 and 168 for other extracts from the
diary of Gravesend Town Courts and Court of Sessions.
It is a singular fact, that this Court of Sessions had
a sort of military jurisdiction, as appears from the fol-
lowing:
At a Court of Sessions held at Gravesend on the 2d
day of January, 1643, a soldier was brought to trial
before that court for leaving his station while doing
duty as a guard or sentinel, for the purpose of getting
a drink of beer. He was found guilty. After a due
consultation the court sentenced him to sit on a wooden
horse during a parade, a pitcher in one hand and a
drawn sword in the other, to show that he liked beer
better than his duty, and that his courage was always
in proportion to the quantity of beer he drank.
Supreme Court.— The Supreme Court of the State
of New York was originally established by an act of
the Legislature, May 6th, 1691; continued by divers
acts, which, having expired by limitation in 1698, the
court was continued by proclamation January 19tli,
1699, and finally by an ordinance of the Governor and
Council, dated May 15th, 1699.
It was empowered to try all cases, civil, criminal or
mixed, as fully and amply as the English Courts of
Kings Bench. Any action amounting to upwards of
COUNTY G0UBT8— COURT OS SESSIONS.
343
twenty pounds could be commenced in, or removed to
it. It could correct the errors or revise the judgments
of inferior courts. Appeals lay from it to Governor
and Council for any judgment above £100 sterling,
which sum was increased to £300 sterling. It had four
terms in a year and always held its sittings in the City
of New York. The judges were ex-officio judges of
Nisi Prius, or trial courts. As from two to three
terms of these courts were held in each county — called
circuit courts, for the reason that judges made the cir-
cuit through the counties to hold them — these judges,
at the same time, held a court of Oyer and Terminer
and general jail delivery, in which some of the common
pleas judges of the county in which the court was held
joined.
This court consisted, at first, of five judges, two of
whom, together with the Chief Justice, constituted a
quorum. From llOl until 1758, it was composed of a
chief justice and two associate, or prisine judges.
In 1691, the salary of the chief -justice was £130, and
one associate £100 ; the other associate did not receive
a salary. In 1702, the chief-justice received a salary of
£300 and the fee of ten shillings on the first motion or
opening of every cause. The second judge £150, and
the associate £50.
In 11H; the chief-justice received from the Crown
£500 sterling, and £300 New York currency from the
province. The associate justices each received £200
provincial currency, and fees.
The manner in which attorneys in all the counties
were admitted to practice in all the courts of the State
were as follows: Gentlemen who had served seven
years under an attorney, were granted licenses to prac-
tice by the Governor, under his seal, on the recommen-
dation of the chief justice, and on subscribing the usual
oaths, which, among other things, contained a clause
that the persons taking the said oaths would never be
concerned in a duel.
We have thus given a history of the Colonial Su-
preme Court, because part of its procedure took place
in the County of Kings, as in all other counties of the
State. The judges of the court were appointed from
the different parts of the colony of New York. We
find among them no names from the County of Kings;
we shall therefore omit the names of these judges as
they were not judicial officers residing in Kings County.
Court of Common Pleas. — By an act of the Colo-
nial Legislature, passed in 1691, a Court of Common
Pleas was established in every county of the State, and
this was an early tribunal in the history of Kings
County. At first it was composed of one judge, with
three justices associated, but in 1*702 it was ordered
that the judge be assisted by two or more justices, in
holding the court.
This court had cognizance of causes above £5. The
first or presiding judge held a Court of General Ses-
sions of the Peace, for the trial of criminals; it was
held at the sittings of the Common Pleas. Its practice
assimilated both to the English King's bench, and Com-
mon Pleas at Westminster. Its errors were corrected
in the first instance by writs of error. Appeals were
allowed to the General Term of the Supreme Court,
from any judgment where the amount involved ex-
ceeded the amount of £20. The first judge and justices
thereof were appointed, at first, by the Governor and '
Council of the Colony of New York, and afterwards by
the Governor of the State. These courts were contin-
ued, without any material change; except, after 1821,
there were five judges in each county, of whom one
was designated as "first judge." By the Constitution
of 1846, the Courts of Common Pleas in all the counties
were abolished, and a County Court was instituted
in its place. Little of the proceedings of the Court of
Common Pleas of Kings County can be found recorded
till after the appointment of Nicholas Covenhoven, which
took place March 28th, 1785. The judges and other
officers for Kings County will be found in another place.
County Courts. — The Constitution of 1846 and the
present Constitution provides for the election in each
of the counties of the State, except the city and county
of New York, of one County Judge, who shall hold the
County Court, and shall have such jurisdiction in cases
arising in Justices Courts, and in special cases, as the
Legislature may prescribe ; but shall have no original
civil jurisdiction except in such special cases. The
Legislature may confer upon him equity jurisdiction
in special cases. In pursuance of these provisions
the Legislature has given the County Judge jurisdic-
tion in actions of debt, assumpsit and covenant, not
exceeding |2,000 ; in oases of trespass and personal
injury not to exceed $500, and in replevin suits
$1,000. The Legislature has also conferred upon the
County Court Equity jurisdiction for the foreclosure of
mortgages, the sale of real estate of infants, partition
of land, admeasurement of dower, satisfaction of judg-
ment whenever $75 is due on an unsatisfied execution,
and the care and custody of lunatics and habitual
drunkards. The new Judiciary Article of the Consti-
tution continues the County Courts with the powers
and jui-isdictions they before possessed, subject to the
action of the Legislature. They were also given ori-
ginal jurisdiction in all cases where the defendant re-
sides in the county, and in which the damages shall not
exceed $1,000. The Legislature may confer additional
original appellate jurisdiction. The tenure of the County
Judge in each county was extended from four to six
years. The salary is fixed by the Board of Supervisors,
respectively.
Court of Sessions. — The Constitution associates '
with the County Judge of each county two Justices of
the Peace, to be designated by law, to hold Courts of
Sessions, with such criminal jurisdiction as the Legisla-
ture shall prescribe, and perform such other duties as
may be required by law.
344
HISTORY OF KIlSrGS COZTJVTY.
' The County Judges wlio have been elected since the
formation of the County Court in the County of Kings
are : Wm. Rockwell, elected in June, 1847 ; Samuel E.
Johnson, declared by the Supreme Court elected in place
of Rockwell ; Henry A. Moore, elected Nov., 1851 ; Sam-
uel D. Morris, elected Nov., 1855 ; Samuel Garrison,
elected Nov., 1859 ; James Troy, Nov., 1867 ; Henry A.
Moore, Nov., 1871 ; by re-election continued in office
down to the present time, Aug., 1883.
Several interesting cases were tried in the early Courts
of Kings county after the Revolution. For several
years there was a somewhat bitter dispute known as the
" Bruyn (or Brume) controversy" between those who
had by purchase become owners of what was known as
the Bruyn patent (which included the right of free
fishing in certain waters bounding the town of Graves-
end), and the town of Gravesend.*
In 1789 Albert Voorhees became the owner of said
patent which, as he contended, restrained the inhabitants
from fishing in said waters, except under certain limita-
tions. The inhabitants of the town, however, insisted
that the patent did not legally prevent them from freely
fishing, and continued to take fish against the orders of
Mr. Voorhees, the assignee of the Bruyn patent, who,
relying upon the power contained in the patent to re-
strain free fishing in the waters described in it, brought
an action in the Supreme Court against several of the
prominent citizens of the town who had, in derrogation
of the patent, insisted upon fishing in the restricted wa-
ters. Of course it was an action of great importance,
and, according to some ancient documents still existing
in the town of Gravesend, was entitled as follows:
Supreme Codet.
Albert Voorhees
vs.
Albert Jerline,
Hendrick Wyckoff,
Inhabitants of Gravesend.
"1
\ Kings County, ss.:
Action for trespass for erecting fish huts, tread-
ing down grass, &c., &c.
At that time Aaron Burr was in the midst of his
splendid practice at the bar — one of the most distin-
guished lawyers in the nation. To him the town of
Gravesend applied for council as soon as the action com-
menced. They propounded to him several questions
touching their rights in regard to the matter in contro-
versy between themselves and Mr. Voorhees. In reply
to these questions, answering other things. Col. Burr
said : " I recommend to the people of Gravesend to con-
tinue to fish as usual, and by no means to suffer any new
encroachment by Mr. Voorhees or any one claiming un-
der him ; all open violence, however, should be avoided ;
but if Mr. Voorhees attempts to engross more of the
fishery than the town has usually allowed, he must not
*NOTE.— See History of Oraoesend, page 158-9, and History of Coney
laland, page 189-191, ol this volume.
be quietly permitted to do so, whatever maybe the con-
sequences."
Mr. Burr closes his reply with this characteristic ad-
vice : "As the suits are near a conclusion, and the
rights and privileges of each party will then be defi-
nitely determined, it will be more prudent in the mean-
time to suffer some small inconvenience than to give
occasion to more controversies by breaches of the
peace."
It is stated that the town was willing to concede to
Mr. Voorhees a patentee's right to one thirty-ninth
of the commonage to the said waters, but not the exis-
tence of the right to inhibit them from freely usmg all
other parts of the fisheries.
As the case really tendered an issue between the
town and Mr. Voorhees, a requisite panel of jurors was
under the statute in such cases made and provided,
summoned from Queens County. The town of Flush-
ing, Jamaica, New Town and Oyster Bay furnished the
jurors. According to the practice of the Courts at
that time, the jury were directed to view the premises
and examine the patents. This was done on the 14th
of September, 1789, seven of the jurors being present.
On the 15th of September the trial began at a term
of the Supreme Court held at Flatbush. It was closely
and ably contested, occupying three whole days, result-
in a verdict for the town. Col. Burr appeared for the
defendants, in whose hands " the law was a whole ar-
mory of weapons, in the use of which his daring was
only equalled by his skill, his close, terse logic, and
varied legal learning."
The minutes used by Col. Burr in his summing up to
the jury are still in the possession of a distinguished
citizen of Gravesend, together with that great lawyer's
receipt for his services as counsel in the case.
" The argument of Col. Burr," says the gentleman to
whom we have referred, " is a clear and forcible pre-
sentation of the rights of the town evidently satisfac-
tory to the jury, as their verdict clearly indicates."
The following is a copy of the receipt, courteously
furnished for this work by a prominent citizen of
Kings County, long its careful custodian. :
"Received, New York, 15th March, 1790, by the hand of
Mr. Albert Terhune, Twenty pounds in full for my services
in the suit brought by Albert Voorhees against sundry in-
habitants of the town of Gravesend. Received at the same
time, Fifteen pounds for advice given under a general re-
tainer." Aabon Bubb.
Thirty pounds, says our informant, was paid to the
hotel-keeper at Flatbush, for entertaining the people of
Gravesend during the trial, and also the amount of Col.
Burr's bill at the said hotel for board while conducting
the trial. It is proper to add that the plaintiff in the
case, Mr. Voorhees, not satisfied with the verdict of the
jury, took an appeal to the General Term of the Su-
preme Court, where, after long arguments, the verdict
was affirmed with costs.
THE FIRST CIRCUIT COURT SELD IJST KINGS COUNTY.
345
A still later case, whicli created much excitement at
the time, was the following : In the year 1834, while
some lahorers were excavating a ditch at the side of a
highway in New Utrecht, more than a wagon-load of
Indian stone arrow-heads were discovered lying together,
under circumstances that induced the belief that a large
manufactory of these indispensable articles of Indian
warfare once existed at this place ; they were of all
sizes, from one to six inches in length, some perfect,
others partly finished. There were also a number of
blocks of the same kind of stone found, in the same
rough state as when brought from the quarry. But,
where was that quarry ? They had the appearance of
ordinary flint and were nearly as hard. Not only ar-
row-heads, but axes, and other articles of domestic
utility, were found made from these stones.
Out of this discovery grew a legal contest, more ex-
citing than any event that had agitated that ancient
town. The men who found the relics claimed them by
the right of discovery, while the owner of the land on
which they were found claimed them as a part of his
domain, insisting that they were his property quite as
fully as were the stones and the dirt which were exca-
vated with them. " Suppose," said the owner of the
land, " that a valuable iron mine had been discovered
by the men, would they have any right to it ?" John
Smalley, Esq., and William B. Waldo, Esq., two very
respectable lawyers of Brooklyn, appeared in the case
as counsel for the respective parties, the former for the
plaintiff, and the latter for the defendant. The case
was finally decided in favor of the owner of the soil.
The First Circuit Court, and Court of Oyer
and Terminer held in the county of Kings after the
organization of the Government, of which any minutes
can be found, held its sittings at Flatbush on June 6th,
1800. Hon. Egbert Benson, one of the Justices of the
Supreme Court, presiding. But there must have been
Sessions of the Supreme Court in the county previous
to this term, the minutes of which have been lost.
Judge Bensost, who presided at the Circuit Court, to
which we have alluded, was one of the most illustrious
jurists of his times. He rendered eminent service dur-
mg the whole period of the Revolutionary War. In
1777 he was appointed Attorney-General — the first At-
torney-General of the State. In that oflSce, in the
Legislature, and in Congress, his devotion to the public
interest was unremitted, and in the able, constant, accu-
rate discharge of all his official duties, he scarcely had an
equal. As a lawyer he was possessed of the highest
qualifications — qualifications which he carried to the
Bench, where they were blended with many judicial
accomplishments. He discharged the duties of Attor-
ney-General until January 28th, 1794, when he was ap-
pomted a Justice of the Supreme Court. In January,
1802, he was appointed an Associate Justice of the
United States Supreme Court, and resigned his seat on
the bench of the State Supreme Court.
Judge Benson's charge to the Grand Jury, at this term
of Circuit Court held by him, to which we have re-
ferred, was regarded as a model production. There
was in it a prophetic glance at the future, which has
been most signally fulfilled. He said : " In proportion
as your County, gentlemen, increases in wealth and
population ; as it advances in public improvement, in
education, in arts, science, commercial prosperity,
which must flow from its unsurpassed resources, there
will be a corresponding growth of crime — the insepar-
able companion of great public prosperity.
" Your County, gentlemen, over which the smoke
of battlefields has but recently floated, has before
it a magnificent future. Upon grand juries ; upon
courts of justice ; upon all ofiicers of courts, and upon
all persons connected with the administration of the
laws, rest solemn responsibilities, which are to tell on
that future ; for now is the seed time — now is the
ground fallow which is to yield fruit for generations to
come. See to it, then, gentlemen, that the responsibility
with which the law clothes you is properly executed
and directed."
The Clerk of the Court of the County at this time
was Leffert Lellerts, Jr., appointed April 5th, 1800.
The Sheriff was Cornelius Bergen, appointed February
17th, 1800.
The Kings County bar at this time consisted of
about fifteen lawyers. For many years its growth in
numbers was very slow. As late as 1836 it numbered
but twenty-one members. They were James B. Clark,
Richard D. Covert, George C. Dixon, John Dikeman,
Theodore Eames, Gabriel Furman, Wm. A. Green,
Nathan B. Morse, Henry C. Murphy, Nathaniel Porter,
Alpheus P. Rolph, Gilbert Reed, Wm. Rockwell,
John Smally, Cyrus P. Smith, Wm. B. Waldo, and
Nathaniel F. Waring. Fisk and Bridgeman was a
successful law firm at Williamsburg.
But, to return to the Circuit we have been describ-
ing. The first cause tried was that of John Van Nuys
V. Peter Duryee. Peter R. Livingston, of Dutchess
County, distinguished in the history of the State as a
lawyer and legislator of commanding ability, appeared
for the plaintiff. But, learned and sagacious as he was,
a Kings County lawyer by the name of Rupp, succeeded
in non-suiting him.
The last Court held at Flathush was opened Monday,
May 4th, 1832. As there was no judge present, the
Sheriff, under the provisions of the Statute in such
case made and provided, directed an adjournment until
the next morning at 9 o'clock, when the Hon. Ogden
Edwards, one of the Circuit Judges of the State, ap-
peared and organized the Court in the usual manner,
and the trial of causes commenced.
Judge Edwards was really the father of the Constitu-
tional Convention of 1821, and one of the artisans of
that instrument. In January, 1818, as member of the
Assembly from the City of New York, he brought a
346
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
bill into that body for calling a State Convention for
the purpose of changing the Constitution, in regard to
the appointment of officers by the abominated Council
of Appointment, and in other matters. The bill for a
convention passed, and it commenced its sittings Au-
gust 28th, 1821. Judge Edwards was one of the dele-
gates from New York. The delegate from the County
of Kings was John Lefferts.
In this Convention, which enrolled among its mem-
bers a large number of the most illustrious men, Judge
Edwards took an active part in forming a new Consti-
tution ; in which, among other things, the Courts and the
Judiciary were reorganized, and he was, as we have
seen, made one of the Circuit Judges of the reorganized
Supreme Court.
The first Court held at Brooklyn held its sittings at
the Apprentices Library. It was opened November 1st,
1832, Judge John Dikeman presiding. Abraham Van-
derveer was clerk of the County, and ex-officio Clerk of
the Court. John Lawrence was Sheriff, having been
appointed March 15th, 1831, in place of John T.
Bergen, who resigned the office of Sheriff early
in March, 1831. Mr. Bergen was appointed Feb-
ruary 12th, 1821, by the old Council of Appoint-
ment, being the last officer for Kings County appointed
before it was constitutionalized out of office. In No-
vember, 1822, he was, at the first election held under
the new Constitution, elected to the sheriflEalty, dis-
charging his duties with singular ability. At the gen-
eral election, held in November, 1828, he was again
elected to that office, serving from January 1st, 1829,
to March 1st, 1831, when he resigned, having been
elected in November, 1830, a representative in Con-
gress from the then Second Congressional district,
which included the County of Kings.
The Kings County bar, at this time (1883), numbers
about twelve hundred members. We have already
referred to the high character of this bar in the past.
Prom an actual and pleasing acquaintance with many
members of the present bar, it is no affectation to say
that it loses nothing when compared with the most
brilliant bar in the State.
It would be quite impossible to write a history of
Kings County without some description of those whose
lives are more or less interwoven with it; for it is im-
possible to write biography without writing the history
which its subjects contributed to make. Thus, the his-
tory of the American Revolution could not be written
without the biography of Washington ; that of Eng-
land, without a personal description of Henry Eighth,
Elizabeth, Cromwell, Pitt, Fox, and Victoria ; that of
the Erie Canal, without a description of De Witt Clin-
ton ; the history of the Great Rebellion without the
biographies of Lincoln and his compatriots.
Biographies of Deceased Members of the
Kings County Bar.— Biography is history in minia-
ture, occupying, perhaps, only a brief space, yet it is
more or less connected with the great drama of human
life. The personal reminiscences of some may be con-
fined almost entirely to the vale of obscurity; while
those of others may be so interwoven with public affairs
that it may be difficult to determine where biograipliv
ends, and where history begins.
The task of gathering the fast fading reminiscences
of those who have, in the past, adorned the Bench and
the Bar of this County, and whose places have been ren-
dered vacant by death, has been one of much toil and dif-
ficulty, with a success somewhat limited. For, in this
preoccupied age, the all-absorbing incidents of the pres-
ent, and the intensified hopes of the future, create for-
getf ulness of the past.
It is, for many reasons, scarcely less difficult to
arrange the incidents connected with the career of the
living members of the bar for biographical purposes.
The former will first occupy our attention.
We begin with one who, over half a century ago, not
only adorned the bar of Kings County, but one who
had no superior in the ranks of the profession in the
State or Nation. This was:
John Wells, for many years the acknowledged leader of
the bar of the State of New York, was born at Cherry Val-
ley, Otsego County, N. Y., in the year 1770. His father,
John Wells, was a farmer of Cherry Valley, who, with his
whole family, was murdered in Brandt's descent upon that
place in November, 1778. Nearly every resident of the vil-
lage shared the same fate, young Wells escaping death at
the hands of the savages only by a miraculous intervention
of Providence.
"Cut off at this early age from the tenderest attachments
of life, and, like Logan, left without one living mortal who
was naturally interested in his fate, young Wells would have
been either abandoned to poverty, or bent down to the ordi-
nary drudgery of life, had it not been for an affectionate
aunt, who interposed in his behalf and formed him to a
higher destiny. Through her influence and aid he was placed
at a Grammar School in Schenectady, where he remained
several years. His aunt removed to Brooklyn, and young
Wells was placed under the instruction of Rev. Mr. Cutting,
of Jamaica, an accomplished scholar and an eloquent
preacher. He pursued his studies diligently with Mr. Cut-
ting two years, with such success that he was fully prepared
to enter Princeton College, from whence he graduated in
1778, taking both degrees, A. B. and A. M.
Choosing the legal profession for his calling in life, he en-
tered the office of Mr. Edward Griswold, an eminent coun-
sellor of the city of New York, as a student at law. Mr.
Griswold, after attaining a high position at the bar, retired
from practice and became a resident of Hempstead, Queens
County, N. Y. Col. Aaron Burr used to say of Mr. Griswold,
that he was the only man he ever saw who loved the black-
lettered lore of the common law for its own sake. The ex-
ample alone of such a man was of great advantage to Wells."
On concluding his clerkship he was thrown upon his own
resources ; and these were nothing beyond his profession.
His residence was in Brooklyn, but he opened an office in
Pine street, New York. He was located among a large num-
ber of lawyers, who, in a measure, monopolized business;
and for a long time, his prospects were discouraging. He
had been in business but a short time when he was united by
LEG At BiOGRAPHtES.
zil
marriage to Miss Mary Lawrence, daughter of Thomas Law-
rence, of Newtown, Queens County, New York. To use the
language of another : "If his bride did not bring him a for-
tune, she brought what was more important — evenness of
temper, patience and fortitude, which enlightened, sustained
and smoothed his passage along an obscure and rugged path
to fortune and eminence ; illumed the gloomy period of ad-
verse vicissitude, and cheered his rising hopes with the smile
of sympathy and affection." But so slow was Mr. "Wells' pro-
gress in his profession, that between the years 1801 and 1804,
he often said that he had serious thoughts of abandoning it.
About this time he began writing anonymously for the
journals of the day. Such was the strength, beauty and in-
terest of his productions, that they soon gave him flattering
distinction.
Alexander Hamilton, having read some of Mr. Wells' arti-
cles, so greatly admired them that he sought out their
author and personally complimented him on the genius he
had displayed as an essayist. This flattering attention, from
a personage so illustrious, greatly encouraged the young law-
yer, and his pen became his employment and a source of in-
come until he took his proper place at the bar. An oppor-
tunity for this was soon afforded. Mr. Cheetham, editor of
the Airmrican Citizen, a leading Journal in New York, had
been prosecuted by Mr. W. S. Smith, the son-in-law of Presi-
dent Adams, for a libel published in his paper. This action
created great interest throughout the nation. It grew out
of the heated condition of the politics of that day, involv-
ing the reputation and fortunes of several persons now illus-
trious in history.
" Mr. Cheetham, it is said, reasoning from the force with
which "Wells had wielded his pen in certain political and
other articles, retained him as his counsel for the defense —
. not merely his counsel, but the leading counsel in the case.
This was a great surprise to all of Cheetham's friends ; but
the result shows that he made no mistake in his selection of
counsel. The cause came on for trial in the city of New
York early in 1804. The prosecution was conducted by sev-
eral of the ablest lawyers then at the bar. The defense of
Cheetham, by his young and apparently inexperienced coun-
sel, as has weU been said, was masterly ; it would have added
luster to the reputation of "Wirt. The result was highly
favorable to his client. The damages against him were
mitigated to a trifle, compared with what was confidently
expected on one side and feared on the other." Nothing could
exceed the surprise which this splendid— we may say tri-
umphant defense— created in the public mind; and the young
advocate at once took that high and commanding place at
the bar for which his talents so admirably fitted him. From
a stinted business and a few clients, whose visits had hitherto
been "few and far between," he was daily retained in oases
of importance and of pecuniary value to him. Not long
after the trial of Smith vs. Cheetham, he was retained in
an important case tried at Flatbush, in which he displayed
skill, learning and eloquence that added largely to his fame.
His opponent was Col. Aaron Burr, who often appeared in
the Kings County Courts. After the trial Burr said, " I was
aware of Mr. Wells' power and astonishing ability as a writer,
but I did not think he possessed, as he really does, the genius
of an Erskine as a lawyer."
We have not the space to recount the splendid professional
achievements of Mr. Wells ; suffice it to say that they led to
his appropriate place among the great lights of the American
bar; and that, for many years, his name was intimately asso-
ciated with every volume of our judicial history. For a
time he was a partner of that great and brilliant jurist,
Josiah Ogden Hoffman, always his friend and admirer.
It is singular that, possessing so many rare gifts as a writer,
orator, and legist, he never entered, to any extent, the polit-
ical arena ; but, like Nicholas Hill, Daniel Lord, Kufus
Choate, and many other historic names of the bar, the solid
honors and emoluments of his profession out-weighed the
evanescent honors of the politician. His law books and cases
had a decided preference with him, though they by no means
excluded the pursuit of elegant literature.
Mr. "Wells was regarded as a model of legal eloquence, at
that period when the eloquence of the bar was so successfully
cultivated. In those days, it was necessary for an able law-
yer to be an eloquent speaker — not a gushing, pompous de-
claimer, but a chaste, polished orator, possessing logical rea-
soning powers. His arguments at the bar were conducted
with direct and sober earnestness ; so framed as to convince
rather than amuse. Sometimes they were terse and con-
densed, at others full and illustrative.
In his person, Mr. "Wells was slightly above the middle
size. He bestowed greater attention upon its neatness, and
his dress was more fashionable and better adjusted, than is
generally deemed consistent with his habits of study and
abstraction. His form was erect, solid, firm, well propor-
portloned, and apparently fitted to endure great muscular
exertion.
He loved professional labor almost to excess, and devoted
himself to it with much assiduity long after he had amassed
a very considerable fortune ; and so he continued to work on
until summoned to join the majorit^y in the presence of Him
at whose right hand there is rest ever more.
On the evening of September 23d, 1823, after a laborious
day in court, he returned to his family complaining of exti-eme
weakness and languor, for which it was difficult to account,
as he had felt its approach but a few minutes. This debility
increased until September 26th, though without any fears of
a fatal termination ; but, as the day wore away, it began to
increase to an alarming extent, and, like one falling asleep,
he passed away.
Thus lived and thus died one of the earliest and most illus-
trious members of the Kings County bar — of the bar of the
State of New York.
At the time of his death, Mr. "Wells was counsel for the
defendant in the great case of Seymour vs. Ellinson, then
pending in the court for the Correction of Errors of the State
of New York, at Albany. The case was called for argument
before that court. Gen. Erastus Root presiding, September
11th, 1823. Hon. Samuel R. Betts, then judge of the Second
Circuit, and a member ex-offioio of the court, announced the
death of Mr. "Wells, whereupon the court adjourned, and in
due time appropriate and impressive honors were paid to the
memory of the great departed jurist, in the Court of Errors;
while large meetings of the bar assembled at many of the
county seats of the State, and at other places, for the purpose
of expressing sorrow at the death of a great lawyer and a
good man.
Geoege M. "Wood was one of the most eminent lawyers,
not only of the Kings County Bar, but he was equally distin-
guished in the State of New York. As an equity lawyer he
had few equals and no superior. ,
He was a native of Trenton, New Jersey, born in 1788. He
attained a high reputation at the New Jersey bar and was
considered as ono of its leaders. He removed to Brooklyn
in the spring of 18B7, and at once began the practice that led
to the highest distinction and great wealth.
His practice extended not only to the highest courts in the
State, but to the United States Supreme Court. Some of the
cases conducted by him in the latter court are leading
348
HIS TOUT OF KliraS GOJJNTY.
causes, and will long be remembered in legal history. Among
these was that of Martin v. Waddell (16 Peter's, U. S. R.,
376). "His argument in this case," says a distinguished
writer, " is a beautiful, exhaustive and unanswerable exposi-
tion of the law on the subject of the right of the sovereign—
or the State— to lands under water." It also is a fine disser-
tation on the subject of eminent domain, or the paramount
right of the public to take and occupy the land of private in-
dividuals for easements and for other public use. The whole
case is one of great interest to the legal profession. It is
said, by a distinguished member of the Brooklyn bar, who
knew him well, that for over half a century Mr. Wood's
opinion in regard to real-estate law was an unquestioned
oracle.
He possessed some peculiarities which deserve especial no-
tice. He was not possessed of an imagination remarkable
for vigor, splendor or fertility; seldom attempting declama-
tion or what is known as pathos. When he did so, he always
failed ; but his powers of reasoning on facts and law were al-
most unequalled, always commanding the closest attention of
his auditors. He was especially successful before Courts in
Banc ; his language was always simple, well chosen, and if
not impressive, was the vehicle of the profoundest logic, and
rendered affluent by learning. In this sense Mr. Wood was
peculiarly eloquent. It must not be understood that his
elocution was unpleasing ; on the contrary, it was attractive
and free from all superfluities. Few men ever used purer
EngUsh than he. The -balance of his mind ; his vast re-
search ; his sound, practical, good sense, with the other attri-
butes we have already described, gave him supremacy as an
advocate.
We have referred to him as a very able equity lawyer.
Chancellor Walworth, speaking of Mr. Wood, said : " He is
a walking library of law. He seems formed by nature for a
chancery lawyer. His arguments flow in one stream, clear
and bright, but without a ripple, and he knows all there is
touching his cases."
Personal rivalry created enemies for him, and envy often
rendered them aggressive and troublesome. They used to
say he was heavy and quiescent at the bar, resembling a cow
looking over a stream. "Musing, perhaps; or perhaps
dreaming."
He was once the opponent of Daniel Webster in the argu-
ment of a very important case in the Supreme Court. A
few days before it came on for hearing, Webster inquired
who was to conduct the case against him, and was informed
that it was a lawyer by the name of Wood, a duU, drowsy
man, who seems to be always asleep.
"Is it George M. Wood?" asked Mr. Webster. "Yes,
that's his name."
"Well, then, pray don't awake him, for when George M.
Wood is f uUy awake he is one of the most troublesome oppo-
nents I am in the habit of meeting," said the great constitu-
tional lawyer.
One of the last cases which Mr. Wood conducted as coun-
sel was that of Cleveland v. Boerum, in which there were at
least five hundred defendants. The action was a bill in
equity to redeem from a mortgage foreclosed by Henry
Boerum, et al., against John S. McKibben, and George D.
Strong, made on eighty-eight acres of land, now in the six-
teenth ward of Brooklyn, formerly the homestead farm of
Jacob Boerum, deceased. Large numbers of the lots were
sold by McKibben and Strong before the eighty-eight acres
had been released from the foreclosed mortgage, and three
hundred and ten lots were sold and conveyed and left sub-
ject to the mortgage. The bill for foreclosure was filed in
February, 1843, in which Strong and McKibben and others
their grantees, holding portions of said premises subject to
the said mortgage in the lis pendens notice of said action
which was filed in the office of the Clerk of Kings County
March 7th, 1843. On the 16th of June, 1843, McKibben and
Stone were declared bankrupts. The complaint was not
amended so as to make the assignee in bankruptcy a defen-
dant, but the plaintiS proceeded to judgment, which was en-
tered on the 33d day of November, 1843, under which the
property was sold by a Master in Chancery, and duly con-
veyed to a large number of purchasers. Perhaps no case
ever tried in the City of Brooklyn created greater excitement
than this, for it vitally affected the right and title of a large
number of lot owners to their homes.
After the sale we have referred to, the assignee in bank-
ruptcy sold and conveyed the right of McKibben to Charles
Cleveland. This sale took place on the 34th day of Novem-
ber, 1845, and George D. Strong's interest therein was con-
veyed, by two deeds, to John D. Clute, March 4th, 1846.
Clute conveyed his title to Cleveland. Here, then, were two
sets of claimants to the title of the original Boerum home-
stead farm ; the first claiming title by the foreclosure of the
mortgage we have described, and otherwise ; the other
through the sale of the premises, which was subsequently
made by the assignee in bankruptcy.
It was contended that the assignee in bankruptcy conveyed
the property more than two years after McKibben and Strong
were declared bankrupts, and that the bankrupt law then in
existence, restricted the assignee's jurisdiction to an order of
court to be executed within two years from the date of the
bankruptcy; hence, if the assignee was not concluded by the
lis-pendens filed before the making of his deeds, his jurisdic-
tion was gone, and no title passed to his grantees, Cleveland
and others. Thus more than two years had passed after the
foreclosure sale before Cleveland commenced his suit to have
his title made paramount to that of the purchasers by the
foreclosure we have described. Mr. Wood appeared for
Cleveland in the case, and several other lawyers for the
defendants. The only point made by Mr. Wood was that
the notice of lis-pendens did not bind the trustee on whom
the title to the land was cast during litigation by operation
of law ; or, in other words, lis-pendens did not, in any way,
stop Cleveland from enforcing his title acquired through the
assignee in bankruptcy.
The answer to the complaint of Cleveland contained the
averment that "The right of eminent domain in the State of
New York is vested in the people of said State, and is not
subject to any jurisdiction under judgment of United States
Court, save such as is allowed by the State laws, and that all
such decrees and judgments follow the remedies prescribed
by State laws, as in respect to the State courts, or as is spe-
cially set forth in State laws, with respect to the judgments of
the courts of the United States ; and that the provisions for
a notice of lis-pendens to be filed in any State or federal pro-
ceedings with respect to land is binding on intervening
incumbrances pending the litigation, whether the title be cast
by deed by purchaser or a trustee ; or, what is the same thmg,
an assignee by operation of law.''
The doubts as to the title of so many supposed owners of
portions of the Boerum farm rendered a speedy trial of this
case, and all dilatory pleas, such as defect of parties, were
waived, and it went to immediate trial before Mr. Justice
Strong, who decided the case in favor of the defendants.
But the case was appealed by Cleveland to the General Term
of the Supreme Court, where the case was argued for him by
Mr. Wood.
It has been said that Mr. Wood, great and learned as he
was as a lawyer, appeared to much disadvantage in the argu-
LEGAL BlOGBAPmES.
349
ment of the case ; that his ability and power of condensa-
tion, logical aptitude, quick, ready discernment and legal
eloquence, had apparently deserted him, and that he had sur-
vived his generation. He appeared, himself, to comprehend
all this, for he never again appeared in court after the termi-
nation of this great case.
By the decision of the General Term, Cleveland was again
beaten ; he removed the case to the Court of Appeals, where
the same fate awaited him. The case will be found fully
printed in 24th New York, 613.
Mr. Wood came to Brooklyn poor ; but as we have said,
through his immense practice he acquired a very large for-
tune. At the time of his death he was the owner of forty-
three houses and lots in Brooklyn, all of them very valuable;
besides a large amount of money, stocks, bonds and mort-
gages, and other securities. He died at his residence, in
Brooklyn, in 1861, in the 73d year of his age.
GtABEIEL Furman.— Among the members of the senior bar
of Brooklyn whose memory comes to u^ from the past, asso-
ciated with much that forms the history of Kings county—
that relates to the triumphs and vicissitudes of professional
life— much that concerns the amenities of social life, and
much that awakens in our hearts sorrow and regret, is that
of Gabriel Furman. He was born at Brooklyn, in 1800 ; his
father was Hon. Wm. Furman, of whom a brief biographi-
cal note will be found on page 108 of the present volume, as
also on page 41 of Stiles' History of Brooklyn. He was suc-
ceeded as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Kings
county by Hon. Leffert Lefiferts. It is said that Judge Fur-
man was bred to law, and there is some evidence of his hav-
ing been for a time actively engaged in the practice of his
profession. He was a man of finished education ; strong,
practical, good sense. Paramount traits in his character were
love of justice, perfect integrity, impartiality and a close
perception of human nature. It will therefore be seen, he
possessed the qualities of a useful and upright Judge ; his
popularity with the bar, and the high esteem in which he was
held by the public, plainly attest his character as a Judge
and as a private citizen. He represented Brooklyn on the
Board of Kings County Supervisors for several successive
years. In the fall of 1825 he was elected member of As-
sembly from Kings county, entering upon his legislative du-
ties January 3d, 1826. That illustrious statesman, Samuel
Young, was speaker ; the peculiarities of Mr. Young as a
legislator have become matters of history. He was in every
sense unlike Judge Furman, and yet, there always existed a
warm friendship between these gentlemen ; there is one fact
which attests this in a strong manner ; he was appointed by
Mr. Young Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and sec-
ond on the Committee of Ways and Means.
Judge Furman was President of the Srooklyn Fire Insur-
ance Company, incorporated in 1824. There was scarcely
any public improvement touching the welfare of the then vil-
lage of Brooklyn that Judge Furman was not more or less
identified with. He was a lifelong, undeviating friend of
De Witt Clinton, strongly sustaining him in that great policy
that inaugurated and constructed the Erie Canal.
The legislative session of 1826 was one of the most excit-
ing and important in the history of the State. The four-
cornered presidential conflict between General Jackson, Mr.
Adams, Mr. Crawford and Mr. Clay, culminated that year.
It entered largely into the Legislature of the State, leading
to frequent colUsions. In these Judge Furman largely par-
ticipated. On the whole he was one of the most active and
mfluential members of that session. He was tendered the
re-nomination the next year, but declined. Among his as-
sociates in. the Assembly, whose names have passed into the
history of the State, were Ogden Hoffman, then a resident of
Orange County ; Francis Granger, from Ontario ; John
Tracy, from Chenango, and Erastus Root, of Delaware.
After retiring from the Legislature Judge Furman retired
entirely to private life, a highly esteemed citizen, influential
and active in all that concerned the interest and advance-
ment of the society in which he moved.
Such was the father of Gabriel Furman ; such was the in-
fluence which surrounded his youth and early manhood, and
which gave promise of a brilliant and useful career in his
life. In his boyhood he was attracted to the Court-house
where his father, as presiding Judge, pronounced the law
from the bench. The contests of the bar were full of inter-
est to the lad. There he heard the mysteries of persuasive
speech, witnessed the quick insight, the tact and ingenuity
of opposing counsel, until the desire to become a lawyer
took possession of his whole soul. Accordingly, as soon as
he completed his classical studies, he entered the office of
Elisha "W. King, Esq. , a leading member of the New York
bar, as a law student. This was in 1823 ; he soon became a
favorite of Mr. King, who took especial pains with his legal
education, explaining to the young man that part of the
"Black letter law" which, without explanation, is to the
student a sort of legal labyrinth, which he is quite unable to
explore with any profit. This enabled young Furman to go to
the bar well prepared to enter successfully upon his practice.
He took his legal degree at a general term of the Supreme
Court in May, 1826. " From his father's social position and
large acquaintance with the bar, young Furman secured to
a large extent the confidence of the Dutch families, and of
the old residents of that day, and a brilliant professional fu-
ture seemed opening before him."
In 1820, while yet a student, he, with several young gen-
tlemen of Brooklyn, organized a debating society, which be-
came a very popular institution. Often, when some espe-
cially exciting subject was to be discussed, the hall in which
the society held its meetings was thronged with the elite of
the village, anxious to listen to the young and brilliant de-
baters, foremost among whom was young Furman. It is
said, that in this intellectual arena, he displayed an argu-
mentative and classic mind, a prodigality of knowledge, and
an attractive elocution quite beyond his years. So promi-
nent did he become as a speaker, that, at the great celebra-
tion which took place at Brooklyn on July 4th, 1824, he was
selected as the orator of the day. His oration was pronounced
at the Dutch Church, in Joralemon street, before an immense
and delighted audience.
The friendship which Gov. Clinton had for the father was
bestowed with equal warmth upon his son. Early in the
year 1837, the Municipal Court of Brooklyn was established,
and Furman, who had been at the bar but a little over a
year, was appointed, by Governor Clinton, one of its judges.
He discharged the duties of this ofiice for the term of three
years.
At the general election of 1888, Mr. Furman was nomi-
nated and elected a State Senator from the first district : in
this body he did not disappoint the high expectation of his
friends. He exhibited all the qualities of a useful, high-
minded and competent legislator. Peter R. Livingston was
then Lieutenant-Governor, and, of course, the presiding
officer of the Senate, and an accomplished parliamen-
tarian ; his appreciation of Mr. Furman's abilities is attested
by many official recognitions, and by placing him upon
many standing committees. The records of the Senate, for
the four years in which Mr. Furman was one of its members,
3S0
SISTORt OF KIJSTGS COtTN^TY.
are the best evidence of the usefulness of his legislative
career. Several of his speeches delivered in the Senate
were warmly commended by the press in all parts of the
State for their statesmanlike strength, their originality and
eloquence.
In 1841, he prepared two lectures on the discoveries of the
Northmen, and on Aboriginal Remains in America. These
lectures were written in a happy, nervous and attractive
style, and were fine specimens of condensed learning and
beauty of diction. They were delivered first in Brooklyn,
afterwards in New York, Albany, Utica, and several
other cities.
In 1842, his prominence in the Whig party led to his
nomination for Lieut. -Governor of the State ; this nomina-
tion was made at a Whig State convention, held at Herki-
mer, in September, 1842. Luther Bradish received the nomi-
nation for Governor. But the Whig party was defeated.
William C. Bouok and Daniel S. Dickinson, the Democratic
nominees for Governor and Lieut. -Governor, were elected.
This, we believe, was the last time that Mr. Furman was a
candidate for any official position. There was nothing in
his defeat, however, that was at all discouraging. He fell
with his party, retaining all his personal popularity with it ;
but, from the period of his defeat, there seemed to be an
unfortunate change in all his prospects.
"He began," says Dr. Stiles, in his admirable History of
BrooMyn, "to manifest irregularities and infirmities, which
pained and astonished his friends, and which, no doubt, had
their source in the use of opium, which he had begun to use
in very small quantities during the cholera summer of 1853.
Without going into detail, we may say that all personal
ambition seems to have died out ; his law business became
sadly neglected. Always retiring and secluded in his habits,
he gradually became unsocial, buried himself among his
books and manuscripts, or hid himself in out of the way
nooks and corners, where the eyes of even his one or two
intimate friends could not find him. Friends and clients, of
course, became estranged; business fell away; public opinion
— ever uncharitable to what it cannot understand — said
harsh things about the erratic scholar, whose ways were
past finding out, and whose inattention to his business was
not only annoying to his clients, but imperiling to their
interests. Finally, his mood became more reckless, his
property passed away, his family were left without the pro-
tection of a roof, his sister and aged father were left help-
less and dependent upon others, his much-loved books
passed under the sheriff's hammer, and his own misused life
went out amid clouds and darkness, November 11, 1854, in
the City Hospital."
"Yet Furman was, in no sense, a vicious man. The perni-
cious influence of the lethean drug, combined with an over-
weening love of study for its own sake, seemed to have be-
numbed his sense of duty and of responsibility to the com-
munity, to his family, and to himself ; and in the grateful
seclusion of his study, he became selfishly forgetful of all
outside realities. What this feeling was, we may, perhaps,
best learn from the following extracts from his manuscript
memoranda, in early life :
'As to politics and contest for office, they are entirely
dissimilar to my habits of feeling and very unpleasant, and
nothing but an imperious sense of duty to my country would
ever induce me to enter at all into them, or to have any sort
of connection with them. My wish would be, if possible to
be attained, to pass my life as a literary man, and a humble
inquirer into the history of my country ; never to mingle in
political hfe ; never to hold an office of any kind but quietly
to while away my time among my books and papers ; and
when It pleased the Almighty Disposer of all events to call
me hence, to lay my head upon the pillow of death in DeacB
with all men. There is nothing on earth to compare in thn
least degree, with the joy and comfort which attends literarv
research ; with the inward satisfaction which results from a
day thus spent. It strikes me that a man truly literarv can
never be immoral. ' •'
Again, in speaking of the love of books :
' It is a passion which gains strength by what it feeds on
and affords an unalloyed pleasure, far, very far, transoend-
entally far. beyond what can be afforded by any other pur-
suit in this life. It also renders a man, to a great extent in-
dependent of the world for his happiness and enjoyments"
Society with its pleasures is not with him, as it is with thou-
sands, everything. He has another world, unaffected by
toils and troubles, in which there are no storms nor tempests
but everything is peace, calm and sunshine ; an eternal
spring and summer, having at once the promise and the
fruition.'
"These sentiments," continues Dr. Stiles, "bespeak the
enthusiastic and pure-minded scholar ; but, alas, as we have
seen, the promise of his springtime and summer never
reached its full fruition. Yet there remains enough of the
results of his labor to make us thankful that he once lived
among us. In the library of the Long Island Historical So-
ciety is a little row of bound volumes of manuscript, fairly
transcribed in his own clerkly chirography, and comprising
almost every conceivable topic of curiosity, or inquiry, from
the most scientific to the most absurd and trivial, all thrown
together without order in a perfect chance-medley, Yet,
amid this mighty mass of miscellaneous matter, which curi-
ously illustrates the scope and composition of his mind,
Furman, fortunately for us, carefully jotted down all that
occurred to his observation in the elementary condition and
progress of his native city. In the well-chosen words of one
of his most intimate earlier friends, to whom we are indebted
for most that is known about him, ' his mind early turned
towards its characters, traditions, revolutionary reminis-
cences, and the facts of its earlier settlement and population,
agriculture and trade. He seemed to have an intuitive and
prophetic sagacity as to the importance of describing, re-
cording and fixing the dates of many things of his own
time, which could change with progress and be forgotten.
The minuteness of some of these details may look like folly
and simplicity, but still the better critics will admit that
they go to make up his reputation as an antiquarian of the
best character, who knew that these details would be the
very things that posterity would delight in. Already, io the
rapid march of population for the past thirty years, since
Brooklyn assumed the character of a city, the old buildings
and landmarks have been swept away, and, but for Judge
Furman's ' Notes,' published in 1834, it would be well-nigh
impossible for us to trace the beginnings of our ' goodly heri-
tage.' In person, Furman was of middle height, well
formed, with fine, high forehead, and Roman features,
strongly resembling the best portraits of Pascal, the eminent
French philosopher and Christian. He was always neatly
dressed, generally in frock-coat of dark greenish hue, with
light pantaloons and vest, shoes with spatterdashes, and a
black fur hat, turned up at the side and carefully bmshed.
His necktie, a little gay and ornamental, added grace to his
otherwise somewhat quaint and trim attire ; and his tmt-
ensemble was that of the polished gentleman, and suggestive,
also, of a scholar and antiquary.' "
GREN7ILLE TuDOR Jenks, an honored name in the legal
history of Kings County, was born at Boston, Mass., July 24,
1830. His father was Rev. Francis Jenks, a highly respect-
able clergyman, who died when Grenville was two years old.
LEGAL BL0GBAPHLE8.
351
His mother, Sarah H. Jenks, was a woman of strong coiji-
moii sense, possessed of all the accomplishments that adorn
the character of a wife and mother. Two years after his
father's death, she married Professor Alonzo Gray, principal
of the Dover Academy, Mass., under whose instruction young
Granville acquired his elementary education, and by whom
he was fitted for college.
In July, 1847, he entered the New York University, where
he remained some time and then became a student in Wil-
liams College. Like many who have distinguished themselves
at the bar and in all the learned professions, young Jenks
became for a time a common-school teacher. The benefits
derived from this occupation are of great value to a young
man. It gives his mind peculiar and salutary discipline,
especially in the art of self-government and the government
o£ others. But it requires a peculiarity of thought, expression
and temperament. It is said that Jenks possessed many
qualifications that rendered him a successful teacher, but as
he intended to adopt the legal profession for his future occu-
pation in life, he renounced the business of an instructor, and
commenced the study of law. He became a student in the
office of the distinguished law firm of Lott, Murphy & Vau-
derbilt, in Brooklyn, N. Y. Afterwards, he entered the ofldce
o£ those eminent lawyers, Storrs & Sedgwick, in New York.
From this office he was, in the spring of 1851, called to the
bar.
Opening an oflEice in the City of New York, he entered
laboriously into the practice of his profession. His industry,
his learning (for he was deeply read in all the erudition of his
profession), his talents, soon brought a sur-e reward. Few
young lawyers leap, Pallas-like, into full professional honors
and emoluments. Of that few, Grenville T. Jenks was one.
At first the older members of the bar wholly occupied the
circle to which his ambition aimed, but he rapidly approached
it, and though his career at the bar was terminated by an
early death, he attained a brilliant distinction which, as we
have already said, made his name honored in the annals of
the bar.
After practising alone some time he fornied a copartner-
ship with Hon. James Emott, and for a time he was a partner
of Joshua Van Cott and Calvin E. Pratt. This last partner-
ship was formed after he came to Brooklyn. Dissolving his
relations with Judge Pratt, he formed a copartnership with
Frederick A. Ward. His business connection with the dis-
tinguished lawyers we have named were pleasant and profit-
able. AU of them recognized in Mr. Jenks a mind of
singular versatility and power. All acknowledged the supre-
macy of his eloquence and those other rare accomplishments
that rendered him so powerful in the legal arena, so attractive,
estunable, and, may we not say, without affectation, fas-
omating as a friend and companion ?
The personal reminiscences of the mere lawyer have few
charms to captivate the popular mind, even though he may
to some extent control events ; like him who moves the ever
shifting panorama of the stage, he is lost amid the very
events he creates. But a nearer view of Mr. Jenks as a
lawyer, and of the endowments that gave him superiority,
cannot fail to be profitable and interesting ; for this reason
the history of his bright career belongs to the public.
To use the beautiful language of one of his highly dis-
tinguished law partners, Hon. Joshua Van Cott ; "Every-
. tWng about Mr. Jenks had unusual bulk, magnitude, mani-
festation of vitality and force. He was a character, if we
ever had such a character at our bar, that was original,
unique, apart by itself, and memorable for its intense indi-
viduality and personality. He was fortunate in the kindliness
of his na,ture, fortunate in the gifts of great constitutional
vigor, fortunate in the endowment of prodigious memory
and powers of analysis and comprehension united in the
same large measure. He was also fortunate in the associa-
tions of his early life, in the distinction of kindred, in his
academical and collegiate education. And so, with such
endowments and such preparation, he came to the contests
of the bar. But considerable time passed before he became
conspicuous in the trial of causes. Beneath his dominating
force of character there was a latent modesty which made
him distant himself, until use and familiarity rendered him
willing to assume the great responsibilities of counsel before
juries. I remember the first occasion in which he had a
gleam of consciousness of his great forensic powers. In the
division of labor between himself and his law partner, his
senior took upon himself the trial of their causes. He had
been taking notes of the testimony in an important case —
trial being conducted by his senior. A sudden emergency
called his associate from the city, and the conclusion of the
trial devolved upon Mr. Jenks."
"The court adjourned for the day. The next morning, at
the usual hour for business, all the counsel associated with
the trial were in their places except the partner of Mr. Jenks.
When that gentleman proposed to proceed with the case, the
Judge, with an air of surprise that he should presume to
conduct an important case alone, and ignorant that the
leader had been called from the city, told him he had better
wait until his associate should arrive. After waiting half an
hour, the Judge, in an impatient manner, asked him when
he expected his associate, and was quietly told he did not
expect him at all. ' Go on, sir, go on ; the court can wait
no longer,' said his honor."
"Mr. Jenks did go on, and with such skill in the examina-
tion of witnesses, and with such demonstrative power in
summing up to the jury, that no court ever after thought of
inquiring whether he had associate counsel or was to fight
the cause alone. From that day the junior became the
senior in the trial of the causes of his firm."
To the trial of every cause he brought a careful, inde-
pendent, pungent, keen discrimination, a quick and ready use
of legal learning. Wit, ridicule and invective he employed
as circumstances required. He analyzed and dissipated an
adverse argument with clearness and vigor.
That such a man should have supremacy at the bar —
supremacy wherever eloquence and intellectuality are ad-
mired— is not strange ; nor is it strange, that with other
attractive endowments, he should be, as he was often called,
the favorite of the bar. He was familiar with the whole
range of English literature, and with ancient and modern
history. This wide and varied circle of reading not only
gave a liberal expansion to his mind, in all directions, but it
endowed him with great wealth of choice but unstudied
language, and enabled him to command a richness of illus-
tration in elucidating whatever subject he was considering.
This taste for reading weis formed in early life.
"Mr. Jenks on the most exciting occasions could be cool
and free from irrejfressible restlessness ; but it was the calm
of high resolve, persistent and tenacious in its triumph over
passion and sentiment. He was nevertheless susceptible to
the gentle influences ; a most genial companion, gentle, ten-
der, and afiectionate in his family— had delight in the elegant
arts— sculpture, painting," and poetry."
We have spoken of liis talents and virtues— should we speak
of his faults? for he was mortal and had faults, perhaps
many, and shared in the common infirmities of our nature ;
or, shall we observe the the charitable maxim " nil mortuis
nisi bonum 9 " to say nothing of the dead except that which
is good,
352
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Error and frailty mark the life of man. If this were not
so, earth would be heaven; for, what could add to the hap-
piness of life free from error ? Therefore, whatever of error
and frailty belonged to Mr. Jenks, took their color from com-
mon humanity.
In the midst of his brilliant career, at a comparatively early
age in life, Mr. Jenks was removed from earth by the hand
of death. He died at Saratoga on the 14th day of August,
1870, aged forty years. The unusual demonstrations of sorrow
that followed the announcement of his death, not only in
Brooklyn and New York, but in many other places, attested
the high esteem in which he was held.
The moment his death was made known at Saratoga, a large
meeting of the Brooklyn sojourners at that famous resort
took place at Congress Hall. Very many of the well known
citizens of Brooklyn were in attendance. Appropriate reso-
lutions were adopted, which feelingly and touchingly memo-
rialized him as a man and a lawyer. On the evening of
August 15th, the Brooklyn Club, of which he was a member,
assembled at the rooms of the club, where resolutions of re-
spect for his memory and sorrow for his death were adopted.
All the courts in session in the city immediately adjourned
on the announcement of his death. The ablest and most dis-
tinguished members of the bar pronounced heartfelt and ap-
propriate eulogies to his memory, talents and worth. In the
Suprem.e Court, then in session in the city of New York, the
death of Mr. Jenks was announced in language fitted to the
occasion. At the conclusion of the announcement, the
court in respect to his memory adjourned. His death was
also announced in the Westchester County Court, after which
that tribunal adjourned in respect to the eloquent departed.
It is sometimes said that the maxim, "nil mortuis nisi
verum " may be applied to the proceedings of lawyers on such
occasions, but let us see how Mr. Jenks was regarded by one
of the most distinguished divines of the day— Henry Ward
Beecher — who officiated at his funeral. He said:
" I only speak of Mr. Jenks as one friend might speak of
another. Born with gifts that were not small, cultured in
every faculty, sun-ounded by friends, a member of a profes-
sion always known as intellectual, he had, in our midst, de-
veloped into a ripe manhood, and had discharged the duties
of his profession in such a way as to win both fame and ad-
miration, and what is not easily won, great love and trust.
Perhaps I may say that not many are trusted as he was, and
there are none who were loved more than he, for he had
this gift more especially — it could not be accident or device —
there was that in his nature which produced confidence and
personal affection. He was an upright, honest, man ; faith-
ful in the discharge of his duties with more than ordinary
faithfulness, more especially in speaking for those who had
nothing with which to pay him, he labored for them without
money and without price. So he drew around him the ad-
miration, the trust, the gratitude of the multitude, who
learned to love the generous advocate who spared not him-
self in their cause."
John A. Lott.— Englebert Lott emigrated from HoUand
and settled in New York in 1680. Two years later he removed
to Flatbush, Kings County, where he spent the remainder of
his life. He is represented as a man of strong native intel-
lect, fair education, energetic, enterprising, and of an unsul-
lied reputation ; he died at an advanced age, a highly es-
teemed citizen. His descendants, numerous and honorable,
are well known in the history of Kings County ; prominent
among them was John A. Lott, whose career we are now to
trace. He was born at Flatbush in 1805. He was the only
son of Abraham and Maria Lott, of that town, His elemen-
tary education was obtained in the schools of that place, and
after a thorough academic course he was admitted to Union
College. A fertile intellect, retentive memory, devotion to
his studies, and a scholastic ambition, enabled him to gradu-
ate with high honors ; he took his degree in 1825, at the age
of twenty years. Having chosen the legal profession for liis
avocation in life, he entered the office of Henry E. Warner
Esq., a respectable lawyer of the New York City bar ; here a
course of three years' study prepared him for a practicing
lawyer. Mr. Lott immediately opened an office in New
York ; his talents were happily adapted to his profession, and
soon secured him a respectable and remunerative clientage.
While practicing in New York he made the acquaintance
of the eminent lawyer, legislator and large minded citizen
Hon. Henry C. Murphy, whose life and career form an im-
portant and interesting part of Kings County, which will ap-
pear in another chapter. This acquaintance ripened into a
fortunate and pleasing friendship.
Early in 1835, Mr. Lott became a law partner with Mr.
Murphy, removing to Brooklyn.
The next year Judge Vanderbilt entered the office as a
partner— the firm thereafter being known under the name
and style of Lott, Murphy & Vanderbilt. This became not
only a leading but highly distinguished law firm, uniting in
it such versatility of talent and legal accomplishments that
it soon gained a State reputation. It existed for over twenty
years, with undiminished popularity and success. At length,
Mr. Murphy received the appointment of United States Min-
ister to the Hague. After this the firm was known as Lott
& Vanderbilt. This relation continued down to 1857, when
Mr. Lott was elected Justice of the Supreme Court of the
State for a term of four years. Judge Lott devoted himself
with untiring industry to his profession. To him jurispru-
dence was a science that deUghted his polemical mind,
he studied it with avidity and pleasure, and the student was
never lost in the practising lawyer. His deep reading was
exhibited in his legal arguments and opinions, rendering his
briefs, and aU his legal productions, beautiful specimens of
legal logic and learning. Few lawyers ever applied them-
selves to the duties of the profession more devotedly than
Mr. Lott. In the contests of the bar he was occasionally de-
feated, but he never lost a cause by inattention or neglect.
His advocacy of whatever case he espoused was able and ef-
fective. As his examinations of them were exhaustive, he
rested firmly upon the result of his conclusions .concerning
them, and he never willingly relinquished their vindication
until the final and authoritative judgments of the courts
were pronounced upon them. In July, 1878, Vanderbilt died,
and after his death Judge Lott continued his practice alone.
Like most lawyers, Mr. Lott entered ardently into politics, but
never to the neglect of his profession. His political career,
though long and distinguished, is so intimately connected
with the history of those party dissensions— still so freshly
remembered— that to enter into a consideration of them would
be a work of supererogation. It is sufficient to say that he
early allied himself to the Democratic party, and was long
regarded as one of its effective leaders in the State and
nation.
Notwithstanding his somewhat harsh and aggressive man-
ner, the frankness of his nature, the ease with which he was
approached, his broad and ready sympathy, rendered him al-
ways popular with the masses, whether in office or out.
Another reason for his popularity was his deep sincerity, his
honest belief in his political principles; always meaning what
he said, and saying what he meant.
He was never, in any sense of the word, a demagogue, and
when placed in comparison with those simulars of patriotism
LEQAL BIOGRAPHIES.
353
—politicians of expediency and intrigue, approaching the
people with artifice, and addressing them in the ambiguous
language of a trimmer — his character shone with peculiar
luster.
On April 13, 1888, John A. Lott was appointed by Governor
Maroy, First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, of Kings
County. This was the first office of any importance which
he ever held. As the Court of Common Pleas in those days
was nearly equal in dignity and importance to the Circuit
Courts, the office of First Judge of the former court de-
manded of its incumbents learning and judicial ability equal
to that of the Justices of the Supreme Court. These qualities
Judge Lott carried to the bench in an eminent degree. *He
occupied the bench of the Common Pleas until January 27,
1843, when he was succeeded by that honored jurist and
highly esteemed citizen of Brooklyn, Hon. John Greenwood.
In the Autumn of 1841, Mr. Lott, while discharging his judi-
cial duties, was elected member of Assembly from Kings
County. His colleague was Wm. L. Udall. He took his seat
in the Assembly, January 4, 1843. Levi S. Cliatiield was
Speaker of the House. Between this accomplished parlia-
mentarian and Judge Lott there existed a warm friendship ;
the former, holding Judge Lott in the highest esteem for his
abiUties as a jurist and excellent qualities as a man, gave him
the second place on the Committee of Ways and Means, and
made liim chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
The Legislature of 1843 is remembered for the large num-
ber of its members distinguished in the history of the State,
and for the importance of the legislative business it disposed
of. Among the liistoric names which appear upon the records
of the Assembly of that year are those of Horatio Seymour,
Sanford E. Church, John A. Dix, John A. Lott, Michael Hoff-
man, Levi S. Chatfield and Samuel G. Hathaway, Jr.
Among the eminent members of the Senate were Erastus
Corning, Gabriel Furman and Andrew B. Dickinson.
Mr. Furman was a citizen of Brooklyn, long and favorably
known in its history. He represented the First Senatorial
District of the State, then consisting of the counties of Kings,
Richmond and New York, from January 1, 1889, to Decem-
ber 81, 1842, with marked ability. Senator Furman's succes-
sor in the Senate was Judge Lott, who in the Autumn of
1842 was elected Senator from the First District for its sixty-
sixth session. He entered upon his senatorial duties January
3, 1843. Daniel S. Dickinson, subsequently a distinguished
senator in Congress, was Lieutenant Governor, and President
of the Senate. The Democrats were largely in the majority
in both branches of the Legislature that year, and John A.
Lott was the acknowledged leader of that party. Lieutenant
Governor Dickinson exhibited his appreciation of him as a
legislator, by_making him the chairman of the Ways and
Means, and other important committees.
The statesmanlike abihties with which Judge Lott dis-
charged all his senatorial duties were generally recognized,
rendering hun, as we have already said, the leader of his
party. His capacity for administration appears in all his
senatorial career, proving indubitably that he possessed the
quaUties of a legislator in no secondary degree. He was in-
valuable in the committee and on the floor of the Senate.
Strength of conviction, strength of purpose, strength of
method, strength of logic and of statement were endowments
with which he was liberaUy furnished, and he has left their
impress not only on the records of the Senate, but in the
mstory of aU his official life. And we may well say that the
History of Kings County will never lose the impress of his
Characteristics. He sought no felicity of phraseology, except
a ctoect, square expression of his meaning ; he had little taste
tor the lighter graces of rhetoric ; quite abominated grandil-
oquence and legislative pyrotechnics ; but of that manly,
unaffected speech, thoroughly in earnest to enforce conviction
upon the hearer, he was a master. In regard to eloquence he
coincided with Bolingbroke, who said: "Eloquence must
flow like a stream that is fed by an abundant spring, and
not spout forth a frothy stream on some gaudy day, remain-
ing dry for the rest of the year."
There was much in the personal appearance of Judge Lott
that enforced respect and attention. In stature he was tall,
well formed and commanding ; his countenance, if not at-
tractive at first, soon became as eloquent as liis language.
His career in the Senate contributed much to evolve the
latent powers of his mind, roused and elevated by the colli-
sion with powerful talents, and the ardent investigation of
important questions ; these were examined by him with a
most laborious application, revolved again and again with
ardent and unremitted meditation.
It was almost impossible to divert his attention toward any
other object before he had thoroughly formed his conclusions
on the subjects which thus engaged his attention. When he
had once definitely made up his opinion, after this mature
and impartial examination, he was so immovably firm in his
purpose that he was often thought somewhat strenuous and
uncompromising in support of them, but the purity of his
motives was never doubted.
In February, 1839, a biU providing for a cheaper publica-
tion of the reports of the State courts was introduced into
the Senate, eliciting an animated debate. Judge Lott favored
the bill in a brief but characteristic speech, in which he said :
" I am strongly in favor of cheap law and cheap law-books.
I think it quite as important that a knowledge of law should
be brought within the reach of the people as the knowledge
of any other science — for law, as has well been said, ' is the
rule of human action.' We have read of the Roman Emperor
who caused his code to be written in fine letters on tablets,
placed on towers so high that none could read it. Those who
favor tlie other side of this question, do indirectly what that
Emperor did. Sir, I do not desire to emulate him in any
degree. I cordially indorse the language of a great English
law reformer who said : It was the boast of Augustus — it
formed a part of the glare in which the perfidies of his early
years were lost— that he found Rome built of brick and left
it marble ; but how much more noble will be the Sovereign's
boast when he shall have it to say that he found law dear
and left it cheap ; found it a sealed book, left it a living let-
ter ; found it the patrimony of the rich, left it the inheritance
of the poor ; found it the two edged sword of tyranny and op-
pression, and left it the staff of honesty and the shield of
innocence." This bill passed the Senate, but was lost in the
Assembly.
Judge Lett's senatorial term ended December 31, 1846, and
he retired once more to private life and the duties of his pro-
fession. So useful was he to the Democratic party that he still
retained his position in it as one of its leaders, whose voice
and influence was potent in its council and in directing its
campaigns. Official positions of high grade were frequently
tendered him, but he preferred the solid honors of his profes-
sion to the ephemeral glamor of official distinction. In 1857,
however, he was once more called upon to assume judicial
robes. With some reluctance he accepted the nomination
from his party, of Justice of the Supreme Court, for a four
years' term. He was elected by a large majority, and en-
tered upon his judicial duties January 1, 1858.
As a judge at Nisi Prius, or the Circuit, Judge Lott's mind
seemed to be singularly adapted to the disentanghng of com-
plex questions of law and fact, and to the attainment of sure
and satisfactory conclusions; quite as much by the exercise
354
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
of peneti-ating common sense as by the rules of logic and the
subtlety of law. It is not denied that his manner of presiding
at the circuits subjected him to some criticism, founded more
upon some asperity and harshness of manner than anything
else. Still, with a large majority of the bar, he was highly
popular. He brought to the bench a drastic, physical and
mental strength that enabled him to endure the most ardent
and wearing judicial labors. The large number of opinions
written by him when a Judge of the Supreme Court, and
Judge of the Court of Appeals, exhibit the amount and extent
of his labors, his abilities as a judge, and his accomplish-
ments as a writer.
In December, 1863, his judicial term expired. In 1869
Judge Lott was elected an Associate Justice of the Court of
Appeals. Hon. John K. Porter had been appointed a justice
of that court January 2, 1865, to fill the vacancy made by the
resignation of Hon. Henry R. Selden. After holding the
office a little over a year. Judge Porter, greatly to the regret
of the bar and his brethren of the bench, resigned; and Hon.
Lewis B. Woodruff was appointed in his place, and served
till the next ensuing election, when Judge Lott was elected
in his place. Having served out his term, he was appointed
by the governor a judge of the Commission of Appeals, and
was made Chief Commissioner, or Chief Justice. He entered
on the duties of his office July 5, 1870, serving until Decem-
ber 31, 1875, when the commission expired.
This commission was created to relieve the Court of Ap-
peals from the immense pressure of business which had been
accumulating for a long time, emphatically delaying the ad-
judication of cases in it to an extent ruinous to the interests ,
of suitors. How ardently successful, and with what learning
and acumen this commission discharged its duties, is known
not only to the legal profession, but to the business world.
Its decisions and written opinions have enriched the learning
of the American bar.
After Judge Lott retired from this commission, he never
again held any office ; but in such high repute was his ju-
dicial ability held by the bar, that he was often selected as
referee to hear and determine important cases. One of these
cases — the last one he ever heard — was that of Kingsley &
Keeney vs. The City of Brooklyn ; a case too well remem-
bered to need any description here.
Judge Lott was distinguished for his pubUc spirit and en-
terprise. Many public and private institutions, many of the
improvements tending to the wealth and aggrandizement of
Kings County, owe their origin, in a considerable degree, to
him. Down to a short time before his death, he was con-
stantly engaged in some pubhc enterprise, among which
were the Brighton Beach Hotel and Railroad. The happy and
effective speech he made on the opening of that hotel is re-
membered as being made on the occasion of his last appear-
ance in public before his death. He was for many years
president of the St. Nicholas Society, and, it is said, never
absent from its annual dinners.
Judge Lott enjoyed nearly a half century of married hap-
piness, in a home presided over by a woman peculiarly quali-
fied to adorn and brighten the life of her husband. She was
his cousin, a daughter of Jeremiah Lott, a prominent char-
acter in the history of Kings County. Five children were
born of this marriage — three sons and two daughters. It was
said that he was misunderstood by the people of Brooklyn,
some of whom regarded him as a bluff, harsh man, deaUng
little with the pleasantries and amenities of society ; but this
was doubtless a mannerism and not a characteristic, for,
though he did not strive to seek popularity by the fawning
of a sycophant, though he was somewhat reserved in private
life, shrinking instinctively from general acquaintance and
notoriety in the crowd, in the social circles in which he ap-
peared he was an interesting and welcome guest. Those who
knew him best found it difficult to understand how he could
be regarded as cold, selfish and rough. "Whatever sternness
there was in his character, whatever of roughness in his de-
meanor, whatever apparent irritability in his temper, lay
only on the surface of his character, disappearing in the
presence of his friends, unknown in his home life, where hia
kindness and affection were inexhaustible.
He was sometimes called "ugly ; " but, as Chauncey Shaf-
fer used to say of him : " There is a flavor in Judge Lett's
ugliness that I like. It comes from an honest heart, and
never savors of hypocrisy."
To use the language of the Brooklyn Eagle concerning
John A. Lott as a judge : " He regarded the members of the
bar as the friends of the court, and he had no respect for
those who brought discredit upon it by sharp practice, tiick-
ery and fraud ; indeed, he could hardly disguise his hatred
of such men, and his manner of exhibiting it was, perhaps,
one of his faults as a judge.'' To such lawyers he was, in-
deed, as ugly as the ugliest. Usually, he was courteous, dig-
nified and patient to lawyers practising before him. Like all
positive, successful men, he had his faults and made enemies.
But it must be remembered that men who possess his char-
acteristics, while they have enemies, will never be without
strong and powerful friends. Society has httle respect for a
man who has not enough character to make enemies, for he
has not enough to make friends who will stand by him in the
collisions and vicissitudes of life.
Judge Lott died suddenly, at Flatbush, July 20, 1878. He
had been complaining of indisposition, and called Dr. Za-
briskie, who after a short consultation left him, regarding his
symptoms as entirely favorable, indicative only of slight ill-
nesB. "When the doctor left he retired to his bath-room,
where his lifeless remains were soon discovered.
The sensation which the sudden death of such a man pro-
duced may be easily imagined. As was said by an eminent
writer, touching the death of Sir Robert Peel : " The falling
of the column revealed the extent of the space it had occu-
pied."
William Rockwell. — For thirty years no name was more
conspicuous in the legal history of Kings County than that
of William Rockwell. He began his practice as a lawyer
when the entire Bar of Kings County did not number over
twenty practising attorneys ; he was, therefore, almost one
of the architects of that Bar, leaving on its history the evi-
dence of his high intellectual endowments, bis skill and suc-
cess as a lawyer, his rare accomplishments as a judge.
Mr. Rockwell was born at Canaan, Conn., Januaiy 4, 1803.
His father was Dr. William A. Rockwell, of Canaan, a man
of commanding talents and of extraordinary learning j he
served as Assistant Surgeon-General during the Revolution-
ary War, and afterwards was the author of several works on
surgeiy, justly and highly commended for their ability, re-
search and attractive style. He was for many years at the
head of the medical profession in Connecticut.
At the early age of sixteen young Rockwell entered Tale
College, from whence he graduated at the age of nineteen.
As he had decided upon the legal profession as his occupar
tion for life, immediately after graduating he entered the
office of Hon. Seth P. Staples, a leading member of the
Connecticut Bar, and a prominent legislator ; he remained
with Mr. Staples until after his call to the bar, as an assist-
ant. In April, 1837, Mr. Rockwell became a resident of
Brooklyn, and a law-partner of Hon. Nathan B. Morse. The
firm of Morse & Rockwell controlled a very large business.
LEGAL BIOGRAPHIES.
855
and was regarded as eminently successful and influential ;
both members of the firm attained a high distinction as law-
yers and as judicial oflScers. The senior member of the
firm, Mr. Morse, was appointed first Judge of the Court
of Common Pleas of Kings County, in 1833, serving tUl
April 13th, 1888, when he was succeeded by Hon. John A.
Lott.
One year after leaving the bench of the Common Pleas, Mr.
Morse was appointed District Attorney of Kings County,
serving until June, 1847, "when he was succeeded by Gen.
Harmanus B. Duryea. In June, 1847, he was elected a Justice
of the Supreme Court, from the Second Judicial District, for
the term of six years. He discharged the duties of all these
oflces faithfully, and with marked abUity. The name of Na-
than B. Morse is, therefore, an honored one in the history of
the past. When he was appointed District Attorney of Kings
County, the firm of Morse & Rockwell was dissolved. In
those days District Attorneys were appointed by the Judges
of the Common Pleas, and none but the ablest members of
the bar were tendered that appointment.
As we have said. Judge Morse was appointed first Judge
of Kings County Common Pleas, April 30th, 1833, and Mr.
Rockwell was appointed District Attorney May 3d, 1833. He
continued to discharge the duties of District Attorney until
June Ist, 1839, when he was succeeded by Judge Morse. At
the first judicial election under the Constitution of 1846,
which took place in June, 1847, Mr. Rockwell was elected
County Judge of Kings County, serving until 1848, when he
was succeeded by Samuel E. Johnson. We say " succeeded "
by Mr. Johnson — Rockwell and Johnson were opposing can-
didates for the office of County Judge at the judicial elec-
tion to which we have referred, and Mr. Johnson, claiming
to have been fairly elected, applied to the Supreme Court
for the confirmation of his election. After a long contest
the Court decreed that he was entitled to the oflice of County
Judge and that Rockwell was not entitled to it. Accordingly
on October 38th, 1848, Johnson took his seat upon the bench,
and Rockwell retired from it.
Judge Rockwell now applied himself with renewed energy
to his profession, his retainers extending to distant parts of
the State, giving him a State reputation as a lawyer ; he
was much of the time before the General Term of the Su-
preme Court and in the Court of Appeals, and was regarded
as an eminently successful lawyer. In the fall of 1853 he
was brought prominently forward as a candidate for Judge
of the Supreme Court of the State, for the Second Judicial
District. From the beginning his election was assured : he
entered upon his judicial duties January 1st, 1854. The
manner in which he discharged his duties evinced his high
judicial abilities and his ripe learning. If he was highly dis-
tinguished at the bar, he was equally successful in obtaining
commendation as a Judge.
But his exalted career on the bench suddenly terminated.
On the 13th of July, 1856, Mr. Waring, a friend and neigh-
bor of the Judge, called upon him at his residence. While
engaged in an agreeable conversation Judge Rockwell was
suddenly attacked with a violent pain in the chest, instantly
followed by a copious vomiting of blood. As he was falling
from his chair, Mr. Waring caught him in his arms, but
death ensued ahnost instantaneously. The sudden death of
this distinguished Jurist produced a profound sensation
throughout the State. Everywhere large meetings of the
bar were called, ,to attest respect for his memory. The bar
and the laity vied vrtth each other in doing honor to a
learned, able, pure and exalted Jurist who as a Judge had
onored the bench, and whose career as a lawyer had espe-
ciaUy ornamented the bar.
One of the largest gatherings of the bar that ever took
place in Kings County, met for the purpose of paying respect
to the memory of Judge Rockwell, and to make arrange-
ments to attend his funeral in a body. His early partner and
life-long friend, Hon. Nathan B. Morse, presided; his remarks
upon taking the chair were peculiarly touching and appro-
priate. Addresses were made by Messrs. Sanxay, Lott and
Spooner. The addresses of these gentlemen were more than
ordinarily affecting and interesting. All of those eloquent
speakers have since been removed from the scenei of their
labors and their brilliant career by death.
Kings County feels a just pride in perpetuating the mem-
ory of her great Jurists, whose career has shed such honor on
her history.
Cyeus p. Smith, and Charles J. Lowrey.— On the 34th
day of February, 1877, a solemn and impressive meeting of
the Bar of Kings County convened to honor the memory of
two of its ablest and most eminent members, who had just de-
parted this life— Cyrus P. Smith and Charles Lowrky. The
meeting was called to order by Gen. B. P. Tracy, on whose
nomination Chief Justice Neilson was made chairman. Ex-
Judge Troy, and Philip S. Crooke were chosen secretaries.
A feeling of unusual sadness pervaded the meeting. Judge
Tracy, in calling the meeting to order, and in nominating
Judge Neilson for chairman, dwelt in the most feeling and
touching manner upon the characteristics of the lamented
dead, which especially endeared them, not only to their
brethren of the bar, but also to the Bench.
" We cannot," he said, " but sympathise with the bar in a
bereavement which has taken from us such associates and
friends, whose rare gifts contributed to throw so much luster
upon their lives, and upon their profession."
Judge Neilson, on taking the chair, alluded in beautiful
language, deeper and more touching than the common lan-
guage of eulogy, showing that his words were the outcome
of a sorrowing heart. Addresses were also made by many of
the members of the bar, among whom were Hon. John Wins-
low and Hon. Henry C. Murphy. The tributes pronounced
by these eminent gentlemen were so just, so aflduent in that
kind of language which such occasions require, and yet so
chastened by good taste, so adorned by pleasing and touch-
ing diction, that their eulogies— if such they may be called —
have never been forgotten. We regret that space prevents
us from giving any portion of these admirable productions.
It remains only to be said that, for fifty years, Cyrus P.
Smith was identified with all that was best and prominent in
the interests of Brooklyn. When he came to Brooklyn, the
city contained less than 10,000 inhabitants, and there were
very few lawyers, among whom were James P. Clark, C. J.
Doughty, John Greenwood, and Nathan B. Morse. Mr. Smith
was the first Corporation Counsel of Brooklyn. He was
Mayor of Brooklyn in 1839, and under his guidance. Myrtle
Avenue, Court Street, and some of the most important streets
and avenues were opened.
In the autumn of 1854, he was nominated and elected to
the State Senate, from the 2d Senatorial District, serving for
the term of two years. He exhibited on the floor of the
Senate, in the services he rendered on important committees,
all the qualities of a high-minded, able and useful legislator.
At the close of his term he was tendered a renomination,
which, to all appearances, now, would have been unanimous,
and his election would have been certain. But professional
duties prevented him from accepting the proffered office.
Mr. Smith was what may well be called an industrious law-
yer—industrious in applying the law to his cases, and in
preparing them for trial or argument. His briefs were
356
HISTORY OF EIJSTGS COUNTY.
admirable models of labor and research. His arguments
evidently came from a well-stored mind ; ingenious, efEec-
tive, pointed. If, to convince is the end and object of elo-
quence, Mr. Smith vras eminently eloquent, for his arguments
always carried conviction with them. He died February
23d, 1877.*
Me. Loweet was a lawyer whose learning and ability was
justly recognized by the bar and the public. He made no
pretension as an advocate, and seldom appeared in Court.
When he did it was to make a purely legal argument to the
Court in banc, and he addressed the Court more in a colloquial
style than in the oratorical ; and yet, so profound and solid
were his remarks that they always commanded the attention
of the judges. In his ofBce, as a counsellor, he was unsur-
passed, as he was a deep student, delighting in the study of
the law. He was famUiar with its philosophy and its prece-
dent. Hence his counsel was often sought by the ablest
members of the bar. Whenever a difficult, or new question,
occurred, which lawyers were unable to settle, or agree upon,
they used to say, " Go to Lovsrey ; for if there is any prec-
edent for it, or anything in the books touching it, he can tell
you precisely where to find it." And this was so. He had a
way of going straight to his library, and without any apparent
reflection, putting his hand at once upon the authority he de-
sired. He was, undoubtedly, the ablest real-estate lawyer of
his times. Some of his briefs made in real-estate cases are
still extant, exhaustive and learned treatises, instead of
briefs, showing his wonderful research, and his analytic
power in harmonizing the complicated law touching real-es-
tate precedent. Like Cyrus P. Smith, he possessed those at-
tractive qualities of head and heart that rendered him a
valued and highly estimable citizen. It is singular indeed
that these two men, so prominent in their profession, and as
citizens, should be summoned from earth and the scenes of
their usefulness, from their homes, around which centered so
many affections, so nearly at the same time. It is no affec-
tation to say of them that their lives were beautiful; that in
death they were not divided.
Alden J. Spoonee. — Among the law students admitted to
the Supreme Court at the June term for 1833, held in the
City of New York, was a young man whose name has long
been identified with the history of Brooklyn by a useful,
active career as a lawyer learned and prominent in his pro-
fession ; as a scholar of fine attainmients ; as an accomplished
writer and journalist, and as a literateur of high capacity,
exquisite taste and chaste, well disciplined, imagination. To
use the language of a great city d aUy : " No man took a keener
interest in the progress of Brooklyn, whose growth, from
narrow limits, he had watched with pride and pleasure. No
man was more intimately connected with the events which
marked her earlier progress; and the impress of his keen and
active intellect, and the influence of his genial and heai-ty
sympathy, remain in more than one of the institutions which
are the boast and pride of our city. To speak of the earlier
days and later progress of The Long Island Historical Society,
TheHamiltonian Society, and many other pubUc institutions,
is to bring Alden J. Spooner prominently before the mind."
He was born at Sag Harbor, L. I., February 10th, 1810.
His father. Col. Alden Spoonee, was an eminent citizen of
Long Island, distinguished as the editor and proprietor of
the Long Island Star, the first newspaper ever published on
Long Island. This journal, of acknowledged ability, was
published many years in Brooklyn.
On April 26th, 1841, Col. Spooner was appointed Sun-ogate
* See biographical notice on page 148.
of Kings County. Though not bred to the bar, he discharged
the delicate and difficult duties of that important ofiace in a
highly acceptable manner, not only to the legal profession
but to the general public for five years. It is true he had a
learned, judicious and highly capable counsellor in his son
Alden; but Col. Spooner's strong, well cultured mind
quick sense of justice and equity, rendered him quite capable
of discharging the duties of his office with self-reUant success
and without frequent recourse to the advice of others. (A
fuller notice of Col. Spooner's life atd services will be found in
our chapter of The Press of Kings County— also on pages
927 to 930 of Stiles' History of Brooklyn, Vol. III.)
One of young Spooner's earliest instructors was John Dike-
man, afterwards prominent at the Kings County Bar, and
for several years first judge of its Court of Common Pleas.
Mr. Spooner commenced the study of the classics under
the instruction of the Rev. Samuel Seabury, a highly educat-
ed and respectable clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal
Church, and subsequently editor of the Churchman.
It was with some difficulty that he pursued the study of
Latin and Greek, but the perseverance with which he con-
ducted those studies, exhibits that concentration of purpose,
that intellectual superiority, which exemphfied themselves in
every phase of his future life.
His next instructor in the classics was that distinguished
teacher of languages, L. E. H. Eighenbrodt. Under this
accomplished instructor Mr. Spooner made rapid proficiency
—so rapid, that at the age of fourteen he had acquired an ex-
cellent knowledge of Greek and Latin, and he was also a good
mathematician. Mr. Spooner completed his preparation for
college at the Cambridge Academy, in Washington county,
N. y.
The early, studious and retired habits of young Spooner
convinced his father that his taste and mental endowments
fitted him to enter one of the learned professions. As time
went on he exhibited characteristics that seemed to gravitate
toward the legal profession, as the congenial calling of his
life. Anxious to begin its study, it was decided that he
should dispense with what was called a full coUegiate edu-
cation, and commence his legal course at once.
George Jermain, a highly respectable counsellor-at-law,
was a maternal uncle of young Spooner, and it was in his
office that he entered upon the study of his profession. In
after life he used to relate with amusing minuteness, the
difficulties he encountered in his first efforts to comprehend
Blaokstone. "I found it," he says, "far more difficult to
understand a page of that elegant commentator, than a page of
Horace, Tacitus or Euripides. As for Coke, for a long time
he was an unfathomable mystery to me."
As Mr. Webster has said : " A boy of twenty, with no
previous knowledge of law, cannot understand Coke ; his
propositions are so abstract, his distinctions so nice, and doc-
trines embracing so many distinctions and qualifications,
that it requires an effort, not only of a mature mind, but of a
mind both strong and mature, to understand him."
But young Spooner brought to the study of these authors
the same industry and perseverance which had enabled him
to overcome the difficulties in his way in pursuing his class-
ical studies ; and in a short time the dull black-letter of the
law had strong fascinations for him, and the beautiful science
of jurisprudence easily um-olled its treasures to him.
After remaining with his uncle a year he went to Brooklyn,
N. Y., and entered the office of Clarence D. Sacket, Esq., of
that city, with whom he remained till he was called to the
bar.
Not long after his admission to practice he became a mem-
ber of the Queens and Suffolk County Bars, and such was
LEGAL BIOGRAPHIES.
357
the progress he made in the profession, that he secured a
reBpectable clientage in those counties, and in the county of
Kings. •
, His first case at the Queens County Bar was one of great
difflcalty, full of knotty, legal questions; and, in addition to
this, his opponent was one of the ablest lawyers of his times.
Mr. Spooner had associated with him a very able and ex-
perienced lawyer, who was to try the case before the jury.
But, being taken suddenly ill, the whole responsibility of the
case rested upon the young advocate. With many misgivings
,he entered the contest; but as the struggle deepened, his
timidity vanished, confidence and self-reliance took its place,
and' after a long and bitter contest his efforts were crowned
witha triumph 'that greatly advanced his professional pros-
pects.
In;May, 1836, the celebrated case of the People v. John
Nichols was tried at the Suffolk Term of Oyer and Terminer,
the HoQ. Ogden Edwards presiding. Nichols had been in-
dicted for an assault, with an intent to kill, and for burglary.
The crime was committed* under circumstances of great
■ atrocity. Spooner appeared for the defense, interposing the
plea of insanity for his client. The case is remembered as
one in which an unprecedented number of eminent physicians
were sworn as witnesses for and against the prisoner; those
for the defense established beyond a doubt his insanity,
while an equal number testified that he was perfectly sane.
Under this conflict of evidence Spooner went to the jury.
With great ingenuity he took advantage of this marked con-
flictinthe professional evidence, thereby raising a reasonable
doubt as to the guilt of the prisoner.
"Gentlemen of the jury," said he, "you have the testi-
mony of. ten respectable physicians showing the insanity of
my client. It is true you have. an equal number of equally
respectable physicians who testify to his sanity. . Notwith-
standing this, will you take the responsibility of convicting
a man of a charge as serious as this, whom ten scientific
physicians have pronounced insane? They may be right,
gentlemen-^quite as likely to be right as those who have
testified against them. Here, then, gentlemen, is such a
reasonable doubt of my client's guilt that you cannot convict
him; for,, gentlemen, when doctors disagree, who can de-
cide?"
His whole plea was a masterly effort, and so pronounced
by the bar and spectators present. He was followed by the
Hon. Selah B. Starong, District Attorney of Suffolk County,
afterwai'ds'one of the Justices of the Supreme Court. of the
Second Judicial District of the State.
Judge Strong made a very able and eloquent reply to Mr.
Spooner's argument, but the Jury rendered a verdict of
" Not guilty,'' and the prisoner was discharged. This was a
signal victory for the young lawyer.
• ^s a speaker, Mr. Spooner had a full share of advantages
■in personal appearance, in oratorical and reasoning powers,
and in .clear voice. These united qualities commanded
respect and attention, and often produced conviction in the
minds of his hearers. With his pen he was a more powerful
dispenser of eloquence than with his lips. Possessing a fine
literary taste, strengthened and enlarged by classical lore,
' and an extensive knowledge of books, he ranked among the
most able writers of his times. .
Histapacity-for intense application to literary labor seemed
exhanstless, All his literary efforts exhibit vivacity and
strength -bf mmd, quickness of perception and great purity
or taste. Books were his constant companions, and he was
ever a close student of the Greek and Latin writers. He
used ,to say: "I am pleased with Livy, for his inimitable
■manner of telling a story ; with Salluat, for his entering into
those internal principles of action which arise from the
characters and manners of those he described; with Tacitus,
for displaying those outward motives of safety and interest
which give birth to the whole series of transactions he re-
lates." A more pleasing and truthful description of these
elegant writers could hardly be given.
His literary taste gradually led him from the duties of his
profession. As has well been said: "The literary and artistic
features of Mr. Spooner's character were an especial aind
profitable phase in his life. He wrote much and well. In
his earlier years, beside the work of editing the Long Island
Star, he was a frequent and valuable contributor to' that
greatly admired periodical. The Knickerbocker Magazine.
The history of Brooklyn and Long Island always interested
him deeply. He furnished a loving, tender, biography of the
author to a re-print of Gabriel Furman's Notes, Oeographical
and Historical, relating to the Town of Brooklyn (annotated
by Dr. H. R. Stiles), which was published in 1865. He also
edited a re-print of Silas Wood's Sketch of the First Settle-
ments of the Toivns of Long Island. Of both of these works
small editions on large paper, for private distribution, were
issued by the Faust Club (consisting of Alden J. Spooner
and Henry E. Stiles), in 1865.
A more recent work was the article on Brooklyn in John-
son's Encyclopcedia, published a few years ago — a very com-
plete sketch ; and he also contributed articles on other topics
for the same work.
Mr. Spooner's interest in public affairs dates back to his
earlier years. When, on the 18th of Noyember, 1830, the
Hamilton Literary Society was organized, Mr. Spooner, then
a youth of twenty years, was one of the active promoters of
the movement, and was elected first president of the Hamil-
ton. With him were associated at that time, in the organi-
zation of the society, such men as Henry C. Murphy, A. A.
Low, Seth Low, John T. Howard, Prof. Raymond — after-
wards president of the Polytechnic and Vassar College —
Joshua A. Van Cott and Hon. John Greenwood, of the City
of Brooklyn."
One of the pleasantest instances in the literary career of
Mr. Spooner was the semi-centennial of the Hamilton, oh the
evening of Jan. 19th, 1880, held in the Art Gallery on Mon-
tague street. " As one of the founders of the society and its
first president," says the Brooklyn Eagle, "Mr. Spooner was
one of the honored guests of the evening, and there led in
that old song so dear to a,ll Hamiltonians,
'When we all ate the oyster-fries
'Way down at Johnny Joe*a.' "
He was the writer of that song, and it has jjeen sung at the
annual banquets of that society for years. It carries the
memory of many a gray-haired and revered citizen back to
his younger days, and to the pleasures and companions of
his youth.
Mr Spooner loved the Hamilton Society as a parent loves
its offspring ; and he was always the hearty friend of the
young men who, year after year, swelled its ranks and par-
ticipated in its exercises.
His connection with the establishmg of the Long Island
Historical Society is one of the main features, of his career.
The idea was present in his brain long before the initial step
was taken, and his name is signed to the call for the meeting
held on the 16th of Feb., 1863, when the project took shape
and form, and he was among its first officers. He drew
largely from the shelves of his own library to contribute to
the infant library of the institution. He presented pictures
and objects of interest to the gallery and museum of the so-
ciety, and he was always its earnest, steadfast friend; and his
358
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
leisure hours were largely passed in its alcoves. The follow-
ing minute was adopted by the Board of Directors of the
Long Island Historical Society, Oct. 11, 1881 ; as expressive
of their sense of the loss which the society had sustained in
his death :
" Alden J. Spooner, one of the councillors of this society,
died suddenly in the month of August last. His life was most
absolutely that of a Long Islander. He was born in Suffolk
County, passed the greater part of his life in Kings, and died
and was buried in the County of Queens. His tastes were
always predominantly literary, and his busier years were di-
vided between journalism and the practice of the law. He
was a wide reader, and wrote with facility and finish in both
prose and verse. He was a delightful companion, and
abounded in anecdote, fun and genial humor. He was hu-
mane and generous up to the full measure of his means.
From early manhood down to his death, on the very verge of
old age, he sympathized with all measures and efforts which
aimed to make men wiser, better and happier in their lives.
Beyond most of his contemporaries, he had a prescience of
the rapid growth and prosperity of this city, and of its needs
of Hbraries, lyceums, schools of art, and other institutions
for culture and pleasure ; and he was always a prompt,
eager and enthusiastic participant in all combined efforts to
make adequate provision for such needs. The early Appren-
tices' Library, the City Library, the Athenaeum, and the
Hamilton Literary Association, are among his debtors, and
should hold him in grateful and honorable remembrance.
The circular which convened the earliest meeting for the or-
ganization of this society was from his pen, and bears his
name, and he was not only among the first, but among the
most zealous of those to whose public spirit the society owes
its existence. Prominent and active members of the existing
institutions of the city — who shared his genial companion-
ship and liberal aims — have united to pay a parting tribute
to his cultivated tastes, his broad humanity, his devotion to
the welfare of the city and the island, and to his high char-
acter for integrity in his relations to his fellow-men."
Mr. Spooner was also largely interested in establishing the
Brooklyn Institute, on Washington Street. Indeed, there is
scarcely one among the older institutions of Brooklyn in
which he was not actively interested.
The latest offspring of his efforts in this direction was the
Society of Old Brooklynites.
As a judge of art, Mr. Spooner had few superiors among am-
ateurs. Painting and sculpture were equally a study with him,
and he had an intelligent appreciation of their finer points.
In his later years he was engaged in collecting, arranging
in chronological order, and uniting together a mass of his-
torical incidents relating to Long Island, which he had been
years in gathering. It was his intention, had his life been
spared, to have written a comprehensive history of Long Is-
land ; but death came to him suddenly at his residence in
Hempstead, on the evening of August 2d, 1881.
He never had any taste for politics, consequently never
sought political distinction or official promotion. The only
office he ever held was that of clerk of the Brooklyn City
Court. As has well been said : "always too ready to yield to
the advancement of others, he put aside positions he would
have splendidly adorned with his magnificent intellect."
Mr. Spooner's life was one of spotless integrity, and the
rigid honesty of his business dealings always secured him ab-
solute confidence, not only with his clients, but with all
classes of business men. He was a fascinating and instruc-
ting conversationalist ; one of those persons in whose society
intelligent men and women became still more intelligent.
He could draw out persons, if there was anything in them
to draw out ; if there was a subject about which they knew
more than he did, nothing pleased him so much as to have it
introduced. He seized quickly upon characteristic traits, and
by an anecdote would put one in possession of the real char-
acter of the man better than an extended biography.
His sunny, genial nature, rendered him a general favorite.
General Philip S. Crooke.— Among the members of the
Kings County Bar, whose life and career is identified with
the legal and civil history of the county, was Gen. Crooke
He was born March 2d, 1810. After receiving a competent
education he prepared himself for the bar of the Supreme
Court of the State, obtaining his license to practice in May
1833. He early became a resident of Flatbush, Kings County
where he practiced with marked success the remainder of his
Ufe.
Few men ever succeeded in inspiring the people with
higher confidence in their integrity and abilities than he ; as
an evidence of this he represented the town of Flatbush on
the board of Supervisors of Kings County for nineteen suc-
cessive years. Although the office of Supervisor is not one
requiring the highest abilities to discharge it, eliciting no
oratorical powers, and reflecting no distinguishing honors
upon its incumbent, it is one of great importance. The
Board of Supervisors is, in fact, the legislative body of the
county, requiring in its members the strictest integrity,
plain, direct, common-sense, practical judgment, and good
business talents.
Speaking of the extraordinary length of time that Gen.
Crooke represented his town on the Board of Supervisors,
The Brooklyn Eagle used the following pertinent language.
" It would be difficult to express more in brief compass
concerning his trustworthy qualities than is expressed in the
fact that he was chosen for nineteen years to represent a
people like those of the town of Flatbush. It may not distin-
guish him for brilliant endowments, but it establishes the
fact that he was a man held in the highest esteem by an en-
lightened and enterprising people, to whom he was very in-
timately known through the vicissitudes and associations of
nearly a half century.
"After all that is said and done, there are no tributes of
respect so serviceable and valuable, so likely to be deserved,
as those implied in the continued confidence exhibited by a
public man's neighbors in his integrity. Many circum-
stances may conspire to deceive the general pubMc in regard
to a man. Plausibility may secure favor. Malice may pro-
cure distrust. "What neither malice nor plausibility can do,
is to make honest people long mistake a rogue for a good-
minded, honest man, if they have dealings with him from
day to day, for any considerable space of time.
" The real aim of earthly ambition should be the desire to
obtain and deserve the approbation of the faithful, sincere,
intelligent people about him."
Gen. Crooke was one of those who thus wisely circumscribed
their desire for applause, and yet his career at the Bar distin-
guished him in no ordinary degree, and paved the way for
high political honors.
Among Gen. Crooke's many business relations, we may
name that of his partnership with John H. Bergen, which
began about the year 1862. As we have said in another
part of this work, "this relation was advantageous to both
parties. The learning, industry and talents of young Bergen,
the acknowledged ability, large experience and legal accom-
plishments of Gen. Crooke, gave the firm a very high posi-
tion." In the year 1867 the firm was changed by adding to
it that eminent jurist, Calvin E. Pratt, now one of the jus-
tices of the Supreme Court of this State. The new firm was
styled Crooke, Pratt & Bergen. The legal standing of Judge
Pratt added largely to the influence and popularity of the
Qxm. In 1869, Mr. Pratt was nominated and elected a jus-
tice of the Supreme Court of the State for the Second Judidal
District— a position which he still holds by re-election. (Hu
biography appears in another part of the work). The election
of Judge Pratt brought another change to the firm, and m.
LEGAL BIOGRAPHIES.
359
H. Clement became a member. This new firm was known
as Crooke, Bergen & Clement. This relation continued un-
til 1873 when the senior member was elected a Representa-
tive in Congress from the District, and the firm was dissolved.
In Congress, Gen. Crooke was soon distinguished for those
acquirements, talents, and for that moral worth and purity
of character, which rendered him so popular at the Bar and
as a private citizen.
He was a member of those committees to which were con-
fided such subjects as were deemed of vital importance to
the Nation. There are several reports prepared by him re-
markable for their correctness, comprehensiveness and
power. At the end of his term he returned to the practice
of his profession in Brooklyn, which, as he used to say, had
more attractions for him than any office which could be given
him.
Gren. Crooke was a military man, and rose to his high rank
in the Militia and in the National Guard. As commander
of the 14th Regiment he distinguished himself as an able,
popular and very valuable officer.
During the recent war, though not actively engaged in the
field, he rendered most efficient service in raising and for-
warding troops to the field. As Chairman of the Board of
Supervisors of Kings County, his patriotism was prominently
exhibited in everything that tended to promote the success
of our army in the field.
It should be stated that Gen. Crooke represented Kings
County in the Legislature as member of the Assembly for
the session of 1864. It is a remarkable fact that five of Gen.
Crooke's colleagues in that year were residents of Brooklyn.
They were John O'Connor, Edward D. White, John C. Perry,
Andrew Welsh and Jacob Worth. Angelo Newton, another
member from Kings County, was from WiUiamsburgh, now
part of Brooklyn.
In considering the character of Gen. Crooke, his claim to
remembrance is founded mostly on his career as a lawyer,
and his high integrity as a man. In the preparation and
trial of a cause, he discovered great tact ; and although not
what may be called an orator, he exhibited a mind of great
energy and logical powers, enforced by a retentive memory,
and a ready knowledge of the law. There was no man who
understood the strong points of his own case, and the weak
ones of his opponent's, better than he ; he was seldom taken
by surprise, or overthrown by coup d'etat. He went straight
to the point of his case in his own peculiar way, always
powerfully protecting the rights of his clients. No circum-
stance, no legal points, and no presumption which tended to
their advantage, was ever overlooked by him.
We have said Gen. Crooke was not distinguished as an
orator ; by this, we mean that he did not possess the brilliant
imagination, the creative fancy and flexible rhetoric that
constitute the admired orator ; but when he addressed juries,
legislative or popular assemblies, he always oom.manded at-
tention by his clear common sense, and ingenious reasoning.
One of his efforts that is remembered with pleasure, was
hi9 announcement of the death of that distinguished and elo-
quent lawyer, Grenville Tudor Jenks, before the County Court
of Kings County. While it is one of the shortest of the
many and beautiful tributes paid to the memory of Mr.
Jenks, it is, at the same time, one of the most appropriate and
efEective.
Gen. Crooke died at Flatbush, March 17, 1881, aged 71 years
and 15 days. The intelligence of his death produced a pro-
found sensation throughout the State, for his long, useful and
prominent career had given him a State reputation.
In the relation of husband and father, citizen and friend,
ne was what may be termed, without affectation, a model.
He had faults - perhaps many ; but it is a beautiful principle
of human nature to forget the weaknesses and frailty, and to
preserve the memory of virtues and the accomplishments of
the dead. Even so we make virtue a principle that outlives
the grave, always fresh, vital and attractive.
John Dikeman was born at Hempstead, L. I., in the year
1795. His father was a small farmer. When about 15 or 16
years old, his son John removed to Brooklyn and entered a
store as clerk. At that time Brooklyn was a small village,
and did not extend beyond the site of the present City Hall.
It was incorporated and governed by a Board of Trustees.
The business was neither profitable nor congenial to the
young man, and he left Brooklyn and went to Philadelphia,
where he engaged in business for a time. Returning to
Brooklyn he began the study of law under the direction of
Judge Radoliffe, at that time a prominent lawyer. The ex-
act time he commenced his legal studies is not known, but it
must have been in 1814.
Young Dikeman had few advantages for obtaining an
education, and, like many others who have gained eminence
in the legal profession, was compelled to rely upon his own
energy and perseverance ; happily this was sufficient. The
little schooling he had received poorly fitted him for the
arduous work of a lawyer. But those were days when young
men where not deterred by such obstacles. If he did not
possess the requisite education, he studied, early and late, to
obtain it. Public education at that time had not reached any
thing like its present development, and schools were not
numerous. Young Dikeman made good use of his opportuni-
ties, and acquired an excellent common school education.
During the time he was studying law he supported himself
by teaching school. When he came to Brooklyn there was
no public or district school in the village, and its educational
facilities were confined to private institutions.
In 1816 he married Miss Susan Remsen. In May of that
year the citizens united in establishing a common or district
school. It opened on the 6th of May in the lower part of
Thomas Kirk's printing office, on Adams street, near Sands.
Mr. Kirk was the publisher of the first newspaper printed
in Brooklyn. Dikeman was selected as teacher of the
school, which opened with 70 scholars. There were at this
time about 550 children in the village of sufficient age to
attend school. In the course of the summer of 1816, a two-
story frame school-house was erected on the corner of Concord
and Adams street, on the site now occupied by public school
No. One, and the school was removed there. From that
school has grown the immense and complex public-school
system of Brooklyn. Judge Dikeman was, therefore, the
principal of the first public school opened in that city, and
through his long and active Life he never lost his interest in
educational matters.
Nor were his efforts confined to secular affairs. He was a
devout and earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church from early manhood, and in the Sunday-school of his
day he was a constant and successful teacher. The early
history of the Sunday-schools of Brooklyn is somewhat ob-
scure, but it seems that there was a school of that character as
early as 1816.
With ardent devotion young Dikeman pursued his legal
studies until he was called to the bar. He decided to make
Brooklyn the scene of his future professional career; accord-
ingly he opened an office near the corner of Henry and Fulton
streets, and by close attention to business, and the possession
of a natural legal mind and method, his success did not long
remain doubtful. His public spirit and enterprise were early
exhibited in the interest he took in all public measures. He
360
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
was elected clerk of the village in 1821, the first office he
ever held. In the year 1824 his name appears to a public
ordinance published by the trustees of the village, touching
the cleaning of certain streets. At that time he was twenty-
nine years old.
In the year 1830 he was appointed first judge of the Court
of Common Pleas of Kings County. Under the Constitution
of 1821 these judicial ofiicers were appointed by the governor.
As we have seen in another part of this work, that Court was
abolished by the constitution of 1846, and the county court
established in its place.
Judge Dikeman was an earnest and enthusiastic Jacksonian
Democrat, and took a prominent part in the political affairs
of Kings county, sustaining his party nominees on the ros-
trum.
On the 27th of June, 1832, the Washington street Methodist
Episcopal Church was organized. The new church was an
outcome of the Sands street M. E. Church, which had grown
too small for its accommodation. One colony had already left
the parent church, establishing the York street M. E. Church,
and now another scion of the vigorous old stock was success-
fully transplanted. Judge Dikeman had;^received from con-
ference the appointment of local preacher, in which capacity
he frequently officiated. Active, earnest and j^rogressive.
Judge Dikeman left his religious Alma Mater, and went with
the new colony, and his subsequent life is fully identified
with it.
Judge Dikeman served five years as first judge of the
county, with credit to himself and the satisfaction of the bar
and the public.
In 1865 the Native American party was prominent in poli-
tics and enlisted his sympathies. He received the nomina-
tion from that party for the office of Member of Assembly from
Kings county, and was elected. He discharged his legislative
duties with fidelity and marked ability. At the close of his
term he declined a renomination, and devoted all his time
and energies to his profession, which was now extensive
and very lucrative.
The city of Brooklyn was then growing rapidly, stretching
out in all directions; new enterprises and institutions were
springing into being in every direction.
In 1839 the New York and Brooklyn Ferry Company was
organized, uniting under its management a number of the
ferries which had previously been conducted by individual
companies. Judge Dikeman was one of the original lessees
and directors in the new company. It lasted until 1844,
when the present ferry company was organized, and Judge
Dikeman was out of the board of managers of the new en-
terprise. His connection with it was terminated by an inci-
dent which very well illustrates the uncompromising integ-
rity of his character. Some time after the organization of
the company the ferriage was raised to two cents. Judge
Dikeman opposed this measure, contending that one cent
was enough, but the measure prevailed and the fare was
raised from one to two cents. The Judge sold his stock in
the company because he could not be a party to what he con-
sidered radically wrong.
The constitution of 1846 changed the method of choosing
judges.
In 1863 Judge Dikeman was nominated for county judge
of Kings county. He was elected, succeeding Judge Samuel
Garrison, now deceased.
The term was for four years. His opponent was ex-Judge
Troy. At the expiration of his office he was again nominated
against Judge Troy, by the Democrats, .and defeated. Thus
terminated his connection with active politics. He also vir-
tually withdrew from the practice of his profession.
When the Kings county Home for Inebriates was or-
ganized, in 1867, Judge Dikeman was chosen first vice-presi-
dent of the board of managers.
Judge Dikeman was a man of strongly marked character-
istics. He was distinguished for the perseverance and decis-
ion of his character, and for his self-reliance. He was con-
sidered one of the best nisiprius lawyers at the bar, and was
noted for his skill and acuteness in the cross-examination
esteemed for his sound judgment, keen discrimination, firm
in his_ opinion. He died August 23d, 1879.
Hon. Henry C. Mtjepht.*— There was one lawyer whose
recent death has been widely mourned, whose legal career
forms a large part of the history of Kings County bar for
nearly half a century; whose political life during that period
may be said to be its civil and political history; whose public
spirit, liberality, taste and enterprise adorned his native city
somewhat as Athens was adorned in the age of Pericles.
This was Henry C. Murphy, a descendant of a long hne of
ancestors, whose immigration to this country ante-dates the
Revolution by many years.
Prominent among these was Timothy Murphy, a native of
Ireland, a man of letters, of fine literary attainments, a
highly intelligent physician and surgeon. In 1766 he came
to America, and became a resident of Monmouth County,
New Jersey. A natural love of agricultural pursuits pre-
dominating over his pi'ofessional ambition, induced him to
adopt, in his new home, the occupation of a farmer, in which
he attained much success. . At the period of his emigration
he was unmarried, but he soon found in Maria Garrison— a
grand-daughter of Eichard Hartshorne, a distinguished
official of New Jersey — a young lady whose personal and
mental attractions gained his affections, and who became his
wife. At the commencement of the Revolutionary war, Dr.
Murphy entered the patriot army. Inspired by an innate
love of liberty, he proved his devotion to his adopted country
in those fields of strife where the "death bolts flew deadliest.'
On the field of Monmouth, on White Plains, and in other
battles, he exhibited valor of which his descendants have
ever been proud.
Among his four sons was John Gaeeison Muepht, the
father of Henry C. Murphy. He enjoyed only the advan-
tages for attaining an education which were afforded by the
institutions of that early day.
Leaving school, he began learning the business of a mill-
wright, in which he became eminently successful. Imme-
diately after commencing business for himself, he was united
by marriage to Miss Clarissa Eunyon, of Princeton, New
Jersey, and removed to the then small village of Brooklyn,
This was in the Spring of 1808.
" As a mill- Wright he was concerned in the construction or
repairs of nearly all the old tide-mills which then existed in
the neighborhood of Brooklyn, and in conjunction with Mr,
Rodman Bowne he patented the machinery of the horse or
team-boats which were used to cross the East Eiver at the
ferries, first at the Catherine or 'New ferry,' before the in-
troduction of steam. He built all the machinery, not only
for the horse-boats on the Brooklyn ferries, but for many
places throughout the United States, on the Mississippi
River, and also in Canada."
Mr. Murphy possessed, in an eminent degree, the confi-
dence of his fellow citizens, whom he served for many years
as a Justice of the Peace, and as Judge of the Municipal Court,
* The writer is largely Indebted to the eloquent and beautiful bio-
graphical sketch of Mr. Murphy written by Henby E. StiliS, A.M.,
M.D., Editor-in-Chief of this history, from the pages of which he las
been permitted to make exteuaive extracts.
LEGAL BIOGBAPHIES.
361
after Brooklyn became a city, and as school commissioner.
In politics he was a staunch JefEersonian Democrat ; few
men wielded greater influence in the councils of that party
in Kings County.
He was a tall, fine-looking man; his character was marked
by prudence, industry, reticence, and self-reliance. He died
in 1853, in the 70th year of his age, leaving four daughters
and two sons. To the life and career of the eldest of these
sons the following pages are devoted.
Hbnet C. Mukphy was born in the village of Brooklyn,
July 5, 1810— two years after the removal of his parents to
tliat plax;e.
To use the language of Dr. Henry R. Stiles, the accom-
plished historian of Brooklyn, in his memoir of Mr. Murphy:
"WMle he was growing up amid all the advantages of a
moral life and surroundings, he was, by virtue of his parents'
watchful care and social standing, brought in contact with
all that was best in the society of the village, as well as with
that higher strata of culture and intellect to be found in the
limited circle of New York people who, summer after sum-
mer, sought in the charms of Brooklyn residence a delightful
retreat from the cares and the heat of the city. His growing
years gave early indications of abilities which his subsequent
lite so fully developed."
After closing his preparatory course at the High School of
the City of New York, he entered Columbia College. While
there he was distinguished for close and thorough application
to his studies, with something of thoughtful reserve in his
manner, which he at times exhibited in after life. He was
popular with the faculty and with the students, revealing in
the occasional altercations and disputes, incident to college
life, a generous intrepidity and those fiexible muscular
powers which always render a student popular in college.
But his chief delight was in the privacy of his room, where
his books were his favorite companions. To him they were
never failing well-springs of intellectual delight.
He was a frequent contributor to The Balance, a college
journal conducted with marked ability. This laid the founda-
tion for his future eminence as a writer. His contributions
to The Balance had so little of the sophomoric style, were
marked by such breadth of thought and literary finish,
that their paternity was assigned by some to a distinguished
clergyman, one of the alumni of the college. But the pro-
fessors knew them to be the offspring of young Murphy's
mtelleotual labor. With such devotion to his studies, such
natural and acquired endowments, he closed his collegiate
life in a brilliant graduation.
While in college, young Murphy's favorite place of resort
was the City Hall, where the courts held their sittings.
Here he listened to the thrilling eloquence of Ogden Hoff-
man, the powerful legal rhetoric of Graham, the calm, ornate
and pleasing arguments of Daniel Lord, and to the first bril-
Uant efforts of James T. Brady. As might have been ex-
pected, these made a strong impression upon the young
student's mmd, and from that day till the close of his life,
he never ceased to admke the eloquence of the bar. Fortu-
nately for him, he fuUy appreciated the nature of that
eloquence.
He felt that there is no scene of public speaking where real
eloquence is more necessary, and he understood that the
subtlety and dryness of the subjects generally agitated at the
bar, require more than any other a certain kind of eloquence
in order to command attention ; in order to give proper
weight to the arguments employed, and to prevent anything
which the pleader advances to pass unregarded ; that there is
as much difference in the impressions made upon judges and
jurors, by a cold, dry and confused speaker and that made by
one who pleads the same cause with elegance, order and
strength, as there is between our conceptions of an object
when it is presented to us in a dim light, and when we be-
hold it in a f uU and clear light.
As might have been expected, young Murphy determined
to enter the legal profession ; accordingly, soon after leaving
college, he entered the law ofiice of Hon. Peter W. Radcliffe,
then one of the most eminent lawyers practicing at the New
York city bar. The student and the practitioner in pursuing
his legal researches is surprised to find in the early report of
our courts. State and Federal, such various memoranda of
the professional labors and learning of Mr. RadcUffe. Mr.
Radcliffe, although practicing at the New York city bar,
was a resident of Brooklyn. He was in every sense peculiarly
fitted to become the legal preceptor of a man like Mr. Murphy.
In seeing how causes were tried and argued by this gifted
and skillful lawyer, the young man learned how to conduct
with success the contests of the bar.
While a law student, politics— the natural sphere of lawyers
— began to have strong attractions for young Murphy. At
that early age he favored the Democratic party, which found
in him, young as he was, a decided and influential partisan.
His pen was an habitual dispenser of eloquence and reason
exerted in its behalf.
To the columns of The Brooklyn Advocate and Nassau
Gazette, a strong and influential Democratic paper, Mr.
Murphy was a valued contributor ; many of its most pungent
and forcible leaders, written with intuitive grace, and which
attracted general attention, were the productions of his pen ;
written, not for emolument, but out of a sense of duty to his
party, and for the exercise it gave his intellectual powers.
It is impossible to read them, as they now appear in the files
of that journal, without being struck with the view they ex-
hibit of the writer's mental richness and activity. " Even
before entering upon his legal studies," says Dr. Stiles, '-he
had been conspicuous in the preparation of the constitution
and organization of a literary and debating society, known
at first as The Young Men's Literary Association of Brook-
lyn, a name which a year later was changed to The Hamil-
ton Literary Association of Brooklyn, of which he waa
chosen the first President. Edgar J. Bartow, G. W. Horace,
W. and J. C. Dow, J. Tasker Howard, Joshua M. Van Cott,
Alden M. Spooner, J. H. Raymond and Francis P. Sanford,
and others, — all men of mark- some of whom have passed
over to the majority — while others still remain.
The Hamilton Literary Association was, for over a quarter
of a century, one of the vital forces of Brooklyn life and in-
terest. It organized a system of volunteer lectures, which
became the commencement of the lecture system of the
cities of the Union. From it also sprang the Brooklyn
Lyceum, since the Brooklyn Institute.
In May, 1833, Murphy was called to the bar, and entered
upon his practice in Brooklyn. The next year he was mar-
ried to Miss AmeUa, the daughter of Richard Greenwood,
Esq. He came to the bar with rare faculties, ready for its
contests, its vicissitudes, defeats and success. His qualities
as a lawyer and advocate, as his practice developed them,
were penetrating judgment, quick perception, and even
control of his temper, intuitively seizing upon the strong
points of a case, and presenting them to the court and jury,
with remarkable earnestness and effect. The facUity with
which he acquired the forms of business were very early
exhibited. Business flowed in upon him, xintil he found
himself in the midst of an extensive and lucrative practice.
In 1884, when he had been at the bar but one year, he was
appointed Assistant Corporation Counsel, which was the first
office he ever held. In the Autumn of that year, he was
362
RISTOBT OF KINGS COUNTY.
chosen a delegate to the Democratic State Convention, held
at Herkimer. Immediately upon its organization, he was
made, young as he was, chairman of the Committee on Res-
olutions. This was a splendid compliment to the standing
and abilities of the young lawyer ; but he was not merely a
nominal chairman of that committee, he was its intellect, its
brains.
Those were the days of President Jackson's war on the
United States Bank ; days when timid, temporizing men
stood aghast, when bold and far-seeing ones only acted.
Among these was Murphy, who reported to the convention a
resolution denouncing the bank, and favoring the policy of
Jackson. The peculiar language of this resolution brought
on a long and exciting debate, in which Mr. Murphy partici-
pated, displaying abilities as a political debater that gave
him a State reputation as a politician.
That illustrious statesman, Wm. L. Marcy, was then Gov-
ernor of the State, which was Democratic by a very large
majority, and it was therefore natural that the policy of
Gen. Jackson should be endorsed by the Herkimer Conven-
tion, in the passage of Mr. Murphy's resolution. But, as we
have said, exceptions were taken to some of its verbiage,
which aroused the debate. After its passage, " it was
eventually smothered in the report of the convention's pro-
ceedings."
It was not long after this before Mr. Murphy was appointed
counsel for the city of Brooklyn, which had then just been
incorporated.
As Mr. Murphy's father had been instrumental in incor-
porating Brooklyn as a vUlage, so the son contributed of his
best efforts to secure for his birth-place higher civic dignity.
In 1835 Mr. Murphy formed a partnership with John A.
Lott, then the leading lawyer in Brooklyn, and subsequently
distinguished in the judicial and political history of the State
of New York. After some time had elapsed, Judge Vander-
bilt came into the firm, and, to use the language of another,
"the celebrated firm of Lott, Murphy & Vanderbilt com-
menced a career of honor and prosperity, which continued
for over twenty years, enjoying the best practice of Long
Island." The firm became wealthy, and soon became the
controlling influence of the Democratic party on the Brooklyn
side of the East River.
__To attempt to note the political career of this firm, would be
to vsrite a political history of Brooklyn. Of this political
management, Murphy was the master spirit, Lott the legal
mind, and Vanderbilt — handsome in person and winning in
address — figured as the favorite son of Kings County, and
the firm's candidate for Governor for many years. Enough
has been said to show that, in that little Front Street office,
for a period of over twenty years, many a man's political
fortune was made or marred.
Mr. Murphy was active in the formation of the Brooklyn
Library. In October, 1841, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle and
Kings County Democrat was started by several prominent
Democratic politicians, as a campaign organ. As it proved
an unexpected success, its proprietors continued it as a daily
paper. In April of the following year, it passed into the
hands of Mr. Isaac Van Arden, and it has become, under the
name of the Brooklyn Eagle, one of the most able and influ-
ential papers of the times. Mr. Murphy never lost his inter-
est in this journal, and the contributions of his pen, to it,
were frequent, interesting and able.
In 1842 he was chosen Mayor of Brooldyn ; he was then 32
years of age. His career as chief magistrate of this city has
passed into history. His administration was economical and
profitable. As an example of economy, he reduced his own
salary as mayor, inaugurating a system of retrenchments
which confined the expenditures of the city within the limits
of its income. Under his administration, also. Myrtle
avenue, now an old and popular thoroughfare, was opened
and paved ; and by his hand the acts which may be said to
have secured the colossal ware-house system on Brooklyn's
water-front, were prepared. In 1844 he was one of the or-
ganizers and officers of the Brooklyn Association for Improv-
ing the Condition of the Poor.
His administration as Mayor was so popular that he was
brought forward as a candidate for Congress, and elected a
member from the Second Congressional District. He entered
upon his Congressional duties Dec. 4, 1848, closing them
March 3, 1845. He was one of the youngest, yet one of the
most distinguished of the representatives in that body from
New York. Two of his colleagues, Hamilton Fish and
Washington Hunt, were afterwards elected Governors of the
State.
He at once ardently entered into the duties of his ofSoe.
On the question of free trade, that of the annexation of
Texas, and other great questions that occupied the attention
of Congress that year, Mr. Murphy took a distinguished part.
He was a free trade advocate, and favored the annexation of
Texas, provided Mexico might be afforded an opportunity to
give her assent. Through his influence an appropriation for
the building of the Naval Dry Dock at WaUabout Bay waa
secured.
He was a candidate for re-election for the next term, but
notwithstanding his singular success on the floor of Congress,
he was defeated by Henry L. Seaman. But Mr. Murphy's
Congressional career is one of the features of history.
In the year 1844, one of the great measures before the
people of the State of New York was a proposed convention
for the amendment of the Constitution. There were many
things to be said for and against this proposed measure. At
this time the Democratic party was approaching the period of
its great schism, a division into the Hunker and Barnburner
factions. It was then largely dominant in the State, but
these factions in the Autumn of 1846 led to its defeat.
A bill for the proposed convention passed the Legislature
in 1845, after an exciting and singularly interesting debate.
The convention assembled at the Capitol in the City of
Albany, on the 1st day of June, 1846. The delegates from
Kings County were Henry C. Murphy, Tunis G. Bergen and
Conrad Sohwackhammer. This body is remembered in his-
tory as enrolling among its members some of the most dis-
tinguished jurists in the State.
The career of Mr. Murphy in this convention was a matter
of pride to his constituency. He entered the convention
with a legislative experience and ability which was at once
recognized. On the 80th of June, in comtnittee of the whole,
having in consideration the powers and duties of the execu-
tive, one of the most important debates of the session took
place. The question involved the limitation of the powers
of the Governor, the qualifications which rendered a person
eligible for that office, and the term for which he should be
elected. The ablest members of the convention participated
in it, among whom were Charles O'Conor, Ira Harris,
Henry C. Murphy, John K. Porter and Alva "Worden.
Such was the interest the debate created that the gallenes,
lobby, and every accessible place in the Assembly chamber
were occupied by attentive and interested listeners. It raised
those who participated in it above the limits of local reputa-
tion to the rank of statesmen. Mr. Murphy's speech was one
of the marked features of the debate. Though sUghtly and
imperfectly reported, it attracted general commendation,
The State, its institutions, policy, interest and destiny, as
connected with its executive, were the topics to which M
LEGAL BIOGRAPHIES.
36:i
gave his attention, and he confined himself to them with an
intensity of thought, earnestness of purpose, and cogency of
reasoning, that exhibited the statesman, patriot and orator.
In the debate on the questions of the re-organization of
the Judiciary, the re-construction of the courts, the abolish-
ment of the Court of Errors, and the abolishment of the
Court of Chancery, giving equity powers to the Supreme
Court, the election of judges by the people, Mr. Murphy took
an important and responsible part ; and he will ever be re-
garded as an able and efficient artisan in the construction of
the important measures that subsequently became funda-
mental laws of the State. His labors in the convention
found such ready and hearty recognition, that in the Autumn
of 1846 he was elected to Congress by an astonishingly large
majority.
It would be the work of supererogation to follow Mr.
Murphy's course in his second Congressional term. Suffice
it to say he was one of the most conspicuous, laborious and
eflcient workers of the thirtieth Congress. At the close of
his term he was tendered a re-nomination, but his large and
rapidly increasing legal business compelled him to decline it.
He had little to do with politics untU the presidential cam-
paign of 1852 opened. In the Democratic convention held at
Baltimore that year he was a prominent candidate for the
presidency. Franklin Pierce was his opponent. On the
forty-seventh ballot the latter was nominated. Mr. Murphy
entered ardently into the canvass in favor of Mr. Pierce, one
of its most effective leaders, as he was afterwards in the can-
vass which resulted in Buchanan's election.
One of the first acts of President Buchanan was the ap-
pointment of Mr. Murphy as minister to the Hague. As he
hadlong been identified in the work of rescuing from oblivion
the early history of our State, particularly that part which
relates to our first colonization by Holland, there was some-
thing in the opportunity which this appointment offered
eminently congenial to his historic and literary taste, and
this was the paramount reason for his accepting the position.
Before leaving for this new sphere of action, a farewell ban-
quet was given him at the Mansion House, Brooklyn. It took
place August 5, 1857. A large number of his fellow citizens
of all parties were present to testify to their high respect for
him. The occasion will long be remembered as one of the
happiest social events that ever took place in Brooklyn. In
response to a sentiment he made a brief, touching, farewell
address, in the course of which he used the following pro-
phetic language, which recent events have proved singularly
true: "It requires," he said, "no spirit of prophecy to fore-
tell the union of the two cities, of New York and Brooklyn,
at no distant day ; the river which divides them will soon
cease to be a line of separation, and, bestrode by the Colossus
of Commerce, wUl form a link which will bind them to-
gether.''
During his absence of three years at the Hague, he found
time to communicate a series of thirty-five most interesting
letters upon Holland and other parts of Europe, for the
Brooklyn Eagle, many of which were extensively copied in
other papers. While in Holland, all hopes of compromising
the pending difficulty between the North and the South
ended; and, in " accordance with instructions from our Gov-
ernment, in an address to the government of the Hague, he
presented an elaborate exposition of the relationship of the
States to each other, and to the General Government, clearly
pointing out the supremacy of the latter in all matters com-
mitted to it by the Constitution, and the equally absolute
rights of the States over all matters not delegated to the
United States by that instrument : and he also showed that
the Rebellion owed its origin chiefly to sectional hate, and the
ambition of its leaders." This paper was published in the
Diplomatic Correspondence of 1861-3, and was generally con-
sidered as the clearest and most statesman-like of any of the
statements at that time, made by our representatives abroad.
At the beginning of President Lincoln's administration, he
was recalled. Born in a locality which had been liallowed
by scenes and associations of the Revolution, almost on those
historic fields where Washington, with his feeble army, con-
tended against the steady valor of the British soldiers ; not
far from the Wallabout, the scene of indescribable suffering
and agonizing deaths of thousands of American patriots; liv-
ing where grand memories thronged about him, his soul was
embued with a lofty love for the Union, and vivid venera-
tion for the great men, the strong men, and the suffering
men who won victories which led to the creation of that
Union. It is not strange that he returned to his native coun-
try, determined to sustain it with every efiiort, and at all
sacrifices.
He was immediately elected to the State Senate, as a Union
man, representing his district in that body for ten successive
years, and in that body was one of the strongest supporters
of the Federal government during the war. Not by words
only, but by deeds, did he sustain the Union cause. He en-
couraged enlistments, paid private bounties to soldiers enter-
ing the service, and, through his exertions mainly, the
3d Senatorial Regiment and the 159th New York State Vol-
unteers were put in the field in fighting order. As happens
in most cases of eminent jurists and statesmen, occupying
places of commanding influence, Mr. Murphy became a sub-
ject of invidious comment, by which dull or prejudiced men
seek to disparage those gifts, and that influence, which is be-
yond their own reach ; and there were those who sought to
injure Mr. Murphy, in attaching blame to certain acts of his
while at the Hague, and even launching the arrows of de-
traction at him while at home.
But these were of short life, and his fair fame emerged
from them, and he continued to exercise great influence,
much of which was exerted in behalf of his native city ; in-
deed, in no place were improvements deemed to be more nec-
essary than in this city. As has been said, " the war had
turned the direction of men's thoughts another way." But
upon its close, plans for its improvement began to be sug-
gested, for it was the worst paved, worst lighted, and worst
sewered city in the country. To prepare, urge forward and
bring these plans to a successful conclusion, the laws neces-
sary for that purpose were entrusted to Senator Murphy.
For the space of twelve years' service in the Senate, most of
these great measures intimately connected with the advance-
ment of Brooklyn and the County of Bangs, were projected
by him. It is impossible to turn in any direction, in the city
of Brooklyn, without coming in contact with the impress of
his hand ; his influence is felt on every page of its charter,
and it is not too much to say, that Henry C. Murphy's best
monument is the city of Brooklyn and what she contains.
" Inscribe my name on the splendid edifices that adorn
Athens, which I have aided in erecting," said a great Athen-
ian statesman, " and I will see that the city be relieved from
every expense of their erection." "It needs no name of thine
inscribed upon them to perpetuate thy name or memory, far
both will live immortal and eternal, when the Acropolis and
the Parthenon shall have crumbled into ruins," was the re-
ply. So we may say that the name of Henry C. Murphy
wiU live fresh in history, when the splendid adornments of
Brooklyn — largely the creation of his intellect and genius
— have passed away before "time's effacing flnger."
His conspicuous political career in 1866 and again in 1868
brought his name forward as a prominent candidate for Gov-
364
DISTORT OF KIirGS COUNTY.
emor, but Tweed and his myrmidons defeated his nomina-
tion. In 1875, on the expiration of Mr. Fenton's term in the
United States Senate, Mr. Murphy's nomination to that place
was strongly urged by his friends. Francis Keman, sus-
tained by the overwhelming influence of Horatio Seymour,
was his opponent. For a long time the contest was doubtful,
but at last Mr. Keman was elected. With that struggle,
Mr. Murphy's political career mainly ended.
Mr. Murphy represented Kings County in the Constitu-
tional Convention of 1867, as one of the delegates at large.
Illness prevented his attending the Convention except a lim-
ited time, but in that time, brief as it was, he was one of the
most active, eloquent and respected members This was
Murphy's last public official service. It has been said, per-
haps with much truth, "that his political career actually
culminated with his retirement from the Ministry to the
Hague, that the party of his adhesion passed out of power in
1861, and that for Henry C. Murphy there was not, for years,
a field for national action.
Entering the State Senate was, after all, entering a nar-
rower field than that in which he had previously won re-
nown. It is true he served his fellow citizens with power
and effect, yet for all that, there was a check in his upward
career. It must be concluded that for a man having within
him the great possibilities he had, his after career was a dis-
appointment. He sought the Governorship ; none denied
him the abilities to fill the position with honor to himself,
and benefit of the people whose choice he apparently was,
but the mysterious influences of manipulating politicians,
now better understood by the people, thwarted their ambi-
tion. With his disappointment in the contest for Senator of
the United States, he withdrew from the participation in the
politics of the party in which forty years of his life had
passed. He escaped the ranks of the highest distinction by
the merest chances, and though his life was full of honor
and of great deeds, he doubtless felt himself a disappointed
man. His temperament may have been an element in this
result, for he was neither warm enough nor sympathetic
enough to attach to him that devoted following, historical
in Henry Clay and Horatio Seymour, and yet both of these
men failed in their aspiration for the Presidential chair, as
have other great men of the Nation. Mr. Murphy only
failed as a politician ; in all else his life was a grand success.
The history of the Nation presents few cases where men
have been what may be called fully successful in politics ; if
successful at all, it was only for a brief period, in which,
like actors on the stage, they assume habiliments of oflicial
superiority, mounting some, bad eminence, clothed in brief
authority, only to be pushed off into oblivion by some ambi-
tious straggler beneath, who, in his turn, perches upon the
slippery place to meet the doom of his predecessor ; and so
the political struggle goes on, and will go on, in which little,
ambitious men, are more hkely to achieve success than men
of commanding abilities and high attainments.
Place the career of men who have attained political dis-
tinction only, against the solid honors won by Henry C.
Murphy, and which is the most to be envied ? The first was
a glittering, ephemeral triumph, followed by forgetfulness ;
the last is imperishable fame and honor.
A few more words in regard to Mr. Murphy's large-hearted
public spirit and enterprise, which have left their impress in
the history of his native city, will bring us to another feature
in his character and career. Touching his public spirit, we
shall use the following language of Dr. Stiles, from his
memoir of Senator Murphy before mentioned.
" Shortly after the war the plan of a bridge over the East
River was projected, the founder of which was William C.
Kingsley. Into this enterprise Mr. Murphy threw himself
with great energy, and enHsted the interest of his friends.
In its inception it was a private enterprise, and aU who en-
gaged in it invested their private funds. He was chosen
president of the company at the beginning, and when it was
changed from a private undertaking to a pubhc work he
was made one of its trustees, and the president thereof which
position he retained to the last. The history of this enter-
prise is too fresh in the minds of the people to require ex-
tended remarks. To it he gave more of his personal atten-
tion than to any of the other affairs in which he was en-
gaged ; and in the minds of the people, superficially at least
his name will be more closely identified with this work than
with anything else in the future. Next to this he took great
interest in the recent development of Coney Island, and as
president of the Brooklyn, Flatbush and Coney Island Bail-
way Company, assumed the personal charge of the more im-
portant matters connected with its business, even to the re-
pair of its rolling stock, and the extension of its accommo-
dations for the public at Brighton Beach. To the Bridge
office, the Coney Island Railway office, and those of the
Brooklyn City Railroad and the Union Ferry Company, he
made a visit almost every day — showing activity in attention
to business remarkable for one of his years."
Thus with fidelity and diligence, not exceeded by any man
in public or private life, for at least thirty-five years, Henry
C. Murphy gave his powers, learning and acquirements to
the public service with a purity, zeal and ability which, how-
ever men may have differed with him pohticaUy or in re-
gard to some of his measures, entitle him to the honor and
gratitude of posterity. As was said of RufusChoate: "He
did not, like most eminent lawyers and legislators, content
himself with the learning or the fame of his profession, or
that of the politician ; he was true to his scholarly instincts
and habits through his whole life — in a word, he was a man
of letters. He was familiar with the whole range of English
literature, and the literature of antiquity.'' His wide and
varied circle of reading not only gave a liberal expansion to
his mind, but it endowed him with a wealth of choice, but
unstudied language, and a facility of illustration quite equal
to most of the public speakers and writers of his day. His
contributions to the press were always highly appreciated
and admired, read with avidity, and greatly enriched con-
temporary literature ; many of his productions have a stand-
ard existence, and will have a place in the history of the
future.
He was for a long time, as we have seen, editor of the
Brooklyn Advocate, afterwards the Brooklyn Eokgle, of which
he was, for several years, the proprietor. His pen embel-
lished and enriched the pages of several of the leading Amer-
ican monthlies, among which were the Democratic Bemw,
The North American Review, the Atlantic Monthly, and the
Historical Magazine.
His specialty of study was the early history of America,
particularly upon the explorations upon the coast which led
to the settlement of the country by the Europeans ; and this
led him to greatly delight in studying the relations ■ of the
Dutch Republic upon the opening and settUng of this New
Continent. With these subjects in view, he commenced at
an early period in his life, the collection of a library from
which he could draw his material. Of this coUection we
have a memorial modestly entitled, "A Catalogw of a'<^
American Library, Chronologically Arranged,'' consisting of
fifty-eight pages (18mo, large margin) giving 589 titles. A
manuscript note on the fly-leaf of the copy in the possession
of the Rhode Island Historical Society bears the following
note: " This catalogue contains a list of books relating to
ffl ® K o ra EM EiV C , m nj OSlPD'IYc
LEGAL BIOGRAPHIES.
365
America, printed before 1800, in my library at' the time it
was prepared, about ten years ago. Since that time the
number has been greatly enlarged, but I have as yet not
catalogued it. June, 1863. H. C. M." This may be con-
sidered his first printed work. A description, even a brief
one, of all the writings and published works of Mr.
Murphy would occupy several pages. We will, however,
mention one or two, viz. : Henry Hudson in Holland. An
Inquiry into the Origin and Object of the Voyages which
led to the Discovery of the Hudson River. With Biblio-
graphical Notes (Svo, 73 pp. Portrait of Dirkvan Os).
In 1867, the appearance of a fine volume, entitled"^
Journal of a Voyage to New York and a Tour in Several of
the American Colonies, in 1679-80. By Jasper Bankers and
Peter Sluyter, of Wiewerd, in Friesland. Translated from
the Original Manuscript in Dutch, for the Long Island His-
torical Society, and Edited by Henry C. Murphy, Foreign
Corresponding Secretary of the Society," testified at once to
hia continued interest in the historic lore of the Nieuw Neth-
erlands, and to his love for the society of which he was a
founder and a distinguished member. This was the transla-
tion of an exceedingly curious manuscript, which by some
fortuitous circumstance had escaped damage and destruc-
tion, and which he discovered in the possession of Mr. Fred-
erick Miiller, a book-seUer of Amsterdam, by whom its in-
trinsic historical interest does not seem to have been appre-
ciated. It forms the first of three volumes of Transactions,
which this young but energetic Society has thus far pub-
lished.
In regard to Mr. Murphy's connection with the Long Island
Historical Society, the distinguished writer to whom we
have so often referred says : " His name stands at the head
of the eight persons who, on Feb. 14, 1864, issued a circular
calling for a meeting to establish a ' Long Island Historical
Society,' which should ' discover, procure and preserve the
three-fold Indian, Dutch and English History of the Island,
and whatever may relate to the general history, to the na-
ural, civil, ecclesiastical, and literary history of the United
States, the State of New York, and more particularly of the
counties, towns, cities and villages of Long Island.' His life-
long friend, Alden M. Spooner (to whom the credit of the
suggestion is preeminently due). Judge John Greenwood,
John Winslow, Judge Joshua M. Van Cott (representing
Kings County), R. C. McCormick, Jr., and Henry Onderdonk,
Jr., the historian (representing Queens County), and Judge
Henry P. Hedges (of Suffolk County)— all but one of whom
were lawyers — were those who were connected with him in
this movement. In the first three years of the Society's ex-
istence, during which I was its librarian, I saw much of Mr.
Murphy. His office was on the floor below the Society's
rooms, in the Hamilton Buildiug, and was easily reached by
a rear door from our rooms. It was then a very usual thing
for Mr. Murphy, as he came in from Bay Eidge in the morn-
ing, if he had any little business at our rooms, to pass
through the Ubrary on his way to his office ; and not infre-
quently, he would escape from the cares of business, to spend
an hour amid the books, or in chatting pleasantly with some
of his old friends upon historic and literary matters. No one
who has only seen Mr. Murphy in public, or in business rela-
tions, can imagine how changed a man he appeared in these
infrequent hours of ease. Usually, in the street, or in his
office, his countenance wore a wearied, stern and somewhat
disappointed aspect, which did not invite approach. But
seated in some snug corner of the library, surrounded by the
bookish atmosphere which he loved so well, and by old
friends and tried, aU this hardness f eU oflE from him, and his
face was transfigured for the time by animation and humor.
His contributions of books, from time to time, were numer-
ous and valuable; and I recall how carefully he remembered,
amid a great pressure of private business, to attend to the
calls which I occasionally ventured to make upon him for
the loan of some choice book or rare pamphlet. He seemed
never to forget any promise of this sort. I cannot but incor-
porate on these pages the discriminating estimate of his re-
lations and services to the Long Island Historical Society,
expressed in the Minute adopted by that body, December
11th, 1883, as follows :
" 'His interest in the institution, from its commencement
to the present, has been of essential and continual benefit to
it, and to its library. He has been a generous contributor to
it, both in books for its collection, and of money for its treas-
ury. He has personally and successfully solicited aid for it
at the different conjunctures when it has been in urgent
need of relief or of enlargement. His counsels concerning
its administration have always been intelligent, liberal and
candid, marked by an affectionate solicitude for its wel-
fare, and the desire for constant expansion in its plans and
work. His attendance at the meetings of the Board and of
the Society has been regular and punctual, when public du-
ties have not altogether occupied his attention ; and his
courtesy in discussion has uniformly corresponded with his
generosity in action, and with the courageous wisdom of his
plans.' "
It need not, perhaps, be added, from what we have seen,
that Mr. Murphy was, to a wonderful degree, industrious —
prompt and faithful in the discharge of all his duties, public
and private. He was honest in the full Roman meaning of
that word — free from tricks and fraud. No one could sus-
pect the purity of his motives, or seek by improper means to
influence his conduct. He might be misled by prejudice, or
party bias, or local interests, but never by personal interest,
or by hope of it. He was not a poUtician in the sense of the
word as it is now used — a man of platitudes, sophistry and
low cunning ; he did not always use the artifice of silence ;
he was a politician versed in the science of government, fa-
miliar with all the laws and usages which govern our inter-
course with foreign nations, interested in questions affecting
internal improvements, and carefully informed on all finan-
cial subjects. His popular addresses drew the attention of
willing, earnest listeners, which soon found through the press
a far wider acceptance. His arguments at the bar and in
the Legislature were always strong, effective, pregnant with
meaning, unadorned with rhetorical drapery, and like a Tus-
can column, beautiful in their elegance, and grand in their
simplicity.
Mr. Murphy's home life was the most hearty, cheerful and
affectionate which could be imagined, and in that circle
where men are best known he was most loved and most ap-
preciated. Kind, familiar, often jocose ; sensitive, with
almost feminine susceptibility, his home was his retreat from
the cares and turmoil of business, and he loved it as few men
love their homes.
But in the midst of aU his usefulness and activity he was,
after a brief illness, summoned from the scenes of earth. He
died at his residence in Remsen street, Brooklyn, on the
morning of December 1st, 1883, leaving surviving him his
widow, and his only children, Henry C. and George I. Mur-
phy. These gentlemen ai-e highly respectable members of
the Brooklyn Bar, and were for several years associated with
their distinguished father in the practice of law.
We need not say that he died deeply lamented ; it could
hardly be otherwise with a man who had stood so long and
prominently before the public. The numerous public dem-
onstrations of respect to his memory, by the bar, the judicial
366
HISTORY OF KINO 8 COUNTY.
tribunals, deliberative bodies and popular assemblies, which,
followed the announcement of his death, attested the high
esteem in which he was held and the most unfeigned sorrow
for his loss. In private circles, too, evidence of profound
sorrow was everywhere manifested. The world's applause,
which had sounded loudly in his ears, subdued by sorrow,
was mingled with the requiem for the dead.
Finally, deducting whatever truth may demand for his
faults — a deduction he never omitted — there remains the im-
perishable record of a memorable career. Though he did not
grasp all that his ambition prompted, he attained much that
the highest ambition aims to grasp, and that heroes die to
obtain— a fadeless, historic name.
List of County Officials.* — ^Having given a history
of the county buildings of Kings County used in the
administration of Justice, a history of the early courts,
periods of their organization, and a description of some
of the trials and other proceedings conducted therein,
with biographical sketches of the judges, lawyers and
other officers of these courts, with the present har of
Kings County; we now proceed to name the judicial,
ministerial and other officers who were, and are, con-
nected with the machinery of justice in the County.
JTJDICIAl OFriCEES. (WEST EIDING, inSTDEE THE
"duke's laws.")
John Manning, James Hubbard,
Richard Betts, Ellert Elbertson,
Samuel Spicer, James Cortelleau,
Rulof Martin.
JUSTICES UNDEE THE COMMISSION" OE GOTEENOE
ANDEOS, 1688.
Stephen Van Cortland, Judge of the Court of Pleas.
James Cortelleau, William Morris,
Gerardus Beekman, Nicholas Stillwell.
JUSTICE OP THE QUOEUM.
Under the law of 1691, and the ordinance of 1699 :
Gerardus Beekman.
JUDGES or THE COMMON PLEAS.
Appointed
Gerardus Beekman ... lYOO
Jacobus Van Cortland Oct. 1702
Nicolas Stillwell 1710
Cornelius Seabring Nov. 13, 1716
Cornelius van Brunt 1718
Peter Strycker 1720
Daniel Polhemus 1722
Peter Cortileau 1724
Samuel Garretsen 1729
Ryck Suydam 1732
Christopher Codwise Feb. 24, 1738
Johannes Lott 1 742
Abraham Lott 1745
Isaac Seabring 1749-'52
Samuel Garretsen, Barnabus Ryder, Chas.
De Bevoise, 1752-61 Oct. 13, 1749
* Blographiea of other members of the Kings County Bar will appear
in the Blstory of the, Bench and Bar of Brooklyn, in another part of
this work.
Appointed
Abraham Schenck Oct. 9 1767
John Lefferts May 9, 1770
John Lefferts, Jeremiah Remsen, Philip
■ Nagil 1770-77
Englebert Lott, Jeremiah VanderbUt
Theodoras Polhemus 1777-80
JUDGES OE THE COMMON PLEAS (sinoe the Bevohtm],
Appointed.
Nicholas Covenhoven March 28 1785
Johannes E. Lott June 11, 1793
John Skillman March 15, 1805
Wm. Purman Feb'y 28, 1808
Leffert Lefferts Feb'y 10, 1823
Peter Radcliff Feb'y 21, 1827
John Dikeman April 21, 1830
Nathan B. Morse April 30, 1833
John A. Lott April 18, 1838
John Greenwood Jan. 27, 1843
John Vanderbilt May 1, 1844
COUNTY JUDGES UNDEE THE CONSTITUTION OF 1846,
Wm. Rockwell awarded the certificate of election,
June, 1847 — ^the first election under the Constitution of
1846. His election was contested by Samuel E. John-
son, in whose favor the Circuit Court decided on Oct.
28, 1848.
Electh).
Samuel E. Johnson Oct 28, 1848
Henry A. Moore Nov. 1851
Samuel D. Morris .
Samuel Garrison . .
John Dikeman. . . .
James Troy
Henry A. Moore*.
1855
1859
1863
1867
1871
DISTEIOT ATTOENETS.
By an act passed Feb. 12th, 1796, the State was di
vided into seven districts, in each of which an assistant
Attorney-General was to be appointed by the Governor
and Council, to hold during their pleasure, and to per-
form the duties previously required of the Attorney-
General and his deputy. Kings County, with Suffoli,
Queens, Richmond and Westchester, were embraced in
the 1st district. Nathaniel Lawrence, appointed Feb.,
1796, and Cadwallader D. Colden— afterwards a dis-
tinguished mayor and judicial officer of the city of
New York — were the prosecuting officers for the Ist
district.
In 1801 the office of District Attorney was created,
the State being divided, as before, into seven districte.
The prosecuting attorneys under this law were
Richard Ryker Appointed Aug. 19, 1801
Cadwallader D. Colden. « Feb. 13, 1810
Richard Ryker Re-appointed Feb. 10, 1811
Barnet Gardinier Appointed March 5, 1813
Thomas Lester « April 8, 1816
* Served by re-election down to present time,
LIST OF COUNTY OFFICIALS.
367
As the County of Kings was retained in the 1st Dis-
trict these gentlemen, under this law, as well as under
the previous law, appeared in the criminal courts of
this county, conducting in them the trial of criminals.
On the 21st of April, 1818, each county was made a
separate district. Under the Constitution of 1821,
District Attorneys were appointed by the Court of
Common Pleas and General Sessions in each county.
By the provision of the Constitution of 1846, they were
elected by the people, for the term of three years.
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS APPOINTED BY THE ACT OF 1818,
AND UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OV 1821,
FOE KINGS COUNTY.
Appointed
James B. Clark March 2, 1819
Nathan B. Morse April 26, 1830
Wm. Rockwell , 1833
Nathan B. Morse June 3, 1839
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ELECTED UNDER THE CONSTITU-
TION OP 1846, IN THE COUNTY OF KINGS.
Appointed
Harmanus B. Duryea June, 184Y
Richard C. Underbill Nov., 1853
John 6. Schumaker Nov., 1856
John Winslow Nov., 1859
Samuel D. Morris Nov., 1862
Winchester Britton Nov., 1871
Thomas H. Rodman Feb. 21, 1874
John Winslow May 9, 1874
Winchester Britton Nov., 1874
Isaac S. Catlin* Nov., 1877
COUNTY CLERKS.
These officers, under the Colonial Government, were
appointed by the Governor-General. Their duties dif-
fered from the present clerk, in many respects. They
were, however, clerks of some of the courts.
After the Revolution, they were appointed by the
Council of Appointment, and they performed the du-
ties of Clerks of the Court of Common Pleas. By an
act, February 12th, 1796, they were made Clerks of the
Supreme Court at Nisi Prisi, or trial terms, and of the
Oyer and Terminer in the different counties. The
present Constitution makes them Clerks of the Supreme
Court in their several counties. Since 1822, they
have been elected for a term of three years.
COUNTY CLERKS FOE KINGS COUNTY.
Appointed
John West 1671
Peter Smith 1682
John Knight 1684
Jacobus Vandewater 1687
Henry Filkin 1704
John M. Sterling 1715
Adrien Hageman 1726
Simon Boerum 1750
* Be-elected 1880. "" "
Appointed
John Rapelje 1775
Jacob Sharpe, Jr 1784
Leffert Lefferts, Jr April 5, 1800
Abraham Vanderveer Feb. 24, 1816
Elected
Joseph Dean Feb. 14, 1821
Abraham Vanderveer Nov., 1822
Charles E. Bulkley " 1837
Adrian Hegeman " 1840
John M. Hicks " 1843
Francis B. Stryker " 1849
Charles A. Denike " 1852
Wm. H. Campbell " 1855
Charles W. Thomas " 1858
John N. Stearns " 1861
John J. White " 1864
George G. Herman " 1870
George G. Herman " 1873
John Delmar " 1876
Charles B. Elliott " 1879
Rodney Thursby " 1882
SUEEOGATES.
The Court now known as Surrogate's Court, which
concerns itself only in the probate of wills, and matters
relating to the administration of the estates of intes-
tates, was known, during the Colonial Period, as The
Prerogative Court.
Then, the authority to grant probates of wills was
vested by the Duke's Laws, in the Court of Assizes ;
Courts of Sessions ; the Mayor's Court also exercising
like jurisdiction. Where the estate exceeded £100,
the will and other instruments of administration,
were recorded with the Provincial Secretary in the
city of New York. Granting probates being a part
of the royal prerogative, was subsequently reserved,
by the royal instructions, to the Governor, or person
administering the government. In accordance with
this principle, the Legislature passed a law, Novem-
ber 11th, 1692, directing that all probates and
letters of administration be thenceforth granted by
the Governor or his delegate, under the seal of the
prerogative office, and that two freeholders should be
elected or appointed in each town, to have charge of
the estates of intestates, which duty, under the Duke's
Laws, had been performed by the constable, overseers
and justices. All wills relating to estates in Kings,
and several other counties, were to be proved at New
York ; in the more remote counties, the Court of Com-
mon Pleas was authorized to take the proof and trans-
mit the papers to the record office for probate. In
1750, the provision was extended to Orange, and sub-
sequently to the more remote northern counties. Sur-
rogates, with limited powers, were appointed in other
counties at an earlier date.
After the Revolution, Surrogates were appointed for
an unlimited time by the Council of Appointment,
368
HISTORT OF KIRGS COUNTY.
until 1821, when the appointing power was given to the
Governor and Senate, and the term limited to four years.
The Constitution of 1846 directs the duties of Sur-
rogate to be performed by the County Judge, except-
ing those counties whose population exceeds 40,000, in
which the Legislature may provide for the election of
a separate officer to perform the duties of Surrogate.
The Surrogate, or Judge of Probate, is one of the
most important judicial officers in the State of New
York. Cases of greater intricacy come up for adjudi-
cation in his court than that of any other tribunal; for
the law touching the proof and construction of wills,
of the settlements of estates, the powers and duties of
executors and administrators, and often that of trustees,
are among some of the questions that are constantly
submitted to the Surrogate for his adjudication.
ThB first SuEEOGATB of Kings County, after the Rev-
olution, was Johannes E. Lott, appointed April 6th,
1'787. His successors were :
Appointed.
James LefEerts June 11, 1Y93
"William Livingston Jan. 16, 1800
John C. Vanderveer March 16, 1814
Jeremiah Lott March 29, 1814
Richard Cornwell Feb. 26, 1832
Alden Spooner April 26, 1841
Alonzo G. Hammond May 3, 1845
Andrew B. Hodges* June, 184Y
Jesse C. Smith Nov., 1850
Rodman B. Dawson " 1854
Roswell C. Brainard " 1858
William D. Vedderf " 1866
Walter L. Livingston J " 1876
Abraham H. Daily May 12, 1877
Walter L. Livingston Nov., 1877
SHERIFF.
The office of sheriff is one of the oldest known in the
history of the State, as well as the most important. He
is an executive officer. Among his many duties are
those of enforcing order in a court-room, and executing
the writs, other processes and orders of the court; he
has custody of the jail and its inmates ; and of the
court-house. In fact, through him the whole, or near-
ly the whole, procedure of the bench and the bar and
the other machinery of justice are carried into effect.
Under the Dutch government, the only divisions in the
State were the city and towns. In 1665, a district or
* Mr. Hodges resigned January 1st, 1850, and Jesse C. Smith was
appointed in liis piaoe.
tAt the expiration of his term, Mr. Vedder was re-eleoted for another
term.
tThere was a contest over the election of Mr. Livingston, which oc-
cupied the attention of the Supreme Court for a long time, resulting
in an order for his removal from the office. Mr. Livingston appealed
from the judgment of the Supreme Court removing him from office to
th» Court of Appeals, which reversed the judgment of the Supreme
Court and granted him a new trial, and making an order re-Instating
him in office pending the new trial. But, as Mr. Livingston's oppo-
nent abandoned the contest, the new trial never took place, and Mr.
Livingston was left In quiet enjoyment of his office.
Sheriffalty, called Torkshire, was erected. It com-
prised Long Island, Staten Island, and a part of West-
chester county. For judicial purposes, this sheriffality
was divided into three Hidings. The East Eiding
comprised the county of Suffolk ; the West Riding
Staten Island, Kings county, Newtown and a part of
Westchester ; the North Riding, all the present county
of Queens, except Newtown. A sheriff was appointed
for each of these Ridings.
The Ridings were abolished by the act of 1683, and
counties erected in their place, as follows : Albany
Cornwall, Dukes, Dutchess, Kings, New York, Orange
Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, Ulster and Westchester.
In each of these counties the office of sheriff was
retained, with duties and powers as we have described.
The first sheriff of Kings County was Richard Still-
well, appointed in 1705, by Edward Hyde, Lord Vis-
count Cornbury, Governor of the colony of New York
The successors of Stillwell were
Appointed
Tunis Lott 1717
Dominicus Vanderveer 1717
Jacob Rider 1749
Moweris Lott 1754
Rem Vanderbilt 1760
Jeremiah Vanderbilt 1763
Alexander Forbus 1767
Rutgert Van Brunt, appointed February 4th, 1770—
the last of the colonial sheriffs — himself and all his pre-
decessors were appointed by the colonial governors.
Andrew Elliot, the last colonial governor of the colony of
New York, in assuming to discharge the duties of that
office in 1783, appointed a person by the name of Corne-
lius Vincent, sheriff of Kings County; but the govern-
ment under the Continental Congress, refused to recog-
nize Elliot as governor, having been appointed by the
Crown. The people of Kings County, therefore, utter-
ly disregarded Vincent as Sheriff of the county. He
made a few attempts to discharge the duties of the
office, but was violently resisted by the people, as a
tory officer under the British King.
Prom 1775 to February 4th, 1784, there is no record
of a sheriff having been appointed in Kings County,
though doubtless such an officer was appointed daring
the Revolutionary war, by some act of the State Legis-
lature.
The FIRST SHERIFF appointed after the Revolution,
of which there was any record, was William Boerum,
appointed Feb. 4, 1784. His successors ia oflSce were:
Appointed
Peter Vandervoort Sept. 28, 1785
Charles TurnbuU Dec. 29, 1788
John Vanderveer March 8, 1791
Cornelius Bergen Feb. 18, 1793
Peter S. Cortelyou Feb. 7, 1797
Cornelius Bergen Feb. 17, 1800
John Schoonmaker Feb. 16, 1804
■^ *^^ _ H fUtk ^3,
LIST OF COUNTY OFFICIALS.
369
Appointed
Benjamin Birdsall March 9, 1807
John Dean Feb. 26, 1810
Abiel Titus Feh. 5, 1811
William D. Creed June 5, 1811
John Dean March 23, 1813
Lawrence Brower March 28, 1815
Jacoh Garrison March 19, 1817
John Wyckoff Aug. 29, 1817
John F. Bergen Feb. 12, 1821
John T. Bergen Nov., 1822
JohnWyckoflE " 1825
John T. Bergen " 1828
John Lawrence March 15, 1831
John Van Dyne Nov., 1834
William M. Fdall " 1837
Francis B. Stryker " 1840
Appointed
William Jenkins Nov., 1843
Daniel Van Voorhies " 1846
Andrew B. Hodges " 1849
Englebert Lott " 1852
Jerome Ryerson " 1855
Burdett Stryker* " 1857
George Remsen April, 1857
Anthony F. Campbell Nov., 1860
John McNamee " 1863
Patrick Campbell " 1866
Andrew Walter " 1869
Aras G. Williams " 1872
Albert Daggett " 1875
Thomas M. Riley " 1878
Lewis R. Stegman " 1881
Note. — We desire to express our obligation to Eev. R. G. Strong, the author of the History of Flatbush, in this
volume, for details concerning the early county court-buildings in that town, which we have incorporated in this chapter.
Also, for the sketch of the old court-house on page 341, which was constructed (there being no picture of it extant) from
his careful investigations, aided by the recollections of a few "oldest inhabitants."
L. B. Proctor, Esq., Author.
Henry E. Stiles, M. D., Editor.
Lewis R. Stegman. — Col. Stegman was born January
18th, 1840, in the city of New York, on the site of the
present Produce Exchange, at the corner of Water and
Moore streets. He comes of old Hanoverian stock, his
parents being originally from the banks of the Weser
river, tracing their family back six hundred years to
the old Saxon times. The colonel, when a boy, received
a thorough academical education, which was followed
by extensive journeyings through the States ; thus he
early in life gained the knowledge and experience that
laid the foundation of future success. He chose the
law as his profession, but ill-health from overwork com-
pelled him to relinquish his studies for a time and
adopt an out-of-door pursuit, civil engineering. He made
one of the most complete maps of New York State
ever published. During these years he was also con-
nected with the press of New York and New Jersey as
reporter, editor and sketch-writer. Young as he was,
ais abilities and progressive ideas made him a member
of the firm of Bailly and Stegman. For two years he
was associated in business with the renowned and
genial poet, Edmund C. Stedman, giving rise to a warm
friendship which still exists. Returning to the law,
he practiced until the breaking out of the rebellion in
1861, when he patriotically joined the ranks as a private,
•nis colonel sent him on a recruiting expedition in
which he was successful, and he was made captain of
the company he had raised, departing with his regi-
ment, the 102d N. Y. Volunteers, to the seat of war.
He participated in the defense of Harper's Ferry, and
the repulse of « Stonewall " Jackson from Maryland
Heights. At Cedar Mountain, August 9th, 1862, he
was shot in the head and carried from the field as dead.
Partially recovering, he rejoined his regiment, and with
bandaged head, fought at Antietam, in September, 1862.
He went through the engagements of Winchester,
Hillsboro' and Chancellorsville, under General Henry
W. Slocum. At Gettysburg, after his colonel was shot,
he took command of his regiment, though wounded in
the neck. In the same year he fought through Wau-
hatchie, Tenn., and Lookout Mountain, when he led the
skirmish line by General Geary's especial direction, and
with Lieut. E. G. Davis, was the first commissioned
officer to reach the summit. These battles were soon
followed by Mission Ridge, Pea Vine creek, and Ring-
gold, where he led the last charge in the Chattanooga
campaign, capturing and saving two bridges under
severe fire, preserving the Union communications and
receiving special mention from " Fighting Joe " Hooker
and General Geary. At the close of this campaign he
was specially detailed to take his regiment home on
veteran furlough. In midwinter, through many diffi-
culties, he landed them in New York without the loss
or injury of a man. In 1864 Sherman's "march to the
sea " was made with young Stegman as major, pro-
moted for gallant conduct at LookoutMountain. Next
came the battles of Rocky Face Ridge and Resaca,
where, in the face of the whole Confederate army, he
captured four guns of the famous Washington battery of
Louisiana. At Cassville and New Hope Church, he was
selected by General Hooker to lead the " forlorn hope"
against the enemy's batteries. At Ackworth bridge
370
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
and Pine Mountain he commanded the advance, in the lat-
ter engagement receiving a wound in the right thigh,
which disabled him for the remainder of the campaign.
After his recovery, he joined General Hancock in the
Shenandoah valley, and there received from President
Lincoln his commissions as lieutenant colonel and
colonel by brevet. In the field he was the most popular
officer in his division, and probably the best known in
the corps, as he not only took a prominent part in every
engagement, but also served as Judge Advocate on the
staffs of General Geary and General Hancock with such
ability as to receive the commendation of Judge Advo-
cate General Holt. At the close of active service fol-
lowing Lee's surrender. Colonel Stegman was placed in
command of Fort Marshall, near Baltimore, and then
of Fort McHenry. Here he was again engaged as
Judge Advocate in one of the heaviest cases prose-
cuted by the government. Returning to civil life in
1866, though tendered a position in the regular army,
he took up his residence in Brooklyn. Instead of
resuming the law he entered the shipping business for
three years. Under President Grant's administration
he filled for five years a responsible and onerous posi-
tion in the naval office, New York city, with credit for
his able management and receiving several promotions.
In every position in life he has manifested great
executive ability and power in accomplishing results.
In 1872 he was one of the main promoters and managers
of the very successful " Kings County Fair " at the
Rink, being afterwards elected recording secretary of
the incorporated society. While in the naval office he
devoted his leisure to editing two papers, one of which,
the " American Journal" was published nearly three
years.
The colonel afterwards engaged in mercantile pur-
suits, until appointed under-sheriff of Kings County by
Sheriff Albert Daggett. In 1878 he was a prominent
candidate for sheriff, but was defeated by Jacob "Worth
in the convention by a few votes. He was elected to
the assembly of 1879 from the old sixth district by a
handsome majority. Returning to the law, he made
admiralty practice a specialty, also interesting himself
in the southern lumber trade. In 1881 he was trium-
phantly elected sheriff on the republican ticket by 6,000
majority, though his democratic opponent, Francis A.
White, was a very honorable and capable gentleman.
Col. Stegman still holds his office, and discharges its
duties as thoroughly and acceptably as he has done in
his former positions.
In Masonry, Col. Stegman has taken the various
degrees of the Blue Lodge, Royal Arch Chapter and
Knight Templar, belonging to Joppa Lodge, Manhattan
Chapter, St. Elmo Commandery. He was formerly a
prominent member of the Grand Lodge of the Knights
of Pythias. He has been identified with the Grand
Army of the Republic since its inception in the State,
filling responsible positions in subordinate and state
bodies. He has been called to places of trust in several
of the great charitable organizations of the day. In
Brooklyn, in New York and other States he is well
known as a speaker and lecturer, in the latter case
always for church or charity benefits. Col. Stegman
is a member of the Lutheran church, and takes a
decided interest in all church work, irrespective of
denomination. In person, Col. Stegman is above the
medium height, with spare frame, light complexion and
a blue eye, beaming with kindliness and generosity that
accord well with his many brave deeds in tent and iield.
Of unassuming manners, his genial disposition, grand
military record, and unimpeachable character have won
for him hosts of friends among all classes of men, and
unbounded respect wherever his name is known.
John Delmae. — Ex-County Clerk John Delmar was
born in Ireland, September 6th, 1838, and accompanied
his parents to the United States in 1849, since when he
has been continuously a resident of Brooklyn.
About 1860, Mr. Delmar engaged in the milk trade,
opening an office at the corner of Second avenue and
Ninth street, and continued in the business about three
years.
Mr. Delmar, who had long taken an active interest
in local and municipal affairs, was appointed chief
clerk to Superintendent of the Poor, John Delany,
and served in that capacity about four years. In
1867, he was elected Justice of the Peace of the first
district to fill an unexpired term, and was re-elected to
the same office for two subsequent terms. In 1876, he
was elected County Clerk of Kings County, serving
with credit and to the satisfaction of all classes until
the expiration of his term.
In 1881, Mr. Delmar opened a real estate and insur-
ance office at the corner of Fifth avenue and Ninth
street, which has become well known in his section of
the city, and also deals quite extensively in wood and
coal.
For several years Mr. Delmar was connected with
the old Volunteer Fire Department of Brooklyn, and
during two years was foreman of Eureka Hose Com-
pany, No. 14, wl^ich position he resigned in 1867.
Politically, Mr. Delmar has been a life-long Demo-
crat, and has, since his majority, been active in the con-
duct of the affairs of the Twenty-second ward, having
for some years past been the recognized leader of his
party therein.
-•'■S -Ij'jUi.PMduB.
cJLyl^
■^ '*'-•- ?'!•■, AM-hhtOfh^
BIOGRAPHIES.
371
CHAEiiBS B. Elliott, Ex-County Clerk. — It is natural for
Americans to honor and respect the self-made man in all
Tocations of life ; but especially is this the case in one
whose duties and positions have made him a citizen of
prominence among his fellow-men. Judge Charles B. El-
liott's career is a type and an emblem of that experience
which many young men are called on to pass through in
their battle of life ; and its perusal not only points its own
moral, but serves as an encouraging example to others.
He was born in the city of New York, in 1829, but when
a mere boy of fourteen his parents died, leaving him,
thus early in life, with scant resources, to face the world.
But, blessed with great self-reliance and perseverance,
he overcame all obstacles. It is unnecessary to remark
that he has retained these qualifications, in a marked degree,
through Mfe. When a young man he was a member of
Americus Engine 6, of New York, and subsequently, after
his removal to Brooklyn, he was assistant engineer of the
Brooklyn Fire Department for four years. During the civil
war he held a commission, as captain of the Fire Zouaves, in
Gen. Sickles' brigade, serving with honor and distinction
for two and a half years.
Charles B. Elliott has always been prominently identified
with the aquatics of this country, especially its boating in-
terests. Nearly a quarter of a century ago he engaged in
building racing shells ; and his boats, in consequence of
being built from his own drawings and lines, on mathemati-
cal and scientific principles, soon won distinction and favor
for their lightness, speed, and perfect models. A combina-
tion of such qualities in his shells soon rendered him the
most popular builder in the country ; and Harvard, Yale,
and all the principal colleges, gave his shells the preference,
particularly when they desired boats for important cham-
pionship contests. All the crack boat clubs in this section of
the country who made any pretension to racing had Elliott's
shells, and professional oarsmen vied with amateurs in their
appreciation of Ms boats. One secret of his great success
arose from the fact of his being the first builder to depart
from the English model, and build on original, or American
lines. His swivel row-locks and patent steering gear are not
only popular, but have been universally adopted in this coun-
try and abroad.
As a patron and promoter of rowing he has had no supe-
rior ; and for the status which we enjoy to-day in this re-
spect, both at home and abroad, we are indebted to him as
much as to any other individual. In the days when the re-
gattas on the Harlem river attracted thousands of spectators
and general pubUc interest, he organized some of the most
noted four-oared crews ever known in New York waters ;
among them we can recall the "Skylark," "Americus,"
"Hop Up," and the " George J. Brown."
Mr. Elliott accompanied the Harvards to England. In ad-
dition to his shell, which they took over with them, he lined
out a boat here, taking the draft and frame of her over in a
trunk, and building it and launching it in fourteen days.
The model, lightness, workmanship, and the short time in
which the boat was put together, excited universal com-
ment ; but the experts in boats and boat-building in Eng-
land pronounced the model and workmanship superior to
anything they had seen previously. The race was rowed on
the 27th of August, 1869, in four-oared shells, over the Put-
ney-Mortlake course. The Harvards were .Toseph S. Fay,
Francis O. Lyman, W. H. Simmons, and A. P. Loring,
stroke ; Arthur Burnham, coxswain. The Oxfords were
F. Wilan, A. C. Yarborough, J. C. Tinne, S. D. Darbishire,
stroke ; J. H. Hall, coxswain. Oxford won, after a good
race, by a length, in 23m., 204s.
His penchant for yachts and yachting is only second to his
love for boating, and his celebrated sloop " Mistake," one of
the fastest boats of her size in our waters, demonstrated that
he possessed the same talent and skill for modeUng yachts
which he displayed for so long a period in designing racing
shells. In a number of races the " Mistake " has displayed
sailing qualities which place her, beyond question, in the
front rank among the crack boats of her dimensions. And a
noted and experienced critic on yachting— Captain R. L.
Coffin — on the occasion of her launch, spoke in great praise
of her model and lines. The fact of the " Mistake " being a
cUnker-built boat instead of smooth sides, was deemed by a
great many an innovation. But her sailing qualities, in com-
petition with our best boats, fully justified her builder's
theory and originality. Previous to building the " Mistake,''
he tiirned out a most excellent boat in the sloop " Charles A.
Cornell," for the Americus Club. This craft, when in racing
trim and rig, always exhibited first-rate sailing and weatherly
qualities.
Among his models, nothing has attracted greater attention
from those interested in ocean steam navigation than the one
he has constructed which is designed to cross the Atlantic in
six days. This model is sixty feet long, nine feet wide, and
three feet deep, Mr. Lorillard is so favorably impressed with
this model, that he intends building 'a large steamer on simi-
lar lines, which vessel will be the pioneer of a new and fast
line of ocean steamships.
Although the pastimes of a nation may be deemed by some
a matter of trifling import, the stern fact remains unchal-
lenged that a people who excel in the broad field of health-
giving recreations also lead the world in science, commerce,
manufactures, intelligence, and universal progress. Judge
Elliott can enjoy the proud reflection that he has, during his
long career, without neglecting an iota of his public duties,
by voice, action, -and example, labored zealously in every
vocation; thereby contributing his full quota towards plac-
ing our fair land in its present proud position in the world
of ennobling exercises.
We have only space to glance at the various positions wliich
he has been called on to fill repeatedly, by his fellow citizens.
In 1867 he was elected an Alderman of the Seventeenth
Ward, and at the close of his term of two years was re-elected
for a second term. In 1871 he was elected Police Justice of
the Fourth District of Brooklyn, E. D., and filled the office
so acceptably that at the expiration of his term of four years
he was re-elected, serving for about three and a half years,
when he resigned to accept the office of County Clerk of
Kings County, to which position he was elected in the fall
of 1879. In a notice of this kind it is not proper to make
more than a passing allusion to his political life. But we
may mention the fact that whenever his name has been
placed before the people they have responded with zeal and
alacrity, and he has never known defeat. This is his great-
est eulogy ; and his fellow citizens render him this tribute
because he has ever, at all times, and under all circum-
stances, faithfully studied their interests and the public
good.
312
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
LEGISLATIVE OFFICERS
FROM KINGS COUNTY.
By
Esq.
WE have thus given a history of the Civil Officers
of the County of Kings, in connection with
the procedure of the courts, &c. We now
proceed to give an account of the Legisla-
tive Officers of Kings County from the earliest colo-
nial times down to the present, viz. : Members of the
Convention at Hempstead, L. 1, 1665; Members of the
Colonial legislature; The Provincial Convention;
The Provincial Congress; Members of Congress under
the 1st, 2d, and 3d Constitution; Members of the State
Senate and of the Assembly ; of the different Constitu-
tional Conventions ; also the Presidential Electors,
and Regents of the University.
Hempstead Convention of 1665. — An assembly
congisting of two deputies, chosen by the freeholders of
each town upon Long Island (except Southampton), and
from the town of Westchester, was convened at Hemp-
stead by Governor Richard NicoUs, February 28th,
1665, the first governor of New York under the Eng-
lish dominion, and successor of the famous governor
Peter Stuyvesant, the last Dutch governor.
This convention was called to settle the affairs of the
government under the changes made by the English in
taking possession of the colony of New York. It pro-
mulgated a code known as the " Duke's Laws," and es-
tablished a shire, styled Yorkshire, which was sub-di-
vided into three ridings, as we have shown in another
part of this work.
This was a very important and memorable assembly;
the first convocation under the power of the English
Crown, in the State of New York.
This assembly consisted of the following deputies;
those from Kings County are printed in Italics :
deputies.
Thomas Baker Southampton.
Eoger Barton Brookhaven.
Thomas Benedict Jamaica.
Richard Betts Newtown.
John Bowne Gravesend.
John Coe Newtown.
Richard Cornhill Flushing.
Jacques Corttelleau New Utrecht.
Daniel Denton Jamaica.
Elias Doughty Flushing.
Mbert Elbertson Flatlands.
John Evertsen Brooklyn.
Hendrick GucTisen. .... Flatbush,
Mathias Harvey Oyster Bay.
John Hicks Hempstead.
Younger Hope New Utrecht.
James Hubbard. Gravesend.
Richard Bowe Gravesend.
Robert Jackson Hempstead.
John Ketchum Huntington.
Daniel Lane Brookhaven.
Hendrick Lubbertzen Brooklyn.
Reloffe Martens Flatlands.
John Quimby Westchester.
John Stealman Bush wick.
John Stratton Easthampton.
John Stryher Flatbush.
Qishert Tunis Bushwick.
John Underbill Oyster Bay.
William Wells Southold.
John Woods Huntington.
John Youngs Southold.
Colonial Legislature. — Under the Colonial Gov-
ernment, the legislative power was vested in a General
Assembly, elected by the freeholders, and a Council
appointed by the King of Great Britain, and remova-
ble at his will. This Council enjoyed a judicial
authority upon writs of error and appeals, analogous
to that of the Senate under the State Government
prior to the adoption of the Constitution in 1846,
They also had an executive power as advisors of the Gov-
ernor. When full, the board consisted of twelve mem-
bers, some of whom resided in England ; the duties
usually devolved upon two or three, rendering them pow-
erful and arbitrary personages in the government. The
elections for members of the Legislature during the
colonial period, and until March 27, 1778., wereheldat
one place in each county designated by law before the
sheriff and inspectors nominated by each candidate.
Voters for representatives in the General Assembly
were required to be resident citizens, possessing a free-
hold worth £40, owned at least three months before the
day of election. Roman Catholics were prohibited
from voting. Members of the General Assembly for
many years held their offices subject to the will of the
Governor, and elections were ordered as often as suited
his caprice or interest. In 1734, a law was passed
limiting their term to three years, but this was revoked
by the King. Finally, a Septennial Act was passed, in
1743, which ren^ainecl in force through the Revolution.
LEGISLATIVE OFFICERS FROM KINGS COUNTY.
373
The per diem compensation for members of this As-
sembly differed with different counties. The member
from Kings, Queens, Richmond and Suffolk received
nine shillings per diem. The Colonial Legislature met
in the city of New York. The King retained an un-
qualified veto power over every law passed by the
Legislature or General Assembly, and also imparted
this power to the Governor.
Representatives in the Colonial Assembly.
from Kings county, from legitol'ZY'r:
Nicholas Stillwell elected 1691 to 1693
John Poland " 1691 to 1693
Coert Stuyvesant " 1693 to 1694
Johannes Van Ecklen " 1693 to 1698
Henry Filkin " 1694 to 1695
Cornelius Seabring " 1695 to 1698
Myendert Coerton " 1698 to 1699
Gerardus Beekman " 1698 to 1699
Cornelius Sebring " 1699 to 1726
Cornelius Van Brunt " 1699 to 1716
Samuel Gerretson " 1716 to 1737
Richard Stillwell " 1726 to 1727
Johannes Lott " 1727 to 1761
Abraham Lott " 1737 to 1750
Cornelius Lott " 1750 to 1751
Dominicus Van Derveer " 1750 to 1759
Abraham Sohenck " 1759 to 1761
Simeon Boerum " 1761 to 1775
John Rapalje " 1767 to 1775
Convention of 1754. — The Convention that met in
Albany, June, 1754, to discuss "A Plan of Union," may
be considered as the earliest attempt at a consolidation of
strength in the American colonies, and was regarded
with jealously by the mother country, as tending to
independence. Wm. Johnson, from Kings county, was
a representative in this Convention.
The first Congress of the American colonies that
met to oppose the assumptions of the British Parlia-
ment, assembled in New York, October 7, 1765.
Provincial Convention. — A Provincial Convention
assembled at the Exchange, in the city of New York,
April 20, 1775, in pursuance of a call for the purpose
of choosing delegates to represent the colony in Conti-
nental Congress. It continued in session ten days; the
votes were given by counties, in which New York had
four, Albany three, and the other counties two voices.
Philip Livingston presided. The members from Kings
county were Simeon Boerum, Denice Denioe, Theo-
dorusPolhemus, Richard Stillwell, John Van der Bilt.
The New York Provincial Congress and Con-
vention of the State of New York.— The deputies
elected from Kings county by the Convention we have
described were :
Colonel Nicholas Covenhoven, John Leffertse, Leffert
effertse, Theodoras Polhemus, Jeremiah Remsen,
«^otiard Still,vell, Rutgert Van Brunt. The foregoing
Convention assembled in the city of New York in 1775,
1776 and 1777. The delegates thereto being elected
for the term of three years.
Continental Congress.^A Continental Congress
assembled at Philadelphia September 5, 1774, and ad-
journed October 26, 1774. There were nine delegates
from the State of New York to this Congress, among
whom was Simeon Boerum, of Kings county. In the
Congress that assembled May 13, 1777, there were five
delegates from the State of New York, none of which
were from Kings county.
The delegates in Congress under the " Articles of
CoNFEDEEATiON AND Peepetual Union." (Adopted
in Congress November 15, 1777, and recognized by an
act of the New York legislature, February 6, 1778).
Delegates were appointed annually by the several State
legislatures, and were liable to be re-called at will.
Delegates to Congress were appointed under this act
until October 5, 1779. It does not appear that during
this time there were any delegates to Congress from
Kings county.
After this time, and until after the close of the Revo-
lutionary war, and till the adoption of the present Con-
stitution, delegates to the Continental Congress were
chosen at Conventions held in the several States.
Congress under the Constitution. — This instru-
ment provides that two Senators shall be chosen by
the Legislature of each State, who shall hold their
office six years; at the first session they were to be
divided into three classes, so that one-third might be
chosen every year; and vacancies that might occur in
the Legislature of any State are to be filled by the execu-
tive thereof, until the next meeting of the Legislature.
From the adoption of the Constitution down to the
present time, no United States Senator has been chosen
from the County of Kings.
The State is divided by the Legislature as soon as
practicable after each federal census, which takes place
every ten years. It was not till after the act of March
23d, 1797, that the Congressional Districts were regu-
larly numbered, and these numbers are changed by the
Legislature as convenience or policy requires.
Representatives in Congress, under the Constitu-
tion, from Kings County.
The first Congress assembled March 4th, 1789.
There appears to have been no member of Congress
elected from Kings County from that time until 1803;
this was Joshua Sands, a resident of Brooklyn, who
who served until 1805. The next Representative in
Congress from Kings County was John Leflferts, of
Brooklyn, elected in 1812, serving in that body until
1815. The following is a list of members of Repre-
sentatives in Congress, from Kings County, since 1815:
Henry Crocheron. . . , elected 1815 to 1817
Joshua Sands (2d Dist) " 1825 to 1827
Jeroraus Johnson (3d Dist.).. " 1825 to 1827
3H
SISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
oted 1827 to 1829
" 183Y to 1839
" 1849 to 1851
" 1853 to 1855
1859 to 1861
1861 to 1863
" 1863 to 1865
" 1865 to 1866
" 186V to 1869
" 1869 to 1871
" 1869 to 1871
1871 to 1873
" 1873 to 1875
" 1873 to 1875
" 1875 to 1877
" 1875 to.l877
1875 to 1877
" 1877 to 1879
187.7 to 1879
" 1877 to 1879
Jeromus Johnson elected
Abraham Vandervere
Daniel A. Bokee
Thomas W. Gumming
James Humphry
Moses H. Odell
Moses H. Odell
James Humphry
Wm. E. Robinson
Henry W. Slocum
John G. Sohumaker
Henry W. Slocum
John G. Schuraaker
Philip S. Crooke
John G. Schumaker
Archibald Bliss
Simeon B. Chittenden
Archibald Bliss
Simeon B. Chittenden
William D. Veeder
State Legislature. — This branch of the Govern-
ment is modeled after that of the Colonial period
already referred to, and has always consisted of a
Senate and Assembly; the former composed of fewer
members, elected from larger districts, for longer
terms, and the latter chosen annually from the people
and supposed to represent their immediate local
interests.
From the organization of the Government down to
1822, there existed a powerful body, possessing legis-
lative powers, restricting or controlling the acts of the
Legislature; this was called the
Council of Revision. — consisting of the Governor,
Chancellor, and Judges of the Supreme Court, or any
two of them, with the Governor, who approved of
every bill before it became a law, unless it was passed
by a two-thirds vote of both Houses, notwithstanding
their objection. During its continuance, this Council
rejected 169 bills, fifty-one of which were passed, not-
withstanding its objections, among which was the law
for holding the Convention of 1821. The Constitution
of 1821 abolished this Council of Revision. No mem-
ber of this body was ever taken from the County of
Kings.
Council of Appointment. — Under the first Consti-
tution of the States, the Assembly, once in every year,
openly nominated and appointed one of the Senators
from each of the districts, who formed, with the Gov-
ernor presiding, a Council of Appointment. The Gov-
ernor had a casting vote only, and, until 1801, alone
possessed the power of originating nominations. The
Constitutional Amendment of that year gave a concur-
rent power of nomination to the several members. The
patronage of this Council was immense, including all
civil, military and judicial officers. Most of them were
liable to removal at will. In 1821, 8,287 military and
6,663 civil officers held their commissions from this
Council. In the Constitutional Convention of 1821 it
was abolished without a dissenting vote. John Van-
derbilt and Joshua Sands, Senators from the Countv of
Kings, were members of this Council. John Vander-
bilt was appointed January 18, 1787, and Joshua Sands
appointed January 9, 1797. These were the only
members of that Council from Kings County.
Bills may originate in either the Senate or the As-
sembly, but to become a law must be passed by both
and be approved by the Governor, or, if he objects, by
two-thirds of the members present in both Houses.
Members of Assembly, from the County of Kings,
[Since the Revolution). — After the adoption of the
Constitution, April 20th, 1777, Kings County was in
possession of the British until the close of the war, and
all action of the county laws was suspended, and it
could not, as a county, elect members to the assembly.
But William Boerum and Henry Williams, residents
of the county, who had retired within the American
lines were. May 8, 1777, appointed by a Constitutional
convention to represent the county in the assembly.
Accordingly they took their seats in the assembly at the
first meeting it ever held, which began at Kingston, N.
Y., September 1, 1777, and closed June 30, 1778. These
gentlemen continued to represent the county in the
assembly down to January 21, 1784, when the British
retired from Kings County, and it resumed its place
among its sister counties under the Constitution and
laws of the State. The first members of the assembly
elected after this were:
Johannes E. Lott and Rutger Van Brunt, who served
from January 21, 1784, to May 12, 1784. This
was the seventh session of the Legislature.
List of Members Feom Kings County, from 1785
to the present time; the time of entering upon, and the
close of their office:
Charles Doughty and John Vanderbilt. Official duties
began October 12, 1784; ended April 27, 1785.
Charles Doughty and John Vanderbilt. Re-elected
January 12, 1786; ended May 5, 1786.
Charles Doughty and Cornelius Wyckoff. Began
January 12, 1787; ended April 11, 1787.
Charles Doughty and Cornelius Wyckoff. Began Jan-
uary 9, 1788; ended March 22, 1788.
Aquila Giles and Peter Vandevoort. Began Decem-
ber 11, 1788; ended March 3, 1789.
Aquila Giles and Peter Vandevoort. Began July 6,
1789; ended April 6, 1790.
Aquila Giles and Peter Vandevoort. Began January
5, 1791; ended March 24, 1791.
Charles Doughty. Began January 4, 1792; ended April
12, 1792.
Aquila Giles. Began November 6, 1792; ended March
12, 1793.
Peter Vandevoort. Began January 7, 1794; ended
March 27, 1794.
LEGISLATIVE OFFICERS FROM KINGS COUNTY.
3V5
Peter Vandevoort. Began January 9, 1795; ended
April 9, 1795.
Peter Vandevoort. Began January 6, 1796; ended
April 11, 1796.
Peter Vandevoort. Began November 1, 1796; ended
April 2, 1797.
Peter Vandevoort. Began January 2, 1798; ended
April 6, 1798.
Johannis I. Lott. Began August 9, 1798; ended April
3, 1799.
Jacob Sharp, Jr. Began January 28, 1800; ended
April 8, 1800.
Jacob Sharp, Jr. Began November 4, 1800; ended
April 8, 1801.
John C. Vanderveer. Began January 26, 1802; ended
April 5, 1802.
John Hicks. Began January 25, 1803; ended April 26,
1803.
John Hicks. Began January 31, 1804; ended April 10,
1804.
John Hicks. Began November 6, 1804; ended April
10, 1805.
John Hicks. Began January 28, 1806; ended April 7,
1806.
John Hicks. Began January 27, 1807; ended April 7,
1807.
John Hicks. Began January 26, 1808; ended April
11, 1808.
Jeremiah Johnson. Began November 1, 1608; ended
March 30, 1309.
Jeremiah Johnson. Began January 30, 1810; ended
April 6, 1810.
John C. Vanderveer. Began January 20, 1811; ended
April 8, 1811.
John C. Vanderveer. Began January 28, 1812; ended
March 27, 1812.
John C. Vandeveer. Began November 3, 1812; ended
November 11, 1812.
Jeremiah Lott. Began January 25, 1814; ended April
16, 1814.
Tunis Schenck. Began September 26, 1814; ended
April 18, 1815.
The County of Kings was not represented in the
Assembly in the session which began January 30, 1816,
nor in the session that began November 5, 1816; ending
April 5, 1817.
Cornelius Van Cleef. Began January 27, 1818; ended
April 21, 1818.
Tunis Schenck. Began January 5, 1819; ended April
13, 1819.
Tunis Schenck. Began January 4, 1820; ended April
14, 1820.
Jeremiah Lott. Began November 7, 1820; ended
April 14, 1821.
JereVniah Lott. Began January 1, 1822; ended April
17, 1822.
Wm. Conselyea, jr. Began January 1, 1823; ended
April 24, 1823.
William Furman. Began January 26, 1824; ended
November 27, 1824.
William Furman. Began January 3, 1826; ended
April 18, 1826.
Clarence D. Sacket. Began January 2, 1827: ended
April 17, 1827.
Clarence D. Sacket. Began January 21, 1828; ended
December 10, 1828.
JohnWyckoff. Began January 6, 1829; ended May
5, 1829.
Coe S. Downing. Began January 5, 1830: ended April
20, 1830.
Coe S. Downing. Began January 4, 1831; ended April
26, 1831.
Coe S. Downing. Began January 3, 1832; ended April
30, 1832.
Coe S. Downing. Began January 1, 1833; ended April
30, 1833.
Philip Brasher. Began January 7, 1834; ended May
5, 1834.
Philip Brasher. Began January 6, 1835; ended May
11, 1835.
John Dikeman. Began January 5, 1836; ended May
26, 1836.
Joseph Conselyea and Richard V. W. Thorne. Began
January 3, 1837; ended May 6, 1837.
Cornelius Bergen and Benjamin D. Silliman. Began
January 5, 1838; ended April 18, 1838.
Cornelius Bergen and Jeremiah Lott. Began January
1, 1839; ended May 6, 1839.
Jeremiah Johnson and Adrian Hegeman. Began Jan-
uary 7, 1840; ended May 14, 1840.
William Conselyea and Jeremiah Johnson. Began
January 5, 1841; ended May 25, 1841.
John A. Lott and William M. Udall. Began January
4, 1842; ended April 12, 1842.
William Conselyea, jr. and William M. Udall. Began
January 3, 1843; ended April 18, 1843.
William Burbank and Jacob L. Rapalye. Began, Jan-
uary 2, 1844; ended May 7, 1844.
Richard L. WyokoflE and Daniel D. Wynant. Began
January 7, 1842; ended May 15, 1845.
Gamaliel King and John A. Voorhees. Began January
6, 1846; ended May 13, 1846.
John A. Emmons, Ebenezer W. Peck, and Abraham D.
Soper. First meeting began January 5; ended
May 13, 1847. Second meeting began September
8; ended December 15, 1847.
Ebenezer W. Peck, Edwards W. Fiske, and John A.
Cross. Began January 4; ended April 12, 1848.
Joseph Broughton, Edwards W. Fiske, and John A.
Cross. Began Januury 2 ; ended April 11,
1849.
Joseph A. Yard, Edwards W. Fiske, and John Parker.
Began January 1; ended April 10, 1850.
376
BISTORT OF KINGS COTTN'TY.
George E. Baker, Howard C. Cody, and Edward L.
Backhouse. First meeting began January 7; end-
ing April 17, 1851. Second meeting began June
10; ending July 11, 1851.
John Berry, Waldo Hntchins, and Samuel E. Johnson.
Began January 6; ended April 16, 1852.
Nicholas O'Brien, George A. Searing, and James H.
Kitchens. First meeting began January 4; end-
ing April 12, 1853. Second meeting began May
24; ending July 21, 1853.
John G. Bergen, Samuel D. Backus, and Samuel D.
Morris. Began January 3; ending April 17, 1854.
Augustus H. Ivans, George A. Searing, and John H.
Rhodes. Began January 2; ended April 14, 1855.
John Hanford, Francis B. Spinola, and Edward T.
Wood. Began January 1 ; ended April 9, 1856.
John Hanford, Thomas Mulligan, and John H. Funk.
Began January 6; ended April 18, 1857.
John A. Voorhees, Moses S. Beach, Harmanus B. Dur-
yea, Daniel M. Chauncy, John A. Dayton, John
Hanford, and George W. Bleecker. Began Janu-
ary 5; ended April 19, 1858.
Joseph Wilson, Marcus D. Moore, Harmanus B. Dur-
yea, Thomas Gardener, Lucius C. Andrus, Abra-
ham Meserole, and Franklin Tuthill. Began Janu-
ary 4; ended April 19, 1859.
Andrew A. Meyers, Charles Kelsey, Theophilus C. Cal-
licott, James Darcy, William C. Jones, Chas. M.
Briggs, and George H. Fisher. Began January 3 ;
ended April 17, 1860.
Andrew J. Provost, Marquis D. Moore, Nathan Com-
stock, James Darcy, Lucius C. Andrus, Joseph
Nesbitt, and George H. Fisher. Began January
1; ended April 16, 1861.
Andrew J. Provost, Richard J. Lalor, Wm. M. Thomas,
James Darcy, Chas. L. Benedict, Samuel T. Mad-
dox, and Edgar MoMullen. Began Jan 7; ended
April 23, 1862.
John Paulding, Bernard Hughes, Samuel E. Johnson,
James Darcy, Theophilus C. Callicott, Henry C.
Boswell, and Charles P. Leslie. Began January 6;
ended April 25, 1863.
Philip S. Crooke, John O'Connor, Edward D. White,
Andrew Walsh, John C. Perry, Angelo Newton,
and Jacob Worth. Began January 5 ; ended April
23, 1864.
Jarvis Whitman, William D. Veeder, Stephen Haynes,
Patrick Burns, John C. Perry, Henry C. Boswell,
and Jacob Worth. Began January 3; ended April
28, 1865.
John Oakey, Wm. D. Veeder, Morris Reynolds, An-
drew Walsh, Wm. W. Goodrich, Ira Buckman,
Sr., and Jacob Worth. Began January 2; ended
April 20, 1866.
Patrick Burns, Theodore Hinsdale, Patrick Eeadv
Stephen Haynes, Caleb F. Buckley, John Raher'
Henry M. Dickson, John Oakey, and John C
Jacobs. Began January 1 ; ended April 20,1867.
Patrick Burns, William S. Andrews, Patrick Ready,
Francis A. Mallison, William C. Jones, John Ra-
ber, Patrick Worth, Caleb L. Smith, DeWitt C.
Tower, and John C. Jacobs. Began January 7-
ended April 6, 1868.
Hugh M. Clark, Henry J. CuUen, Jr., Dennis O'Keeffe
Wm. W. Moseley, James R. Alaben, Andrew B.
Hodges, George D. Fox, DeWitt C. Tower, and
John C. Jacobs. — Began Jan. 5, ended ; May 10,
1869.
Hugh M. Clark, Henry J. Cullen, Jr-, Dennis O'Keefe,
Wm. W. Moseley, Wm. C. Jones, Bernard Haver,
Samuel T. Maddox, Joseph Droll, and John C.
Jacobs. Began Jan. 4 ; ended April 26, 1870.
David C. Aitken, Smith C. Bayliss, Dominiek H.
Roche, Wm. W. Moseley, Wm. W. Goodrieh;
Bernard Haver, Wm. Wainwright, Samuel P.
Conselyea, and John C. Jacobs. Began Jan. 3,
ended April 21, 1871. ■
David C. Aitken, Edw. D. White, Dominiek H. Roche,
Wm. W. Moseley, Eugene D. Berri, Peter G. Peck,
Charles B. Morton, George C. Bennett, and John
C. Jacobs. Began Jan. 2 ; ended May 14th, 1872.
Jas. F. Donohue, David C. Van Cott ; Dominiek H.
Roche, James Watt, Albion P. Higgins, Jacob
Worth, Frederick Cochue, Adrian M. Suydam,
and John C. Jacobs. Began Jan. 7 ; ended May
30, 1873.
James F. Donahue, John J. Allen, Michael Coffey,
Theo. N. Melvin, Eugene D. Berri, Jacob Worth
Stephen J. Colahan, George C. Bennett, and John
McGroarty. Began January 6 ; ended April 30,
1874.
Daniel Bradley, John R. Kennedy, Michael Coffey, T.
V. P. Talmadge, John H. Burtis, Jacob Worth,
Michael O'Keefe, Bernard Silverman, and John
McGroarty. Began Jan. 5 ; ended May 22, 1875.
Daniel Bradley, Jonathan Ogden, Michael Coffey, T.
V. P- Talmadge, Albion P. Higgins, Jacob Worth
Charles L. Lyon, Adrian M. Suydam, and John
McGroarty. Began Jan. 4 ; ended May 3, 1876.
Daniel Bradley, Richard Marvin, John Stanley, James
G. Tighe, Wm. W. Stevenson, John M. Dillmeier,
Charles L. Lyon, Adrian M. Suydam, and John
McGroarty. Began Jan. 3d; ended April 21,
1877.
John M. Clancy, John B. Myenborg, John Stanley,
Charles J. Henry, Wm. H. Waring, Jacob Worth,
Maurice B. Flynn, John W. Douglass, and John
H. Bergen. Began Jan. 1 ; ended May 15, 1878,
BOARD OF SUPEltVlSOnS.
377
John M. Clancy, Jonathan Ogden, Thomas J. Sheridan,
Charles T. Trowbridge, William W. Stephenson,
Lewis R. Stegmari, Maurice B. Flynn, John H.
Douglass, Daniel W. Talmadge. Began January
8 ; ended May 23, 1879.
John Shanley, John McTernan, Lawrence J. Tormey,
John M. Clancy, Thomas J. Sheridan, Patrick J.
Tully, George Wren, David Lindsey, Charles H.
Eussell, Richard J. Newman, Daniel W. Talmadge,
Erastus D. Benedict. Began January 7 ; ended
May 28, 1880.
John Shanley, John McTernan, Lawrence J. Tormey,
John M. Clancy, Thomas J. Sheridan, Patrick J.
Tully, John Reitz, Moses Engle, Charles A. Rus-
sell, Richard J. Newman, William H. Waring,
Jaques J. Stillwell. Began January 5 ; ended
July 24, 1881.
John Shanley, Michael J. Hannan, James G. Tighe,
Daniel M. Kelly, Thomas J. Sheridan, Patrick H.
McCarren, George H. Lindsay, Moses Engle,
James N. Monk, Richard J. Newman, Alfred C.
Chapin, Jaques J. Stillwell. Began January 3 ;
ended June 3, 1882.
Michael E. Butler, Bernard J. Mulholland, Charles J.
Henry, Patrick Burns, Thomas Jefferson Sheridan,
Patrick H. McCarren, George H. Lindsey, David
Lindsey, Alfred Hodges, James Taylor, Alfred C.
Chapin, Mortimer C. Earl. Began January 2 ;
ended May 4, 1883.
Michael E. Butler, Richard Nagle, Peter J. Kelly,
Patrick Burns, Michael Coffey, Thomas J. Farrell,
George H. Lindsey, George H. Mason, Alfred
Hodges, Samuel T. Freeman, Edwin Heath, Mor-
timer C. Earl, 1884.
HISTORY OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS,
1714-1884.
Nature and importance of the office of Super-
visor.—The office of Supervisor in the State of New
York is of very ancient origin. It existed in the
colonial period, during which time the duties of these
of&cers were confined to auditing the accounts brought
against the county by town officers and others, — elect-
ing County Treasurers, Loan officers and a Clerk, —
very ancient offices in this State. The Boards of
Supervisors in the different counties are now legislative
bodies, having the same relation to the counties that the
Assembly has to the State. From time to time, since the
organization of the government, their powers have been
extended over local matters, until many important
local laws touching the interests of their respective
counties had, and still have, their origin in them.
For many years they have formed the board of can-
vassers for each county, meeting for that purpose very
soon after the general election in November of each
year. The Supervisors for each town were first ap-
pointed by the Governor-general of the Province; and
after that, each board, in the respective counties, with
the Judges of the county— the first Judge acting as
chairman— possessed the power of electing a Super-
visor for each town in the county. The day appointed
wr the annual election was the first Tuesday of
April and their annual meeting took place on the first
uesday in October. Supervisors were appointed or
T't\ ^^ ^^ ^^^« stated, until after the formatiori^ of
ele t d government; after that a Supervisor was
e ec ed m each town by vivd voce votes, until by
e act of February I3th, 1787, the mode of voting
by ballot for Senators, Members of Assembly and
other officers below them, was introduced.
The First Board of Supervisors for the County
of Kings, of which there is any record, and probably
the first board that ever convened in the county, met at
Gravesend, April 1st, 1714, under an ordinance or war-
rant made by Gen. Robert Hunter, then the acting
Colonial Governor of the Province of New York, by
which warrant the following persons were appointed
Supervisors for the different towns in the county, as ap-
pears from this entry taken from the Records of Super-
visors:
"Register of the Supervisors for Kings County,
first ordered by
Martin Sohanck,
Joost Van Brunt,
Ryck Handerson,
Joris Raplya,
Derick Anderson,
Samuel Gerretsen,
Supervisors.
First introduced by Samuel Gerretsen, the clerk of the Su-
pervisors, in the year of Our Lord, Ano 1714."
After this entry there appears the following poetic
address of the clerk to the members of the board :
" My loving friends and bretheren of this board, that you
by this advise may regulate and save your own estates with
love of one accord, with true obedience to your superior
Lord, preserve your rights with obedient deeds, imploying
men of justice, law and sense."
This quaint entry continues as follows :
378
HISTORY 01 KtNGS COUNTY.
' ' KiNas County.
On this 6th day, being the first Tuesday in April, Ano
Domino, 1714, was chosen Supervisors for said county, viz. :
For Flatlands, Martin Schanck,
New Utrecht, Joost Van Brunt,
Flatbush, Eyok Hendrickson,
Brookland, Joris Eaplya,
Bushwiek, Derick Anderson,
Qravesend, Samuel Gerretsen,
and met together in ye county towne at the County Hall,
made choice of John Vanderbelt for Treasurer for the en-
suing year.
Made choice of Samuel Gerretson for clerk for the ensuing
year, and did raise a fund for discharging the debt of said
county amounting to the sum of £71 : 0 : 6, that the particu-
lars are as follows :
To Col. Stillwell for proclaiming the King £9: 16: 3
Cornelius Van Brunt for serving 31 days as a re-
porter
Peter Cortelyea for surveying the county 3: 0:0
Samuel Garretson for ofSciating as clerk and for
buying this book 3: 2:0
These entries are followed up by others sufficient to
make up the said sum of £71 : 0: 6.
" The quotas for each respective town," continues the en-
try, "in the above said sum of £71 : 0: 6, is as follows : "
Yor BrooUand £19: 9:3
For Flatbush 15: 1:6
For New Utrich 09: 18: 9
For Flatlands 08: 14: 9
For Bushwiek 09: 3:0
For Qravesend 08: 15: 3
The Record continues as follows:
"The contents of the acres of land in every respective
town in said county, viz :
Brookland 5193
Flatbush 4060
New Utrecht 2635
Flatlands 2313
Bushwiek 3443
Gravesend 2304
Rated at 18948
Second Meeting, 1715.—
"On the first day of April in the year of our Lord 1715 was
chosen Supervisors for said county, viz. :
Cornelius Vanderpoole, for Flatlands.
Andrew Emans, " New Utrecht.
John Vandeerveer, " Flatbush.
Jacob Hanson, " Brookland.
Derick Anderson, ' ' Bushwiek.
Samuel Giretson, " Gravesend.
"And did meet together at Flatbush at County Hall the
fourth day of October, it being the first Tuesday of said
month, and made choice of John Vanderbelt for Treasurer
for the ensuing year, and made choice of Samuel Girritson
for Clerk for the ensuing year."
At the business meeting of the board of supervisors,
held October, 1714, which we have described, John Van-
derbelt was, as we have seen, chosen treasurer of the
county for the then ensuing year; he was therefore the
first Treasurer of Kings County. This responsible
position, as we shall see, he held for twenty-two years,
justifying, by his integrity and the exact discharge of
his duties, the confidence reposed in him by the board
and his fellow citizens.
At the same meeting Samuel Gerritson was chosen
Clerk of the board of supervisors. He was the )?rii
supervisor's clerh of said county. At the second busi-
ness meeting of the board in October, 1715, Vanderbelt
and Gerritson were appointed for the ensuing year.
The careful and exact manner in which these fathers
of the county managed its fiscal affairs, is seen in the
following entries, copied from the record of the pro-
ceedings of the above meeting.
"A fund was raised to discharge the debts of the county,
which amounts to the sum of £7:17:2^ as follows, viz.:
For the commissioners of said county £3; 10: 0
Viz: to each of them 4 shillings.
For Samuel Gerritson for serving as clerk for the
supervisors for that year £1: 12; 0
The quotas for each respective town in said county of the
above said sum of £7: 17: 2i:
For Brookland £2: 3;
For Flatbush 1:13
For New Utrecht 1: 2
For Flatland 0: 19
For Bushwiek 1: 00
For Gravesend 0: 19
3
10
GO
4
^
3
£7:17: 2i
Third Meeting, 1716. — The board consisted of the
same members as last year; Samuel Gerritson was chosen
clerk, and John Vanderbelt, treasurer.
Among the charges against the county this year were
the following:
To Cornelius , Esq., for serving the
county in ye assembly £33: 41; 0
To Samuel Girritson, for serving the county in
ye assembly £21: 12: 0
To Thomas B. Vandewater, high sheriff for all
services of ye county £04: 10: 0
The board adjourned until the 28th day of December
following, at which meetmg
" The supervisors found that ye money of ye collectors of
each town was not brought to ye treasurer of this county,
therefore it is adjourned till the second Saturday in February
next ensuing, 8 o'clock in ye morning.''
The board met acordingly at the time named at the
last meeting. Among the proceedings recorded is the
following:
"The supervisors examined ye books of ye treasurer, John
Vanderbelt, and found great satisfaction."
Fourth Meeting, 1717.— On the first Tuesday of
April, 1717, the following supervisors were chosen:
Hermann Kemper, for Brookland,
Martin Schenck, " Flatlands,
Joost Van Brunt, " New Utrecht,
Peter Para, [Praa] " Bushwiek,
Jacob Suydam, " Flatbush,
John Griggs, " Gravesend.
J. M. Sterling was chosen clerk of the board, and John
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
379
Vanderbelt was appointed treasurer for the then ensuing
year. The board met and adjourned until the 24th day
of February, I'? 18. Among the recorded proceedings
of the board on that day is the following:
" The supervisors have this day taken all the reckoning of
the treasurer, John Vanderbilt, and found that he has done
as an honest man, and we think he is an honest man, and he
is discharged of all accounts for the reckoning he had of the
supervisors, and is found that he had honestly paid over all
money wherewith he had been entrusted.
Fifth Meeting, 1718. — The supervisors for this year
were:
Hermann Ransom, [Remsen] for Bi'ookland.
Peter Para, [Praa] •' Bush wick.
D. Vanderveer, " Flatbush.
Joost Van Brunt, " New Utrecht.
S. Coverts, " Gravesend.
Cornelius Vanarsdale, " Flatland.
The board met and adjourned until the 26th day of
December, 1718. John Vanderbelt was again chosen
treasurer, and Samuel Gerritson clerk of the board.
Among the accounts audited against the county by
the board this year, were the following:
To Cornelius , Esq., for serving ye county
in ye assembly £21:00: 0
To Samuel Gerritson for serving ye county in
ye assembly SO: 14: 0
To charges about Dart "Van Pelt, negro man
slave, he being dangerous and troublesome. . 03: 10: 6
To charges of a prisoner making false and foul
money, and causing Sheriff Clark and Coa-
etable Howes troubles, and resisting of ye
saidprisoner 08:10: 0
The supervisors again examined the accounts of the
treasurer, Mr. Vanderbilt, and again unite in saying
that they find him an honest man.
Sixth Meeting, 1719. — The supervisors chosen this
year were as follows:
Joost Van Brunt, New Utrecht.
Samuel Hubbard, Gravesend.
Philyp Nagel, Flatlands.
Peter Navinns, Flatbush.
Maj. Herminn Remsen, Brookland.
Johannes Sohenck, Bushwick.
John Vanderbilt was again made treasurer, and Sam-
uel Gerritson clerk. At this meeting the matter of con-
structing the new prison house was taken into consid«r-
ation. Accordingly, the supervisors met with the
justices of the peace of the county. Being unable to
agree, a stomy meeting took place, ending, according
to modern parlance, in "a row," as is shown by the
tollowmg entry in the record of this year.
qZT 7^5™°"^^ ™et with the justices of the peace of the
hn„» r°^^' "'"'icerning the building of a new prison
ablTlT ''^^^^^- ^''^ *^^ «^d justices not being reason-
could not agree, and therefore the supervisors left it."
sof ^7"? Meeting, I720.-The board of supervi-
melb ''°""*^^' "^ ^^'^°' *'°'^^i^*^*^ °^ t^e following
Joost Van Brunt, Samuel Hubbard.
Herminn Remsen, Cornelius Cornwell,
Nicholas Volkertess.
Samuel Gerritson was chosen clerk of the board and
John Vanderbelt treasurer. The current expenses of
the county this year amounted to £40: 00 : 00.
We have, now, thus given a detailed account of the
boards of supervisors for the seven years succeed-
ing the year 1714, the date of the assembling of the
first board of supervisors of Kings county. We shall not
give a full list of the members of the succeeding boards
until after the organization of the Federal government,
when the members of the different boards of supervi-
sors of the county, from that period down to the present
time, 1883, will be given in full.
It is proper, however, to add that John Vanderbelt,
the first Treasurer of King's County, was annually re-
appointed by the supervisors from October, 1714, down
to April 1736, when he was succeeded by Peter Leff"
erts.
It is a singular fact that the board, every year during
the long period which Mr. Vanderbelt discharged the
duties of treasurer, caused an entry to be made in the
records testifying the high esteem in which he was
held, not only as a treasurer, but as a citizen.
At the close of his twenty-second term the office was
again tendered him, but he declined to accept it, much
to the regret of the members of the board, who unani-
mously ordered the following testimonial of their great
respect for him to be entered on the records of their
proceedings :
"Whereas, we, the members of the Board of Supervisors,
in great regret for the fact being made known to us that it
has become the choice of Mr. John Vanderbelt, who has
served this Board and this County as the Treasurer thereof,
with so much care, prudence and honesty, to retire from the
duties of t)i e office, and serve therein in that capacity no longer,
therefore, be it solemnly resolved, that he hath, by his truth-
ful, honest, upright conduct as an ofiBcer of this Board, and
as a man, set an example for all his successors who shall serve
this Board and this County ia like eapaoitie which they will
do right well to follow."
The Board then made choice of Peter Lefferts, as
treasurer, in the place of Mr. Vanderbelt. Samuel
Gerritson continued to discharge the duties of clerk
with great acceptability, down to March 18th, 1726,
when he declined to serve any longer, and was suc-
ceeded by Adrian Hageman.
The supervisors met at Flatbush, October 4tb, 1737,
and appointed Peter Lefferts treasurer of the county,
Mr. Vanderbelt having declined a reappointment.
The debts of the county this year amounted to one
hundred and seven pounds, eighteen shillings, six and
halfpenny.
From 1737 to 1740, the supervisors continued to
meet at County Hall, Flatbush. Peter Lefferts was
chosen each year as treasurer of the county, and Adrian
Hageman as clerk of the board.
380
HIS TOBY OF KIRGS COUNTY.
The debts of the county this year amounted to
£63: 3: 2, and which was apportioned as follows :
Brookland £17: 6: 2i
Flatbush 13:10: 0
New Utrecht 8: 15: 0
Flatlands 7:14: 3
Bushwick , 8: 2: lOi
Gravesend 7: 13: 7
£63: 3: 2
1750. The Supervisors elected this year at the elec-
tion on the first Tuesday of April, met at the house of
Barnet Anderson, in Flatbush, on the first Tuesday of
October, 1'750.
Peter Lefferts having served as a treasurer, and
haying been appointed annually since 1737, was reap-
pointed, and Adrian Hageman, who had served as
clerk during that time, having been appointed annually,
was reappointed for the ensuing year.
The indebtedness of the county this year amounted
to £26: 1: \, which was apportioned to the county as
follows :
Brookland £7: 2:3
Flatbush 5: 10: IJ
New Utrecht 3: 11: 0
Flatlands 3: 2:2
Bushwick 3: 5: OJ
Gravesend 3: 3: 0^
The following interesting item appears on the record
of the proceedings of the board this year :
Kings County, ss : According to two particular acts of the
General Assembly of the Province of New York, &c., &c., —
the one entitled an act for raising the sum of twenty-eight
thousand pounds, &c., and also another act for raising the
sum of forty thousand pounds, &c., the supervisors of Kings
County, according to the two said acts are met together at
the house of Barnet Anderson, Flatbush, the fourth day of
June, 1740, who are as follows :
Samuel Cortilyou, for Gravesend.
Isaac Sobing, [Sebring] " Brookland.
Eutgert Van Brunt, " New Utrecht.
Martin Schenck, " Flatlands.
Joshua Lott, " Flatbush.
Abraham Schenck, " Bushwick.
Supervisors.
And they give out their warrant accordingly under the
said two acts as loving subjects of our Lord, the King, should
do, and the particulars are as follows :
Brookland £147: i; 5^
Flatbush 113: 9: gj
Flatlands 64: 4.- q
New Utrecht 73: 6: 5f
Bushwick 67:10: 0
Gravesend , 65; 4:105
The board also passed an unanimous resolution ex-
pressing the entire confidence of all the members in
the treasurer, Mr. Peter Le£Eerts.
At the annual meeting of the board, October 3d,
1752, Simon Boerum was chosen clerk, and Peter
Lefferts was chosen treasurer.
1 755. At the General Election held this year, on the
first Tuesday of April, the following persons were
chosen Supervisors for Kings County.
Samuel Garretson, for Gravesend.
Rutgert Van Brunt, " New Utrecht.
Isaac Sebring, " Brookland.
Johannes Lott, jun., " Flatbush.
Abraham Schenck, " Bushwick.
Garret Covenhoven, " Flatlands.
At the annual meeting of the said board, held at
Flatbush on the 7th day of October, 1755, Mr. Peter
Lefferts, who had been annually re-appointed since
1750, was re-appointed treasurer, and Mr. Simon
Boerum, who had been annually re-appointed clerk
since 1750, was re-appointed.
The debt against the county this year amounted to
£86: 12: 7, which was assessed to the several towns as
follows :
Brookland £34: 3:6
Flatbush 18: 7:5
New Utrecht 15:19:0
Flatlands 10; 10: 8
Bushwick 11: 1:7
Gravesend 10:10:5
at 0/9
" 0/2i
'■ 0/3
'• 0/4
■' 0/3
" 0/9
Kings County, ss: According to three particular acts of the
General Assembly of the Province of New York, entitled an
act for raising the sum of forty thousand pounds, the other
for raising the sum of forty-five thousand pounds, &c., and
the other for raising the sum of ten thousand pounds, &c.,
the supervisors of the said county, according to the said
three acts, met together at Flatbush, at the house of Barnet
Anderson, the first day of June, being the first Tuesday of
said month, Ano Domino 1755, and the said supervisors give
out their warrant, according to the said three acts, as good
and loving subjects of our gracious Lord and King, &c., &c.,
should do, as follows :
Brookland £160: 7: 6 Fees at 4i
Flatbush 130:15:11 " H
New Utrecht 85: 1: 5 "3
Flatbush 74: 7: IJ " 2
Bushwick 78: 7: 5 " li
Gravesend 76: 6: 0 "9
The entry concludes as follows :
" For Barnet Anderson, Inn Keeper, Flatbush, the sum of
one pound two shillings and three pence, for entertainiog
the justices, supervisors and loan officers of the said county,
which he did in the most hospital and excellent manner."
Among the charges against the county this year
were :
" Mr. Peter LeflEerts, Treasurer of the county, is appointed
for the ensuing year to serve for two shillings less than half
of the fees which is allowed a treasurer by an act of the
General Assembly of the Province of New York, in that be-
half, made and provided ; we thinking that said act allows
too much, and we decide that our clerk, Mr. Simon Boerum,
shall have for his services, for the ensuing year, the sum or
two pounds ten shillings.
Col. Johannes Lott, for 119 days service done in General
Assembly, at six shilling a day, £35: 14.
Domencus Vanderveer, for 112 days service in the Greneral
Assembly, at six shillings a day, £33: 12.
BO ABB OF SUBEBVIS0R8.
381
Eight inquisitions brought in by Barant Van Deventure,
Coroner of said county, for three boys buried.
John Covenhoven, for entertaining a sick woman, Jenny
Litefoot, 9 days at six shillings a day, and one shift pro-
vided.
Coryden Stegeman [Hegeman?], Constable of Flatbush, for
transporting 4 vagrants to New York, where they belong,
and tavern expenses.
The supervisors of this county do let to Barnet Van Deven-
ture the County Garden Spot of ground for seven shillings
and eleven pence, one year, to begin the 30th of October."
1V58. Among the entries in the record of the Board
of Supervisors for Kings County in the year 1758, is
the following :
Kings County, ss: According to three particular acts of the
General Assembly of the State of New York, &c., the one
entitled an act for raising the sum of forty-five thousand
pounds, &o., &c., the other for raising the sum of ten thou-
sand pounds, &c., the other for raising the sum of eight
thousand pounds.
The supervisors of the said county, owing to the said three
acts, are met together at Flatbush, at the house of Barnet
Anderson, on the sixth day of June, being the first Tuesday
of said month, Ano Domino 1758, and the said supervisors, as
obedient subjects, give out their warrant, according to the
aforesaid three acts, as follows :
Brookland £170: 0: 6 Fees at 4
Flatbush
New Utrecht.
Flatlands
Bush wick
Gravesend
L34: 4: 3
' 3i
86: 13: 9
' 3
75: 19: 6
' 3
80: 4: 11
' 3
77: 19: 9
' 9
1759. On the record of the proceedings of the Super-
visors of this year, the following entry appears :
Kings County, ss: According to five particular acts of the
General Assembly of the Province of New York ; the one en-
titled an act to raise the sum of eight thousand pounds, &c.,
the other for raising the sum of ten thousand pounds, &c.,
the other for raising the sum of forty-five thousand pounds,
the other for raising the sum of one hundred thousand
pounds, &c., and the other for raising the sum of one hun-
dred thousand pounds.
The supervisors, according to the said five acts, are met
together at Flatbush, at the house of Barnet Anderson, the
fifth day of June, being the first Tuesday of the said month,
Ano Domino 1759.
Present.
Isaac Sebring, for Brookland.
Andries Stocokholm,
Nicholas Stillwill,
Dirck Remsen,
Albert Van Brunt,
Bushwick.
Gravesend.
Flatlands.
New Utrecht.
Flatbush.
And give out their warrant, according to the five said acts,
as true and loving subjects should, as follows :
Brookland £425: 19: li Fees at
Bushwick 199: g. 3^
Flatlands 187: 14: 6
Gravesend 193; i; 9
^'atbush 333." 14;' 8
New Utrecht 214: H; 7
1'60. The reader, douhtless, has already been sur-
4
n
9
4i
2i
prised at the frequent demands of the General Assem-
bly upon the County of Kings, for large sums of
money, which the board of supervisors readily directed
to be raised, according to the quota of the county, in
accordance with the several acts of the General As-
sembly. As the opening scenes of the Revolution began
to develop themselves, these demands for money in-
creased in frequency, and in amounts.
At the General Election, held the first Tuesday of
April, Ano Domino 1760, the supervisors chosen for
the County of Kings, were as follows :
Isaac Sebring, for Brookland.
Jeremius Vanderbilt, " Flatbush.
Theodorus Polhemous, " Bushwick.
Albert Van Brunt, " New Utrecht.
Richard Stillwill, " Gravesend.
Dirck Remsen, " Flatlands.
" The board," says the record, "are met together at the
house of Barnet Anderson, in Flatbush, on the seventh day
of October, being the first Tuesday of the said month, Ano
Domino 1760, and made choice of their treasurer, Peter LefE-
erts, for the ensuing year, to serve two shillings less than
half the fees which is allowed a treasurer by the acts of the
General Assembly of the Province of New York.''
Thus it will be seen by the above, and several pre-
vious entries in the record of their proceedings that,
while they, the supervisors, readily and generously
obeyed the mandates of the General Assembly, in re-
gard to raising money, they confined themselves to the
most rigid economy in their own expense.
At this session of the board, they made choice of
Simon Boerum as their clerk for the ensuing year, fix-
ing his salary at three pounds.
Among the charges against the county this year were
the following :
" To John Bengs, 13 days watching the Baious*
amounting in all to £ 1: 13: 0
To Abraham Emens, 13 days similar service at
the same price.
To Col. Johannes Lott, for 93 days service in the
General Assembly 37: 13: 0
To Barent Deventure, Coroner, for eighteen
inquests brought in for dead bodies buried
in said county
The county credited cash which Col. Johannes
Lott received of the Government money con-
cerning the watch 38: 0:0
The said county yet in debt, £44: 11 : 0, as follows :
Brookland £18: 1:9
Flatlands 6: 4:6
Flatbush 11: 2:9
Bushwick 6:11:8
Gravesend 7: 3: 7|
New Utrecht 7: 2: 7i
£55: 18 6i
The said supervisors do let the County Garden Spot to Bar-
ent Deventure for seven shillings, which he does from
the 30th of October, 1760, to the 30th of October then next
following.
* This means, no doubt, the bayous along the coast— the tidal chan-
nels, creeks, &o., which flow from the bay.
382
HISTORY OF KIWGS COUNTY.
To Barnet Anderson, Inn Keeper, two pounds sixteen shil-
lings for entertaining the supervisors, which he does do right
well and hospitally.
1761. The supervisors elected for Kings County this
year were the following persons:
John Cowenboven, for Brookland.
Jeremias Vanderbilt, " Flatbush.
Theodorus Polhemus, " Bush wick.
Albert Van Brunt, " New Utrecht.
Richard Stillwill, " Gravesend.
Dirick Remsen, " Flatlands.
June 2d, 1761, we, the treasurer and clerk, met together,
according to orders given by the supervisors, and have ex-
amined the books, and found the treasurer honest in his pro-
ceedings, and there is left in cash in his hands the sum of
eight pounds nineteen shillings and one penny, which we do
think safe in his hands.
The board this year had presented to them, in the
form of four particular acts of the General Assembly of
the Province of New York, a demand for Kings County's
proportion of seventy-two thousand pounds; for which
they issued their warrants, to be collected as fol-
lows:
Brookland £349: 6: 7 Fees 4
Flatbush 272:18:3 " 4^
New Utrecht 175:16:3 " 2i
Flatlands 154: 3:4 " 2i
Bushwick 168: 9: 9 " 3
Gravesend 156:10:7 "
Barent Anderson was allowed the sum of two pounds,
fifteen shillings, and five pence, for entertaining the
Justices, Supervisors and Loan officers of the county.
Peter Lefferts was chosen treasurer of the county for
the ensuing year, " to serve two shillings less than half
the fees which is allowed a treasurer by an act of the
General assembly, in that case made and provided, we
the Supervisors honestly thinking the General Assembly
allowed too large a sum for said services."
Simon Boerum was chosen clerk for the ensuing year,
and "resolved that he shall have the sum of three pounds
for his services."
Among the charges against the county were the fol-
lowing :
"To CoU. Johannes Lett for 17 days Service in the
General Assembly at 6s. per day £5: 2: 0
To Simon Boorum for 39 days service done in Gen-
eral Assembly at 6s. per day 1 1 : 14: 0
To said Simon Boerum as clerk of the Supervisors. . 3: 00: 0
To Barent Van Deventure, Coroner, for five Inquisi-
tions of Did Bodyes buried in said County
To the Deacons of New Utrecht church for main-
taining an Indian Squa taken with tha small
pox at the house of George Lott
To Cornelius Lagroff for money advanced by him to
take care of a man in the small pox, ordered
paid by Justices Williams and Lefferts."
The amount of indebtedness against the county this
year for all accounts presented and audited was
£52: 7: 10|.
The following curious entry, made in the record of
the proceedings of the board of Supervisors of this year
show that while determined to punish tardy memhers'
they were not afraid to look "upon wine when it is red"
or upon wine of any other color.
"Ordered by the said supervisors to be entered, that for
any time hereafter, if any of the Supervisors, Treasurer, or
Clerk for the time being, shall not appear at Flatbush at the
usual place of business, by the hour of ten o'clock in the
forenoon of the days appointed for the said supervisors to
meet: Every one so neglecting shall forfeit one bottle of good
wine. "
Then comes the following entry, which, as the reader
will observe, had almost become a matter of course.
"Kings County, ss: According to five acts of the General
Assembly of the province of New York, etc., two thereof are
acts entitled to raise by each act one hundred thousand pounds
etc. The other for raising the sum of sixty thousand pounds.
The other for raising the sum of fifty-two thousand pounds
and the other for raising of ten thousand pounds, etc., which
said ten thousand pounds,— the cota [quota] thereof for the
said county of King, is £431— ought to have been raised last
June which was omitted."
The supervisors then proceeded to fix the quota of each
town in the county on the said sum ordered, to be raised
by the said five acts of the General Assembly as follows,
for which they drew their warrants:
Brookland £600:19: 8
Flatbush 460:17: 2}
New Utrecht 303: 0: 9^
Flatlands 264: 5:10
Bushwick 280: 6: 9
Gravesend 271 : 15; 1
During the past year Barent Anderson, the highly
esteemed and "hospital" innkeeper of Flatbush, died. He
had annually, for many years, furnished the justices of
the peace, the treasurer of the county, the supervisors,
their clerk and loan commissioners, with abundant good
cheer, and, according to tradition, "with his wit, humor,
and anecdotes, made them Joyful and merry;" his death
was, therefore, a great loss, and he was much mourned,
as they said "a loss, not only to them, but to all the
public having need of a good tavern with the best of
everything for the inner man."
But they found in Dominicus Vanderveer, a worthy
and an acceptable successor of the departed Anderson,
their host of many years, as the following entry in the
record of their proceedings this year shows:
"For Domincus Vanderveer, the new innkeeper of Flat-
bush, the sum of two pounds, ten shillings, and nine pence,
for entertaining the Justices, Loan Officers, Supervisors,
Treasurer and Clerk, which he did do right well."
1762. Peter Lefferts was chosen this year for treas-
urer, to receive two shillings less than one half the fees
which is allowed therefor by an act of the General As-
sembly. Simon Boerum was chosen clerk of the board,
his pay being three pounds per annum.
:BOARD OF StiPERVISOM.
tu
The following entry appears on the record of the
proceedings of the board of supervisors this year.
"Kings County, ss: According to four particular acts of
the General Assembly of the Province of New York, two
thereof are entitled to raise by each act one hundred thousand
pounds. The other to raise a subsidy of fifty-two thousand
pounds, and the other to raise a subsidy of sixty thousand
pounds.
The said supervisors, according to said four acts, are met
together at Flatbush at the house of Dominicus Vanderveer,
on the seventeenth day of June, 1763, and the said supervisors
give out their warrant according to the aforesaid acts, and
the particulars are as follows :
Brookland £562 : 1 : 3i
Flatbush 351: 8:0
New Utrecht 326: 12: 9i
Flatlands 200: 3: 9i
Bushwick 210: 10: 8
Gravesend 203:11:3
1763. The Board of Supervisors met this year at the
house of Dominicus Vanderveer, in Flatbush, on the
fourth day of October.
Peter Lefferts was chosen treasurer on the same terms
as last year, and Simon Boerum was chosen clerk. The
following appears on the records of the proceedings of
the Supervisors this year :
Kings County, ss.: According to four particular acts of the
Governor and General Assembly of the Province of New
York, &c., two thereof are acts entitled to raise by each act,
one hundred thousand pounds, &c. — the other to raise a sub-
sidy of fifty-two thousand pounds, &c. The other to raise a
subsidy of sixty thousand pounds, &c.
It is proper to add that the sums raised as subsidies
went directly to the King.
"The said Supervisors give out their warrants according
to the aforesaid four acts, and the particulars are as follows :
Brookland £561: 6: 11
Flatbush 351: 8: 0
NewUtrecht 227: 3: 4i
Flatlands 199: 19
Bushwick 210: 1
Gravesend 203: 11
The Supervisors aUow to Dominicus Vanderveer for enter-
taining the Justices, Loan Officers, Supervisors, Treasurer
and Clerk the sum of four pounds, five shilUngs, six pence.
1V64. The Supervisors this year met at the inn of Do-
minicus Vanderveer, on the second day of October and
made choice of Peter Lefferts as treasurer, to serve for
the same pay as last year. They also made choice of
Simon Boerum as clerk, whose salary was fixed at
three pounds. Among the charges against the county
this year were :
To Abraham Schenck, Esq., for 34 days' service
at the General Assembly, at 6s. per day £10: 4:0
To Simon Boerum for 37 days' service, done in the
General Assembly, at 63. a day
To said Simon Boerum, as clerk to the Supervisors 3: 0:0
w Barent Johnson, Esq., for two warrants and
having one thief whipped 0:13:0
To Dominicus Vanderveer, for victuaUng Bowman
and his wife in goal 0: 3: 6
To Alexander Forbush, constable, for his tending
the justices four several times ; to having one
thief whipped, including Shephard 0: 18: 0
To John O'Rourke for whipping one person, twice
right hand the last time 0: 6:0
To John O'Rourke for being public whipper for
said county for one year and an extra good
one 0: 15: 0
The following entry in the record of the pro-
ceedings of the Supervisors this year shows the con-
stantly increasing demand of the General Assembly of
the Province upon the county for money.
Kings County, ss.: According to four particular acts of
the General Assembly of the Province of New York, &c.
Two thereof are acts to raise by each act one hundred thou-
sand pounds, &c.; the other for raising a subsidy of sixty
thousand pounds; and the other for raising a subsidy of fifty-
two thousand pounds.
The Supervisors of the said county, according to the said
four acts, and according to an act appropriating the sum of
fifty-nine thousand two hundred and fifty pounds of the
monies therein mentioned for calling in, sinking and cancel-
ing Bills of Credit of the Province to that amount, for the
omissions therein mentioned— passed the 30th day of Oc-
tober, 1764 — are met together at Flatbush on this the 4th day
of June, 1765. And the said Supervisors give out their war-
rants according to the aforesaid acts and the particulars are
as follows :
Brookland £292:17:11
Flatbush 171: 16: 0
New Utrecht 110: 18: 4
Flatlands 97: 13: 4
Bushwick 102: 14: 4
Gravesend 96:13: 6
£873: 13: 5
The treasurer and clerk met together this 1st day of Octo-
ber, 1764, and examined the books and accounts of the treas-
urer, and find the treasurer strictly honest, and that he has
in hands of public money, four pounds two shilUngs and half-
pence.
1765. At the general election held at Flatbush on
the first Tuesday of April, 1765, the following Super-
visors were chosen :
Johannes Bergen,
Richard Stillwell,
Dirick Remsen,
Johannes Lott, Jr.,
Theodorus Polhemus,
Albert Van Brunt,
for Brookland.
" Gravesend.
" Flatlands.
" Flatbush.
" Bushwick.
" New Utrecht.
At their annual meeting in October following, they
chose Peter Lefferts treasurer for the ensuing year,
whose compensation was fixed at two.shillings less than
the fees fixed by an act of the General Assembly, the
Supervisors thinking, as their predecessors did, the
provincial government too liberal in the fixing the sala-
ries of county oificers. They also made choice of
Simon Boerum for their clerk, fixing his salary at three
pounds.
384
sisTORY on Kmas coxtnty.
Among the charges against the county this year are
the following items :
To Abraham Schenck, Esq., for 45 days service
done in the General Assembly at 6s. per day. . .£13: 10: 0
To Simon Boerum for 45 days service done in the
General Assembly, at 6s. per day 13: 10: 0
To the said Simon Boerum, as Clerk of the Board
of Supervisors 3:0:0
To Jacobus Vandeventure, Coroner, for 3 inquisi-
tions 4:5:0
To John Leflferts, Esq., for repairing the goal of
said county and putting it in a condition to
keep the prisoners therein from falling out 3: 17: 7
John Lefferts, for trying a free negro man, and
having him whipped with forty lashes, he being
a thief 4: 3: i
To Domincus Vanderveer, for entertaining the
Supervisors, Clerk, Treasurer and Loan officers
two meetings 5: 13: 11
The whole indebtedness of the county this year is £49 : 10 :1 ,
and awarded to be paid according to the following quotas:
Brookland £14: 13:
Flatbush 10: 0:
New Utrecht 6:
Flatlands 6:
Bushwick 6:
Gravesend 5:
0
6
10
4
11
49:10: 1
After the cota was divided upon the several towns,
there was added to the cota of Brookland the sum of
£13: 17: 5.
This year the demand upon the county for money by
the General Assembly was as foUcws : Three acts to
raise a subsidy by each act, one hundred thousand
pounds, and the other for raising a subsidy of sixty
thousand pounds, for the collection of which the Super-
visors gave out their warrants, the quotas of each town
being as follows:
Brookland £393: 17: 11
Flatbush 174: 16: 0
New Utrecht , Ill: 9: 11
Flatlands 98: 9: 8
Bushwick 100: 3: 0
Gravesend 96: 9: 6
The vote for imposing this sum upon the respective
towns in the county did not pass this year without a
somewhat heated discussion. Several Supervisors had
caught the spirit of opposition to the encroachments of
the Crown, which was manifesting itself in New York,
Boston, and other parts of the country.
1766. The Supervisors chosen this year at the gen-
eral election, held on the second Tuesday of April, met
at Flatbush, on the seventh day of October following,
and chose Peter Lefferts as Treasurer of the County, to
serve on the terms fixed at the last and other preceding
meetings of the Board. They also made choice of
Simon Boerum for Clerk of the Board, with the usual
salary of three pounds.
Among the charges against the county this year were
the following:
To Abraham Schenck, for 49 days services done in
the General Assembly, at 6s. per day
To Simon Boerum, for 53 days services in the Gen-
eral Assembly, at 6s. per day
To said Boerum, as Clerk to the Supervisors, for his
services
To Jacobus Van Deventure, Coroner, for 3 inquisi-
tions of dead bodies buried
(and six shillings extraordinary).
To Adrian Hegeman, Jr., for transporting one
vagrant to Wm. Berrys; for transporting him
before to Staten Island, and keeping the man 3
days and other expenses
To Dr. Vandewater, for medicine and attendance
on the sick vagrants
To Dominicus Vanderveer, for entertaining the
Supervisors, Treasurer, Clerk and Justices and
Loan Commissioners right weU
£3: 0: 0
4:7:0
0: 10: 0
2:10:0
2: 19: 6
Kings County, ss. : According to three particular acts of
Lieutenant-Governor Cadwallader Colden, acting as Gover-
nor General, with his Council and the General Assembly of
the Province of New York, &c. , two thereof are for raising a
subsidy by each act of one hundred thousand pounds, &o.,
and the other raising a subsidy of sixty thousand pounds,
the Supervisors do vote to give their warrants for coUeoting
the quota for Kings County as follows:
Brookland £283: 1: 3
Flatbush 175: 6: 0
New Utrecht 113:10: 8
Flatlands 100: 6: 0
Bushwick 105: 10: 11
Gravesend 98: 8: 8
£875: 3: 6
So bitter was the opposition of the people of Kings
County, and the Province of New York generally, to
the payment of these frequent and exorbitant demands of
the General Assembly, and so rapidly was the spirit of
independence gaining everywhere in the Colonies, that
the foregoing amount of £875: 13: 6, ordered to be
paid by this Board, was the last sum of money ever
paid by the Supervisors of Kings County, by order of
the General Assembly, representing the British Gov-
ernment.
Peter Lefferts paid to Dominicus Vanderveer for enter-
taining the Justices, Supervisors, and Loan ofllcers of the
said county, £3: 9, and Dirick Remsen, Supervisor for
Flatlands, is to pay to the said Vanderveer, the sum of £1: 5
for the same purpose, there being extras in his biU.
The Treasurer and Clerk met together and exammed the
books, and found there is in the hands of the Treasurer in
cash the sum of 4s. 4^d.
1767. The Supervisors elected at the general elec-
tion this year, on the first Tuesday of April, at their
annual meeting, held October 6th, made choice of Peter
Lefferts for Treasurer for the ensuing year. They also
made choice of Simon Boerum as their clerk. This Board
having more regard for the act of the Governor-Gen-
eral, and the General Assembly of the Province of Neff
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
385
York than their predecessors, gave the Treasurer the
fees established by that body, which were very rema-
nerative.
Among the charges against the county this year
were the following:
To Simon Boerum, for 40 days services in the Gen-
eral Assembly, at 6s. per day
To the said Boerum, for sundries as Clerk of the
Supervisors £3: 0:0
To Jacobus Vanderventure, Coroner,f or five inqui-
sitions of dead bodies buried in the county, at
27s 6: 15: 0
To Dr. John Lodiwick, for attending a sick man
from the 19th of December, 1760, to April,
1757, and for his medicine
To the Deacons of Brookland chux-ch, for money
advanced for entertaining the said sick man,
which was done right well, so that with the
care and medicine of Dr. Lodiwick he has got
quite well
To Peter Stryker, for mending the goal, which it
needed very much
To Dominicus Vanderveer, for entertaining John
Becket and his wife, in Goal, and for thi-ee rails
for fence around the same 9:16: 6
To Derrick Eemsen for money he had advanced for
entertaining John Becket in Goal
To John O'Eouke, public whipper for said county,
from the first day of October, 1766, to the first
day of October, 1767, and for whipping several
bad thieves and other criminals 3:10: 0
Expenses for entertaining the Justices, Supervisors
Treasurer and Loan Officers 9: 10: 10
. The said supervisors do let the county garden spot to
Barnet Van De Venture, for one year, for seven shillings,
which begins the 30th of October, 1767, to the 30th of October
then next following.
1768. Kings County, ss : On the first Tuesday in June, 1768,
the Supervisors of said county met at Flatbush, together
with the Loan Officers and Justices of the said county, to close
the Loan Officer's books, and said Loan Ofiicers rendered a
true and just account to the Supervisors and Justices
of the said county and the said books were closed accord-
ingly.
The following curious entry in the record of the pro-
ceedings of the Supervisors this year, exhibits the exact
manner, in which the acting excise commissioners were
dealt with m those days.
Theodorus Polhemus, appointed Commissioner for the
excise of strong liquors for Kings County, aforesaid, by an
act of Sir Henry Moore, signing himself "Baronet," with the
Council and General Assembly of the Province of New York,
wherein and by the said act, he is obliged to render under oath
to the Supervisors a true and exact amount or list of all the
moneys he receives for the said excise, yearly, and now he
swears upon oath to the said Supervisors, to a true list or
amount for the year 1765 the sum of £36, which is one pound
eight shiUings over what he is to pay for that year. And also
lendered a true account or list or amount upon oath to the
said Supervisors for the year 1766 the sum of £35: 16, sixteen
mumgs over; and also rendered a true list or amount upon
£3' >! V"^ ^a,id Supervisors for the year 1767 the sum of
-: 5; 6, and also rendered a like true account of all moneys
ecewed for the year 1768, which is £36: 13: 0. So there is
over thirty- two shillings in the whole, and you therefore see
that the said Commissioner is indebted to the Supervisors in
the sum of one pound, one shilling, and sixpense, which we do
direct that he pay into the hands of the ti-easurer without
any delay.
October the 17th. We the treasurer and clerk have met
together to examine the books, and find that the County is
indebted to the Treasurer, Mr. Peter Leff erts, in the sum of
£7: 15: 3}, which we do direct him to collect under our war-
rants, given this day, and the said Commissioner, Theodoras
Polhemous, has paid the said sum of one pound, one shilling
and sixpense to the Treasurer.
The account of Dominicus Vanderveer, of five pounds, five
shillings and sixpense, his charges for entertaining the
Supervisors, Justices of the County, and Loan Commission-
ers, is hereby directed to be paid.
1768. — The supervisors elected at the general election
held on the first Tuesday of April, met at their annual
meeting of the said board, at Flatbush, on the fourth
day of October, and made choice of Mr. Peter Lefferts
as treasurer for the ensuing year, to receive the very
liberal fees voted several years before by the General
Assembly. They also made choice of Mr. Simon Boe-
rum as their clerk. His fee this year was fixed at fifty
shillings.
Among the charges against the county this year were
the following:
To Simon Boerum, for 68 days services done in
General Assembly at 6s. per day
To said Boerum as clerk to the Supervisors £ 3: 10: 0
To said Simon Boerum for money he advanced for
one Tub in the Goal 5: 0: 0
To Abraham Scheuck, Esq., for sixty-eight days
services done in the General Assembly at 6s. per
day. Also for two certificates for said services
furnished by the said Clerk, which was omitted
last year for 45 days service at 6s. per day
To Richard StiUwill, for transporting John Becket
and wife to Pensecola, fifteen pounds, and the
interest on the same 18 months 16:17: 0
To Dominicus Vanderveer, for iron work done to
the Goal and iron shackles for Caesar, the
criminal lately hanged, and other services
about the hanging of Csesar 1: 10: 6
To John Losee, for making eight new constable
staffs 16: 0
To John O'Eouke, for whipping one man
To the deacons of Brooklyn church, for money
advanced for entertaining one sick man 3: 15: 0
All the charges allowed against the county this year
amounted to £103: 6: 10.
1769. The supervisors elected this year at the gen-
eral election, which took place on the first Tuesday of
April, met at Flatbush on the third day of October, and
made choice of Mr. Peter Lefferts as Treasurer of the
county, to have the full fees allowed by law for his ser-
vices. They also elected Simon Boerum clerk of the
board, with a salary of fifty shillings.
Among the charges against the county this year are
the following:
To Simon Beorum, for 97 days service done in Gen-
eral Assembly at 6s. per day
386
BISTORT OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
To said Simon Boerum, for services as Clerk of the
Supervisors ^3: 10: 0
To John Rapelyea, Esq., for 96 days services in
General Assembly, at 6s. per day
To Rutgert Van Brunt, sheriff, for keeping watch
at the Goal over the criminal, strangled
To John O'Rouke, as public whipper of the county,
from the tirst day of October 1768, to the first
day of October, 1769 3: 16: 0
To the said O'Rouke, for whipping one person— a
hard case 3- "
To the Sheriff, for cleaning the court-house, and one
load of wood 3: 1: 0
The whole indebtedness against the county this year
was £91: 14: 8.
The proceedings of the board this year closes with
the following imperative entry in the record of their pro-
ceedings.
Dominicus Vanderveer must have the sum of two pounds
fourteen shillings and eleven pense out of the money now in
hands of the Treasurer, and the Treasurer shall then deliver
his notes, and a warrant is issued against the said Treasurer
to pay the same,
1770. On the first Tuesday in April, Ano Domino
1770, were chosen Supervisors for Kings County:
Johannes Bergen, for Brookland.
Richard Stillwill, " Gravesend.
Dirck Remsen, " Flatlands.
Albert Van Brunt, ' ' New Utrecht.
Theodorus Polhemous, ' Bushwick.
Johannes Lott, " Flatbush
The annual meeting of the said board took place on
the first Tuesday of October, 1770, at the house of
Mrs. Elizabeth Vanderveer, widow of Dominicus Van-
derveer, Inn Keeper, at Flatbush, who had so long and
so acceptably entertained the Supervisors, Justices,
Treasurer and Loan Commissioners of said county, and
who, since the adjournment of the board, had gone the
way of all mankind to the unseen world.
At this meeting, Peter Lefferts was chosen Treasurer
for the ensuing year, to serve for the salary allowed
by the General Assembly.
Simon Boerum was chosen Clerk of the Board for
the ensuing year ; his salary was fixed at fifty shillings
per year.
The following were among some of the charges
against the county this year :
Simon Boerum, for 57 days services in the General
Assembly, 6s. per day £17: 3:0
To said Boerum, as Clerk to the Supervisors 3: 10: 0
To Simon Boerum, for a book or record furnished
for said county 1: 0:0
To John Rapelye, for 53 days services done in Gen-
eral Assembly, at 6s 15: 13: 0
To LeSert Lefferts, Coroner, for six inquisitions
for dead bodies buried in said county, at 27s. . 8: 3: 0
To Philip Nagle, Esq., for transporting one free
Negro wench to Jamaica* 0 : 3; 0
•In the year 1755, a census of slaves was taken in all the counties, ex-
cept Albany and Suffolk. There were in Brooklyn. 50 ; Bushwick, 43;
"Flatlands, 30 ; Flatbush, 35; New Utrecht, 67; Newtown, 87. This num-
ber ol slaves did not increase very much In the next ten years.
To Cornelius Wykoff, for transporting one vagrant
to New York city, where he belongs, and to
notify the authorities of said city q. g, q
To John O'Rouke, public whipper, from the 5th day
October, 1769, to October 5th, 1770, and for
whipping several thieves and other criminals. 4: O: 0
The following entry appears on the records of the
proceedings of the Supervisors this year, at a special
meeting held in March, 1770:
" Whereas, there is in the city of New York, and in other
parts of this Province, and in the Colonies Generally, a Spirit
of resistance and opposition to the King, which doth threaten
to break out into armed resistance, quite alarming, which is
alleged by those engaged in it, to be upon good cause and
just reason, on account of unjust taxations, and other al-
leged wrongs, therefore —
Resolved, That we, the Supervisors, representing the Sev-
erall townsjn this County, will stiU adhear to our Loyalty,
until better informed as to the causes of all this disturbance,
in which some of the people of the county have taken apart,
particularly in the liberty-pole fight in New York.*
There were members of the Board who strongly ad-
vocated the amendment of this resolution, so it would
read as follows :
That we do solemnly sympathize with those good
citizens of New York, and elsewhere, who do, in all
candor, honesty and equity oppose the unjust measures of
England, and her rulers, taken in regard to her colonies in
America.
*The Liberty-pole light, alluded to in this resolution, took place on
the 13th o£ January, 1770. A large number of the people of Brooklyn
crossed the river, and joined the citizens in the contest against the
British soldiers, stationed in New York, which grew out of the follow-
ing circumstance : A part of the 16th Regiment, Eoyal Infantry, at-
tempted to destroy the Liberty Pole, which stood near Bowling Green,
by blowing it up with gun powder. The citizens interfered, and the
soldiers desisted, but, with fixed bayonets they charged on the citizens,
driving them into a tavern near by, a favorite resort for the " Sons of
Liberty." The soldiers soon demolished the furniture, broke the win-
dows, and greatly damaged the building. On the night of the 16th,
three days after, the soldiers succeeded in prostrating the pole, cut-
ting it into pieces, and piling them up against the tavern— the rallying
place of the Sons of Liberty. The next morning the alarm bells rang,
and three thousand citizens, many of whom were from Kings County^
rallied at the scene of the outrage, and adopted a resolution that, " all
British soldiers, found In the streets after roll call, should be treated
as public enemies." During the ensuing night, the soldiers busied
themselves in posting up insulting placards, daring the people to carry
out this resolution. Many of these placards found their way over the
river, and were posted up in Brooklyn. Some were found at Flatbush.
In the course of the day, three soldiers were caught In the act of Past-
ing up more of these placards. They were immediately arrested by the
citizens ; a fight ensued, and the citizens were victorious. But a re-
inforcement of twenty soldiers came upon the ground, and another
fight with cutlasses, clubs and pistols, took place. The military were
compelled to give way before the unarmed citizens, the *<"''"^''"'""'
ing slowly towards Golden Hill, now John Street, between Clifl Mre'i
and Burling Slip. Here, some of the English oificers appeared, and tne
soldiers were ordered to their quarters. Though the soldiers wer
driven, several of the citizens were dangerously wounded, amo g
whom was one Victor Camp, a citizen of Brooklyn. One citizen
Instantly killed by a sabre stroke of a British soldier. After tnis
Mayor issued a proclamation, forbidding the soldiers to leave
barracks, unless accompanied by a °o°-«»™"'^^'°''f'? "" .VuBtll
long after this, another Liberty Pole was erected, which stoo^^ ^^^
the British took possession of Long Island and New ro • j^^
when their soldiers destroyed it. It will therefore b^ sse"'"-"
people of the city of New York, aided by «i"^«"!,°' ^f'^enBe:
struck the first blow for liberty, and shed the first blood l-^™"^; j^„,
for this fight, sometimes called "the Battle »' O"!"*™ " ' L^ li
place sometime before the Boston massacre which loo* v
Kings Street in that city.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
387
The amendment, however, was lost, and the foregoing
resolution received the sanction of the majority of the
board.
The total amount of indebtedness against the county
this year amounted to £55, for the collection of which
the Supervisors issued their warrants as follows :
Brookland £18:14: 9
Flatbush 11:16: 3
New Utrecht 7:12: 6
Bushwick 7: 2: 3
Flatlands 6:13:11
Gravesend 6:11; 1
To the Widow Vanderveer, the sum of of £5: 7: 6,
for entertaining the Supervisors, Justices, and
Treasurer and Loan OflB.cers
1771. The following named persons were chosen
Supervisors, at the general election held at Flatbush
the first Tuesday of April, 1771.
Johannes Bergen, for Brooklyn.
Richard Still will, " Gravesend.
DirckEemsen, " Flatlands.
Albert Van Brunt, " New Utrecht.
Theodorus Polhemous, " Bushwick.
Johannes Lott, " Flatbush.
At their annual meeting, which took place at Flat-
bush, October 1st, 1771, Peter LefEerts was made Treas-
urer, to serve for the then ensuing year, at the salary
fixed by law, and Simon Boerum was chosen Clerk for
the ensuing year.
Among the charges against the county this year
were the following:
To Simon Boerum, for his services done in the
General Assembly, 58 days, at 6s. per day
To the said Simon Boerum, for his services as
Clerk for the Supervisors
To John Rapalye, for 50 days services done in the
General Assembly, at 6s. per day
It will be seen that Kings County continued to be
regularly represented in the General Colonial Assembly
of the Province of New York, notwithstanding the
disturbed state of the country. " But this body, repre-
senting the people of the Province, was not always in
harmony with the Governor-General, who represented
his majesty, the King, in the Colonial Government, and
the Council, which acted in a two-fold capacity; first, as
advisory; and second, as legislative. It was sometimes
called a privy Council to the Governor. The origin of
those political difiiculties in New York, which continued
with greater or less acrimony until the separation from
the parent country, was the persistent attempt which
some of the Governors made to obtain grants of revenue
0 the Crown for life. Occasionally grants were made to
he officers of the Crown for a term of years, but, as
time went on, the General Assembly grew more refrac-
o'-y upon the subject of grants for revenue— pertina-
•ous^ insisting that they would vote the salary for
«»«ers of the Crown only with the annual supplies.
This was a principle which the Governors, as represent-
atives of the Crown, felt bound to resist, as being an
infringement of the royal prerogative. Thereafter,
until the colony cast off its allegiance, the struggle in
regard to revenue and its disposition, was almost con-
stantly before the people in one form or another; and
in some years, owing to the obstinacy of the repre-
sentatives of the Crown on one side, and the inflexi-
bility of the people on the other, supplies were not
granted at all." The Provincial Assemblies, which
by repeated enactments ordered the Supervisors to
raise such immense sums of money by taxing the
people of the county, were more subservient to the
demands of the royal governors than any of their
predecessors.
The famous Wm. Tryon was now Governor-General
of the Province. Of all the Colonial Governors, he was
the strongest advocate for the high prerogative of the
Crown in America — a most relentless enemy to the
rights of the colonists. "On the 8th of July, 1771,"
says Colonel Stone, " Sir William Tryon, Bart, having
rendered himself odious to the people of North Caro-
lina by his petty tyranny, arrived in New York, bear-
ing his Majesty's commission as Governor-General and
Commander-in-chief, in the place of Lord Dunmore,
who, as Governor-General, had been very popular."
Tryon's administration at first gave much satisfaction,
and tended largely to induce the Supervisors and the
people of Kings County to look with some disfavor
upon the spirit of hostility to the Crown which was
manifesting itself. But the high-handed measures of
the British ministry (with which Tryon strongly sym-
pathized), in attempting to foist the odious stamp-act
upon the colonists, soon caused the new Governor-Gen-
eral to be an object of popular hatred. On the I7th of
July, 1771, he visited Flatbush with his suite, for the
purpose of reviewing " the train bands," as the militia
companies of those days were called, in sort of general
muster. He was received, and entertained by the
Judges, the Supervisors of the county, and the members
of the General Assembly. In a speech which he
made after the review, he took occasion to congratulate
the people of Kings County upon "their undoubted
and steady loyalty to their Sovereign," which, he said,
" had all the appearance of permanent continuance."
He promised to see to it " that all their rights and
privileges should be carefully guarded and maintained."
This plausible and eloquently delivered address tended
largely to keep the officials, particularly the Super-
visors, loyal to the King, for a time at least.
The charges against the county continue as follows :
To Abraham Brower, for money he has been
obliged to pay to the constable of New York for
charges for apprehending Sarah, the wife of
Caesar, the negro man that was lately strangled,
for things which the said Sarah had stolen in
Kings County, she having concealed the same
in Kings county, said charges amount to £ 1; 19' 6
388
HIS TOBY OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
To Peter Antonious, for mending the locks and
keys to the said goal, they having been torn
and broken by James Domes and Samuel
Fairbanks, prisoners, who had escaped out of
said jail £1:10:10
To Peter Colyer, constable of Boswick, for trans-
porting one vagrant person to Brookland
ferry 0; 5; 0
To John O'Rourke, public whipper, from the first
day of October, 1770, to the first day of Octo-
ber, 1771 3: 0: 0
" There is at present no money in the hands of the Treas-
urer, and it will be indebted after Lefferts, the Coroner, is
paid out of the cash in the hands of the . Treasurer; * there-
fore, we raise the sum of £55."
The wliole amount of indebtedness against the
county this year amounts to the sum of £58: 13: 2, for
the collection of which the Supervisors issued their
warrants.
The Supervisors allowed John Benham, the suc-
cessor of Dominicus Vanderveer, as innkeeper at Flat-
bush, for entertaining them, the sum of £6: 11: 5.
1772. At the general election held at Flatbush this
year, on the first Tuesday of April, the following per-
sons were chosen Supervisors of the county:
Dirck Remsen, for Flatlands.
Richard Stillwill,
Johannes Bergen,
Theodorus Polhemous,
Albert Van Brunt,
Johannes Lott, Jr.,
Gravesend.
Brookland.
Bushwick.
New Utrecht.
Flatbush.
At their annual meeting, held October 6th, 1772,
Jeremias Vanderbilt was chosen Treasurer for the en-
suing year in jilace of Peter Lefferts, who declined to
serve any longer. Mr. Lefferts was, as we have seen,
first chosen Treasurer at the annual meeting of the
Supervisors, October, 1735, the successor of John
Vanderbilt. He discharged the duties of Treasurer,
with marked correctness and ability, thirty-seven years.
His predecessor, Mr. John Vanderbilt, the first Treas-
urer of the county, appointed by the first Board of
Supervisors, served twenty-one years. Jeremias Van-
derbilt, the Treasurer appointed this year, was a son
of John Vanderbilt.
The Supervisors, at their annual meeting aforesaid,
made choice of Simon Boerum as their clerk.
Among the accounts presented against the county
this year were the following:
To Simon Boerum, for 65 days service done by him
in the General Assembly, at 6s. per day
To said Boerura, as Clerk of Supervisors £3:10: 0-
To Leffert Lefferts, Coroner, for three inquisitions
of three bodies buried in said county 3; 9: 0
To Rutgert Van Brunt, High Sheriff, for locks and
keys for the goal, the looks and keys thereof
having been tampered with and injured by the
prisoners anxious to escape from prison
* There is some inoonsistenoy in this entry, as the reader will see.
It alleges that there is no money in the hands ot the Treasurer, and
yet It says " arter Lefferts, the Coroner, is paid out of cash in tlje hands
pf the Treasurer the county will be indebted, ipo."
To John Rapelye, for services done in General As-
sembly, 65 days, at 6s. per day
To Michael Stryker, for keeping a vagrant person
who fell sick and died at his house, and was
buried by him &%:\(i: o
To Dr. Van Buren, for medicine for the said person 0: 15; o
To Cornelius Cornell, for ditto for his burying O: 5' 9
To David Strong, for burying the said person 0: 12: 0
To Jacob Lefferts, for things for burial of said
person Q: 7: 8
To John Benham, for a coffin for said person 2: 0: 0
From the items in this account, it is certain that the
people of Kings County, in those days, treated the
vagrant poor in rather a luxurious manner.
To John O'Rouke, public whipper of said county,
from the first day of October, 1771, to the first
day of October, 1773 £3; O: 0
To said O'Rourke, for cleaning Jhe Court House
and goal during that time 0: 16: 0
The whole amount of the demands against the county
this year was £58: 13: 2, for the collection of which
the Supervisors gave their warrants.
1773. — At the general election, held on the first Tues-
day of April, 1773, the following were chosen Super-
visors for the respective towns :
Dirck Remsen, for Flatlands.
Richard Stillwill, " Gravesend.
Johannes Bergen, " Brookland.
Theodorus Polhemus, " Bushwick.
Albert Van Brunt, " New Utrecht.
Johannes Lott, Jr., " Flatbush.
At the annual meeting of the Board, in Flatbush,
October 5th, Jeremias Vanderbilt was chosen treasurer
and Simon Boerum, clerk.
Among the charges against the county this year
were the following :
To Simon Boerum, Esq., for 51 days service,
done in General Assembly, at 6s. a day
To John Rapelyea, Esq., for 51 days service,
done in the General Assembly of the Prov-
ince of New York,
It is a singular fact that the spirit of resistance to
British usurpation against the rights of the colonists was
not shared in by the members of the General Assembly,
a majority of whom were more subservient to the offi-
cers of the crown than ever, and continued to vote for
raising large sums out of the people. But the Super-
visors of Kings County did not take any measures to
enforce the collection of its pro rata share of the said
sums of money, directed to be paid by the General As-
sembly.
The account against the county continues as fol-
lows :
To Simon Boerum, as clerk to the Board of
Supervisors ^2- i"'
To Mathias Vandyck, late Coroner, for six in-
quisitions of six dead bodies, buried in said
eount7@£l: 7; 0 8: 2:0
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
389
To Barnet Johnson, Jr., present Coroner, for
two inquisitions £2: 14: 0
ToLeffert LefEerts, late Coroner, for one Inquisi-
tion 1: 7:0
To Cornelius Wycofif, for entertaining one sick
woman eight days, and for the boarding of
an Indian boy and his mother six days and
transporting them with horses and wagon to
John Smith's, on the limits of Brookland 0: 58: 0
To John Smith for entertaining an Indian boy
and his mother— the boy died— and for bury-
ing the boy 3: 6:0
To John O'Rouke, pubUc whipper, from the first
day of October, 1773, to the first day of Oc-
tober, 1773, and for whipping three hen
thieves*
The whole indebtedness against the county this year is
£56 15s. 6d.,for the collection of which the Supervisors
issued the usual warrant.
The Board voted John Benham, innkeeper of Plat-
bush, seven pounds eighteen shillings for entertain-
ing the Judges, Supervisors, Treasurer and loan offi-
cers.
\*l1L — At the general election, on the first Tuesday
of April of this year, the following persons were chosen
Supervisors of the county :
Diriok Eemsen for Flatlands.
Richard Stillwill " Gravesend.
Johannes Bergen " Brookland.
Theodorus Polhemus " Bushwick.
Albert Van Brunt " New Utrecht.
Johannes Lott " Flatbush.
At the annual meeting of the Board, held at Flat-
bush on the 4th day of October, Jeremias Vanderbilt
was chosen treasurer, and Simon Boerum was chosen
clerk of the Board.
The following are among the items of account against
the county this year :
To Simon Boerum, for 62 days services in the Gen-
eral Assembly, at 6$. per day
To said Boerum for his services as clerk of the
said Board £2: 10: 0
To Wilham Boerum, Coroner, for two inquisitions 2: 14: 0
To Samuel Skidmore, constable of Brooklyn, for
transporting several vagrants to New York,
and to Flatbush, where they belong
To Jeremias Vanderbilt, Treasurer of the County—
the same being indebted to him — ten shillings
and eleven pounds
To Jolin O'Rouke, public whipper, from the first
day of October, 1773, to the first day of Octo-
• No official under the English government In Kings County dis-
charged hia duties longer or more faithfully than O'Bourke, the public
whipper of the county. His services were highly appreciated ; for,
through tihe lapse of many years, we And his bill for services before the
Supervisors— always promptly audited and paid— and we often find en-
tries in the record of their proceedings, complimenting him for the
effectual manner he applied "the cat" to the backs of criminals.
O'Eourke did not cease to discharge his duties until 1783, when the
British were driven out of the country. He lived many years after
this, always Insisting that a good whipping was the best punishment
that could be glyeu to some rascals. "Such whippings as I used to
give them they didn't soon forget, t tell you," he used to say.
her, 1774, and cleaning the Court House and
goal
The excise money paid in by Mr. Polhemus, Ex-
cise Commissioner of the county is £33: 00: 11
The whole indebtedness against the county this
year amounts to 33: 00: 11
Credit by Excise Money 33: 00: 11
Indebtedness £00: 00: 00
I7'75. At the general election held on the first Tues-
day of April of this year, the following persons were
chosen Supervisors of Kings County:
Johannes Bergen, for Brookland.
Johannes Lott, " Flatbush.
Eichard Stillwill, " Gravesend.
Garret Kovenhoven, " Flatlands.
Theodorus Polhemous, " Bushwick.
Albert Van Brunt, " New Utrecht.
At the annual meeting of the board held at Flatbush,
October 3d, 1775, Jeremiah Vanderbelt was chosen
Treasurer, and Johannes Lott, Clerk, in place of Simon
Boerum, who had served as Clerk since October, 1752.
Such was the happy capacity of Mr. Boerum for dis-
charging the duties of Clerk of the Board, that he was
one of the most popular officers of that department
known within the history of Kings County. During
most of the time he served as Clerk to the Board he
was a representative of the county in the General
Asssembly.
The fees of the Clerk this year was fixed at thirty-
three shillings.
The following were among the accounts presented
against the county this year.
To John Rapelye, 126 days service done in the
General Assembly, at 6s. a day
To Simon Boerum, 70 days services done in the
General Assembly, at 6s. a day
To said Boerum for services done as Clerk of the
Board of Supervisors £2:10:'O
To John O'Rouke, public whipper of the County,
from the first day of October, 1773, to the
first day of October,1775, and for cleaning the
goal and whipping two thieves 4: 2: 0
To Nicholas Cowenhoven, Esq., for prosecuting
and transporting vagrant persons 3: 6: 0
To John Benham, Esq., for entertaining the
Judges, Supervisors, and Loan Officers, and
Treasurer 5:19: 1
To Jeremias Vanderbelt, the Treasurer, the Coun-
ty being indebted to him 4: 8: 5
Excise money paid into the County by Theodorus
Polhemous, Excise Commissioner 126:12: 9
By Cash 32:10: 8
£94: 2: 1
1776. There is no record of any election for Super-
visors this year in the county at the annual election on
the first Tuesday in April, or at any other time; nor is
there any record of any meeting of the Supervisors after
the third day of October, 1775, until the first Tuesday
of October, 1777. It is probable that, owing to the
390
HISTORY 01 KINGS COTUSTTY.
occupation of Long Island by the Continental Army,
after the breaking out of hostilities between the Colo-
nies and England, down to August 29th, \11Q, when the
British troops took posession, the Supervisors of the
county found it somewhat difficult to conduct their an-
nual meetings, in conformity to the laws of the General
Assembly of the Province, though, as we have seen,
they did so with regularity down to October, 1775.
But owing to the disordered state of things in Kings
County, occasioned by the movement of the British and
Continental armies in 1776, all the machinery of gov-
ernment in the county was suspended, until after the
British took possession of the county, when the Super-
visors resumed their meetings, according to the following
entries in the record of their proceedings :
October the 7th, 1777. We the Treasurer and Clerk of the
County met together and examined the books and found the
county in debt to the Treasurer, Jeremias Vanderbelt, Esq.,
in the sum of £0: 6: 7.
On the first Tuesday of October, 1777, the Supervisors of
Kings County met together at the house of John Benham, in
Flatbush, and adjourned until the 24th of the same month
of October.
Kings County, ss: On the 31st of October, 1777, the Super-
visors of said County, according to the said adjournment,
met at the house of the said John Benham to-wit:
Johannes Bergen, for Brookland.
Johannes Lott, " Flatbush.
Albert Van Brunt, " New Utrecht.
Theodorus Polhemous, " Bush wick.
Dirick Bemsen, " Flatlands.
The county now being in full possession of the Brit-
ish troops, this board met and acted under the Colonial
laws, although the Provincial or Colonial government
had been annulled by the adoption of the State Consti-
tution, April 28th, 1777, by which the Province became
a State under the Declaration of Independence and the
acts of the Continental Congress, and laws enacted by
the first State Legislature, which convened at Kingston^
September 9th, 1777. This Legislature was, after a
session of about one month, dispersed by the British,
who took and burned Kingston, October 7th, 1777.
The Legislature, however, in due time, assembled again
at Poughkeepsie, and its annual sessions have continued
down to the present time.
1777. At the adjourned meeting of the Supervisors on
the 24th of October, 1777, they made choice of Jeremias
Vanderbilt as Treasurer for the ensuing year, voting
that he was to receive his fees "according to an act of
the General Assembly of the Province of New York in
that case made and provided."
Thus it will be seen, that this board, notwithstanding
the existence of the Federal and State governments, the
adoption of the constitutions to which we have referred
and the acts of the Legislature of 17J7, still recognized
the Colonial Government and the acts of its General
Assembly. But we must remember that Kings County,
all of Long Island and the city of New York, were in
possession of the British, who, by force of arms, could
and did keep the Colonial government in operation.
Among the accounts brought against the county at
the adjourned meeting of the Supervisors, October
21st, 1777, were the following:
To Peter Antonious, for locks and repairing the
goal, now much out of order £3: 12: 0
To Philip Nagal, for one lock on the goal 0: 8: 6
To John Benham, for work on the Court House. .. 0: 4: 0
To the deacons of Flatbusli church, for maintain-
ing a vagrant person that died, and for bury-
ing him 3: 1: 1
To John O'Eouke, public whipper, from the first
day of October, 1875, to the first day of Octo-
ber, 1777, and whipping three criminals 3: 16: 0
For property of Jeremias Klein destroyed in a
riot
To T. Johnson, for cleaning the Court House and
goal, and for maintaining the Supervisors
the 34th of May, 1777 1: 1: 9
To John Benham, for maintaining the Judges and
Supervisors the first and third Tuesdays of
October, 1777 10:13: 4
1778. There is no record of any election for Super-
visors-in the county at the usual time for holding the
election, the first Tuesday of April, or at an^ time
during the year 1778; but the following entry in the
journal of the proceedings of the Supervisors that
year, show that a Board met at the time fixed for its
annual meeting, the first Tuesday of October.
Kings County, ss : On the first Tuesday of October, 1778,
the Supervisor's of said county met at the house of John
Benham, in Flatbush, and made choice of their Treasurer,
Jeremius Vanderbilt, Esq., for the ensuing year, and Mm
his fees according to an act of the. General Assembly of the
Province of New York, in that case made and provided; and
also made choice of their Clerk, Johannes Lott, for the en-
suing year ; that the said Clerk shall have for his services
the sum of 35s. per year, and the said Supervisors met to-
gether to discharge the county debts, and the particulars
areas follows:
To Dirick Remsen, for 30 shingles for the Court
House £"=
To John Benhara, for mending the Court House,
broken by prisoners escaping, their friends on
the outside helping them J^ }^'
To Johannes Lott, for services done as clerk 1: lo:
To John O'Rouke, public whipper from the first
day of October, 1777, to the first day of October,
1778 ■■■■■■
To John Benham, for entertaining the Judges,
Supervisors, and the Secretary of the Gover-
nor General, William Tryon, and other ^
officers ■/.■ ■ ■■!
The charge was found the year before for this, it
being a county charge* ^'''
36:14: 2
8: 0
3: 0: 0
* Trj'on— on April 7th, 1774, alarmed at the turn affairs had talien in the colonies, sailed for England to represent to the ministry the alar
state of things In America, and ascertain their policy in regard to the matters— returned July 1st, 1775, assured by the ministry
rebellious colonists must be chastised into submission. He was therefore, on July 28th, 1775, reappointed Governor-General. As he was a
of practical policy, he saw the necessity, owing to the proximity of Kings County to New York City, of keeping her citizens '"y^ ^^
British ministry and the Crown ; hence, he and her oificers were often present with the county officials, and was entertained, a
seen, at the espense.of the.county.
BOARD OF STTPERVlSOJkS.
The Supervisors agreed to raise the sum of £40 out
of the county for charges, and the quota thereof for
every town of said county is as follows :
Brookland £12: 16: 10
Flatbush 8: 0: 4
New Utrecht 5: 4: Oi
Flatlands 4: H: 4
Bushwiok 4: 16: b\
Gravesend.' 4:11: 0
£40: 00: 00
"The several sums of every township after being raised, were
preserved by me, Johannes Lett, Clerk of the said Super-
visors, according to the orders of said Supervisors, and the
particulars paid out by me to the several persons to whom
they are due."
June 30th, 1779, then paid to Joseph Varick, for
work done to the Court House of Flatbush. ..£ 1: 12: 0
Paid out of the forty pounds 36:14: 3
£40: 00: CO
38: 6: 3
There remains in my hands £1: 13: 10
There was no list of the names of the Supervisors
who attended the meetings, the proceedings of which
we have given. The reader will observe that among
the charges presented against the county at the last
three meetings of the Board of Supervisors, there ap-
pears no charges for the service of any member of the
General Assembly of the Province. The county, no
doaht, was never represented in that body after the
year 17 74; its last representative being Simon Boerum.
1779. There was no election for Supervisors in the
county this year, of which there is any record. But
the following entry in the journals of the Board shows
that a Board of Supervisors were, at the time, appointed
for the annual meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
Kings County, ss : On the first Tuesday of October, 1779,
the Supervisors of said county met at the house of John
Benham, in Flatbush, and adjourned until the first Tuesday
of November next. And said Supervisors, according to
their said adjournment, met together at the house of said
John Benham, and made choice of their Treasurer, Jeremius
Vanderbilt, Esq., for the ensuing year, and to have his fees
as the year before, and also made choice of their Clerk,
Johannes Lett, for the ensuing year, to have for his services
as before. And the Supervisors found the county indebted
in the following particulars:
To Barent Johnson, Coroner, for inquisition £1: 7: 0
To John O'Rouke, public whipper, from the first
day of October, 1778, to the first day of Octo-
ber, 1779, and for whipping four persons 3: 0: 0
To John Benham, for entertaining the Judges and
the Supervisors, and their visitors, on the first
Tuesday of October and November, 1779 9:5:0
13: 12: 00
It will be seen from the foregoing that all the
charges against the county, except about £3 : 7, was for
entertaining the Judges, Supervisors and their visitor
two days.
1780. There is no record of any election of Super-
visors this year, but the following entry in their
minutes shows that a Board met at that time and place
fixed for the annual meeting of the Supervisors, though
only three members were present :
Kings County, ss : On the first day of October, 1780, the
Supervisors of the said county, namely, Derick Eemsen,
Theodorous Polhemous and Johannes Lott, the Treasurer,
Jeremias Vanderbilt, and Judge Nagel, met together, and
the said Supervisors found the county indebted to wit:
To Johannes E. Lott, for repairing the Court
House £85: 6: 6
To Justice Polhemous, for maintaining a vagrant
woman 7 weeks, at $3 per week 5:13: 0
To John O'Rourke, as public whipper from the first
day of October, 1779, to tlie first Tuesday of
October, 1780 3; 13: 0
To John Benham, for entertaining the Judge and
the Supervisors the first Tuesday of October,
1780 3:15: 1
The county charges the year before being 13: 12: 0
To Albert Vanbrunt, for keeping a vagrant 5: 0: 0
£67: 00: 7
The Supervisors agree to raise the sum of £70 out of the
county for county charges, and the quota therof being for
every town of said county as follows ;
Brooklyn £22
Flatbush 14:
New Utrecht 9
Flatlands 7
Bushwick 8
Gravesend 7
9: 6
0: 7
3: 1
19: 10
8: 10
19: 3
£70: 00: 0
1781. There are no minutes of any election for
Supervisors in the county this year, nor is there any
record of a meeting of any Board of Supervisors.
1782. On the first Tuesday of April, 1782, there was
an election of Supervisors in the county, and the fol-
lowing named persons were elected:
Johannes Bergen, for Brooklyn.
Philip Nagel, " Flatbush.
Isaac Cortelyou, " New Utrecht.
Dirick Eemsen, " Flatlands.
Albert Terhune, " Gravesend.
Abraham Luquer, " Bushwick.
Kings County, ss ; The Supervisors met together at the
house of John Benham, on the first Tuesday of October,
1782. The Supervisors who were present adjourned until
the 15th day of said month, and then met again and made
choice of their Treasurer, Jeremius Vanderbilt, Esq., for the
ensuing year, " and to have his fees according to an act of
the General Assembly of the Province of New York, in that
case made and provided ; " and also made choice of their
Clerk, Johannes Lott, for the ensuing year, and to have for
his fees the sum of 35s. , and the Supervisors found the
county indebted as follows :
To Johannes E. Lott, for providing lodging and
other necessaries for a certain John Brewer,
who fell sick at his house and died, together
with the funeral expenses £10: 10: 0
392
BtSTORT 01 KINGS COUNTY.
To the estate of Roelof Lott, deceased, for attend-
ing a vagrant with the small-pox, who died at
his house, and funeral expenses 5
To the estate of Paul Vanderworth, for two coffins
made for poor persons who died at Bushwick. 4
To the estate of Johannes Lott, deceased, for his
services done as Clerk of the Supervisors 1
To John Benham, for entertaining the Judges, &c.,
four several times 17
8: 0
14: 0
15: 0
£40: 3: 8
The Supervisors agree to raise the sum of £42 out of the
county for county charges, and the quotas of every town is
as follows :
♦Brooklyn £13: 9: 8
*Flatbush 8: 8: 44
*New Utrecht 5: 9: 3i
*Flatlands 4: 15: 11
*Bushwick 5: 1 : 3J
Gravesend 4:15: 6J
£42: 00: \\
Those towns marked with a star did not pay.
This is the last entry in the record of the proceed-
ings of the Supervisors of Kings County, under the
General Assembly of the Colonial Government. It is
probable that the proceedings were not assented to by
the people, for we see by the record that none of the
towns, except Gravesend, paid the quota of the expen-
ses of the county assessed against them.
We have now traced the history of the Supervi-
sors of Kings County from the first organized
board in 1714, through the colonial period after that
date, down to 1782, the date of the last meeting of the
board, under the General Provincial Assembly, sum-
moned by warrants of the Royal Governors.
During all this time, they continued loyal to the
Crown, even, as we have seen, after the adoption of
the State Constitution, April 20th, 1777, but not with-
out frequent opposition by the patriotic citizens of the
county.
Soon after the Battle of Lexington, a meeting of the
citizens of the county was held at Flatbush, in which
five of the towns in the county were represented, for
the purpose of uniting with the people in other parts of
the colonies in a call for another convention, favorable to
the cause of freedom.
" Flatbush," says a local historian, " by the voice of
Nicholas Cowenhoven, declined any complicity in the
proceedings of the convention, but expressed a design
of remaining neutral during the struggle, which was
clearly approaching.
" Theodorus Polhemous, Richard Stillwill, Nicholas
Cowenhoven, John Vanderbilt, Henry Williams and
Jeremiah Remsen, most of them members of the board
of Supervisors, were chosen to represent the county in
the convention. There were many other prominent
citizens of the county who took an active part in the
proceedings of the convention, but their names are not
found on the record of the meeting, or on the list of
delegates to congress."
On the 20th day of May, 1775, a general town meet-
ing, largely attended, was held at Brooklyn, for the
purpose of taking into consideration the proper course
to pursue, in relation to the position in which the
country stood towards the course pursued by the Brit-
ish Ministry. Jeremiah Remsen was chairman, Leffert
Lefferts was secretary. At this meeting a resolution
was passed favorable to holding a Provincial Congress
" to advise, consult, watch over and defend at this
alarming crisis, all civil and religious rights, liber-
ties and privileges, according to their collective pru-
dence."
Henry Williams and Jeremiah Remsen, Esqrs., were
elected deputies for Brooklyn, to meet May 22d, with
other deputies, in a provincial convention in the city
of New York.
But the British took possession of Long Island in
August, 1776, and continued in possession until Novem-
ber 25th, 1783 ; and, as we have seen, the civil laws,
under the State Constitution, were entirely suspended
during that time, a period of seven years.
Kings County under the Federal Government
and the Constitution of the State of New York.
— By the 29tb Section of the State Constitution,
adopted April 20th, 1777, and an act of the legislature
passed, the ofiice of Supervisor was retained in all the
towns of the State under the following provisions :
The Town Clerks, Supervisors, Assessors, Constables, Col-
lectors, and all other officers heretofore eligible, in manner
directed by the present or future acts of legislatures.
Loan Commissioners, County Treasurers, Clerks of the
Supervisors, shall continue to be appointed in the manner
directed by the present or future acts of the legislature.
The powers and duties of Supervisors, under the con-
stitution of 1777, and the acts of the legislature of that
year under it, were nearly the same as under the Colo-
nial laws. They were auditors of charges against the
county, assessed these charges against the different
towns, according to their quotas, granting warrants for
their collection ; and, in examining the accounts of the
Loan Officers and County Treasurers, their powers and
duties were greatly enlarged by subsequent acts of the
legislature, as we shall see, and they were afterwards
elected by ballots.
1784. The first entry that appears on the record of
the proceedings of the Board of Supervisors of Kings
County, after the Evacuation of Long Island, No-
vember, 1783, is the following :
We, the Supervisors of Kings County, do hereby author-
ize, nominate and appoint Rutgert Van Brunt and Isaac
Cortleyou, to meet the Confereno« of Supervisors at the place
appointed, Flatbush, July 1st, 1784.
Philip Nagle. Charles Titus.
Abraham Vorhees. Tunis Bergen.
When these Supervisors were elected, or what was
the nature of the Conference of Supervisors, to which
BOARD OF SUPeH VISORS.
393
Messrs. Van Brunt and Cortelyou were appointed to
meet, does not appear.
The next entry on the record of the proceedings of
the Kings County Supervisors, is the following :
" The aforesaid Judges and Supervisors, having examined
the books of Rutgert Van Brunt and John Cowenhoven,
Loan Commissioners of said county, agreeable to the act
of the legislature for loaning monies to the State, passed
April 18th, 1786, the said Rutgert Van Brunt and John
Cowenhoven, have produced to us, the said Judge and
Snpervisors, a full discharge of the said Loan Officers, with
thanks for their services rendered to said county for the
faithful discharge of their duty.
1784. The first regular meeting of the Board
of Supervisors for Kings County, after the with-
drawal of the British troops from Long Island,
took place July 14, 1784. As this njeeting was of great
importance, embracing much of the history, the laws
and the families of that day, we give the proceedings
entire, as follows :
At a meeting held this 14th day of July, 1784, at Flatbush,
in Kings County, present :
Philip Nagel, for Flatbush,
Tunis Bergen, " Brooklyn,
Charles Titus, " Bush wick,
Abraham Vorhees, " Flatlands,
Rutgert Van Brunt, " Gravesend,
Isaac Cortlyou, " New Utrecht,
We have unanimously chosen Jeremias Vanderbilt, of
Flatbush, in the County of Kings, aforesaid, Treasurer of
Kings County, and Nicholas Cowenhoven, their clerk, and
then adjourned till the next meeting."
It does not appear when the above Supervisors were
elected, nor to what time and at what place the said
board adjourned.
We find the proceedings of a meeting of the Board
of Supervisors which took place at Flatbush, December
12, 1784, which board was composed of the same mem-
bers as the last meeting of the board, July 14th.
Jeremias Vanderbilt, the Treasurer, and Nicholas
Cowenhoven appointed at that meeting, were present,
and signed their names to the entry of the proceedings;
80 that the meeting of December 12th, 1784, was an
adjourned meeting of the July previous.
The following entry in their record shows the amount
of the indebtedness of the county for the year 1784.
The above Supervisors agree to proportion the several
sums as follows : for the several townships, to be raised,
MBessed, and collected, as the law directs, the sum of £6,500,
and the sum of £6,500, being in whole £13,000, and the Super-
visora have agreed to proportion the different townships as
follows, viz. :
Brooklyn township, the sum of £3,933: 7: 1
Flatbush
Flatlands
Bushwick
Gravesend
New Utrecht
3,567: 13: 11
. . 1,635:00:00
. . 1,635:00:00
.. 1,625:00:00
. . 1,6?5: 00: 00
£13,000:00:00
The above is all agreed to, this 14th day of December, 1784.
Philip Nagel, Isaac Cortelyou,
Charles Titus, Abraham Voorhees,
R. Van Brunt,
All Supervisors of Kings County.
Jere. Vanderbilt, Treasurer,
Nicholas Cowenhoven, Clerk.
The sum of money thus assessed against the county
would seem to be excessively large compared with the
sums assessed against it during the Colonial period.
But it must be remembered that no bills had been pre-
sented and audited against the county since October,
1782, and the towns, except one, refused to pay the said
bills. During the time the county was in possession of
the British, the court-house and jail were greatly dam-
aged and other public property destroyed, so that ex-
penses of repairing these buildings, greatly enhanced
the expenses of the county. The record of the proceed-
ings of the Supervisors at this meeting continues as
follows, by which it will be seen the Brooklyn Supervi-
sor attempted to have the assessment against his town
reduced on account of the " Brooklyn Exiles," meaning
the Tories, who were compelled to leave the county
when the British evacuated Long Island.
"Tunis Bergen, the Brooklyn Supervisor, strongly desires
that some small sum, say £300 or £500, ought to be taken from
their proportion, because the Brooklyn Exiles were exempt
from the £100,000 tax. But the other Supervisors would not,
by any means, agree that he should have anything taken
from the sum £3.933: 7: 1 (the proportionment of Brooklyn)
because they all agree, in opinion, that the taxes would still
come lighter on Brooklyn, than any other township in the
county, this was their opinion.
Nicholas Cowenhoven, Clerk,"
" The Supervisors have also agreed to raise the further sum
of two hundred and twenty-four pounds, seventeen shillings
and one-half pence for repairing the court-house and goal of
the said county, and other contingent charges and expenses
to be raised, assessed, and collected, and have agreed to the
following expenses, and proportioned it for the different
towns as follows, and have agreed that each township shall
raise their arrears as follows: "
Here follows the items of the account against the
county, which was duly audited. We find the follow-
ing item among the accounts thus audited :
For printing a patriotic address £3: 4: 0.
" The said Supervisors have also resolved that, and agreed
that if any poor person, or vagrant, comes to expense in any
town, that each township bears its own expense. Also
resolved that all Judges and Assemblymen, are to be desired
to meet from time to time with the Supervisors.
On supposition, the following is the quantity of land on a
calculation made in 1775 in Kings County:
No. Acres.
Brooklyn 5,193
Flatbush 4,060
New Utrecht 3,635
Flatlands 3,313
Bushwick 3,443
Gravesend 2,304
18,948
394
msTORT OJPKtJSTGS COt/J^TT.
It is also further agreed that if the burden of taxes come
harder on the inhabitants of the one town than the other,
in such case, such matters to be considered, and redress given
by the Supervisors to lower such proportionment, with the
intent that all bear an equal proportion of taxes according to
circumstances, abUities, etc., etc.
It is further ordered that the contingent expenses of the
taxes, for collecting, assessing, and other charges thereon,
not pointed out, be retained in the hands of the treasurer and
collectors, ordered to be raised as the other contingent
charges of the county, and can and may be brought in by
each supervisor for his own town, or can bring the whole
together in the county tax if they like. But the whole to be
done as the law of the State of New York directs.
N. CowENHOVEN, Clerk."
Immediately after making the foregoing entries in the
proceedings of the board this year, Mr. Cowenhoven,
having been appointed by the Governor, first Judge of
the county, resigned the clerkship of the county of
Kings, according to the following entry :
" Whereas, Nicholas Cowenhoven, Esq., cannot consistently
act longer as clerk of the supervisors, he therefore desires to
be discharged therefrom, which was done, and we have
nominated and appointed Jacob Sharp, Jr., the clerk of
Kings County, to be their clerk in the room and stead of
Nicholas Cowenhoven, who however resigned, considering his
appointment to be incompatible with the office of first Judge
of the county."
Thus ended the first regular meeting of the Board of
Supervisors of Kings County, under the Federal Con-
stitution, and the law and constitution of New York.
Thereafter, we shall only give an abridged history of
the proceedings of the supervisors of the county, viz.,
the names of those constituting the various boards and
the names of their clerks, treasurers, loan officers, &c.,
briefly describing the most important of their proceed-
ings, noting the changes made in regard to them by
different acts of the Legislature of the State.
1785. — The Supervisors elected in the county this
year met at Flatbush, on the first Tuesday of April.
The board consisted of the following members :
Philip Nagel, for Flatbush,
Vernundes [Ferdinandus] Suydam, " Brooklyn,
Charles Titus, " Bush wick,
Rutgert Van Brunt, " Gravesend,
Ulpianes Van Sinderen, " Flatlands,
Isciao Cortelyou, " New Utrecht.
The county was indebted in the sum of £112: 16: 0,
according to bills presented, which was ordered paid
according to law.
1786. — The Supervisors met this year, and the follow-
ing were the members of the board :
At a meeting of the Judges and Supervisors, the 39th day
of May, 1786, present : Nicholas Cowenhoven, Johannes E.
Lott, Peter LefEerts, and John Vanderbilt, Judges.
Ferdinand Suydam,
Charles Titus,
Philip Nagel,
Jaques Barklow,
Albert Terhune,
Ulpianus Van Sinderen
Supervisor for Brooklyn,
" " Bushwick,
" Flatbush,
" New Utrecht,
" " Gravesend,
" Flatlands.
The board with the judges appointed Philip Nagel and
Rutgert Van Brunt loan officers of the county, accordiag to
law.
Philip Nagle having been appointed treasurer, John
Cowenhoven was appointed loan officer in his place.
Jacob Sharp was continued in the oflBce of clerk.
There were three meetings of the board this year, May
July and September. The indebtedness of the county
this year was in all £2,493: 17: 6.
1787. — The Board of Supervisors met this year
January 20th, and consisted of the following members
with the judges of the county.
Philip Nagel, for Flatbush,
Ferdinand Suydam, " Brooklyn, '
Charles Titus, " Bushwick,
Ulpines Van Sinden, " Flatlands,
Albert Terhune, " Gravesend,
Jaques Barklow, " New Utrecht,
Jacob Sharp, Jr., clerk.
This meeting adjourned until the 2d day of March,
1787. Present, as before.
" The above supervisors and judges find the county entitled
to a piece of grouud lying about the court-house in said county,
and have nominated and appointed Johaimes E. Lott,
Peter Lefferts and John Vandervoort, Esqs., commissioners
for to view the premises, and report as soon as convenient to
the clerk of the said supervisors what they had found belong-
ing to the county. By order of the supervisors,
Jacob Sharp, Jr., Clerk.''
"At an adjourned meeting of the Board, held on the
27th day of April, the commissioners reported that they
found that the said land did belong to the said county,
and that they had let it with the remainder of the
county-house lot to J. Van Buren for one year, for the
sum 40 shillings." The indebtedness of the county this
year amounted to £23: 0: 0.
The Board had four meetings this year. The first,
Jan. 20th ; the second, April 27th; the third, Sep. 4th;
the fourth on the 1st day of October. At the October
meeting the supervisors settled with John Cowenhoven,
and Rutgert Van Brunt, in pursuance of an act of the
Legislature entitled "An act for emitting £200,000 in
bills of credit, for the purpose therein mentioned,"
passed April 18th, 1786. Jacob Sharp was continued
in the office of clerk.
1788. — The supervisors for this year were: Ferdi-
nand Suydam, Albert Terhune, Charles Titus, M.
Schenek, Jaques Barklow, Johannes L Lott; Jacob
Sharp, Clerk.
The board met April 7th, 1787. By an act of the
Legislature, boards of supervisors of the respective
counties in the State were constituted boards of can-
vassers to canvass the ballots for member of Assembly
and for delegates to a Convention.
April 7th. 1787. The board of supervisors of Kings County,
having met, according to law, for canvassing the ballots for
members of Assembly and delegates to the Convention, find
that Peter Vandervoort and Aquila Giles are elected mem-
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
395
bers of Assembly, and that Peter LeflEerts and Peter Van-
dervoort are elected delegates to the Convention.
The charges against the county this year amounted
to £44: 12: 0 ; which the supervisors audited.
1789. — The Supervisors this year elected were : Fer-
dinand Suydam, Charles Titus, Johannes I. Lott, Isaac
Cortelyou, Nicholas Schenck, Albert Terhune. The
Supervisors agree to raise money for building a gallery
in the court-house.
The indebtedness against the county this year
amounted to £75: 8: 9, which they allowed and
dh'scted to be paid.
Jacob Sharp was retained as clerk of the board.
1790. — The Supervisors this year elected were : Fer-
dinand Suydam, Albert Terhune, Isaac Cortelyou,
Nicholas Schenck, Johannes I. Lott.
The accounts against the county this year amounted
to £18: 2: 6.
1791. — At a meeting of the judges and supervisors of
Kings County, held April 12th, agreeable to an act of
the Legislature, entitled an act for building a court-
house and goal in said county, passed March 10th,
1791. Present : Nicholas Cowenhoven, Peter Lefferts
and John Vanderbilt, Judges. Ferdinand Suydam,
Albert Terhune, Isaac Cortelyou, Johannes I. Lott,
Nicholas Schenck, Supervisors.
The Judges and Supervisors appointed three com-
missioners to superintend the building of the said
court-house and gaol. John Vanderbilt, Johannes L.
Lott, and Charles Doughty, were appointed such
commissioners. The Supervisors further resolved to
raise the sum of £1,200, agreeable to the aforesaid
act; that is to say, £800 on or before the 1st day of
June next, and the remaining part on or before the 1st
day of October next.
The Board adjourned until the 16th inst.
At a meeting of the Supervisors, held April 16, 1791, to
fix the quotas of each town in the expense of building the
new court-house and goal, apportioned the said amount as
follows:
Brooklyn £256:1: 0
Hatbush 189: 5: 10
Flatlands 98:1: 1
(xravesend 77: 1 : 1
New Utrecht 100: 3: 2
Bushwick 98:3: 7
£840: 2: 7
The indebtedness against the county this year, aside
from the expenses of the new court-house and goal, is
£50: 18: 9. Jacob Sharp, clerk.
The matter of building the new court-house and jail
in the county was one of great importance to the Su-
pervisors this year, requiring several meetings of the
Board. After the plans and specifications had been
adopted, it was proposed to change them, increasing
tte expense largely. The Board finally adjourned
««»»e rfie, August 30, 1791.
1792. The Supervisors elected this year were Fer-
dinand Snyder, Albert Terhune, Nicholas Schenck,
Isaac Cortelyou, Charles Titus, Johannes I. Lott.
Jacob Sharp, Jun., was chosen clerk ; Rutgert Van
Brunt and John Cowenhoven were elected loan officers.
The expenses of the county this year were £48: 13: 3.
In addition to this sum, £300 was raised to complete
the court-house and jail ; this was in addition to the
amount already raised.
1793. The Supervisors elected this year were Albert
Terhune, Nicholas Schenck, Johannes I. Lott, John
Skillman.
The first meeting of the Board took place May 28,
at the court-house, in Flatbush ; Jacob Sharp, Jr., was
chosen clerk.
The accounts against the county this year amounted
to £62: 0: 6.
1794. The Supervisors elected this year were Fer-
dinand Suydam, Albert Terhune, Nicholas Schenck,
Johannes I. Lott, John Skillman; Jacob Sharp, Jr., was
chosen clerk.
The accounts against the county this year amounted
to £25: 9: 3.
1795. The Supervisors elected this year were Ferdi-
nand Suydam, Albert Terhune, Nicholas Schenck,
Johannes I. Lott, and John Skillman ; Jacob Sharp
was chosen clerk of the Board. The accounts against
the county this year amounted to £26: 10: 8.
1796. The Supervisors elected this year were Albert
Terhune, Ferdinand Suydam, Nicholas Schenck, Ad-
rian Hageman, John Skillman, Johannes I. Lott; Jacob
Sharp, Jr., was chosen clerk.
The accounts against the county this year amounted
to £14: 10:0.
The Supervisors voted to apportion the sum of £188,
granted for the schools of Kings County, which will
be payable to the treasurer of said county on the 3d
Tuesday of March, 1797. This is the first appropria-
tion for the support of common schools, of which there
is any record.
1797. The Supervisors elected this year were Jo-
hannes E. Lott, Albert Terhune, Ferdinand Suydam,
Adrian Hageman, Johannes I. Lott ; Jacob Sharp, Jr.,
was chosen clerk.
The accounts against the county this year amounted
to £78: 7: 0.
1798. The Supervisors elected this year were Fer-
dinandus Suydam, Albert Terhune, Nicholas Schenck,
Adrian Hageman, John Skillman, Johannes I. Lott.
Jacob Sharp, Jr., was chosen clerk of the Board.
The accounts against the county this year amounted
to £93: 14: 7, exclusive of the amount proportioned to
the different towns for the support of common schools,
1799. The Supervisors elected this year were Ad-
rian Hageman, Ferdinandus Suydam, John Skillman.
Rem. Williamson, Nicholas Schenck, and Johannes I.
Lott,
396
STSTORY OF KllSraS COUNTY.
At a meeting of the Board, held May 28th, Jacob
Sharp, Jr., was chosen clerk. The accounts against
the county this year, exclusive of the school accounts,
were the following:
To Michael Van Cleif, for boards for the court-house.. £3: 5: 0
To Michael Van Cleif, as per account 2; 7: 6
To Rutgert Van Brunt, Coroner, 3 Inquisitions.
At an adjourned meeting, held October 29th, items
of account were presented and allowed, amounting to
£40: 13: 1.
1800. The Supervisors elected this year were Ad-
rian Hageman, John Skillman, Rem. Williamson, Jere-
miah Johnson, and Hendrick Lott. At a meeting of
the Board, held June 24th, Jacob Sharp was chosen
clerk. The accounts presented and allowed against the
county this year amounted to £75: 2: 4.
Among these accounts was the following :
Supervisor's fees, each 32s £8: 16: 0
Clerk's fees 2: 0:0
1801. The Supervisors elected this year were John
Skillman, Johannes Remsen, Rem. Williamson, Jere-
miah Johnson. At a meeting of the Board together,
1st Judge Johannes E. Lott, and Associate Judges
Adrian Hageman and Johannes I. Lott, and Rutgert
Van Brunt and John Cowenhoven, Loan ofBcers, Jere-
miah Lott was chosen clerk. At this meeting, the ac-
counts of the Loan officers were examined, and found
correct.
According to an act of the Legislature, then recently
passed, the accounts against the county were to be
rendered separately by the towns in which the account
accrued, similar to the present practice. In addition to
this, there were items which were charged against the
county. All accounts were aggregated against the
county, and the sum total was apportioned against
each town, according to its quota. It also now be-
came the duty of the Board of Supervisors to take up
the Assessment Rolls of the different towns, and com-
plete the same according to a statute passed since the
last meeting of the Board, in 1800 ; so that the present
duties of Boards of Supervisors have not become much
more laborious and important than formerly. The
whole amount of indebtedness of the county this year,
1801 was £213: 3: 4.
1803. The Supervisors elected this year were : Jo-
hannes I. Lott, Adrian Hegeman, Johannes Remsen,
John Terhune, Jeremiah Johnson.
The Loan Commissioners were : Rutgert Yan Brunt
and John Cowenhoven. At the annual meeting of the
Board, held 1st Tuesday of October, Jeremiah Lott was
chosen Clerk of the Board.
The charges against the several towns in the county
amounted to the sum of $253.11.
1804. The Supervisors of the county this year were:
Adrian Hegeman, New Utrecht; John Skillman, Bush-
wick; Johannes Remsen, Flatlands; Jeremiah John-
son, Brooklyn; John Terhune, Gravesend; John C.
Vanderveer, Flathish. Jeremiah Lott was chosen
Clerk of the Board.
The contingent expenses of the county this year were
$307; the town charges, $1,311.66— total, $1,618.66.
1805. The Supervisors this year were : John Skill-
man, Jeremiah Johnson, John Terhune, Engelbert Lott
John C. Vanderveer.
At a meeting of the Board, on the 30th day of March
Jeremiah Lott was made Clerk. Loan Commissioner
Col. Rutgert Van Brunt having resigned, and Loan
Commissioner John Cowenhoven having died since the
last meeting of theBoard, there were no Loan Officers
in the county. At an adjourned meeting, held on the
30th March, John Terhune and Jeremiah Lott were
chosen Loan Officers. The contingent expenses of the
county this year were $340.02 ; the indebtedness of the
different towns, $2,121.12.
1806. The Supervisors this year were : John Skill-
man, Bushioick; Johannes Remsen, Flatlands; Jere-
miah Johnson, Brooklyn; John Terhune, Gravesend;
John C. Vanderveer, Flatbush; Engelbert Lott, Nm
Utrecht. Jeremiah Lott was chosen Clerk.
Johannes I. Lott having resigned the office of
Treasurer of the county, Hendrick L Lott was appointed
in his place.
The following statement of the aggregate amount of
real and personal estate in the county was transmitted
to the Comptroller of the State,according to the statute
in such case made and provided :
Brooklyn, $1,084,190; Flatbush, $377,613; Bushwick,
$375,000; New Utrecht, $273,874; Flatlands, $193,600; Graves-
end, $178,477. Total, $3,380,753.
The charges against the county for contingencies
this year were $419.50, which was, as usual, apportioned
among the several towns in the county.
The town charges this year were as follows:
Brooklyn, one election |35 00
To maintenance of the poor 1,000 00
To Building a House of Correction 1,000 00
Assessor's fees 28 00
Town Clerk's fees 6 00
Copying assessment roll 3 00
Total $3,07200
Flatbush town charges, $335; Bushwick, $128.75; New
Utrecht, $51.25; Flatlands, $343.50; Gravesend, $51 81.
1 80 7.— The Supervisors this year were John Skillman,
Bushwick; Johannes Remsen, Flatlands; John
Terhune, Gravesend ; John C. Vanderveer, Flatbush;
Engelbert Lott, New Utrecht.
The Board met June 2d, 1807, when the following
resolutions were passed:
Resolved. That the debtor's room in the goal of thie
county is not sufficiently secure for the confinement and safe
keeping of prisoners who cannot, or will not, pay their
honest debts; several having escaped.
Resolved, That the wq,Us and doors in the said room, or
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
397
Buoh parts thereof as may be adjudged necessary, be cross-
barred with iron, and that the floor of the said room be
planked with oak, said planks being spiked down.
It is very evident that the Supervisors of that day
vvere determined that men should pay their debts, or,
in default, languish in jail.
The Board met again on the second Tuesday of
October, electing Jeremiah Lott, Clerk. The contin-
gent expenses of the county this year amounted to
$892.48; the expenses for the town of Brooklyn were
|2 259. One item of this account was $1,000 for main-
taining the poor. Another item was $1,200 ior a,Jire
engine, to be taxed in the first fire district.
Flatbush expenses, $238.38; New Utrecht, $46.50; Bush-
wick, 1111.25; Flatlands, $107.50; Gravesend, $86.25.
1808. The Supervisors this year were: Elias
Hubbard, Jr., Judge ; John Skillman, Johannes
Remsen, Jeremiah Johnson, John Terhune, John C.
Vanderveer, Engelbert Lott, — Jeremiah Lott, Clerk ;
John Terhune and Jermiah Lott, Loan officers.
The contingent expenses of the county this year
amounted to $761.90; Brooklyn town expenses were
$3,059. Among the items making up this sum are the
following:
To maintaining the poor, $1,000; To building an alms-
house, $3,059; Flatlands, $67.50; New Utrecht, $50; Flatbush,
$388.75; Bushwick, $61.25; Gravesend, $36.35.
1809. The Supervisors this year were Garret
Stryker, Judge; John Skillman, Johannes Remsen,
Jeremiah Johnson, John Terhune, John C. Vanderveer,
Engelbert Lott, Supervisors ; Jeremiah Lott, Clerk.
The contingent expenses of the county this year were
$423.49; Brooklyn town expenses, $3,24'7.12. Among
the items that make up this amount were :
For mamtaining the poor, $1,500; Flatbush, $350.63; New
Utrecht, $50; Bushwick, $61.35; Flatlands, $77.50; Graves-
end, $36.35.
1810. The Supervisors this year were: Garret
Stryker, Judge; John Skillman, Johannes Remsen,
John Terhune, John C. Vanderveer, Engelbert Lott,
Supervisors; Jeremiah Lott, Clerk; John Terhune
and Jeremiah Lott, Loan officers. The contingent ex-
penses of the county this year were $300.74.
1811. The Supervisors this year were : Elias
Hubbard, Judge ; John Skillman, Johannes Remsen,
Jeremiah Johnson, John Terhune, John C. Vanderveer,
Engelbert Lott, Supervisors; Jeremiah Lott, Clerk;
John Terhune, Jeremiah Lott, Zoan officers.
The contingent expenses of the county were $1,083.75 ;
Brooklyn town expenses, $2,924. Among the items
are the following :
jj° ™*"'*®'^'^°® °* ^^^ P°°'' *3,600 ; Flatbush expenses,
W90. 75 ; New Utrecht, $50.50; Bnshwick, $61.35; Flatlands,
♦102.50; Gravesend, $70.13.
1812. The Supervisors this year were: "William
Hvm&n, Elias Hubbard, Tunis Schenck, Judges;
John Skillman, Bushwick ; John Remsen, Flatlands;
Jeremiah Johnson, Brooklyn ; John Terhune, Graves-
end ; John C. Vanderveer, Flatbush; Engelbert Lott,
JVew Utrecht, Supervisors; Loan Officers, John
Terhune and Jeremiah Lott; Clerk, Jeremiah Lott;
Treasurer, John Lefferts. Mr. Lefferts had been
Treasurer from the first meeting of the Board under
the constitution and laws of the State down to the pres-
ent time. He continued to act as Q'reasurer, as we shall
see, for several years after this date.
The contingent expenses of the county this year were
included in the town expenses. Brooklyn expenses,
$3,004; $2,600 of this amount was for maintaining the
poor.
Flatbush expenses, $311.35 ; New Utrecht, $75; Bushwick,
$86.35 ; Gravesend, $61,25 ; Flatland, $113.50.
This year the Supervisors, through their clerk, exe-
cuted a conveyance to Cornelius Bergen for the land
claimed by the county, on the south side of the line
fence between the Court House, and the land of Cor-
nelius Bergen ; and the said Bergen couveyed to the
county the land which he claimed, on the north side of
the said line fence.
An allowance was made by the board this year for
dividing the second story of the jail into secure cells
for the safe keeping of the prisoners. These were in
addition to the cells in the lower story.
1813. The Supervisors this year were John Skillman,
Bushioick ; Jeremiah Remsen, Flatlands ; Jeremiah
Johnson, Brooklyn; John C. Vanderveer, Flatlands ;
John Terhune, G-ravesend ; Engelbert Lott, Neio
Utrecht ; Jeremiah Lott, Clerk ; Loan Officers the same
as last year.
The contingent expenses of the county this year
amounted to $969.69^.
Brooklyn Town Expenses, $3,316 ; Flatbush, $108 ; Bush-
wick, $40 ; New Utrecht, $394 ; Flatlands, $134.40 ; Grave-
send, $69.45.
t
John Lefferts, because of failing health, sent a com-
munication to the board resigning the office of treas-
urer, the duties of which he had discharged so long and
so acceptably. His resignation was accepted, and
John C. Vanderveer was elected treasurer in his place.
Jeremiah Lott was elected clerk ; John Terhune and
Jeremiah Lott were appointed Loan Officers.
1814. The Supervisors this year were Johannes
Remsen, Flatlands ; Jeremiah Johnson, Brooklyn ;
John Terhune, Gravesend ; John C. Vanderveer, Flat-
bush ; Englebert Lott, ISTew Utrecht ; William Consel-
yea, Bushvnck ; Jeremiah Lott, Clerk ; John C. Van-
derveer, Treasurer ; John Terhune and Jeremiah Lott,
Loan Officers.
The board met at the Court House in Flatbush on
the first Tuesday of August, 1814, under, and in pursu-
ance of an act of the Legislature passed April Sth,
1813.
398
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
The contingent expenses presented against the county
this year amounted to the sum of $1049.51.
The town expenses allowed were as follows :
Brooklyn $3485 88.
Among the items that make up this amount are the
following :
To purchasing a lot of ground for the town $687 50
To Fire District Expenses 300 00
To School Commissioners 330 00
Flatbush Expenses $147 75
New Utrecht Expenses 187 10
Bushwick Expenses 102 75
Gravesend " 63 10
Flatlands " 84 30
By the act of the Legislature entitled " An Act for
the better establishment of Common Schools," passed
April 15th, 1814, the office of School Commissioner —
three in each town — was created and their fees were
made town charges.
" Jeremiah Lett, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, re-
ported that he had received a notification through the County
Clerk from the Superintendent of Common Schools, stating
that a distribution of the interest of the school fund had
taken place ; that in pursuance of such distribution the sum
of $432.88 had been allotted to the County of Kings, and
that he had apportioned the same among the several towns
in the county."
The Clerk also reported, that in obedience to an act
for the assessment and collection of taxes, he had trans-
mitted a statement of the aggregate amount of the real
and personal estate of the several towns, in the county,
of which the following is a copy :
Brooklyn, $11,896.79 ; Flatbush, $3,690.01 ; New Utrecht,
$2,770 ; Bushwick, $2,702.12 ; Flatlands, $1,928 ; Gravesend,
$1,736.
An appropriation was made this year, to cause the
several jail rooms, for the confinement of criminals, to be
made more comfortable.
1815. The Supervisors this year were Johannes
Remsen, Flatlands; Jeremiah Johnson, Brooklyn ;
John C. Vanderveer, Flatbush ; Engelbert Lott, Neto
Utrecht ; William Conselyea, Jr., Bushwick / Jeremiah
Lott, Clerk / John C. Vanderveer, Treasurer ; John
Terhune and Jeremiah Lott, Loan Officers.
The contingent charges against the county this year
amounted to $722.00.
Brooklyn town expenses, $1,914.50; Flatbush, $96 ; New
Utrecht, $288.35 ; Flatlands, $124.90 ; Bushwick, $116. ;
Gravesend, $63.70.
1816. The Supervisors this year were Jeremiah John-
son, Brooklyn ; John C. Vanderveer, Flatbush ; John
Terhune, Gravesend ; Engelbert Lott, New Utrecht;
John Lott, Jr., Flatlands; William Conselyea, Jr.,
Bushwick ; Jeremiah Lott, Clerk ; John C. Vanderveer,
Treasurer ; John Terhune and Jeremiah Lott, Loan
Officers.
The contingent expenses of the county this year were
$159.02.
For some reason the town expenses were not pre-
sented this year.
1817. The Supervisors this year were: Jeremiah
Johnson, Brooklyn ; William Conselyea, Jr., Bush-
wick; John C. Vanderveer, Flatbush; Garret
Kouwenhoven, Flatlands; John Lefferts, New
Utrecht ; Jeremiah Lott, Clerk; Jeremiah Lott and
John Terhune, Loan officers; John C. Vandeveer
Treasurer.
The contingent expenses of the county allowed this
year by the Board amounted to the sum of $1,082.83.
Brooklyn town expenses, $1,914.50; Flatbush, $451.35; New
Utrecht, $188.25; Flatlands, $84.90; Bushwick, $409; Graves-
end, $109.34
In addition to this, there is a State tax of two mills, upon
every dollar of the valuation of the real and personal estate
which is to be raised and collected, with the contingent ex-
penses against the county.
An interesting report from the Comptroller of the
State, estimating the quantity of land in Kings County,
which we have condensed, was submitted to this
Board.
An estimate of land in Kings County is as follows:
19,290 acres, including improvements, at $100 per
acre $1,929,000
8,080 acres woodland and swamp, at $100 per acre. 808,000
495 acres salt meadows at $20 per acre 99,000
ADDITIONAL VALITATION OP LOTS IN BROOKLYN.
Village on 300 acres, at $1,000 per acre $300,000
This estimate of lands in Kings County is sufficiently high.
The county is nearly all agricultural, with the exception of
the village of Brooklyn, which is of but small extent. Any
one acquainted with husbandry and the ordinary produc-
tions of a farm, must be well satisfied that $100 per acre for
land is altogether too high. While one-tenth of the land
may sell above $100 per acre, nine-tenths of it will fall far
short of that sum.
A wonderful change has taken place in the valua-
tion of lands in Kings County since the above report
was made, especially in Brooklyn.
1818. The Supervisors this year were: Jeremiah
Johnson, Brooklyn ; John C. Vanderveer, Flatbush;
John Terhune, Gravesend; John Lefferts, New Utrecht;
Garret Kouwenhoven, Flatlands; William Conselyea,
Jr., Busliwick; Jeremiah Lott, Clerk; John C. Van-
derveer, Treasurer; John Terhune and Jeremiah Lott,
Loan officers.
The contingent expenses allowed against the county
this year were $569.77.
Brooklyn town expenses, $1,914.55; Flatbush, $105.75;
New Utrecht, $188.25; Flatlands, $189.90; Bushwick, $159;
Gravesend, $65.
1819. The Supervisors this year were: Jeremiah
Johnson, Brooklyn; John C. Vanderveer, Flatbush;
John Terhune, Gravesend; William Conselyea, Jr.,
Bushwick; John Lefferts, New Utrecht; Garret Kou-
wenhoven, Flatlands; Jeremiah Lott, Clerk; John
C. Vanderveer, Treasurer; John Terhune and Jeremiah
Lott, Loan officers.
nOARD OP suPERVisons.
399
At the annual meeting of the Board, changed to the
the first Tuesday of August, the Clerk presented the
following, which was ordered entered on the Record :
In pursuance of "an act for the support of Common
Schools, passed April 13th, 1819, of the act entitled to change
and increase the fund for the support and encouragement of
Common Schools, April 13th, 1819, notice has been given by
the Superintendent of Common Schools, that the sum of
f80,000 has been apportioned among the different counties of
the State, and that the share apportioned to Kings County
is $591, which has been duly apportioned among the differ-
ent towns."
The contingent expenses allowed against the county
this year amounted to 11,274.44.
Brooklyn town expenses, $1,973.09; Flatbush, $132.75; New
Utrecht, $408.40; Bushwick, $274.85; Flatlands, $146.69;
Gravesend, $333,994.
1820. The Supervisors this year were: Jeremiah
Johnson, Brooklyn; John C. Vanderveer, Flatbush;
John Terhune, Gravesend; William Conselyea, Jr.,
Bushwick; John L. Leiferts, New Utrecht; Garret
Kouwenhoven, Flatlands; Jeremiah Lott, Clerk;
John C. Vanderveer, Treasurer; John Terhune and
Jeremiah Lott, Loan officers.
The contingent expenses of the county this year
were $796.36. Among the items are the following:
To Samuel WiUiams, jailor, for jail expenses $473 04
To Rike Eeid, for constable expenses 23 GO
To William Alger, cost for attending Court 5 00
A bill was presented by John Drew, and duly audited,
to half the material for making the bridge at
Spring Creek 4 50
Brooklyn town expenses, $337.84; Flatbush, $275; New
Utrecht, $164.90; Bushwick, $378.60; Flatlands, $121.19;
Gravesend, $456.87.
1821. The Supervisors this year were: Jeremiah
Sohnson, Brooklyn; John C. Vanderveer, Flatbush;
John Terhune, Gravesend; William Conselyea, Bush-
wick; John L. Lefferts, Mw Utrecht; Garret Kouwen-
hoven, Flatlands ; Jeremiah Lott, Glerk; John C.
Vanderveer, Treasurer.
The contingent expenses audited against the county
this year amounted to 1156.85. Five suitable chairs
were ordered to be purchased for the Judges while
attending court.
Brooklyn, town expenses, $714.59; Flatbush, $301.50; New
Utrecht, $139.90 ; Bushwick, $458.60 ; Flatlands, $156.69 ;
Gravesend, $329.85.
1822. The Supervisors this year were : Jeremiah
Johnson, Brooklyn; John C. Vanderveer, Flatbush;
John Terhune, Gravesend; William Conselyea, Jr.,
Bushwick; Gerrit Kouwenhoven, Flatlands; James
Cropsey, JVew Utrecht; Jeremiah Lott, Clerk; John
C. Vanderveer, Treasurer.
The contingent expenses of the county this year
were $2,000. Brooklyn town expenses, $1,510.63.
Among the items are the following :
To William Furman, Esq., for the appointment of
commissioners to appraise a road to the WaUabout $2 00
To commissioners for appraising said road 22 50
To the proprietors and owners of land for damages
sustained by laying out said road through their
lands 257 00
Flatbush town expenses, $254.84; Bushwick, $334.70; Flat-
lands, $109.83; Gravesend, $273.87; New Utrecht, $123.80.
This year John C. Vanderveer, Treasurer of the
county, through Jeremiah Lott, Clerk of the Super-
visors, settled with Benjamin Knower, State Treasurer,
for the amount due the State, for State taxes. The fol-
lowing is a copy of the receipt given by the State
Treasurer. It is countersigned by John Savage, then
Comptroller, afterwards Chief Justice of the State, one
of the most illustrious of New York's great jurists.
Treasurer's Office, )
State of New Yore, f
Received from John C. Vandeveer, Treasurer of Kings
County, per Jeremiah Lott, eighteen hundred and thirty-
two and /^ dollars, in full, of the balance due from said
county for State taxes to the first day of May, 1819, with
interest thereon to this date.
B, Knowt!R, Treasurer.
John Savage, Comptroller.
Dated Albany, May 24th, 1822-
Previous to the year 1823, Justices of the Peace and
Commissioners of Deeds, in the various towns in the
State, were appointed by the Governor and Council of
Appointment. By the Constitution of 1821 the Coun-
cil of Appointment was abolished, and these appoint-
ments were nominated by the Supervisors of the re-
spective counties and the Judges of the Court of Com-
mon Pleas. The nominations were made by the Super-
visors separately, and also separately by the Judges,
after they met and compared their nominations.
At a meeting of the Supervisors on the third Tues-
day of February, 182S, pursuant to an act entitled " an
act regulating the time and manner of olecting general
State officers, Justices of the Peace, and prescribing
the number of Coroners to be elected in each county by
the people. Passed April 12th, 1822."
The following resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That Garret Bergen, John G. Murphy, John
Garrison and Samuel Smith, of the town of Brooklyn ;
Joseph Conselyea, Charles De Be Voice, John P. Van Cott
and Gabriel De Be Voice, of the town of Bushwick ; Johannes
Remsen, Jr., Gerrit L. Baxter, Jeremias Lott and Cornelius
Bergen, of the town of Flatlands ; John I. Ditmas, John Van
Sinderen, Jacob Rappelye and Garrit L. Martens, of the town
of Flatbush ; Garrit Stryker, Jacobus Lake, John S. Garritsen
and George Still will, of the town of Gravesend; and Thomas
Hegeman, George Van Nuyse, Albert Van Brunt and Daniel
Barre, of New Utrecht, be and they are nominated Justices
of the Peace in and for the county of Kings.
Very soon after making these nominations the Super-
visors met the Judges of the county, to wit: Lefferts,
Tennis Schenck, John Skillman and Tennis Joraleman,
and, on comparing nominations, it was found that they
agreed in the nominations of all the above persons except
400
mSfORY 01 KIJSTGS COtJNTY.
Jeremiah Lott, Cornelius Bergen, John J. Ditmas,
Jacob Rappelye, Garrit L. Martens, Garrit Stryker,
Jacobus Lake, Geerge Stillwill and Daniel Barre;
whereupon it was
"Resolved, That the first named persons were nominated
and appointed Justices of the Peace of the said towns in the
county, and that a certificate of their nomination he filed in
the Clerk's oflBce of Kings County, and a copy thereof in the
office of the Secretary of State at Albdny, N. Y. , and that
the names of the persons upon whom the Supervisors disa-
greed be transmitted to the Governor of this State, according
to the form of the statute in such case made and provided."
1823. The Supervisors this year were: John C. Van-
derveer, Flathush; John Terhune, Gravesend; William
Conselyea, Jr., Bushwick; Gerrit Kouwenhoven, Flat-
lands; James Cropsey, New Utrecht; Evert Barkulow,
Brooklyn; Jeremiah Lott, Clerk; John C. Vanderveer,
Treasurer; John Terhune and Jeremiah Lott, Loan
officers. At a meeting of the Board, with the Judges
of the Court of Common Pleas, on the first day of
October, 1823, the Supervisors proceeded to nominate
and appoint two Commissioners in each town to take
the proof and acknowledgment of deeds, &c., according
to an act of the Legislature, passed April 19, 1823,
after which they proceeded to audit the accounts pre-
sented against the county for contingent expenses,
which amounted to $2,600.
Brooklyn town expenses, $1,575.63; Flatbush, |326.09; New
Utrecht, $148.80; Bushwick, $137.30; Flatlands, |122.33 ;
Gravesend, $339.75.
Further accounts for contingent expenses against the
county were examined and audited, which amounted to
$1,650.40.
1824. The Supervisors this year were: John C. Van-
derveer, Flatbush; John Terhune, Gravesend; William
Conselyea, Jr., Bushwick; Garrit Kouwenhoven, Flat-
lands; James Cropsey, Kew Utrecht ; Jeremiah Lott,
Clerk; John C. Vanderveer, Treasurer; John Terhune
and Jeremiah Lott, Loan officers.
The contingent expenses of the county this year were
$317.50. Among the items were the following :
To Samuel Williams, jailor, for maintaining and sup-
porting debtor prisoners who had been committed
to jail for not paying $93 25
To John T. Bergen, for proclaiming Courts* 16 00
Brooklyn town expenses, $3,193.13; Flatbush, $447.96;
New Utrecht, $438.96; Bushwick, $194.30; Gravesend, $367.37;
Flatlands, $63.33.
The Board, with the Judges of the county, nominated
suitable persons for Justices of the Peace in the several
towns, according to an act passed April 12th, 1822.
1825. The Supervisors this year were John C. Van-
derveer, Flatbush; John Terhune, Gravesend; William
Conselyea, Jr., Bushwick; James Cropsey, New Utrecht;
•This duty is now performed by criers, appointed by the County
Judges in the respective connties. The proclamation In those days
commenced in these words: " O I yes ! O ! yes I 01 yes ! " (Oyez ! Oyez !)
but now Is as follows : " Hear ye I hear ye ! hear ye 1 "
Garrit Kouwenhoven, Flatlands; Jeremiah Lott, CW-
John C. Vanderveer, Treasurer; John Terhune and
Jeremiah Lott, Loan officers.
At the annual meeting of the Board this year the
question of removing the county seat from Flatbush to
Brooklyn came before it, in the form a petition, numer-
ously signed, and which had been published in the
Long Lsland Patriot, and in the Star. It was presented
by the chairman of a committee formed of leading citi-
zens. The presentation of this petition to the Board
created great excitement, and we add indignation. A
resolution was unanimously adopted by the Board
" that a memorial be immediately presented to the
Legislature, in session at Albany, remonstrating against
the removal of the Court House and jail, as contem-
plated by the petitioners." The reasons against the
removal were then set forth, and subsequently incorpo-
rated in the remonstrance. The ability which charac-
terizes this remonstrance, the strength, energy and grace
of its diction, leave no room to doubt, that it was the
work of a master hand. It urged among other things,
that the meeting of citizens, where the petition origi-
nated, and who appointed the committee that prepared
it, was composed of citizens of Brooklyn, including one
person from the town of Bushwick, and these constituted
the said alleged county meeting, caused to take
measures to remove the county buildings, &c., Ac. The
memorial further alleged " that the dense population of
the village of Brooklyn, and its commercial situation,
renders it subject to pestilence or contagious diseases
with which it has heretofore been visited, and it is,
therefore, an improper place for the location of a Court
House and jail." It was charged by the petitioners that
" male and female, white and black, were often confined
together in the same apartments in the jail, greatly to
the disgrace of the county." This the Supervisors in-
dignantly denied, "but, if this is true," they said, "it
is the fault of the sheriff or jailor, and not the people's."
The memorial is very lengthy, and contains seven
distinct allegations against the proposed removal.
Finally it was
Resolved, That James Lott, the Clerk of the Board, incor-
porate these allegations in a memorial, and transmit the
same to the Legislature, subscribed by himself on behalf of
the Board.
This, we believe, was the first effort ever made to
remove the county buildings to Brooklyn. The decisive
action of the Supervisors at this meeting, effectually de-
feated the effort for the time being.
The contingent expenses this year amounted to
$2,517.
For some reason there were no town charges from
Brooklyn presented. • The other towns, however, pre-
sented their accounts against the county as follows :
Flatbush town expenses, $214.09; Bushwick, $194.20;
New Utrecht, $148.80; Flatlands, $74.08 ; Gravesend,
$213.13.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
401
Before the adjournment of this Board of Supervisors
sine die, the question of removing the county seat from
Flatbush to Brooklyn arose. It was passed by the
friends of the measure with increased vigor, determina-
tion and influence. The Board met on the sixth day of
March 1826, before the election of the new Board for
that year, for the purpose of deliberating upon the
proper course to pursue in regard to the matter. Reso-
lutions opposing the removal were unanimously adopted,
and remonstrances to it prepared under another resolu-
tion of the Board, and forwarded to the Legislature,
then in session. This remonstrance was the same in
Bubstance as the one they had previously sent to that
body. Resolutions were also adopted directing re-
pairs to be made on the Court-house and jail at
Flatbush.
But the friends of the removal were so successful in
their efforts that they succeeded in securing a passage
of a bill removing the place of holding the Courts of
Gommon Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace to
Brooklyn.
1826. The Supervisors this year were John C.
Vanderveer, Supervisor and Judge, Flatbush ; Jere-
miah Johnson, Brooklyn ; John Terhune, Gravesend ;
WiUiam Conselyea, Jr., Bushwick ; Gerrit Kouwen-
hoven, Flatlands ; Jeremiah Lott, Clerk ; John C.
Vanderveer, Treasurer.
At a meeting of the Board, on May 27th, the report
of John Terhune was adopted, by which he informed
the Supervisors that, as a committee for making ar-
rangements for the accommodation of the Court of
Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace, he
had come to an understanding with the trustees of the
Apprentices' Library, Brooklyn, and the rooms of said
library were fitted up so as to make convenient rooms
for holding said courts, at which place said courts
were thereafter held until directed by law to be held
elsewhere.
The accounts for contingent expenses against the
county, presented and audited by this Board, amounted
to $3,059. H.
Another bill for contingent expenses, amounting to
about the same as above, was afterwards presented to
the Board and duly audited.
Town expenses : Brooklyn, $4,168.13 ; Flatbush,
$368.99; Bushwick, $249.20; Kew Utrecht, $148.20;
Gravesend, $117.37; Flatlands, $62.33.
Jeremiah Lott, the Clerk of the Board, at a meeting
thereof, held September 5th, presented a statement
containing the aggregate valuation of the real and
personal estates of the several towns in the county this
year, and also a statement of the incorporated compa-
nies in the county this year, by which it appeared that
the value of real estate amounted to $4,292,468 ; that the
personal estate amounted to $1,246,760; which, aggre-
gated, amounted to $5,539,228; that there were then
the following incorporated companies in the county :
Tax.
NAME OF COMPANY.
Capital.
Real Est.
Personal.
Aggregate.
$500 00
Long Island Bank
Brooklyn Fire Insurance
Co
$300,000
150,000
3,500
$3,000
$297,000
150,000
$3,000,000
150,000
3,500
800
350 00
5 83
Brooklyn and Wallabout
Toll Bridge Co
Newtown and Bushwick
Bridge
106
800
9,000
5,600
Newtown and Bushwick
Road Co
9,000
5.5,000
Williamsburg Perry Co..
3,000
5,640
Gravesend and Coney Is-
land Road and Perry
Co
5,640
1827. SuPBBVisoEs: John C. Vanderveer, Flatbush ;
Jeremiah Johnson, Brooklyn; John Terhune, Graves-
end ; William Conselyea, Jr., Bushwick ; Garret
Kouwenhoven, Flatlands; Jas. Cropsey, New Utrecht;
Jeremiah Lott, Clerk; John 0. Vanderveer, Treasurer.
At a meeting of the Board, held May 19th, a resolu-
tion was passed providing for keeping the future
terms of the Court of Common Pleas and General
Sessions of the Peace in the Apprentices' Library,
Brooklyn. Another resolution provided that all bills
exhibited against the county should be referred to a
committee, consisting of Jeremiah Johnson and John
Terhune, to examine them in detail, &c. Also the
Board resolved to raise the sum of $3,000 in the
several towns for future contingent expenses.
Brooklyn town expenses, $8,467.57.
Among the items that make up this amount were the
following: For maintaining the poor, $3,000; to making
cells under Brooklyn market for the confinement of
prisoners, $800; to making road to Bedford, $500; to
Supervisors, to pay a debt due the Long Island Bank,
$2,500. Flatbush town expenses, $287.15.
Among the items making up this amount are the fol-
lowing: To a scraper for the old town, $5; to scraper
for the new town, $5 ; to William Hegeman, for exam-
ing 8 paupers, $6 ; to Assessor's fees, $16.25. Bush-
wick town expenses, $304.27 ; Flatlands, $85.87 ;
Gravesend, $111.49; New Utrecht, $250.
At a meeting of the Board on November 24th,
measures were taken for erecting a fire-proof clerk's
office for the security and safe keeping of the public
records and other papers and documents appertaining
to the county of Kings ; and that application be made
to the next Legislature to authorize the Board of
Supervisors to raise by tax a sum not exceeding $4,000,
for the purpose of purchasing a site and building the
said Clerk's office.
1828. Supervisors: John C. Vanderveer, Flatbush ;
Jeremiah Johnson, Brooklyn ; John Terhune, Gravesend ;
William Conselyea, Bushwick ; Gerrit Kouwenhoven
Flatlands ; James Cropsey, New Utrecht ; Jeremiah
Lott, Clerk J John C. Vanderveer, Treasurer.
The following resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That the sum of $12,500 be raised in the several
towns in the county to be applied in payment of the contin
gent expenses thereof.
402
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Town expenses: Brooklyn, $5,417.57; Flatbush,
$343.40; Bushwick, $409.27; New Utrecht, $275.75;
G-ravesend, $136.49 ; Flatlands, $71.37.
At a meeting held December, 13th, the necessary steps
were taken for erecting in the village of Brooklyn a
building suitable for the accommodation of the Courts
of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace,
according to an Act of the Legislature passed April
13th, 1826, directing that there should be annually two
additional terms of the Court of Common Pleas and
General Sessions of the Peace to be held in the Appren-
tices' Library, Brooklyn.
At a meeting of the same board held on the 5th day
of February, 1829, before the election of a new board,
it was
Resolved, That the Courts of Common Pleas and General
Sessions of the Peace shall be holden in every year as follows:
At the court house in Flatbush, on the third Monday in
August, and at the Apprentices' Library in Brooklyn on the
third Monday of December, and there shall be holden in the
same place three additional terms of the said Court of Com-
mon Pleas on the third Monday of February, June and Octo-
tober, for the test and return of processes and the rendering of
judgments, and entering rules of cause.
Arrangements were made at this meeting for estab-
lishing a county poor-house.
1829. SuPBEVisOES: John C. Vanderveer, Flatbush;
Jeremiah Johnson, Brooklyn ; John Terhune, Graves-
end ; James Cropsey, New Utrecht ; Gerrit Kouwen-
hoven, Flatlands ; Noah Waterbury, Bushwick ; Jere-
miah Lott, ClerJc ; John C. Vanderveer, Treasurer.
It will be seen that there was a change this year in
members of the Board of Supervisors, Noah Waterbury
appearing for the town of Bushwick instead of William
Conselyea, Jr., who had represented that town with
marked ability since 1814. He died prior to the ad-
journment of the last board.
At a meeting of the Board on August 4th, a commit-
tee was appointed to ascertain a suitable site in the
village of Brooklyn for the location of the new court-
house. It was also ordered by the board that the sum
of $17,000 be raised to meet the contingent expenses
of the county for the ensuing year.
Brooklyn town expenses, $7,285.82. Among the
items making up this amount were the following: To
expenses of Bedford road, $500 ; to support of town
rights $500; to maintenance of the poor, $5,000. Flat-
lands town expenses, $62.82 ; Flatbush town expenses,
$425.90; New Utrecht, $450.75; Graveseud, $161.49;
Bushwick, $519.27.
The question of a new Court-house and Clerk's Office
to be erected in Brooklyn, occupied the attention of
the Supervisors this year. At their meeting of Sept.
1, 1829, a carefully worded preamble and resolution
expressed the opinion of the board that as "the greater
part of the expense to be incurred in erecting the same
will necessarily be chargeable upon Brooklyn, it is in-
expedient to put the village of Brooklyn and the County
to the expense of erecting a new Court-house " but if
the future board " shall hereafter think otherwise then
we urge that the location be as near the business centre
as may be practicable, and that it be so constructed as
to accommodate all municipal concerns."
Jeremiah Johnson, John Terhune and Noah Water-
bury were appointed on the part of the board with full
power to confer with Fanning C. Tucker, Henry War-
ring and Lossee Van Nostrand, the committee on the
part of the Trustees of Brooklyn, having in charge the
business of constructing a Court-house.
In joint committee the Brooklynites submitted three
propositions, one of which was that the Supervisors
should pay the Trustees of the village of Brooklyn
$9,000, for accommodations for the Court of Common
Pleas in the Apprentices' Library. This was a iire-
brand which ended the conference summarily for the
time.
On the 7th of April, 1830, before the official term of
the Board expired, the Supervisors met again, pursuant
to notice, with the Superintendents of the Poor.
This important office had existed several years pre-
vious to this, but their acts and doings are only inci-
dentally referred to in the records of the proceedings
of the Supervisors, and their names are not mentioned.
This year the Superintendents are named in proper
order in the record as follows: "Samuel Smith, David
Johnson, Michael Schumaker, Superintendents of the
Poor of Kings County."
A committee appointed by the Supervisors to ex-
amine the common jail of the county at Flatbush, re-
ported that it was deficient in many respects, hut no ac-
tion was taken in regard to a new one, or to a new
Court House.
1830. SuPEEVisoRs: John C. Vanderveer, Flatbush;
Jeremiah Johnson, Brooklyn ; John Terhune, Graves-
end ; James Cropsey, New Utrecht ; Gerrit Kouwen-
hoven, Flatlands ; Noah Waterbury, Bushwick ; Jere-
miah Lott, Clerk; John C. Vanderveer, Treasurer;
John Terhune and Jeremiah Lott, Loan Officers.
Ordered, That the sum of $8,000 be raised to meet
the contingent expenses of the Poor-house estaWish-
ment for the ensuing eighteen months.
Ordered, That $8,000 be raised to meet the contingent
expenses of the County this year. This last amount
was exhausted in the payment of sixty-three different
bills against the County audited by the Board, among
which is one for the "support of foreign poor by
the town of Brooklyn, amount $1,500.80;" another,
" for one-half year's rent of Alms-house and furniture,
$1,062.81.
Town expenses : Brooklyn, $1,632.57 ; Flatlands,
$74.12; Flatbush, $115.65; Bushwick, $124.52; Graves-
end, $162.74; New Utrecht, $332,00.
The Superintendents of the Poor were ordered to
procure estimates and plans for the erection of a poor-
SOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
403
house and penitentiary, to be connected together.
Jeremiah Johnson and David Johnson were appointed
a committee to confer with the corporation of the City
of New York, and ascertain if it would be willing, at a
stipulated price, to receive the criminals of Kings
County, convicted of crimes in the several courts of this
county, at the city Penitentiary on Blackwells Island.
The sum of $9,000 was placed at the disposal of the
Superinteadents of the Poor, to enable them to erect a
county poor-house and penitentiary on the county fai-m.
The number of paupers under the charge of the
Superintendents of the Poor, on the 7th of April, 1830,
was 122, of whom 63 were males and 59 females.
Among these, 79 were foreigners, 62 of whom were
from Ireland. A school was established in the Poor-
house with a daily average attendance of 14 white and
8 colored children. The keeper, Mr. Thos. Baisely,
with his wife, were faithful, competent, industrious and
very kind. From the grounds attached to the Poor-
house there were raised 750 bushels of potatoes, 170
bushels turnips, 13 bushels onions, 750 cabbages, 4 tons
of hay, and 13 hogs, weighing 2,130 pounds. The aver-
age number of paupers maintained during the year was
144, making the cost of each pauper 56 cents per week,
or $29 per annum, or 8 cents per day.
The Board of Supervisors expressed themselves sat-
isfied with the successful operation of the plan of sup-
porting the poor as a county charge ; " that this plan
has met their most sanguine expectations, and that
these benefits are largely attributable to the diligent
and persevering attention of the Superintendents of the
Poor of the county."
The sum of |600 was allowed them for their services
th^ past year, to be apportioned among them.
We have been somewhat particular in giving the
foregoing, because it was the commencement of a new
system in regard to the poor of the county.
1831. SuPEEVisoKs: John C. Vanderveer, Platbush;
Jeremiah Johnson, Brooklyn ; John Terhune, Graves-
end ; Gerrit Kouwenhoven, Flatlands ; Joseph Con-
selyea, Bushwick ; Egbert Benson, Jr., New Utrecht ;
Jeremiah Lott, Clerk; John C. Vanderveer, Treasurer;
Samuel Smith, David Johnson and Michael Schoon-
maker. Superintendents of the Poor.
John C. Vanderveer, Esq., the Supervisor for the
town of Flatbush, was President of the Board. This
IS the first appointment of a President or Chairman of
the Board of Supervisors of which there is any record.
In the colonial days, and we believe for several years
after, some one of the judges, or a justice of the peace,
presided at the meeting of the Board. Afterwards a
chairman was appointed for every day during meetings.
in April, 1831, a law was enacted, providing for the
appointment of a president of each and every Board of
Supervisors in the state. This appointment was to be
made from some member of the Board, at the annual
meeting.
The Board, with the judges of the Court of Common
Pleas, continued to appoint at its annual meetings
proper persons to serve in the county as Commissioner
of Deeds and Toion Collectors. Justices of the Peace
were now elected by the people.
The sum of $16,000 was allowed to be raised by tax
for the contingent expenses of the county for the en-
suing year.
Town expenses : Brooklyn, to Commissioners of Com-
mon schools, $667.57; Bushwick, $230.27; Flatbush,
114.15; New Utrecht, $122.00; Flatlands, $64.12;
Gravesend, $81.33.
An interesting matter came before the Board at its
meeting, September 26th, 1831, in regard to an attempt
of the Master of the Ship Galaxy, of Cronstadt, to de-
posit its cargo at Fort La Fayette, within this county;
the said ship hailing from a port infected with cholera.
Stringent measures were taken to prevent such a dis-
position of the cargo. The matter was presented to
the Grand Jury, and a memorial sent to the United
States Government in regard to the matter. The offi-
cers of the ship and owners of the cargo were deter-
mined to deposit it in the fort; but by the prompt
action of the Board of Supervisors, were prevented
from so doing.
Seventy-five cents per day was ordered to be paid to
the grand and petit jurors, whose names were drawn
from the county jury boxes, for every day's attendance
at the courts of record to be held in the county.
The bill of Justices Murphy, Dean and Furman, of
the Municipal Court of Brooklyn, was presented to the
Board, and ordered to be laid over for future consider-
ation.
The Board took into consideration the propriety of
ernploying convicts capable of hard labor, and resolved
to authorize the keeper of the jail to employ them upon
the public avenues, public highways, streets, &c.
1832. SuPEEVisoES : Jeremiah Johnson, Brooklyn,
President; Gerrit Kouwenhoven, Flatlands; Joseph
Conselyea, Bushwick; John Wyckoff, Flatbush; Nich-
olas R. Van Brunt, New Utrecht ; John Terhune,
Gravesend; Jeremiah Lott, Clerk; John C. Vanderveer,
Treasurer; Superintendents of the Poor, same as last
year.
The sum of $30,000 was ordered to be raised for
contingent expenses.
Town expenses : Brooklyn, to the Commissioners of
Common Schools, $802.13; Bushwick, $174.40; Flat-
bush, $408,30 ; New Utrecht, $167.15 ; Flatlands,
$64.80; Gravesend, $291.00.
The board this year provided for the preservation of
old books of record in the County Clerk's office.
The bill of John Lawrence, Sheriff of the County of
Kings, amounting to $249,50, was presented, but after
a somewhat stormy debate, was rejected.
The Board of Supervisors met for the first time in
Brooklyn, on Jan. 12, 1833, at the Apprentices' Library.
404
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
A troublesome, but important matter came before
the board this year, in regard to the allowance of cer-
tain bills — those of constables and marshals, for serving
criminal processes issued by the justices of the munici-
pal courts of Brooklyn. By a resolution of the board
this subject was submitted to H. W. Warner, Esq., a
very able and learned counsellor-at-law, of Brooklyn,
who decided that the justices of said courts had no
criminal jurisdiction, and that warrants signed by them
were absolutely void. The President and Trustees of
the village, by its charter, had the power of committing
for criminal offences, while to justices of the municipal
court no such powers were given in it. The justices
of the municipal courts, the constable and marshals of
Brooklyn having presented their bills, the Supervisors
expressing doubts as to their power, or right, to pay
them, they were withdrawn. On motion, Mr. Warner
was appointed counsel for the board.
The proposition to build a new road in the village of
Brooklyn, commencing at the junction of Henry and
District streets, and running thence in a south-westerly
direction, in continuation of Henry street, to Red Hook
lane, involved this and the preceding board in a serious
and expensive litigation. A mandamus, in which
Charles Hoyt and others were the relators, had been
served on the board, requiring them to impose a tax on
the town of Brooklyn, to pay the amount assessed by
a jury, for drainage and for lands taken for said public
road.
The court-house at Flatbush having been destroyed
by fire, it was proposed to divide the county into two
shires, or jury districts, with a court-house at Brooklyn
and one at Flatbush, the one recently destroyed to be
immediately rebuilt. A resolution favorable to this
was adopted by the board, but the measure was strong-
ly opposed by Brooklyn, and one or two other towns
in the county. At a subsequent meeting, John Law-
rence, Joseph Moser and Gabriel Furman, of Brooklyn;
General L. Martense, of Flatbush, and Samuel Richard-
son of Williamsburgh, were appointed a building com-
mittee, for the purpose of erecting a court-house and
jail in the village of Brooklyn, on the site already
designated.
1833. Supervisors : Jeremiah Johnson, President,
Brooklyn; John Terhune, Gravesend; Gerrit Kouwen-
hoven, Flatlands ; John Wyckoif, Flatbush ; Nicholas
R. Van Brunt, New Utrecht ; Jeremiah Lott, Cleric ;
John C. Vanderveer, Treasurer ; Elias H. Hubbard,
Flatlands; Coe H. Downing, Brooklyn, and David John-
son, of Flatbush, Superintendent of the Poor. At the
annual meeting of the said board, held at the Appren-
tices' Library, Brooklyn, August 6th, 1833, a list of
persons in the county, liable to serve on juries, was
made out. The amount allowed for contingent ex-
penses this year was $10,546,061. Town expenses were
taken up and audited as follows : Brooklyn town ex-
penses, Commissioners of Common Schools, $802,13 ;
Bushwick, $301,40 ; New Utrecht, $115.65 ; Flatbush
$108.80 ; Flatlands, $80.33 ; Gravesend, $103.19.
The appointments of commissioners of deeds and
town collectors were then made.
One hundred dollars were paid into the County
Treasury from lottery venders.
The sum of $1,605,07 was received to the credit of
the county this year from excise and bastardy cases.
Among the bills presented and audited against the
county this year were the following :
For cholera bills, $7,712,24; from this will he seen
the great mortality of the cholera in the county during
the year ending August 6th, 1833.*
Money drawn this year by the Superintendents of the
Poor, $2,300.00; for the support of prisoners in jail in
New York, $185.30.
To Henry Warner, Esq., counsel fees, written opinion,
etc., $75.
The Superintendents of the Poor presented their
annual report, by which it appears that the number of
persons in the poor-house, April 1, 1833, was 180, of
whom 85 were females and 95 males. Of the number
relieved and supported during the year, there were 168
foreigners, 7 lunatics. There occurred 482 cases of
disease, and 24 deaths. The school in the alms-house
was reported to be in an exceedingly prosperous condi-
tion.
First Meeting of the Board of Supervisors of
the County after the Incorporation of Brooklyn
as a City.
1833. The Board of Supervisors for the year 1833-'4 met at
the Apprentices' Library, in the city of Brooklyn, on Tues-
day, the 27th day of May, 1834, pursuant to notice. Present:
Jeremiah Johnson, Henry Waring, Da^rid Anderson, John
Dimon, Obadiah Jackson, for the first seven wards of Brook-
Ijm ; Martenus Bergen, 8th and 9th wards ; John Terhune,
Gravesend ; Gerrit Kouwenhoven, Flatlands ; Joseph Con-
selyea, Bushwick; John WyokofE, Flatbush; Nicholas R. Van
Brunt, New Utrecht.
The Clerk, Treasurer, and Superintendents of the Poor
were, as we have seen, appointed at the first annual meeting
of the board, August 6th, 1833.
At this meeting, a select committee, appointed by the
Common Council of the city of Brooklyn, for the purpose of
taking measures for the erection of a city hall, to be used
as a court-house, appeared before the board and asked its
concurrence in the project. The matter was immediately
referred to a committee appointed by the Supervisors.
The joint committee of the Board of Supervisors and of
the Common Council of the city of Brooklyn recommended
the land at the junction of Joralemon and Fulton streets,
belonging to the estate of Henry Eemsen, deceased, as a
suitable situation for a city hall and court house, and the
city property at the Wallabout as a proper situation for a
The Supervisors having previously entered into a contract
for purchasing a site for a jail and court-house in Washmg-
ton street, the joint committee recommended that the same
be rescinded on the best possible terms.
* A full and interesting account ol the ravages of this disease
will be found in Dr. Stiles' valuable History of Brooklyn, Vol. n.
60ABD OF SUPEltVISOltS.
406
The proposition to build a new court-house at Flatbush
was defeated, and the court-house lot and grounds at that
place was leased to Simon Voorhies.
It is proper to add that the act for building a court-house
and jail in Kings County was passed April 35, 1833.
1834. Supervisors: Jeremiah Johnson, Chairman, Henry
Waring, David Anderson, John Dimon, Obadiah Jackson,
for the first seven wards of Brooklyn ; Martenus Bergen, 8th
and 9th Wards ; John Terhune, Gravesend ; Gerrit Kouwen-
hoven, Flatlands ; Joseph Conselyea, Bushwick ; John Wyc-
koff, Flatbush ; Nicholas E. Van Brunt, New Utrecht ; Jere-
miah Lett, Clerk; John C. Vanderveer, Treasurer.
The contingent expenses of the city of Brooklyn this yeaf ,
as audited by the Board, were $23,353;i3. Expenses to be
levied on the whole city, $11,803.13 ; first five wards, $3,633 ;
first seven wards, $6,937.
Town expenses : Bushwick, $480,40; Flatbush, $203 ; New
Utrecht, $235.40 ; Flatlands, $98.96 ; Gravesend, $95.94.
The Board, at its meeting in Brooklyn, the 27th day of
June, 1835, took measures for building a hospital on the
county farm. Jeremiah Johnson, Chairman of the Board,
reported that he had procured a Seal of the County of Kings,
with a device thereon exhibiting the scales of justice, and
upon which is inscribed the words, "Board of Supervisors
of Kings County." This report was adopted, and, by another
resolution, the Clerk of the Supervisors was made the custo-
dian of said seal.
By another resolution, concurred in by the Judges of the
county, the Common Council room, in the Exchange Build-
ing, in the city of Brooklyn, was designated as the proper
place for holding the courts of the county, and it was resolved
to pay the city of Brooklyn $200 per annum for the use of
said rooms, that being the sum required by the Common
Council of the city.
1835. Supervisors: Jeremiah Johnson, Chairman, Silas
Butler, Peter Conover, John Dikeman, Jonathan Trotter, for
the first seven wards of Brooklyn; Martenus Bergen, 8th and
9th Wards; John Terhune, Gravesend; Gerrit Kouwenhoven,
Flatlands ; Joseph Conselyea, Bushwick ; John Wyckoff,
Flatbush ; Nicholas R. Van Brunt, New Utrecht ; Jeremiah
I Lott, Esq., Clerk; John C. Vanderveer, Treasurer.
The annual meeting of the Board took place at the time
fixed by law, the first Tuesday in August. Since the first
meeting of the Supervisors in the county of Kings, in
August, 1714, down to the present time, and long after, as
we shall see, the first Tuesday of that month was the time
appointed for the annual meeting of the Board.
The Supervisors and Judges met as usual to appoint Com-
missioners of Deeds and Collectors for the several towns in
the county.
The contingent expenses for the city of Brooklyn, which
were audited by the Board, were $30,000. A large part of this
amount consisted of county expenses. In addition to this,
the sum of $2,350 was raised in the city of Brooklyn for the
support of common schools, under an act amending the
charter of the city, passed in April of this year.
Town expenses : Flatlands, $64.80 ; New Utrecht, $155.40 ;
Flatbush, $108.80 ; Gravesend, $73.94 ; Bushwick, $819.40.
At the adjourned meeting of the Board, on the 15th of
September, 1835, John Dikeman, of Brooklyn, appeared in
place of Peter Conover.
By a report made to the Board at this meeting, it appears
that the estimated value of the real estate of the county was
138 020,644; that the value of the personal property was
*^,920,288 ; that the proportion of county taxes was $28,380;
that the proportion of town taxes was $89,090.93; that the rate
'axes upon $1 of valuation for the 1st, 3d and 6th Wards,
was 3^ mills, and 2^ mills for the 3d, 4th, 5th and 7th
Wards.
The corporations existing in the county this year, accord-
ing to the report of Jeremiah Lott, Clerk of the Board, pre-
sented at this meeting, were the following ; Long Island
Bank, capital, $300,000; Brooklyn Bank, $200,000; Long
Island Insurance Co., $200,000 ; Brooklyn Fire Insurance
Co., $102,000; Brooklyn White Lead Co., $40,000;* Brooklyn
Crown Glass Co., $25,000 ;* Wallabout and Brooklyn Bridge
Co., $12,000;* Newtown and Bushwick Bridge Co., $906;
Newtown and Bushwick Turnpike Road Co., $8,356;* Graves-
end and Coney Island Road and Bridge Co., $600.
According to a resolution of the Board, Jeremiah Lott was
allowed 10 cents per folio for recording its proceedings, and
John C. Vanderveer, Treasurer of the county, was allowed
$3 per day for his attendance with the Board.
1836. Supervisors: Jeremiah Johnson, C/iairmara; Clar-
ence D. Sackett, Peter Conover, John U. Masely, Joseph Her-
bert, for the first seven wards of Brooklyn ; Martenus Ber-
gen, 8th and 9th Wards ; John Terhune, Gravesend ; Gerrit
Kouwenhoven, Flatlands ; Joseph Conselyea, Bushwick ;
John Wyckofi:, Flatbush ; Tunis G. Bergen, New Utrecht ;
Jeremiah Lott, Clerk ; John C. Vanderveer, Treasurer.
Among the matters of business transacted by the Board
at the annual meeting was the following :
Joseph Conselyea, Clarence D. Sackett, and Peter Conover
were appointed a committee of arrangements, for the cere-
mony of laying the foundation stone of the new Jail and
fire-proof Clerk's Office ; ordered that the sum of $32,000 be
raised to meet the contingent expenses of the current year.
Town expenses: Bushwick, $690.90; Flatbush, $59.55; New
Utrecht, $1,439.15; Flatlands, $160,50; Gravesend, $537.30.
The Apprentices' Library Association having wound up
their affairs and disposed of their building to the Common
Council of the city of Brooklyn, the rent for the same for a
county clerk's office was required, and payment therefore was
ordered. The payments into the treasury on account of ex-
cise this year were $1,938.90.
Abraham Vanderveer, clerk of the county, at a meeting
of the Board, held on the 30th December, 1836, reported that
the fire-proof building erected by the Common Council of
Brooklyn, for the safety of public records, books and papers,
was now ready for occupation, with the exception of a few
fixtures, which the Board ordered furnished.
1837. Supervisors : Jeremiah Johnson, Chairman, Peter
Conover, William M. Udall, William H. Hale, Henry
Patchen, for the first seven wards of the city of Brooklyn,
John Terhune, Gravesend; Gerrit Kouwenhoven, Flatlands;
Teunis G. Bergen, New Utrecht ; Isaac Cortelyou, Flatbush;
Jeremiah Lott, Clerk.
At the annual meeting, the chairman laid before the Board
the resignation of John C. Vanderveer, the treasurer of the
county.
Mr. Vanderveer had served as treasurer of the county
since August 5th, 1813, continuously, a period of twenty-
four years, with more than ordinary ability and satisfaction
to the people of the county. His resignation was, therefore,
reluctantly accepted, and followed by a unanimous vote of
thanks for his very able and faithful services.
The Board elected John A. Lott Treasurer, in place of Mr.
Vanderveer.
The contingent expenses of the city of Brooklyn this year,
as audited by the Board, amounted to $81,231.15.
Town expenses: New Utrecht, $115.13; Flatbush, $231.04;
Gravesend, $105.43 : Bushwick, $1,428.38. The Board or-
* Secured by real estate.
456
mSTORY OP KINGS COUNTY.
dered the sum of $40,000, to be raised by tax, to meet the
ordinary expenses of tlie whole county.
The Board made arrangements to raise a loan on the credit
of the county, amounting to $35,000.
1838. Supervisors: Jeremiah Johnspn, (7Mi>TOan, Cyrus
P. Smith, John Dikeman, David Cooper, Samuel H. Mason,
for the first seven wards of the city of Brooklyn ; Martenus
Bergen, 8th and 9th Wards; Gerrit Kouwenhoven, Flatlands;
Tunis Gr. Bergen, New Utrecht ; Isaac Cortelyou, Flatbush ;
Nicholas Wyckofif, Bushwick ; Samuel G. Stryker, Graves-
end ; John A. Lott, Treasurer, and Jeremiah Lott, Cleric.
It was resolved that the sum of $42,341.39 be raised by tax
for the ensuing year to meet the current expenses of the
city of Brooklyn, and also that the sum of $18,500 be raised
by tax on the first seven wards of the city, to meet the ex-
penses incident to the fire and watch districts.
Town expenses : Bushwick, $1,303.26; Flatbush, $201.04;
Flatlands, $88.87; Gravesend, $135.17; New Utrecht,
$265.13.
During this year several murders had been committed
within the county. As none of the perpetrators had been
arrested, the Board authorized the Sheriff of the county to
offer rewards for their apprehension and conviction equal to
the amount offered for the same purpose by the city of
Brooklyn.
1839. Supervisors : Jeremiah Johnson, Chairman, Cyrus
P. Smith, John Dikeman, David Cooper, Samuel M. Moser,
for the first seven wards of the city of Brooklyn ; Gerrit
Kouwenhoven, Flatlands ; Tunis G. Bergen, New Utrecht ;
Samuel G. Stryker, Gravesend ; Jacob Rappelye, Flatbush ;
Abraham D. Soper, Bushwick ; Jeremiah Lott, Clerk, and
John A. Lott, Treasurer.
The Judges of the county this year were John A. Lott, 1st
Judge, Joseph Couselyea, Tunis Joralemon, Samuel Smith,
and John Bergen. Under a recent act of the Legislature
creating the office of County Sealer of Weights and Meas-
ures, the Supervisors appointed Barzillai Russell, of Brooklyn,
to that office.
The committee appointed to investigate the affairs of
the Building Committee of the new jail reported favorably
on the said Building Committee's bill, amounting to $10,-
019.88, and the County Treasurer was authorized to pay the
same. The compensation of grand and petit jurors attend-
ing the various courts of record in the county was fixed at
$1 per day.
The contingent expenses of the City of Brooklyn this year
amounted to $63,815.55, and a resolution that the said
amount be raised by a tax on the whole City of Brooklyn,
and that the sum of $30,700 be raised by a tax on the first
seven wards of the said city, to meet the expenses of the fire
and watch districts, was adopted.
Town expenses : Bushwick, $1,708.12 ; Flatbush, $414.40 ;
New Utrecht, $410.53; Gravesend, $240.69; Flatlands,
$378.48.
Corporations existing in Kings County this year : Long
Island Bank, amount of stock, $390,000 ; Brooklyn Bank,
$107,000 ; Atlantic Bank, $470,000 ; Brooklyn Fire Insurance
Company, $103,000 ; Long Island Insurance Company,
$183,555 ; Brooklyn White Lead Company, $52,460, se-
cured by real estate ; Union White Lead Company, $36,600,
secured by real estate ; Williamsburg Fire Insurance Com-
pany, $147,400 ; Newtown and Bushwick Eoad and Turnpike
Company, $5,727 ; Gravesend and Coney Islaud Road and
Bridge Company, $6,000.
According to a report submitted to the Board by a proper
committee, the number of acres of land in the county was
19,330, the valuation of which was $37,198,069. The valua-
tion of the personal estate in the County was S3 905 144
The aggregate amount of taxation was $155,644.91.
By a resolution of the Board, Coroners were allowed the
sum of $3.00 for every inquest held by them, and the sum
of $5.00 for coiEn, burial of the corpse and incidental ex-
penses.
1840. Supervisors : Jeremiah Johnson, Chairman ■ Da-
vid Cooper, Samuel H. Moser, Nicholas R. Van Brunt Svl-
vanus White, for the first seven wards of the City of Brook-
lyn ; Tunis S. Barkaloo, 8th and 9th Wards ; Tunis G.
Bergen, New Utrecht ; Samuel G. Stryker, Gravesend •
Jacob Eapelye, Flatbush ; Leonard F. Coles, WilUamsburg •
Andrew Emmans, Flatlands ; Nicholas Wyckoff, Bushwick •
Jeremiah Lott, Clerk; and John Skillman, of Brooklyn.
Treasurer. John A. Lott was made Taxing Officer of the
Board, to tax the District Attorney's, and all legal bills.
The contingent expenses of the County this year were
$33,500, which the Supervisors directed to be raised by taxa-
tion on the property of the County.
1841. Supervisors : Jeremiah Johnson, Clmirman, David
Cooper, Sylvanus White, Nicholas R. Van Brunt, Samuel
Oakley, for the first seven wards iu the City of Brooklyn ;
Peter G. Bergen, 8th and 9th Wards ; Tunis G. Bergen, New
Utrecht ; Samuel G. Stryker, Gravesend ; Nicholas "Wyckoff,
Bushwick ; Andrew Emmans, Flatlands ; Leonard T. Cole-s,
Williamsburg ; Isaac Cortelyou, Flatbush ; Jeremiah Lott,
Clerk; John Skillman, Treasurer.
A Jail Committee was appointed this year, consisting of
three members of this Board, to wit, David Cooper, Sylra-
nus White and Isaac Cortelyou.
The County Treasurer was directed by the Board to ascer-
tain whether it was lawful for the judges of the county
courts to charge for two days' services, when a court of
sessions, and a court of common pleas, or county court are
both held on the same day. Subsequently the Treasurer re-
ported that it had been the custom for a long time to make
such charges, but that there was no statute to authorize the
same. Whereupon, the Treasurer was directed to pay each
judge for every day he had actually attended court, and no
more.
The contingent or incidental expenses for especial pur-
poses, for the City of Brooklyn, amounted to the sum of
$81,000. THe Board also resolved to raise the sum of $12,600
for sites and school-house in districts No's 1, 4, 5, 8, and 9.
An appropriation of $6,935 was made for the various school
districts in the city. The further sum of $34,500 was raised
by tax on the first seven wards of the city to meet the ex-
penses of the fire and watch district.
Town expenses : New Utrecht, $99.50 ; Gravesend, |99,75 ;
Flatlands, $49.50 ; Bushwick, $82.57; Williamsburg, |1,200 ;
Flatbush, $100.
It was ordered that the respective amounts be raised by
the town in which the expenses accrued.
1842. Supervisors : Joseph Sprague, William M. Udall,
William Ellsworth, John E. Cammeyer, Stephen Haynes,
for the first seven wards of Brooklyn ; A. 0. Millard, 8th
and 9th Wards ; Tunis G. Bergen, Chairman, New Utrecht;
Leonard T. Coles, Williamsburg; Samuel G. Stryker, Graves-
end ; Nicholas Wyckoff, Bushwick ; Andrew Emmans, Flat-
lands ; Isaac Cortelyou, Flatbush; Jeremiah Lott, Clerk;
and John Skillman, Treasurer.
At the annual meeting, the thanks of the Board were
unanimously tendered to Hon. Jeremiah Johnson, late «9
Chairman, for the distinguished ability with which he had
from time to time discharged the responsible duties of that
station, and also for the eminent services he had rendere
the county of Kings as Supervisor for more than forty years.
BOARD OH SUPERVISORS.
401
At the same meeting, John F. Garrison, of the city of Brook-
lyn, was elected Treasurer in place of John Skillman.
The County Treasurer reported a balance in the Treasury in
favor of the county, arising from all sources, of $53,930.33.
Ordered, That the sum of |28,000 be raised to meet the
contingent expenses of the county for the ensuing year.
At a meeting of the Board on the 1st day of September,
1843, pursuant to adjournment, the additional sum of |85,000
was ordered to be raised by tax, to meet the contingent ex-
penses of the current year.
Town expenses : New Utrecht, 1373.83 ; Gravesend, $339.-
21 ; Flatlands, $162.21 ; Bushwick, 1243.84 ; Williamsburg,
$1,676.74; Flatbush, $380.16.
By resolution, the office of Deputy Superintendent of
Common Schools, having been attended v?ith beneficial re-
sults, was continued ; and it vs^as further ordered that the
Board of Supervisors fit up court and jury rooms in the
county jail, the cost not to exceed the sum of $2,000.
1843. SUPERVISOES : William M. Udall, Chairman, Wil-
liam Ellsworth, Stephen Haynes, Daniel A. Bobbins, James
Freel, for the first seven wards of Brooklyn ; A. O. Millard,
8th and 9th Wards ; Tunis G. Bergen, New Utrecht, Presi-
dent ; Samuel G. Stryker, Gravesend ; Andrew Emmans,
Flatlands ; Jacob Rapelye, Flatbush ; Martin R. Meeker,
Bushwick ; Jeremiah Lott, Secretary of the Board ; John
Garrison, Treasurer ; and Hon. John Greenwood, Taxing
Offleer of the Board.
A Committee on Accounts was appointed this year to esti-
mate the necessary sum, to be raised by tax, to pay the con-
tingent expenses for. the present year ; a Committee on the
EquaUzation of the Assessment Rolls of the several towns,
wards and districts, in the county ; also one "to examine
the assessment rolls for the purpose of ascertaining whether
the valuation of real estate, in the several towns and wards,
bear a just relation to the valuation in all the towns and
wards in the county.''
At a Board meeting, September 1st, $45,000 was ordered to
be raised by tax, to defray the contingent expenses of the
county tor the ensuing year.
Town expenses : New Utrecht, $61 ; to support of common
schools, $145.26 ; total, $226.26. Gravesend town expenses,
$91 ; to support of common schools, $90.46 ; total $181.46.
Bushwick town expenses, $151,50 ; support of common
schools, $146.62; total, $263.13. Williamsburgh town ex-
penses, $1,300; to support of common schools, $576.74; total,
11,876.74. Flatbush town expenses, $63.50; to support of
common schools, $387.66 ; total, $801.16. Flatlands town ex-
penses, $119.18; to support of common schools, $91.71; total,
$310.84.
1844. Supervisors : Cornelius B. Bergen, Chairman, Wil-
liam M. UdaU, Daniel A. Robbins, James Freel, Amos P.
Stanton, for the first seven wards of Brooklyn ; Peter Wyc-
koff, 8th and 9th Wards: Tunis G. Bergen, New Utrecht,
Jacob Rapelye, Flatbush ; Martin R. Meeker, Bushwick ;
Francis V. MorreU, Williamsburgh; John A. Voorhees;
Flatlands ; Bernardus I. Ryder, Gravesend ; Jeremiah Lott,
Okrk; John F. Garrison, Treasurer.
The Supervisors at this meeting provided for the erection
of a new Lunatic Asylum, under the provision of an act of
the Legislature, passed April 36, 1844.
The Board ordered that the sum of $64,723.35 be raised by
tax the present year on the whole city of Brooklyn to meet
Ml ^^^®"^*^ °^ ^^^ ^^id city generally, and that the sum of
?iil,000 be raised by tax on the first seven wards of Brooklyn
to meet the expenses of fire and watch district, and that the
sum of $5,660 be raised by tax on school districts No. 1, 4, 6 8
and 10. ' ' '
Town expenses: Gravesend, $891.26 ; Flatlands, $245.46 ;
New Utrecht, $668.32 ; Williamsburgh, $1,988.88; Bushvsack,
$812.62 ; Flatbush, $335.91.
1845. Supervisors : William M. Udall, Daniel A. Rob-
bins, James Freel, Amos P. Stanton, Henry C. Conkling, for
the first seven wards of Brooklyn ; William H. Campbell,
8th and 9th Wards of Brooklyn ; Tunis G. Bergen, New
Utrecht ; John A. Voorhees, Flatlands ; Bernardus I. Ryder,
Gravesend ; Philip S. Crooke, Flatbush ; Eusebius Hopkins,
Williamsburgh ; Henry D. Woodward, Bushwick; Jeremiah
Lott, Clerh ; John F. Garrison. Treasurer.
The Brooklyn Eagle and Democratic Advocate were chosen
as the newspapers to pubUsh the laws of the county under
an act of the Legislature.
At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors in the county
court-room, in Brooklyn, after the minutes of the last meet-
ing were read, an incident occurred in relation to the
present and past history of the Supervisors, of which an ac-
count cannot fail to deeply interest all who read it. This was
the resignation of Mr. Jeremiah Lott, the venerable clerk of
the Board. His letter read as follows :
' ' To the Board of Supervisors of the County of Kings :
Fellow Citizens:— Having officiated as clerk of the Board
of Supervisors for a period of over forty-four years, it cannot
be surprising that I should have acquired a growing attach-
ment to a body forming such an important link in the inter-
nal administration of this State. I can bear ample testimony
of the wisdom and intelligence which the people of this
county have constantly displayed in their judicious selection
of Supervisors. Men have been invariably returned to the
Board, fully competent to regulate and control the fiscal con-
cerns of their constituents with prudence, economy, abUity
and with due regard to public interest. In looking upon
the various Boards of Supervisors, with whom I have from
time to time been associated, many of whose members are
numbered with the silent dead, I am induced to indulge in
the pleasing consolation that I have, in some good degree,
merited their approbation and esteem, a renewal of which I
have so recently received from you. A few days ago I was
attacked with a fever which has now in some measure
abated — yet, my recovery must of necessity be slow and un-
certain. The apportionment of taxes, one of the important
duties of the clerk, will soon have to be attended to, and
cannot admit of delay. I have therefore thought it an im-
perious duty on my part to resign the office of Clerk of the
Board of Supervisors of the County of Kings, and now re-
spectfully ask your acceptance of my resignation. The
books and papers appertaining to the office, I will deliver to
the person who shall be authorized by you to receive them."
After refering to some matters of unfinished business, per-
taining to his office, Mr. Lott closes his letter as follows :
" In taking a final and affectionate farewell of you, my
feUow citizens, in your collective capacity of a Board of
Supervisors, I am truly sensible that I am cutting a tender
tie. But duty to the public, duty to you, and duty to my-
self demand it, and I obey its mandates. Accept of my best
wishes for the health and happiness of every individual
member of the Board, and with unabated esteem I subscribe
myself Your obedient servant,
Flatbush, Sept. 9th, 1845. Jeremiah Lott."
It would be useless to attempt any description of the emo-
tions which the reading of this admirable letter produced in
the minds of every member of the Board. Mr. Lett's resig-
nation was accepted in appropriate and feeling language,
uttered by several members, and a resolution ordering the
letter to be inserted in the records of the proceedings of the
Board was unanimously adopted. The Board elected Philip
S. Crooke its Clerk in place of Jeremiah Lott, resigned.
The Board of Supervisors having assumed the proportions
of a large legislative body, in which a rapidly growing city,
with its many diversified interests is represented, we shall
hereafter only give the names of the members of succeed-
408
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
ing Boards, their officers, the names of the treasurers of the
county; and, once in every five years, a brief tabulated esti-
mate of the value of the personal and real estate, in the
county; with a list of the corporations, and a few other
incidents that should have a place in the history of Kings
County.
The proceedings of the Superintendents of the Poor, inti-
mately connected with that of the Supervisors, forming an
exceedingly interesting and instructive part of the history
of the county, will be found in another chapter, under the
head of " Superintendents of the Poor."
From a table prepared by the Clerk of the Board, show-
ing the value of the real and personal estate in the county,
we extract the following:
Value of real estate, 126,708,402; value of personal estate,
$4,039,870. Aggregate taxation, $182,436,55.
The following were the corporations existing in the county
in November, 1845.
Long Island Bank, stock, $31,000;* Brooklyn Bank, stock,
$11,260;* Atlantic Bank, stock, $37,387;* Brooklyn Fire In-
surance Co., stock, $13,416;* Long Island Insurance Co.,
stock, $15,000;* Williamsburgh Fire Insurance Co., stock,
$3,100;* Brooklyn White Lead Co., stock, $52,250;* Union
White Lead Co., stock, $30,490; '= Red Hook Cotton Manu-
facturing Co., stock, $7,300; Gravesend & Coney Island Road
and Bridge Co., stock, §6,000; Bushwick & Newtown R. R.
and Bridge Co , stock, $1,200; Atlantic White Lead Co., stock,
$15,000.*
1846. Supervisors: Seth Low, Chairman, Charles J.
Taylor, George S. Howland, John Skillmau, Barnet John-
son, for the first seven wards of Brooklyn; John G. Bergen,
8th and 9th Wards; Tunis G. Bergen, New Utrecht; Philip
S. Crooke, Flatbush; Bernardus I. Rider, Gravesend; James
De Bevoise, Bushwick; Andrew B. Hodges, Williamsburg;
John A. Voorhees, Flatlands; A. B. Hodges, Clerk; John
F. Garrison, Treasurer.
At a special meeting of the Board, held June 15th, 1846,
A. B. Hodges, Clerk of the Board, resigned, and CJiarles C.
Bulkley was elected to fill the vacancy. At a subsequent
meeting, Crawford S. Smith, of Brooklyn, was ejected
County Treasurer, in place of John F. Garrison.
A meeting of the Board of Supervisors for 1846 was held
at the court-house in Brooklyn, January 4, 1847, pursuant
to the directions of the 5th Section of the 3rd Article of
the Constitution of 1846. President Low in the chair.
This was the first meeting of the board under the new
constitution of 1846, which, with subsequent mcts of the
legislature, made several changes in the legislative and
other powers of the Board of Supervisors. Among other
duties assigned to Boards of Supervisors by that Constitution,
was that of dividing their respective counties into assembly
districts, in such counties as were then entitled to more than
one member of Assembly.
The said boards were directed to meet on the first Tuesday
of January following the adoption of said Constitution.
Another duty assigned them was fixing the salary of the
county judges and surrogate in counties where the office of
judge and surrogate was combined in one person, and of
those officers acting separate.
Section 17, of Article 3rd of said Constitution, empowered
the legislature to confer on Boards of Supervisors such
further powers of local legislation as they shall from time to
time prescribe.
By a subsequent act of the legislature, the Supervisors were
to meet on the Tuesday next following the election, and
* Secured by real estate.
canvass separately the votes for Governor, State Senators
Representatives in Congress, Members of Assembly, Sheriffs'
and all other county officers, and for any proposed amend-
ments of the Constitution.
In the early history of the State, as we have seen, Boards
of Supervisors were given power to canvass the votes cast
for members of Assembly only. The duty of canvassing the
votes for all other officers above Members of Assembly was
conferred upon the Secretary of State.
At the meeting on the 5th of Jaauary, 1847, the question
of dividing the county into assembly districts under the pro-
visions of the new Constitution, came before the Board, and
after a long discussion, on motion of Mr. Tunis G. Bergem
the county was divided into three assembly districts. The
First, consisting of a population of 21,570, was formed from
the First, Second, Third and Fifth Wards of Brooklyn ; the
Second, representing a population of 21,093, was formed from
the Sixth and Eighth Wards of Brooklyn, the towns of New
Utrecht, Flatbush, Gravesend, Flatlands and Bushwick.
The Third District, representing a population of 19,239, was
composed of the Seventh and Ninth Wards of Brooklyn, and
the town of Williamsburg.
As the population of the County of Kings exceeded 40,000,
it was left to the Board of Supervisors to decide whether the
duties of the county judge and surrogate should not be
divided and be performed by separate individuals, to wit, a
county judge and a surrogate. Having decided that these
two offices should be divided, the Board fixed the salary of
the county judge at $1,200, and that of the surrogate at
$1,500, the same to be paid quarterly.
1847. Supervisors: Charles J. Taylor, Chairman, Barnet
Johnson, David Barker, David B. BayUs, John I. Studwell,
for the first seven wards of Brooklyn; Rem. Lefferts,
8th and 9th Wards; Philip S. Crooke, Flatbush; Tunis G.
Bergen, New Utrecht ; Bernardus I. Ryder, Gravesend ;
Charles I. Debevoise, Bushwick ; Andrew B. Hodges, Wil-
liamsburg; Charles E. Bulkley, Clerk; Crawford C, Smith,
Treasurer.
The treasury receipts for the fiscal year, ending July 31,
1847, were $115,191.41, and the disbursements were fll4,-
284.17, leaving a balance in the treasury of $907.24.
Sheriff Voorhees was paid this year the sum of f500 for
board of prisoners in the jail.
It was ordered, on motion, that the sum of $71,400 be
raised by tax during the present year on the whole city of
Brooklyn, to meet the expenses incident to the said city ; and
that the further sum of $50,250 be raised for the expenses of
the fire and watch districts of the said city.
1848. Supervisors : Charles J. Taylor, Chairman, Bamet
Johnson, David B. Baylis, George W. Prince, Nicholas B.
Rhodes, for the first seven wards of Brooklyn ; Rem. Lefferts,
8th and 9th Wards ; Phihp S. Crooke, Flatbush ; Tunis G.
Bergen, New Utrecht ; Bernardus I. Ryder, Gravesend; John
A. Voorhees, Flatlands; Leonard T. Coles and Daniel Maujer;
Williamsburgh ; Charles I. Debevoise, Bushwick : Charles E.
Bulkley, Clerk; Crawford C. Smith, Treasurer.
By an act of the Legislature, the Board of Supervisors
were authorized to employ the prisoners sentenced to hard
labor in the county jail in the erection of the penitentiary and
work-house. This caused a spirited debate, but finally the
provisions of the act were complied with.
Treasury receipts this year, $144.988.95 ; Disbursements,
$144,985.95. Ordered, on motion, that the sum of $91,185 be
raised by tax, to defray the ordinary and contingent expenses
of the county, and for the erection of a new hospital.
The following is a list of the corporations existing in
Kings county January 1, 1849, according to a report pre-
BOARD OF SUPER VIBORS.
409*
aented to the Board of Supervisors, and adopted by that
body:
Long Island Bank, amount of stock, |388,000 ; Brooklyn
Bank, stock, |85,000 ; Atlantic Bank, stock, $24,000 ; Brook-
lyn Fire Insurance Co., stock, $88,816 ; Long Island Insur-
ance Co., stock, $185,000 ; Williamsburg Fire Insurance
Co., stock, $50,000; Kings County Mutual Insurance Co.,
stock, $25,000; Brooklyn White Lead Co., stock, $53,350;
Union White Lead Co., stock, $33,370 ; Atlantic White Lead
Co., stock, $50,000 ; Gravesend and Coney Island Bridge Co.,
stock, $6,000.
Valuation of the real estate in the county, per report
made to Board, January 3, 1849, $33,770,773 ; valuation of
personal property, $4,519,843.
At the last meeting of the Board for the year 1848, held
■ March 80, 1849, the new hospital was reported as completed,
at a cost of $20,894.80.
1849. SUPERVISOES : Nicholas B. Rhodes, Samuel Smith,
Anthony P. Ostrom, Wm. S. Dillingham, William Seaman,
for the first seven wards of Brooklyn ; John G. Bergen, 8th
and 9th Wards, Chairman ; Tunis G. Bergen, New Utrecht ;
Philip S. Crooke, Flatbush ; Bernardus I. Ryder, Gravesend;
John A. Voorhees, Flatlands ; Charles I. Debevoise, Bush-
wick; Daniel Maujer, Williamsburg; Charles E. Bulkley,
Ckrk, and Crawford C. Smith, Treasurer.
At the annual meeting, August 7, 1849, the Brooklyn Daily
Advertiser and the Democratic Advocate were appointed for
publishing the laws of the State.
Received into the treasury for the year ending July 1, 1849,
$156,347.09; disbursed $155,659.76.
An act was passed by the Legislature of the State, April
37, 1847, authorizing the opening of Washington Park, and,
at a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, held October 10,
1849, a resolution was adopted ordering a tax upon the sev
eral wards of the city to raise the funds for paying for the
same, the estimated cost of which was $131,540.43.
1850. SUPBRVISOES: Joseph Sprague, Samuel Sloan, Abram
Verplanok, James M. Seabury, John G. Bergen, Chairman,
Brooklyn; Philip S. Crooke, Flatbush; Tunis G. Bergen,
New Utrecht ; Bernardus I. Ryder, Gravesend ; John A.
Voorhees, Flatlands ; Charles I. Debevoise and Abram J.
Berry, Williamsburg; Charles E. Bulkley, Clerk.
At a special meeting of this Board, a law was passed for
th& protection of game and fish in the county.
Tbe Brooklyn Eagle, and the Independent Press, of Wil-
liamsburg, were designated as the newspapers in the county
to publish the laws of the State.
The Treasury Receipts were $313,055.85, and the dis-
bursements 1184,739.67, leaving a balance of $37,995.30.
1851.— Supervisors: Conklin Brush, 1st ward, Brooklyn ;
Francis B. Spinola, 3d Ward ; Samuel Booth, 4th Ward ;
Frederick Morris, 5th Ward ; George W. Still well, 6th Ward ;
Henry A. Kent, 8th Ward ; John. S. Rider, 9th Ward ; John
Williams, 10th Ward ; WilHam M. Muchmore, 11th Ward ;
Tunis G. Bergen, New Utrecht ; James V. Schoonmaker,
Flatbush ; John A. Voorhees, Flatlands : Bernardus I.
Ryder, Gravesend ; Charles I. Debevoise, Bushwick : Abra-
ham J. Berry, Chairman, and James D. Sparkman, Williams-
burg; Charles E. Bulkley, Clerk; Crawford 0. Smith,
Treasurer.
The salary of the County Judge was fixed at $1,600 per
year.
The treasury receipts were $388,519.56, and the disburse-
ments $327,550.
1853. -Supervisors : Conklin Brush, Francis B. Spinola,
hamuel Booth, George W. StillweTl, John S. Rider, John
Wilhams, William M. Muchmore, Brooklyn ; James V.
Schoonmaker, Flatbush ; Ferdinand L. Wycko£E, New Lots ;
John A. Voorhees, Flatlands ; Bernardus I. Ryder, Graves-
end ; Charles I. Debevoise, Bushwick ; Abraham J. Berry,
Chairman; Thomas J. Van Sant, Edwin S. Ralphs, Williams-
burg ; Crawford C. Smith, Treasurer ; Charles E. Bulkley,
Clerk.
By an Act of the Legislature, March 19th, 1853, the County
Treasurer was authorized, under the direction of the Board,
to borrow, on the credit of the town, $50,000 for the building
of a Penitentiary, and by an Act passed April 14th, 1853, an
equal amount for the erection of a Hospital building on the
County farm at Flatbush.
The treasury received $313,799.97, and disbursed this year
$398,544.90.
1853.— Supervisors for Brooklyn : Horatio N. Holt, 1st
Ward; R. C. Brainard, 3d Ward; Eli Merrill, 8d
Ward ; Samuel Booth, 4th Ward ; Patrick Henry Morris,
5th Ward ; George Remsen, 6th Ward ; Patrick Graham,
7th Ward ; Peter Wyckoff, 8th Ward ; Joseph Oli-
ver, 9th Ward ; Elisha W. Hinman, 10th Ward ; John
A. Dayton, 11th Ward ; James V. Schoonmaker, Flatbush ;
Isaac Schenck, New Lots ; Tunis G. Bergen, New Utrecht ;
Bernardus I. Ryder, Gravesend ; John A. Wyckoff, Flat-
lands ; Martin Kalbfleisch, Bushwick ; Abraham J. Berry,
Chairman, Edwin S. Ralphs, Thomas J. Van Sant, Williams-
burg ; Charles E. Bulkley, Clerk ; James M. Seabury,
Treasurer.
At a special meeting of the Board, Sept. 29th, 1853, the
death of Charles E. Bulkley, Clerk of the Board, was an-
nounced, and the usual resolutions were adopted.
At the next meeting, Oct. 7th, 1853, A. W. Osborn was
elected Clerk in the place of C. E. Bulkley, deceased. The
Board was notified that the Penitentiary was ready for the
confinement of Prisoners. The amount paid into the treas-
ury this year was $383,186.80. The amount disbursed
$375,486.35.
Under an Act of the Legislature, passed April 13th, 1851,
providing for the establishment of free schools throughout
the State, the Board of Supervisors resolved to raise by tax
the sum of $50,935.08, in accordance with the provisions of
the said act.
At a meeting held December 89th, the resignation of Hon.
A. J. Berry, as chairman, was presented and accepted.
1854.— Supervisors : Brooklyn, Horatio N. Holt, 1st ward;
Roswell C. Brainerd, 2d Ward, Chairman; Eli Merrill, 3d
Ward; Samuel Booth, 4th Ward ; John J. White, 5th Ward ;
Geo. Remsen, 6th Ward ; Samuel Graham, 7th Ward ; Peter
Wyokofif, 8th Ward ; Joseph Oliver, 9th Ward ; Elisha W.
Hinman, 10th Ward ; J. A. Dayton, 11th Ward ; Tunis G.
Bergen, New Utrecht ; James J. Schoonmaker, Flatbush ;
Isaac C. Schenck, New Lots ; Wm. Bennett, Gravesend ;
John A. Wyckoff, Flatlands ; Martin Kalbfleisch, Bush-
wick ; William Wall (Mayor of the city of Williamsburg)
and Geo. H. Andrews, James Nolan, and Edwin S. Ralphs,
Supervisors for Williamsburgh ; Albert H. Osborn, Clerk ;
James M. Seabury, County Treasurer.
Receipts of the county Treasury for the year ending July
31st, 1854, $538,963.46 and expenditures, $548,567.88.
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle and the Williamsburg Daily
Times were designated as the papers to publish the laws.
At the meeting on December 13th, 1854, the death of
Joseph Sprague, for many years a much respected and useful
member of the Board, was feeUngly announced, and appro-
priate resolutions of sorrow for his loss were adopted.
1855.— Supervisors : Brooklyn, Wm. Hinman, 1st Ward ;
Seth Bradford, 3d Ward ; Amos P. Stanton, 3d Ward, Chair-
man; Isaac Allen, 4th Ward; Jacob B, Stryker, 5th Ward; Wm,
410"
HISTORY OF KIN48 COUNTY.
C. Heaton, 6th Ward; Edward Rowe, 7th "Ward; John Farrell,
8th Ward ; John 8. Bogert, 9th Ward ; Benj. P. Middleton,
10th Ward ; Thos. S. Denike, 11th Ward : John Garland, 12th
Ward; Wallace E. Caldwell, 13th Ward ; James Nolan, 14th
Ward ; John B. Thursby, 15th Ward ; David Lindsay, 16th
Ward ; H. Bartlett Fenton, 17th Ward ; Henry D. Wood-
worth, 18th Ward ; Tunis G. Bergen, New Utrecht ; Jas.
V. Schoonmaker, Flatbush ; Ditmas Jewell, New Lots ;
William Bennett, Gravesend ; John L. Ryder, Flatlands ;
Albert H. Osborn, Clerk ; James M. Seabury, Treasurer.
The tabulated report of the valuation of the real and per-
sonal property of the county for the year 1854 was presented
to the Board, as follows : Real property, $82,927,793; Per-
sonal property, $11,116,300. By another tabulated report
for the year 1855, the increase in the said valuation was
shown as follows : Real property, $88,679,160 ; Personal,
$11,313,667.
Receipts of the county Treasury, $169,387.20 ; Exclusive of
the sum of $500, from Bastardy cases, produce of Poor-
house farm, board of lunatics, and Commission of Emigra- .
tion ; Disbursements, $182,86V.42.
Hon. Nathan B. Morse, John P. Rolf, and Richard Ingra-
ham, of Brooklyn, Counsellors-at-law, were appointed Com-
missioners of Records with full power to examine into the
condition of the records, documents, maps and indices in the
office of the Clerk, Register and Surrogate of said county,
and to have the same copied and printed in such form as
they deemed proper.
1856— SUPEEVISOES : Brooklyn, Geo. Hall, Mayor and ex
officio Supervisor ; William Hinman, 1st Ward ; R. C. Brain-
ard. Chairman, 2d Ward; John J. Stud well, 3d Ward; Benja-
min F. Thomas, 4th Ward ; Foster Pettit, 5th Ward ; Thos.
Mulligan, 6th Ward ; Samuel Graham, 7th Ward ; Peter H.
Wyckoff, 8th Ward ; John S. Bogert, 9th Ward ; Samuel
Smith, 10th Ward ; James Miller, 11th Ward ; John Heissen-
buttel, 12th Ward ; Wm. Wall, 13th Ward ; F. C. Batterman,
14th Ward ; Wm. Marshall, 15th Ward ; David Lindsay, 16th
ward ; Geo. W. Kelsey, 17th Ward ; Henry D. Woodworth,
18th Ward; Tunis G. Bergen, New Utrecht; James V. Schoon-
maker, Flatbush ; Isaac Schenck, New Lots ; Wm. Bennett,
Gravesend ; John L. Ryder, Flatlands ; Albert H. Osborn,
Clerk ; James M. Seabury, Treasurer. '
Receipts of the Treasury, $412,495.30 ; disbursements,
$437,789.48. Showing a deficiency of $25,294.18.
1857. SUPBETISOKS : Samuel S. Powell, Mayor, Brooklyn;
William Hinman, 1st Ward ; Hugh McLaughlin, 2d Ward ;
John J. Studwell, 3d Ward ; Thomas A. Jerome, 4th Ward ;
John J. White, 5th Ward ; James Bell, 6th Ward ; Geo. W.
Bleecker, 7th Ward ; Gordon C. Adams, 8th Ward ; Thomas
Hamilton, 9th Ward ; Samuel Smith, 10th Ward ; Felix
Campbell, 11th Ward ; John Delaney, 12th Ward ; William
Wall, 13th Ward ; John McCloskey, 14th Ward ; Thomas
Cummings, 15th Ward ; David Lindsay, Chairman, 16th
Ward ; John A. Boutelle, 17th Ward ; Henry D. Woodworth,
18th Ward ; John A. Cross, 19th Ward ; Tunis G. Bergen,
New Utrecht ; James V. Schoonmaker, Flatbush ; Isaac C.
Schenck, New Lots ; William Bennett, Gravesend ; John
N. Ryder, Flatlands ; Albert H. Osborn, Clerk ; James M.
Seabury, County Treasurer. The expenses of the county (es-
timated) for the fiscal year commencing August 1st, 1857,
were $451,650. The following entry in the records of the
proceedings of the Supervisors, under date of September 1st,
1857, shows the debtor side of the account of the county
with the Treasurer : Dr., the County of Kings in account
with James M. Seabury, County Treasurer, balance account
from August 1st, 1856, to July 3d, 1857, $993,112.90. We
have omitted the items of the account. The credit side of
the account does not appear in the records of the Super-
visors.
1858. Supervisors : Brooklyn, Samuel S. Powell
(Mayor) ex officio; William Cagger, 1st Ward; Francis
Markey, 2d Ward ; John J. Studwell, 8d Ward ; S. Warren
Sneden, 4th Ward ; Elisha Theall, 5th Ward ; Wm, Salem
6th Ward ; Stephen 0. Jackson, 7th Ward ; John G. Bergen
8th Ward ; John S. Bogert, Chairman after August 3d
9th Ward ; Samuel Smith, 10th Ward ; Felix Campbell
Chairman May 11th to August 3d, 11th Ward ; John De-
laney,* 12th Ward ; Wm. Wall, 13th Ward ; John Flaherty,
14th Ward ; Thos. Cummings, 15th Ward ; Edwin S. Ralphs
16th Ward ; Thos. C. Dicks, 17th Ward ; H, D, Woodworth^
18th Ward ; John A, Cross, 19th Ward; Tunis G, Bergen, New
Utrecht ; Philip S. Crooke, Flatbush; Gilliam Schenck, New
Lots; Samuel G. Stryker, Gravesend^ Jno. L. Ryder, Flatlands.
At a special meeting called pursuant to order, held May
11th, 1858, Felix Campbell was chosen Chairman of the
Board, to serve until the next annual meeting, to be held
August 3d, 1858 ; Albert H. Osborn, Clerk; James M. Sea-
bury, Treasurer. Treasury disbursements, $977,507.77, The
receipts exceeded this amount by $46,203.18,
The Board this year appointed a committee to investigate
into the large sums of money disbursed for stationery of all
kinds, which they found to exceed the sum of $1,200.
1859. SuPBRVTSOES: Brooklyn, Samuel S. Powell (Mayor),
exofficio; Luther Eames, 1st Ward; Francis Markey, 3dWard;
John J. Studwell, 3d Ward ; Samuel Booth, 4th Ward ; Ed-
ward B. Cadley, 5th Ward ; James R. Del Vecchio, 6th Ward ;
Stephen Orowell, 7th Ward ; Levi C. Hildreth, 8th Ward ;
John Fitzsimmons, 9th Ward ; Samuel Smith, 10th Ward,
Chairman ; James Kenmore, 11th Ward ; John Riley, 13th
Ward; William Wall, 13th Ward; John Flaherty, 14th
Wai-d ; Thomas Cummings, 15th Ward ; James Campbell,
16th Ward ; John T. Williams, 17th Ward ; John Ganison,
18th Ward ; William H. Jenkins, 19th Ward ; William J.
Cropsey, New Utrecht ; Philip S. Crooke, Flatbush ; Samuel
G. Stryker, Gravesend ; Gilliam Schenck, New Lots ; John
L. Ryder, Flatlands; Albert H. Osborn, Clerk; James M.
Seabui'y, Treasurer. Treasury receipts, $1,154,582 45 ; and
disbursements, $1,154,582,45.
i860. SuifERVisoES : Brooklyn, Hon. S. S. Powell (Mayor)
ex officio; Luther Eames, 1st Ward; William Mullen, 2dWard;
John J. Studwell, 3d Ward; Samuel Booth, 4th Ward; Patrick
Carberry, 5th Ward; Wm. Coit, 6th Ward ; Stephen Crowell,
7th Ward, Chairman ; Garret G. Bergen, 8th Ward ; Owen
Foley, 9th Ward ; Samuel Smith, 10th Ward ; Francis C.
Kirby, 11th Ward ; Edward MoGlynn, 13th Ward; Benj. W,
WiUson, 13th Ward ; John Flaherty, 14th Ward ; Charles C,
Talbot, 15th Ward ; Robert Milnes, 16th Ward ; Jonathan
Moore, 17th Ward; John Garrison, 18th Ward; James D,
Sparkman, 19th Ward ; William J, Cropsey, New Utrecht ;
Philip S. Crooke, Flatbush ; WiUiam G. Stryker, Graves-
end; Gilliam Schenck, New Lots ; John L. Ryder, Flatlands.
Albert H. Osborne, Clerk; James M. Seabury, Treasurer.
The County Treasurer reported a deficiency in the collec-
tion of taxes in the several wards and towns in the County,
amounting to the sum of $453,406.38. This was in the taxes
of 1859 to May 1860.
At a meeting of the Board, held October 3d, 1860, the
Clerk presented a comparative statement of the valuation of
the taxable property in the County for the years 1859 and
1860, showing a net increase of $2,601,105.
1861.— Supervisors, Brooklyn : Hon. Martin Kalbfleisch
* At the annnal election for town and ward officers this year, there
was no successor elected for Mr. John Delaney, Supervisor of the ui
Ward of Brooklyn.
so AMD OP STTPERVISORS.
41P
(Mayor) ex officio ; Lawrence Hanley, 1st "Ward ; James A.
DufEy, Sd Ward; J6hn J. Studwell, 8d Ward; Samuel
Booth, 4th Ward ; Patrick Carberry, 5th Ward ; William A.
Furey, 6th Ward ; James H. Pratt, 7th Ward ; Tunis V. P.
Talmage, 8th Ward ; Thomas T. Green, 9th Ward ; Wil-
liam H. Hazzard, 10th Ward; Francis C. Kirby, 11th
Ward ; George A. Newsam, 12th Ward ; Joseph Adams, 13th
Ward ; Martin Murray, 14th Ward ; Charles 0. Talbot, 15th
Ward ; Francis Campbell, 16th Ward ; Jonathan Moore, 17th
Ward ; William Tuttle, 18th Ward ; James Gridley, 19th ;
William J. Cropsey, New Utrecht ; Philip S. Crooke, Flat-
bush, CTiairwian; Gilliam Schenck, New Lots; Jaques J.
Stillvrell, Gravesend ; John L. Ryder, Flatlands ; Edward B.
Cadley, Clerk ; James Seabury, Treasurer.
We have now reached that period in the history of the
Supervisors of Kings County, when the war for the Union
shook the Republic with terrible commotion. The present
Board of Supervisors, and all subsequent Boards during the
war, exhibited a patriotic devotion to the Union which gave
their county distinguished preeminence over other counties
in the State.
After the organization of the Boards, a resolution was
adopted, ordering the sum of $50,000 to be raised and appro-
priated for the relief of families of those from the County of
Kings, who should serve their country in the army of the
United States. After this, other appropriations were made
for the same purpose, and by a report presented at a meet-
ing of the Board held September 3d, 1861, it was seen that to
this date there had been paid out for the relief of said f ami-
Ues the sum of $68,163.50.
1862. — The Board of Supervisors for this year consisted of
the same members as last year. Owing to the peculiar un-
finished business before the Board for the year 1861, the dif-
ferent wards and towns in the county re-elected the mem-
bers of that Board, at the annual election for town and
ward officers.
At the annual Board, held May 5th, 1863, Philip S. Crooke
waa re-elected CtoirmaTi ; Edward B. Cadley, Clerk; James
M. Seabury, County Treasurer. It appears by a report pre-
sented at a meeting of the Board, June 3d, 1862, that during
the past year there had been 1,314 licenses to sell spirituous
Uquors granted in the County, at |30 per license, from which
the sum of $36,420 was paid into the treasury. A very large
part of the business before the Board this year was connected
with the civil war, the raising of troops, providing for the
payment of bounties, and support of the families of soldiers
who had volunteered. From a tabulated report presented to
the Board, it appeared that the total amount paid into the
Rehef Fund for the families of soldiers for the period be-
gmnmg March 36, and ending April 30, 1862, was $25,566.20.
1863. By a resolution of the Board at the meeting Janu-
ary 6, 1863, the time of annual meeting was changed from
the 1st Monday of May to the 1st Tuesday of January.
At a meeting held January 13th, pursuant to adjournment,
Me following members appeared and took their seats : Hon.
Martm Kalbfleisch, Mayor (ex-offlcio), Hobart Ford, John
Shearon, John J. StudweU, Samuel Booth, Patrick Burns,
Wm. J. Osborne, George Hex-man, Wm. H. Hazzard, Francis
U Kirby, John DriscoU, Chas. W. Cheshire, John Dolan,
^has. P. Talbot, John Hanson, Wm. Piepenbring, Chas. A.
Unavello, James Gridley, Wm. J. Cropsey, Gilliam Schenck,
Jaques J. Stillwell, John L. Ryder, E. Wilson Bloom, Francis
McGr^h. William J. Osborne was elected Chairman ; Ed-
mi '''^^^' ^'«''*' James M. Seabury, Treasurer.
Hoh !f p'^^^^ISOES : Hon. A. M. Wood, Mayor (ex-officio),
R°Z p ' ''^^ Shearon, John J. Studwell, Samuel
Patrick Burns, William J. Osborne, E. Wilson
Booth,
Bloom, Francis McGrath, George G. Herman, Thos. Swany,
Francis C. Kirby, Thomas Foran, Charles W. Cheshire,
Charles C. Talbot, Samuel J. Stewart, James Gridley, Wil-
liam Mayo Little, Philip S. Crooke, Chairman; Gilliam
Schenck, Jaques J. Stillwell, John L. Ryder, Martin Phelan,
and Wm. Piepenbring ; Edward B. Cadley, ClerJc ; Thos. A.
Gardiner, County Treasurer.
1865. SUPBRVISOKS : Hon. Alfred M. Wood, Mayor {ex-
offiaio); 1st Ward, Alex. Macgrotty; 2d Ward, John Shearon;
3d Ward ; John J. Studwell ; 4th Ward, Samuel Booth ; 5th
Ward, William A. Furey ; 6th Ward, Wm. J. Osborne ; 7th
Ward, E. Wilson Bloom ; 8th Ward, Francis McGrath ; 9th
Ward, George G. Herman ; 10th Ward, Thomas Swany ;
nth Ward, A. J. Hicks ; 13th Ward, Thomas Foran ; 13th
Ward, Charles W. Cheshire ; 14th Ward, Martin Phelan ;
15th Ward, Charles C. Talbot ; 16th Ward, John Hanson ;
17th Ward, Stephen Clark ; 18th Ward, Samuel J. Stewart ;
19th Ward, Frederick Scholes ; 30th Ward, Wm. Mayo
Little; Peter Wyckoflf, New Utrecht; PhiUp S. Crooke,
Platbush, Chairman; Gilliam Schenck, New Lots; Jaques J.
Stillwell, Gravesend ; John L. Ryder, Flatlands ; Edward B.
Cadley, Clerk; Thomas A. Gardiner, Treasurer.
1866.' Supervisors: Hon. Samuel Booth, Mayor (ex-o^io);
1st Ward, Alexander Macgrotty ; 3d Ward, James Hanley ;
3d Ward, John J. Studwell; 4th Ward, Edward D. White; 5th
Ward, William A. Furey; 6th Ward, William J. Osborne; 7th
Ward, E. Wilson Bloom ; 8th Ward, Francis McGrath ; 9th
Ward, Geo. G. Herman; 10th Ward, Dominicus S. Voorhees;
11th Ward, A. J. Hicks ; 13th Ward, Thos. Foran ; 13th
Ward, CharlPs W. Cheshire ; 13th Ward, Stephen L Sim-^
mons; 15th Ward, Charles C. Talbot; Chairman; 16th Ward,
Henry Wills; 17th Ward, Stephen Clark; 18th Ward, Abram
Vandervoort ; 19th Ward, Frederick Scholes ; 30th Ward,
William Mayo Little ; Peter Wyckoff , New Utrecht ; Philip
S. Crooke, Flatbush; Gilliam Schenck, New Lots ; Jaques J.
Stillwell, Gravesend ; John L. Ryder, Flatlands ; Edward B.
Cadley, Clerk ; Thomas A. Gardiner, Treasurer.
1867. Supervisors : Hon. Samuel Booth, M.a.joT (ex officio);
Cortland A. Sprague, 1st Ward; James Hanley, 3d Ward;
Dwight Johnson, 3d Ward; Edward D. White, 4th Ward;
Peter Donnelly, 5th Ward; Wm. J. Osborne, 6th Ward; E.
Wilson Bloom, 7th Ward; Francis McGrath, 8th Ward;
James Cassidy, 9th Ward; Dominicus S. Voorhees, 10th
Ward; James Howell, Jr., 11th Ward; Thomas Foran, 12th
Ward; Howell Smith, 13th Ward; Stephen I. Simmons, 14th
Ward; Geo. A. Dugan, 15th Ward; Henry Wills, 16th Ward;
Stephen Clark, 17th Ward ; .Abraham Vandervoort, 18th
Ward ; Frederick Scholes, 19th Ward ; Wm. Mayo Little,
20th Ward, Chairman; Wm. J. Cropsey, New Utrecht;
Philip S. Crooke, Flatbush; Gilliam Schenck, New Lots;
Jaques J. Stillwell, Gravesend ; John L. Ryder, Flatlands.
Edward B. Cadley, Clerk.
1868. Supervisors: Hon. Martin Kalbileisch, Mayor {ex
officio): Cortland A. Sprague, 1st Ward; Robert Nelson, 3d
Ward; Dwight Johnson, 3d Ward; Evan M. Johnson, 4th
Ward; Peter Donnelly, 5th Ward ; Wm. J. Osborne, 6th
Ward, Chairman ; E. Wilson Bloom, 7th Ward; James
Woodhead, 8th Ward; James Cassidy, 9th Ward; James B.
Hall, 10th Ward; James Howell, Jr., 11th Ward; Thomas
Foran, 12th Ward; Howell Smith, 13th Ward; John L.
Murphy, 14th Ward; George A. Dugan, 15th Ward; Henry
Wills, 16th Ward; Stephen Clark, 17th Ward; Lawrence A.
Whitehill, 18th Ward ; Fred'k Scholes, 19th Ward ; William
Mayo Little, 20th Ward; Wm. J. Cropsey, New Utrecht;
Philip S. Crooke, Flatbush ; Gilliam Schenck, New Lots ;
Jaques J. Stillwell, Gravesend; John L. Ryder, Flatlands ;
Thomas A. Gardiner, Treasurer ; Edward B. Cadley, Clerk.
412"-
msTORY OP KINGS GOUNTt.
1869. StJPEETisoES; Hon Martin Kalbfleisoh, Mayor, (ejB
officio); Charles D. Hutchins, 1st Ward; Eobert Nelson, 2d
Ward; Dwight Johnson, 3d Ward; Edmund A. Kollmyer, 4th
Ward; Thos. Shevlen, 5th Ward; Wm. J. Osborne, 6th Ward,
Chairman; Thaddeus Buck, 7th Ward; James Woodhead,
8th Ward; James Cassldy, 9th Ward; James B. Hall, 10th
Ward; James Howell, Jr., 11th Ward; Thomas Foran, 12th
Ward; Howell Smith, 13th Ward; John L. Murphy, 14th
Ward; Joseph Wilkeyson, 15th Ward; Henry Wills, 16th
Ward ; Joseph Droll, 17th Ward ; Lawrence A. Whitehall,
18th Ward; Marvin Cross, 19th Ward; Wm. Mayo Little,
20th Ward ; Charles B. Tobey, 31st Ward ; James W.
Walsh, 23d Ward ; Wm. J. Cropsey, New Utrecht ; Philip
S. Crooke, Flatbush ; Gilliam Schenck, New Lots ; Jaques J.
Stillwell, Gravesend ; John L. Ryder, FlStlands ; Edward
B. Cadley, Clerk ; Thomas A. Gardiner, County Treasurer.
The Treasury receipts for the year were $2,833,983.87.
There was a deficiency of $104,721.01.
1870. Supervisors : Hon. Martin Kalbfleisch, Mayor (ex
officio) ; Charles D. Hutchins, 1st Ward ; Robert Nelson, 2d
Ward; Dwight Johnson, 8d Ward; Edmund A. Kollmyer, 4th
Ward; Thomas Shevlen, 5th Ward; William J. Osborne, 6th
Ward, Chairman; Thaddeus Buck, 7th Ward; Charles H.
Foley, 8th Ward; James Cassidy, 9th Ward; James Duffy,
10th Ward; James Howell, Jr., 11th Ward; Thomas Sheri-
dan,,13th Ward; Howell Smith, 13th Ward ; John L. Mur-
phy, 14th Ward ; Joseph Wilkeyson, 15th Ward; Henry
Wills, 16th Ward; Joseph Droll, 17th Ward; James Fletcher,
18th Ward; Marvin Cross, 19th Ward; John W. Harman, 20th
Ward; Charles B. Tobey, 31st Ward; John Hall, 22d Ward;
William J. Cropsey, New Utrecht; Philip S. Crooke, Flat-
bush; Gilliam Schenck, New Lots ; Jaques J. Stillwell,
Gravesend; John L. Ryder, Flatlands; Edward B. Cadley,
Clerk ; Thomas A. Gardiner, Treasurer.
1871. Supervisors : Hon. Martin Kalbfleisch, Mayor (ex
officio); Charles D. Hutchins, 1st Ward; Eobert Nelson, 3d
Ward; Dwight Johnson, 3d Ward; Edmund A. Kollmyer, 4th
Ward; Thomas Shevlen, 5th Ward; William J. Osborne,
Chairman, 6th Ward; Peter Milne, Jr., 7th Ward; Charles
H. Foley, 8th Ward; Richard J. Newman, 9th Ward; James
Duffy, 10th Ward; James Howell, Jr., 11th Ward; Thomas
Sheridan, 12th Ward; John W. Cos, 13th Ward; John L.
Murphy, 14th Ward; Joseph Wilkeyson, 15th Ward; Henry
Wills, 16th Ward; Thomas Devyr, 17th Ward; James Flet-
cher, 18th Ward; Eobert Fairchild, 19th Ward; John W.
Harman, 20th Ward; Wm. S. Searing, 2l8t Ward; John
Hall, 22d Ward; Francis Hopkins, New Utrecht; J. V. B.
Martense, Flatbush; Gilliam Schenck, New Lots; Jaques J.
Stillwell, Gravesend; John L. Ryder, Flatlands; Edward B.
Cadley, Clerk ; Thomas A. Gardiner, Treasurer.
The report of the taxable property of the county this year
showed the following figures : Real, .15196,758,764; personal,
119,736,751; total, $316,485,515. Compared with 1870, this
was an increase on real estate to the amount of $3,656,372,
and on personal to the amount of $620,886.
An act of the Legislature, passed April 26th, 1871, pro-
vided for the election of an Auditor of the County of Kings,
to hold office for the term of three years from the first day of
January next after his election, and prescribed that all ac-
counts and claims against the county were to be (and they
still are) audited by that officer. The act provided for his
election at the general State election. The first election for
Auditor was held in November, 1871, and under the Act, the
Register, Clerk and Treasurer of the county appointed Mau-
rice Fitzgerald, on the 36th day of April, to perform the du-
ties of the Auditor until the election should take place. His
term of office expired on the first day of January, 1873. The
Auditor receives an annual salary of |8,000, which is a coun-
ty charge.
1872. Supervisors: Hon. Samuel S. Powell, Mayor te-
offiaio); Charles D. Hutchins, 1st Ward; Owen Murphy 2d
Ward; Dwight Johnson, 3d Ward; Frederick J. Hosford, 4th
Ward; Thomas J. Shevlen, 5th Ward; James W. Naughton
6th Ward; Peter Milne, Jr., 7th Ward; Charles H. Foley, 8th
Ward; Richard J. Newman, 9th Ward; Samuel Frost, 10th
Ward; James Howell, Jr., 11th Ward; Thomas Sheridan
13th Ward; John W. Coe, 13th Ward; John Carroll, Uth
Ward; Joseph Wilkeyson, 15th Ward; Mathias J. Petry, 16th
Ward; Thomas Devyr, 17th Ward; James Fletcher, 18th
Ward; Robert Fairchild, 19th Ward; John W. Harman, 20th
Ward; Wilham S. Searing, 31st Ward; Geo. W. Eichai'de,
22d Ward; Francis Hopkins, New Utrecht; J. V. B. Martense
Flatbush; Gilliam Schenck, New Lots; Jaques J. Stillwell
Gravesend; John L. Ryder, Flatlands ; Hon. Wm. J. Os-
borne, Supervisor at large, ex officio President.
A law having passed, providing for the election by the
Board of a President pro tem, James Howell, Jr., was elected .
such President for the ensuing year, Edward B. Cadley,
Clerk; Thomas A. Gardiner, Treasurer.
1873. Supervisors: Hon. William J. Osborne, Supervisor
at large and (ex officio) President of the Board; Hon. Samuel
S. Howell, Mayor (ex officio); John Prentice, Ist Ward; Owen
Murphy, 2d Ward; Dwight Johnson, 3d Ward; Fred'k J.
Hosford, 4th Ward; Thomas Shevlen, 5th Ward; James W.
Naughton, 6th Ward: Wm. L. B. Steers, 7th Ward; Charles
H. Foley, 8th Ward; Daniel O'Connell, 9th Ward; Samuel
Frost, 10th Ward; Edward B. Fowler, 11th Ward; Thomas
Sheridan, 12th Ward; John W. Coe, 13th Ward; John Carroll
14th Ward; John H. Snyder, 15th Ward; Mathias J. Petry,
16th Ward; Herman Cottrell, 17th Ward; James Fletcher,
18th Ward; George H. Fisher, 19th Ward; John W. Harman,
20th Ward; David H. Fowler, 21st Ward; George W. Rich-
ards, 23d Ward; Adolph Gubner, New Utrecht; Jacob V. B.
Martense, Flatbush; Gilliam Schenck, New Lots; Jaques J.
Stillwell, Gravesend; John L. Ryder, Flatlands; John W.
Coe was elected President pro tem; Edward B. Cadley, Clerh;
Thomas A. Gardiner, Treasurer.
1874. Supervisors: George L. Fox, Supervisor at large
and (ex officio) President ; Hon. John W. Hunter, Mayor (ex
officio); 1st, Ripley Ropes; 2d, William Dwyer; 3d, Joseph
Piatt; 4th, Alfred Dorlon; 5th, John M. Clancy, Edward A.
Gardner; 6th, Thomas H. Rodman, John Dobbin; 7th,
Edward Fry, A. Stewart Rowley; 8th, John Mclntyre; 9th,
Daniel O'Connell; 10th, Jacob J. Bergen, Charles T. Trow-
bridge; 11th, James Howell, Jr., William M. Shipman; 12th,
Daniel O'Reilly, James Donovan; 13th, Demas Strong, Wm,
A. Ray; 14th, Francis Nolan, Thos. J. Kenna; 15th, John H.
Snyder, JohnT. Parker; 16th, Mathias J. Petry, Henry Kief er;
17th, John A. Connolly; 18th, Henry Eckert; 19th, JohnH,
Zindel; 20th, Abijah Whitney, Chas. H. K. Smith; 21st,
George Brown; 22d, Wm. Richardson; 33d, Francis B. Fisher;
34th, Wm. C. McKinny; 25th. Robert Hill; Adolph Gubner,
New Utrecht; Jacob V. B. Martense, Flatbush; Gilliam
Schenck, New Lots ; Jaques J. Stillwell, Gravesend,; John
L. Ryder, Flatlands. James Howell, Jr., was elected Presi-
dent pro tem; Edward B. Cadley, Clerk; Thomas A. Gar-
diner, County Treasurer.
1875. Supervisors: George L. Fox, Supervisor at large,
and (ex officio) President; John W. Hunter, Mayor of Brooklyn
(ex officio); 1st, Ripley Ropes; 3d, Wm. Dwyer; 3d, Joseph
Piatt; 4th, Robert Black; 5th, John M, Clancy, Edward A.
Gardner; 6th, James Kane, John Dobbin; 7th, Edward Fry,
A. Stewai-t Rowley; 8th, John Mclntyre; 9th, Daniel O'Con-
nell: 10th, Jacob I. Bergen, Chas. T. Trowbridge; Hth,
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
413"
James Howell, Jr., Wm. M. Shipman; 13th, Daniel O'Reilly,
James Donovan; 18th, Demas Strong, Wm. H. Ray; 14th,
Patrick Clark, Thos J. Kenna; 15th, John H. Snyder, John
T. Parker; 16th, Mathias J. Petry, David Acker; 17th, John
A. Connolly; 18th, Horatio N. Balderson; 19th, John N.
Zindel; 20th, John French, Chas. H. K. Smith; 21st, George
Brown; 22d, Charles B. Vaughan; 23d, B'rancis B. Fisher; 24th,
Wm. C. McKinny; 25th, Robert Hill; Adolph Gubner. New
Utrecht; Peter L. 'Williamson, Flatbush; A. H. W. Van
Siolen, New Lots; Jaques J. Stillvyell, Gravesend; John L.
Eyder, Flatlands; Hon. James Howell, Jr., Esq., President
pro tern ; Edward B. Cadley, Clerk ; Thomas A. Gardiner,
Cmmty Treasurer.
The County Treasurer's receipts were, $4,613,347,04, and
his disbursements, $4,448,344,60. Balance, August 1st, 1875,
1165,002.46.
1876. Supervisors: Hon. James Howell, Jr., Superyisor-
at-Large and President {ex officio) ; Hon. F. A. Schroeder,
Mayor {ex officio); Rodney C. "Ward, 1st Ward; Patrick Bres-
lin, 2d "Ward ; D. S. Quimby, Jr., 3d ; George 0. Sexton, 4th ;
Andrew P. Coates, 5th; John B. Byrne, 6th; Edward Fry, 7th;
Daniel Ryan, 8th; Henry Hawkes, 9th; John T. Moran, 10th;
Christian Hohn, 11th ; John Curran, 12th ; D6mas Strong,
13th ; James Tierney, 14th ; John H. Snyder, 15th ; Victor
Eger, 16th ; Stephen Clark, 17th ; George G. Brown, 18th ;
A. J. McDonald, 19th ; G. W. Harman, 30th ; John M.
Phelps, 21st ; Samuel C. Yeaton, 32d ; Ernst Nathan, 33d ;
Henry Steers, 24th ; Peter Van Cott, 25th ; Adolph Gubner,
New Utrecht ; Peter L. Williamson, Flatbush ; A. H. W.
VanSiclen, New Lots ; Jaques J. Stillwell, Gravesend ; John
L. Ryder, Flatlands ; John L. Ryder, President pro tern.;
Edward B. Cadley, Clerk; Thomas A. Gardiner, County
Treasurer. The report of the County Treasurer gives a state-
ment of a balance in the treasury Aug. 1, 1876, of $71,810.80.
1877. Supervisors: Hon. James Howell, Jr., Supervisor-
at-Largeand President {ex officio); Hon. F. A. Schroeder,
Mayor {ex officio) ; Rodney C. Ward, 1st Ward ; John Gal-
lagher, 2d; D. S. Quimby, Jr., 3d ; George C. Sexton, 4th ;
Andrew P. Coates, 5th ; John B. Byrne, 6th ; Edward Fry,
7th ; Daniel Ryan, 8th ; Henry Hawkes, 9th ; John T. Moran,
10th ; Christian Hohn, 11th ; John Curran, 13th ; Demas
Strong, 13th ; James Tierney, l4th ; John H. Snyder, 15th ;
Wctor Eger, 16th ; Stephen Clark, 17th ; George G. Brown,
18th ; A. G. McDonald, 19th ; Alex. Walker, 30th ; John M.
Phelps, 21st ; Edward Egolf , 33d ; Ernst Nathan, 33d ; Wil-
liam H. Fleeman, 34th ; Peter Van Cott, 25th ; Adolph Gub-
ner, New Utrecht; Peter L. WiUiamson, Flatbush; A. H. W.
Van Siclen, New Lots ; Jaques J. Stillwell, Gravesend ; John
L. Ryder, Flatlands ; John L. Ujdei, President pro tern.;
Edward B. Cadley, Clerk; Thomas A. Gardiner, County
Treasurer.
1878. Supervisors : Hon. Samuel Guthrie, Supervisor-at-
Large and President {ex officio) ; John T. Moran, 10th Ward,
President pro tern; Hon. James Howell, Jr., Mayor {ex officio) ;
Allen L Ormsbee, 1st Ward ; John Gallagher, 2d ; Joseph
Quick, 3d ; George C. Sexton, 4th ; John Cullen, 5th ; John
B. Byrne, 6th ; William J. Rider, 7th ; Daniel Ryan, 8th ;
John J. Ladley, 9th ; John T. Moran, 10th : James Hyde,
nth; John Curran, 13th; Alden S. Crowell, 13th; James
Tierney, 14th ; John H. Snyder, 15th ; Victor Eger, 16th ;
Hugh Zoble, 17th ; George G. Brown, 18th ; Albert G.
McDonald, 19th ; Alexander Walker, 30th ; George W. An-
derson, 21st; Edward Egolf, 33d; Ernst Nathan, 33d; William
H. Fleeman, 34th ; Peter Van Cott, 35th ; Adolph Gubner,
New Utrecht ; Peter L. Williamson, Flatbush ; A. H. W.
Van Siclen, New Lots; Jaques J. StiUwell, Gravesend ; John
L. Ryder, Flatlands ; Edward B. Cadley, Clerk.
At a meeting of the Board, July 1st, 1878, Thomas A. Gar-
diner, County Treasurer, tendered his resignation, which
was accepted.
Subsequently, at a meeting held July 35th, 1878, Mr. Sam-
uel S. Powell was duly appointed County Treasurer.
At a meeting of the Board, held December 13, 1878, the
Treasurer reported the balances in the Treasury December
Ist to be as follows : Tax levy, 1878, estimated expenses for
flscal year ending July 31, 1879, $1,406,886.66 ; cash received
and balances from old accounts, $167,097.00 ; payments from
August 1st to November 30th, 1878, $490,860.39 ; balance of
appropriation unexpended December 1st, 1878, $1,083,133.37.
1879. Supervisors : Hon. Samuel Guthrie, Supervisor-at-
Large and President {ex officio); John T. Moran, Esq., 10th
Ward, President pro tem. ; Hon. James Howell, Mayor {ex
officio); Allen I. Ormsbee, 1st Ward ; John Gallagher, 2d ;
Joseph Quick, 3d ; George Russell, 4th ; John Cullen, 5th ;
John B. Byrne. 6th ; William J. Rider, 7th ; Daniel Lake,
8th : John J. Ladley, 9th ; John T. Moran, 10th ; James
Hyde, 11th ; Peter Bennett, 13th ; Alden S. Crowell, 13th ;
Hugh McKeever, 14th ; John H. Snyder, 15th ; Henry Han-
selman, 16th ; Hugh Zoble, 17th ; Geo. J. Armstrong, 18th ;
Albert G. McDonald, 19th ; Alexander Walker, 30th ; George
W. Anderson, 31st ; Edward Egolf, 23d ; Ernst Nathan, 33d;
Samuel Van Wyck, 34th ; Peter Van Cott, 25th ; Charles C.
Bennett, New Utrecht ; Peter L. Williamson, Flatbush ; A.
H. W. Van Siclen, New Lots ; John Y. McKaue, Gravesend;
John L Ryder, Flatlands. Gilliam Schenck was elected
County Treasurer, in place of S. S. Powell, deceased, and
Edward B. Cadley, Clerk.
Annual report of the Treasurer of Kings County for the
fiscal year ending with July 31st, 1879 :
Balance in Treasury, August 1st, 1878 $80,681 50
Receipts during fiscal year 3,153,318 94
$3,233,900 44
Payments during the same period $3,139,428 62
Balance in treasury, August 1st, 1879 93,471 82
$3,233,900 44
1880. Supervisors : Hon. John B. Meyenborg, Supervisor-
at-large and {ex officio) President ; Hon. James Howell,
Mayor {ex officio) ; 1st Ward, Allen I. Ormsbee : 3d, John
Gallagher ; 3d, Richard Lauer ; 4th, George Russell ; 5th,
John Cullen ; 6th, John B. Byrne ; 7th, James H. Pratt ;
8th, Daniel Lake ; 9th, Edward C. Murphy ; 10th, John T.
Moran ; 11th, John H. Doscher ; 13th, Peter Bennett ; 13th,
Geo. W. Light ; 14th, Hugh McKeever ; 15th, Peter F. Cul-
linan ; 16th, Henry Hanselman ; 17th, Stephen Clark ; 18th,
Geo. J. Armstrong ; 19th, Alfred Hodges ; 20th, Alexander
Walker ; 21st, Geo. W. Anderson ; 33d, Edward Egolf ; 23d,
John H. Atwater ; 34th, Samuel Van Wyck ; 35th, James
Fitzgerald ; Charles Bennett, New Utrecht ; Peter L. Will-
iamson, Flatbush ; A. H. W. Van Siclen, New Lots ; John
Y. McKane, Gravesend ; John L. Ryder, Flatlands ; George
Anderson, President pro tem.; Edward B. Cadley, Clerk;
Gilliam Schenck, Treasurer.
Annual report of the Treasurer, for the fiscal year ending
with July 31st, 1880 :
Balance in Treasury, August 1st, 1779 $93,471 82
Receipts for the fiscal year ending July 31, 1880. 3,751,990 69
Payments during the same period
Balance in the Treasury, August 1, 1880.
3,845,462 5]
$3,715,607 98
129,854 53
$3,845,463 51
414='
HISTORY OF KINGS OOtlN'Tlt.
1881. SuPBETisoRS : Hon. John B. Meyenborg, Super-
visor-at-large and (ex officio) President ; Hon. James Howell,
Mayor {ex officio) ; 1st Ward, Allen I. Ormsbee ; 3d, John
Gallagher; 3d, Richard Lauer; 4th, Joel Smith: 5th, John Cul-
len ; 6th, Edward Toohill ; 7th, James H. Pratt ; 8th, Daniel
Lake ; 9th, Edward C. Murphy ; 10th, John Lyman ; 11th,
John H. Dosoher; 13th, Peter Bennett; 13th, Geo. W.
Light ; 14th, John Carroll ; 15th, Peter F. Cullinan ; 16th,
Louis Bossert ; 17th, Stephen Clark ; 18th, Geo. J. Arm-
atroEg ; 19th, Alfred Hodges ; 30th, Lewis A. Myers ; 31st,
Geo. W. Anderson ; 33d, Theodore H. Babcock ; 33d, John
H. Atwater ; 34th, John E. Greany ; 35th, James Fitzger-
ald ; Cornelius Ferguson, New Utrecht ; Peter L. William-
son, Flatbush ; C. Washington Colyer, New Lots ; John Y.
McKane, Gravesend ; John L. Ryder, Flatlands ; George W.
Anderson, President pro tern ; Edward B. Cadley, Clerk ;
Gilliam Schenck, Treasurer.
1883. SUPERVISOBS : Hon. Wm. A. Fritz, Supervisor-at-
large and (ex officio) President ; Hon. Seth Low, Mayor (ex
officio) ; 1st Ward, Theodore B. Willis ; 3d, John Gallagher ;
3d, Thomas W. Wood ; 4th, Joel Smith ; 5th, John Cullen ;
6th, Edward Toohill ; 7th, John A. Egolf ; 8th, Daniel Lake ;
9th, Thomas F. McDonald; 10th, John Lyman; 11th, Thomas
Harold, Jr. ; 13th, Peter Bennett ; 13th, Robert Adamson ;
14th, John Carroll ; 15th, John H. Westervelt ; 16th, Louis
Bossert ; 17th, George Rowland ; 18th, Geo. J. Armstrong ;
19th, Alfred Hodges ; 30th, Lewis A. Myers ; 31st, Lester
W. Beasley ; 33d, Theodore H. Babcock ; 33d, John H. At-
water; 24th, John E. Greany; 25th, J. Worden Gedney ; Cor-
nelius Ferguson, New Utrecht ; Peter L. Williamson, Flat-
bush ; C. Washington Colyer, New Lots ; John Y. McKane
Gravesend; John L. Ryder, President pro tern, Flatlands'
Edward B. Cadley, Cleric ; Gilliam Schenck, Treasurer.
1883. Supervisors; Hon. Wm. A. Fritz, Supervisor- at-
large and (ex officio) President ; Hon. Seth Low, Mayor (eo;
officio); 1st Ward, Theodore B. Willis ; 2d, Neil F. Dough-
erty ; 3d, Thomas W. Wood ; 4th, Edward J. Thomas ; 5th,
John Cullen; 6th; Henry O. Collard ; 7th, John A. Egolf i
8th, Daniel Lake ; 9th, Thomas F. McDonald ; 10th, John
Lyman; 11th, Thomas Harold, Jr.; 12th, Peter Bennett; 18th,
Robert Adamson ; 14th, Hugh Rehill ; 15th, John H. West-
ervelt ; Ifith, Theodore Maurer ; 17th, George Rowland,
deceased, and Timothy Y. Lockwood ; 18th, Geo. J. Arm-
strong ; 19th, Jacob Bennett; 20th, Lewis A. Myers ; 2l3t,
Lester W. Beasley ; 33d, Frank C. Chamberlain ; 23d, John
Atwater; 24th, John E. Greany; S5th, J. Worden Gedney;
Cornelius Ferguson, New Utrecht ; Peter Pigott, Flatbush;
Dltmas Jewell, New Lots ; John Y. McKane, Gravesend ;
John L. Ryder, Flatlands. Hon. John Y. McKane, President
pro tern ; Edward B. Cadley. Clerk.
Assistant Clerks op the Board. 1867-1874, James L.
Connelly, Messenger ; 1874, James L. Connelly, Clerk's As-
sistant and Messenger ; 1875, James L. Connelly and Robert
Nelson, Clerks ; 1876-1883, James L. Connelly and Jaques S.
Stryker, Clerks.
Representatives in Congress of the U. S. — The
House of Representatives is composed of members
elected by districts from each State, for the term of
two years. The number varies with each federal census;
as soon as practicable after each census, the State is di-
vided by the Legislature into Congressional Districts for
the election of Representatives in Congress. The Con-
stitution of the United States directs an actual enumera-
tion of inhabitants to be made every ten years, which
has been fixed at those ending with a cipher (Art. 1,
Sec. 3). The Constitution of the State of New York
directs a similar census to be taken at the same inter-
vals, but midway between the former (Art. 3, Sec. 4).
The State of New York entered the Union by adopt-
ing the Constitution of the United States, July 26,
1788, and the first Congress under the Constitution
assembled at Federal Hall, in the City of New York,
March 4, 1789. There was no member of Congress
elected from Kings County until the 8th Congress,
which assembled in March, 1803. The Representative
to this Congress was from Brooklyn, then in the 2d
Congressional district.
District. Congress. Years.
Joshua Sands 2d 8th 1803-1805
John Lefferts 1st 13th 1813-1815
Henry Crocheron 1st 14th 1815-1817
Jeromus Johnson 3d 19th 1825-1827
Joshua Sands 2d 19th 1825-1827
Jeromus Johnson 3d 20th 1827-1829
John T.Bergen 2d 22d 1831-1833
Abraham Vanderveer 2d 25th 1837-1839
Henry C. Murphy 2d 28th 1843-1845
District.
Henry C. Murphy 2d
David A. Bokee 2d
Thomas W. Cummins .... 2d
James S. T. Stranahan .... 2d
George Taylor 2d
James Humphry. 2d
M. F. Odell 2d
Moses F. Odell 3d
Martin Kalbfleisch 2d
James Humphry 3d
Demas Barnes 2d
Wm. E. Robinson 3d
Henry W. Slocum 3d
John G. Schumaker 2d
Henry W. Slocum 3d
Thomas Kinsella 2d
Philip S. Crooke 4th
John G. Schumaker 2d
A. M. Bliss 4th
John G. Schumaker 2d
Simeon B. Chittenden .... 3d
Simeon B. Chittenden .... 3d
Archibald M. Bliss 4th
Wm. D. Veeder 2d
Daniel O'Reilly 2d
Simeon B. Chittenden .... 3d
Archibald M. Bliss 4th
William E. Robinson 2d
J. Hyatt Smith 3d
Archibald M. Bliss 4th
William E. Robinson 2d
Darwin R. James 3d
Felix Campbell 4th
30th
31st
33d
34th
35th
36th
37th
38th
38th
39th
40th
40th
41st
41st
42d
42d
43d
43d
43th
44th
44th
45th
45th
45th
46th
46th
46th
47th
47th
47th
48th
48th
48th
Years.
1847-1849
1849-1851
1853-1856
1855-1857
1857-1859
1859-1861
1861-1863
1863-1865
1863-1865
1865-1862
1867-1869
1867-1869
1869-1871
1869-1871
1871-1873
1871-1873
1873-1875
1873-1875
1876-1877
1875-1877
1876-1877
1877-1879
1877-1879
1877-1879
1879-1881
1879-1881
1879-1881
1881-1883
1881-1883
1881-1883
1883-1885
1883-1885
1883-1885
■y
^ ._,
BIOGRAPSY 01 HOK FELIX CAMPBELL.
415"
Hon. Felix Campbell was bom in Brooklyn, February
28th 1839. He is of Scotch-Irish extraction, his father hav-
ing been John Campbell and his mother Jane Corr. He atten-
ded the common schools of the day until he was twelve years
of age, when he entered the Broqklyn Eagle ofSoe to learn the
printer's trade. There he remained two years, when, under
the inducement of an increase of wages from $1.50 to $2.50
per week, he entered the service of the old time printer, Mr.
C. Aivord, at the corner of John and Dutch Streets, New
York. Three years later, he connected himself with the House
of Walworth, Nason & Guild at No. 79 John Street, New
York, to learn the mysteries of engineering and steam-heat-
ing. After his term of apprenticeship, he worked at the
bench and lathe for nearly two years, and was then made
foreman in recognition of his skUl as a workman and his
devotion to the interests of his employers.
Ten years Mr. Campbell was thus employed; then he
engaged in business for himself, in the store in which he had
learned his trade, and is still carrying on the business at the
same place. The development of this branch of trade and
industry is remarkable. At the date of the beginning of Mr.
Campbell's apprenticeship, the establishment with which he
connected himself was the only one of the kind in New
York. They are now so numerous as to render them im-
possible of enumeration. But Mr. Campbell, though one of
the pioneers in the business, has always kept ahead rather
than abreast of the times, and has continuously led the van
in the march of improvement. Lighting, heating, and
ventilation, as applied to architecture, must be regarded as the
three most important factors in securing health, comfort
and convenience. To these objects, Mr. Campbell has devo-
ted the well-directed and systematic study of years, and he
is justly credited with being especially well informed in all
matters of art and architecture. Apropos of this genius
for sanitary engineering, Watson's Art Journal, speaking
of Mr. Campbell's appointment as a member of the New York
State Advisory Board of the Centennial ComrQission, in
1876, said :
" Hon. Felix Campbell, the commissioner from Brooklyn,
is the only member of the State Board who has any practical
knowledge of a kind to be used in preparing the designs and
specifications for a building, to be paid for by. and intended
to represent worthily, the great State of New York. * *
* * He has for many years been a member of the
Brooklyn Board of Education, and Chairman of the impor-
tant committee on hghting, warming and ventilation. * *
Mr. Campbell made a visit to the Yienna Exposition for the
purpose of perfecting his knowledge in these Departments
of Architecture, in the interests of education. He has erected
a large, sensible and commodious residence at 1315 Pacific
• street, Brooklyn, which is lighted, warmed and ventilated
more perfectly and scientifically than any other building,
public or private, we have ever seen ; and the immense school
edifices in which his plans have been adopted, are models and
examples of what such buildings should be, where thousands
ot teachers and children are assembled daily throughout the
year. There is not a school building in New York that can
compare in these respects. The Clerk of the Assembly,
Hon. Hiram Calkins, to whom was delegated the duty of
improving the ventilation of the Senate and Assembly Cham-
bers of the old Capitol, has found in Mr. Campbell's plans
the most effective remedy possible to be applied to improve
these pest holes, where mephitic air and carbonic acid gas
hold high revel with the skull and marrow bones of Death,
when the Legislature is in session. Mr. Campbell has also
' r?™. malted to look after the lighting, warming, and ven-
tilation of the new Capitol Building at Albany. He has a
plan which he proposes to carry out at his own expense, for
™"|™ng. warming and ventilating of our State Centen-
nial building, designed to illustrate the advance of our
Knowledge on these important subjects involving the health,
comtort, convenience and life of every man, woman and
th n'l ^°tf "^^'^y civilized community under the sun. Among
ine lUustrations he proposes to give, is one perfectly carried
=11 V i^ '^'^ residence, which will be duly appreciated by
a^ anti-tobacco smokers and by the smokers of the filthy
weea themselves. This is the preparation of a smoking-room,
wnere gentlemen may use the weed to any extent, while the
escaping smoke is constantly passed out from the room,
leaving the air comparatively pure and unincumbered with
the fumes and dead smoke so disagreeable and poisonous to
the lungs."
The facts set forth in the above extract fully attest Mr.
Campbell's eminence as a sanitary engineer. The increasing
magnitude of his very extensive business is sufficient evi-
dence of his ability as a man of affairs.
It will be seen that Mr. Campbell is conspicuous among the
self-made men of the city and country. He literally made
his own way in the world, during a number of years, when
boys of his own age more fortunately situated were in school
and in pleasant homes, without toil and without care. His
career has been that of the man whose honest and persistent
endeavor has won its legitimate reward. With the strug-
gling poor his sympathies have always been strong, and the
amelioration of their "condition as a class, their material ad-
vancement, and their general education have long been
his most ardent wishes. Everywhere in Brooklyn he is
known as the workingman's friend. He knows the trials and
troubles incident to the life of the man who earns his bread
by the sweat of his brow, and has shown by his own exer-
tions what an American boy can accomplish. He has been
in every sense a Brooklyn boy and man. All that he cher-
ishes and holds dear is among the people of his native city.
His views in regard to the relations of labor and capital are
that they are and must be reciprocal — progress to either is
impossible without the aid of the other, and they must ne-
cessarily go hand in hand, the causes for any antagonism
between them being imaginary or artificial rather than real.
For years he has been a large employer of labor, and his ex-
perience has not been without its lesson to him of the mu-
tual duties and interests of employers and employed. Since
the day he began business, every one of his hundreds of em-
ployes has received his salary weekly, without fail. Monopo-
lies of all kinds have long had in Mr. Campbell a stern and
unyielding foe. Upon questions of finance and mercantile
affairs be is so thoroughly informed that he is regarded as a
valuable counsellor in legislation or national questions. His
financial position is such as to place him beyond the influ-
ence of pecuniary considerations in connection with political
affairs, and his character for strict integrity is unimpeacha-
ble. His social position is excellent, and he is always promi-
nent in good works, and liberal in his subscriptions to all
deserving charities.
In 1856 and 1857, Mr. Campbell was Supervisor of the Elev-
enth Ward, Brooklyn, and though the youngest member, was
chosen President of the Board at its second yearly meeting.
He also served a full term as member of the old Volunteer
Fire Department, and was for thirteen years President of the
Board of Trustees of the Widows' and Orphans' Fund A sso-
ciation, connected therewith. He is a director of and large
stockholder in the Mechanics' Insurance Co., Brooklyn, and
was one of its incorporators ; is also a director of the Brook-
lyn Life Insurance Co., and connected with the American
District Telegraph Co., Brooklyn, of which he was one of
the incorporators, and with the Brooklyn Safe Deposit Co.
He was also a Fire Commissioner under the old regime. His
life-long residence in the city has compassed the period of
Brooklyn's advancement from that of a village to that of the
third city in the United States in point of population, and
he is a member of the Society of Old Brooklynites, one
condition of admission to which is that the applicant must
have been for fifty years a resident of the city.
Another question in which Mr. Campbell takes a profound
interest is that of public education. For twelve years he was
an influential and untiring member of the Board of Educa-
tion of the City of Brooklyn. His record in this connection
is too well known to require much attention in this sketch.
From first to last he labored assiduously and unceasingly for
the advancement of the best interests of the public schools,
and his achievements concerning the sanitary condition of
the various school buildings are referred to in a preceding
paragraph. In 1883 Mr. Campbell was nominated as the
Democratic candidate for the Forty-eighth Congress in the
Fourth District of Brooklyn, comprising the county towns
and the Ninth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth,
Eighteenth and Twenty-fourth Wards. His nomination
awakened great enthusiasm among all classes, and was fol-
lowed by his triumphant election, having received the larg-
est majority ever given in that district. If public approba-
tion of the" course of a popular representative assures his
advancement to still higher trusts, it is confidently believed
that Mr. Campbell's political star is still in the ascendancy.
416"^
HISTORY OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
Daewin R. James was born at Williamsburg, Mass., May
14, 1834, of parents whose ancestors were among the early-
settlers of that State, on his father's side, dating back to
1639. In the year 1847 his family removed to Williamsburg,
now Brooklyn, E. D., leaving the subject of this sketch at
Amherst, Mass., where he was attending a boarding-school,
in which he remained for three years, receiving an education
to fit him for a business career, in accordance with his fath-
er's plans.
At the age of 17 he was clerk in a large wholesale house in
New York city, rapidly acquiring a knowledge of mercan-
tile affairs, and advancing in his career, until, at the early
age of 23, he formed a co-partnership with his friend, Mr.
Mitchell N. Packard, under the firm name of Packard &
James.
This business union has proved a highly successful one, the
trade of the firm having developed to enormous pi'oportions
during the ensuing twenty-six years, reflecting the greatest
credit upon the wise and honorable management that has
characterized its existence.
It is engaged in the importation of indigo, spices, and
other East India goods, and owns a large drug and spice mill
in Brooklyn.
Its trade is very widely extended, and for many years it
has been the leading house in this line in the United States.
In 1868-9, Mr. James made the tour of the world in the in-
terests of his firm ; crossing the continent before the com-
pletion of the railroad to the Pacific, he sailed from San
Francisco to Japan, carefully studying the social and com-
mercial features of interest in these two great nations.
Thence he visited the Phillippine Islands, Singapore, Pe-
nang, etc.
In India he traveled extensively ; finally crossing the
country to Bombay, he next touched at Aden, then Suez,
and passing through Egypt to Alexandria, he pursued his
journey, through France and England, homeward, having
greatly benefited by this extended tour of observation.
As a business man Mr. James has been very successful ; not
that he has accumulated much money, for that never was
his aim; but, for honorable dealing, integrity, and strict con-
formance to the unwritten law of equity, few business men
in the city stand higher.
But not alone in mercantile life has his career been marked;
of an active temperament, imbued with the cardinal virtues
of industry and perseverance, few business men have given
so much time to outside matters as he.
Possessed of an unusually clear and logical intellect, with
broad intelligence, varied sources of knowledge being laid
under contribution by him; his views of the great questions
of the day, and his influence, have been sought upon many
occasions in the public interests.
Of this more anon. Being held in high esteem by his fel-
low men for his sterling qualities as a citizen, he has been
honored by being chosen to fill many important positions of
trust.
He has been for several years president of the East Brook-
lyn Savings Bank, the growth and prosperity of which has
been remarkable. He was one of the founders of the Bush-
wick and East Brooklyn Dispensary, of which he was presi-
dent for a number of years. As treasurer of the Brooklyn
Bureau of Charities, of which he was also a founder, he has
the satisfaction of seeing it develop upon a sound working
He was also chosen a member of the executive committee
of The Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor,
also of Tlie Good Samaritan charity, and is a member of the
advisory and finance committees of The Brooklyn Industrial
School Association, one of the city's most practical efforts to
teach the children of the poor how to help themselves.
For six years he served as a Brooklyn Park Commissioner,
and for more than eight years he has been the secretary of
the New York Board of Trade and Transportation, out of
which has grown the State and National Anti-Monopoly
Leagues. It is a fact of historic importance that Mr. James
called the preliminary meetings resulting in the organization
of the Kings County Anti-Monopoly League, whose influence
has since been strong in the right direction.
For eight years, Mr. James, associated with others, who
saw the giant strides of Monopoly as exemplified in the tyr-
anny and injustice of our great railroad corporations, labored
at Albany in an effort to have a Board of Railroad Commis-
sioners appointed, and at last their patience and perseve-
rance were rewarded in March, 1883, at which date the first
Board was organized, and from which great results are con-
fidently anticipated, for the benefit of the people of the State
of New York.
He was a member of the committee of " One Hundred" in
the years 1872-3, and took part in its efforts for municipal
reform, and in the preparation of the existing charter of the
city of Brooklyn.
He was a member of a committee appointed by citizens, at
a meeting held at the Polytechnic Institute, December 4,
1876, and had charge of the corps of volunteer visitors in the
Fourth District during the winters of 1876-7 and 1877-8, whose
duty it was to visit families applying to the Commissioners
of Charity of Kings County for out-of-door relief. This was
one of the first steps taken by the citizens to correct the
great abuses in the Department of Charity in Kings County.
With a few others, who were a self -constituted committee,
he took an active part in the effort which resulted in the
breaking up of the system of out-of-door relief.
For fifteen years Mr. James served in the militia of the
State of New York, seven years being a private in the
Seventh Regiment, and eight years on the staff of the
Eleventh Brigade, General J. V. Meserole commanding.
But one of the most successful fields of labor in which he
has engaged, is that of the Mission Sunday School work.
He has been a practical philanthropist from boyhood, for
at the age of eighteen he commenced visiting the poor and
needy in the outlying parts of the city, and gathering the
children into a Sabbath school, in which noble work he has
continued for thirty-one years. For twenty-seven years he
has been the superintendent of this Sabbath school— the
Throop Avenue Mission— and has had the pleasure, in con-
nection with a band of self-denying teachers, of developing
it to its present prosperous condition.
The outgrowth of this work, humble in its inception, has
been, thus far, two flourishing churches and four Sabbath
schools.
Mr. James' public career has not been that of a politician;
but, with that fidelity to known duty, which has always been
a distinguishing trait in his character, he has never shrunk
from manfully doing what he considers every citizen's duty
in primaries and ward meetings ; taking that interest in the
honest and righteous government of the land which is rightly
termed patriotic. His unselfish devotion to the public inter-
est, his wide grasp of thought and range of knowledge,
coupled with his irreproachable, unspotted commercial car
reer, did not escape the notice of an observant community,
and in 1880 he was urged to be a candidate for Congress, but
though appreciating the high honor intended, he deoUned,
because of the stress of his many other duties.
However, in 1882, he was unable longer to resist the caUto
a higher sphere of duty, and having been unanimously nom-
BOARD OF SUFEB VISORS.
417"
inated by aoolamation at the Eepublican Convention in Dis-
trict Number Three, was duly elected by a majority of 2,398
as its Representative to the Forty-eighth Congress, where
scope will be given him, not only to represent his constitu-
ents ably and faithfully, but to influence legislation in the
broader field of a Nation's needs, as questions incidental to
every feature of her growth come up for discussion.
Esteemed alike in the mercantile, the philanthropic, and
the most refined social circles of these great centres of wealth
and intelligence, for his many excellent qualities of mind
and heart, Mr. James can look back over a long career of
usefulness to his fellow men ; while the threshold of the fu-
ture invites to new fields of toil and conflict, where the du-
ties of a statesman will be required of him in his unselflsh
service to his country.
Presidential Electors. — Under the Constitution,
each State chooses as many Electors of President and
Vice-President as it has Senators and Representatives
in Congress. These Electors were first appointed
within thirty-four days before the first Wednesday of
December of every fourth year, and are required to
meet on that day, at the State Capitol, as an Electoral
College. They elect a President and Secretary from
then- number, sit with open doors, and record their
proceedings in a journal. One Elector is designated
in each Congressional District, and two others to repre-
sent the State at large. They are, however, all elected
upon one general ticket.
The State of New York, at the time of the first
presidential election, not having ratified the Constitu-
tion, chose no Electors; consequentlj', the State did not
have the honor of casting its vote for George Wash-
ington at his first election as President of the United
States, although he was inaugurated in its metropolis.
In 1Y92 the New York Legislature directed Electors to
be chosen in the same manner as Senators in Congress,
and fixed the time of their meeting at Poughkeepsie.
Each Senatorial district being entitled to three Elec-
tors, except the southern — which mcluded the county of
Kings— which was entitled to four. In 1829, the mode
of electing Electors by Districts was changed to that now
in use; the time of their election is now fixed in all the
States, except South Carolina, on the Tuesday after
the first Monday of November; in that State the Elec-
tors are still appointed by the Legislature, as they for-
merly were in this State.
From the adoption of the Constitution down to 1812,
a period of twenty years, there was no Presidential
Elector chosen from the county of Kings, though there
were three chosen from the county of Suffolk, four
from Queens and one from Richmond counties.
The first Elector chosen from Kings county was
CorneUus Bergen, November 9, 1812. The next was
John Garrison, chosen November 4, 1828.
Henry Waring, ciosen November 6, 1832.
Ptilip S. Crooke and Electus B. Litchfield, chosen
November 2, 1852.
Amos P. Stanton and James Kennedy, chosen 1856.
Edwards W. Fiske, chosen November 6, 1860.
James S. T. Stranahan and George Richards, chosen
November 8, 1864.
Isaac Van Anden and George L. Fox, chosen No-
vember 3d, 1868.
Simeon B. Chittenden and Horace B. Claflin, chosen
November 5, 1872.
Thomas H. Rodman, Edward Rowe and Thomas D.
Jones, chosen November 7, 1876.
William H. Beard, Joseph C. Howland and Ditmas
Jewell, chosen November, 1880.
Regents of the University. — The oflice of Re-
gent of the University was first created by an act of
the Legislature, passed May 1, 1784, amending the
Charter and changing the name of Kings College to
Columbia. The citizen members of the Board were
named in the act, several officers appointed, ex-officio,
and each denomination in the State was allowed to
appoint one clergyman, but it is not known that any
availed themselves of the privilege. The Governor,
Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney-
General, Speaker of Assembly, Mayor of New York
and Mayor of Albany were, and still are, ex-officio
members of the first Board of Regents, though now
the Superintendent of Public Instruction is a member,
by virtue of his ofiice.
Matthew Clarkson. and Rutger Van Brunt were
members of this Board from the County of Kings.
It being found that a quorum could not be assem-
bled, in consequence of the distance of the residence of
the respective incumbents, the system was changed
November 12th of the same year, and new appoint-
ments made, constituting a second Board of Regents.
John Vanderbilt was appointed member of this Board.
This system continued but little over two years, when,
being found inoperative, it gave way to the present
one, created April 13, 1787, and has been continued,
without material change, until the present time.
The Board consists of nineteen persons, elected by
the Legislature, in the same manner as Senators in
Congress. They hold their oifice for life, have no
salaries, and among other duties, inspect the Acad-
emies of the State, prescribe rules for rendering their
returns, apportion the money annually distributed
among them, and report to the Legislature the statisti-
cal returns of colleges and academies, the power of
filling vacancies in the office of presidents of colleges
and principals of academies, appoint professors of the
Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, etc., etc.
Thei-e appears to have been no Regent of the Unir
versity appointed fromi Kings county from 1784 until
February 5th, 1861, when J. Carson Brevoort, LL.D.,
of Brooklyn, was appointed.
County Superintendents of Common Schools.
On the I7th of April, 1843, a law, creating the office of
County Superintendent of Common Schools, was
enacted. It directed the appointment, by the Board
418»'
HIST OB Y OF KINGS COUNTY.
of Supervisors in each county, of two Superintendents,
wliose term of office was to be three years. Under
this law Theodore F. King and Samuel E. Johnson
were elected Superintendents of Common Schools for
Kings County.
On March 13, 1847, this office was, by an act of
the Legislature, abolished. Under the laws of 1856
a bill passed the Legislature, creating the office of
School Commissioner, to be elected by ballot, at gen-
eral elections. The first election under this law took
place in November, 1859.
School Commissioners elected in Kings
County under this Act. — John Carpenter, Homer L.
Bartlett, Frederick C. DeMund, Voorhees Overbaugh,
Timothy M. Ingraham, C. Warren Hamilton.
School Commissioners elected in IS'ze till 1879. —
C. Warren Hamilton, East New York; Thomas W.
Field, City Superintendent, Brooklyn.
Commissioners from 1879 to 1883. —
County Treasurers. — This office has existed from
the formation of the government down to the present
time in all the counties of the State. Before the adop-
tion of the constitution of 1846, County Treasurers
were appointed by the Boards of Supervisors in the
several counties. Since then they are elected by the
people.
The following is a list of the Count}' Treasurers
elected since the adoption of the Constitution of 1846:
Ebenezer W. Peck Nov., 1848
Crawford C. Smith " 1850
James M. Seabury* " 1853
Thomas A. Gardinerf " 1862
Samuel S. Powell " 1877
Gilliam Schenck " 1879
Henry H. Adams " 1881
Hon. John J. Kiernan, State Senator and Chairman of
the New York Senate Insurance Committee, is a native of
the district comprising a large portion of Brooklyn and three
Kings County towns, which he represents, and in which he
was raised and educated. Senator Kiernan entered on tlie
struggle of life as a clerk in the Western Union Telegraph
ofl&ce. He was there when the first successful Atlantic cable
began to flash instantaneous intelligence between the hemi-
spheres, and the notion occurred to him to utilize that great
medium for financial and commercial purposes. He prompt-
ly placed himself in communication with active spirits at all
the great European business centres and the principal cities
on this continent, and soon opened a news agency in "Wall
street. From his oflaoe there he began forwarding hourly to
such bankers, brokers and merchants as he secured as sub-
scribers, news from all over the world calculated to affect
trade or monetary affairs. His bright idea met with the de-
velopment and brought him the prosperity it was worthy of,
and " Kiernan's Wall Street Financial News Bureau " is one
* James M. Seabury re-elected each subsequent term,
t Thomas A. Gardiner ftlso re-elected.
of the leading institutions of the city. It was not much of a
surprise to " the Street" when, some years afterwards, there
appeared in every down-town office and place of business of
any importance an automatic telegraph instrument, rolline
off on a roll of tape full details of the movements, as thev
occurred, interesting to the business community. For this
extraordinary product of the age the public is indebted to
Mr. Kiernan. As an outgrowth of his furnishing financial
news for all parts of the world, came the business of news-
paper advertising, and he became a member of the firm of
Frank, Kiernan & Co., an agency which now transacts a large
share of the financial, insurance and general commercial ad-
vertising of New York and other cities. In politics he is
a Democrat of the most pronounced and orthodox sect
and has spared neither labor nor expense in support of his
party in Kings couiity; but he never occupied any public
position before now. In his late Senatorial canvass Sen-
ator Kiernan ran largely ahead of his ticket, receiving 8,316
majority in a total vote of 31,606 Mr. Kiei-nan was married
in 1866, and was left a widower with four children a year
ago, by the death of a lady whose pleasant face was well
known to everybody interested in works of charity and piety
in the City of Churches.
The following extract from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle of
May 12th, 1883, speaking of the Honorable Senator, is well
worthy of reference, indicating, as it does, the sentiments of
all good citizens :
"The Senator is one of the most characteristic men sent by
Brooklyn to the Legislature in many a day. Nature did not
make him to be lost sight of in a crowd. Alert, level-headed,
companionable, outspoken, and with no end of courage, even
when wrong, he attracts attention as naturally as many
other men drop from any eminence they may be set upon
into obscurity. He is a man of large means, gained by hon-
orable exertion and wholly by his own efforts ; and it is not
the least of the things to his credit that his less fortunate
neighbors all bear testimony that in his case, at least, money
has not changed the manner or spoiled the heart. Made up
in this way, it was quite certain, when he took his seat in
the Senate, that he would not return with a record which
any considerable number of men would agree to either praise
or blame in bulk. That he has done several things which the
Eagle is quite sure he ought not to have done, our readers
know; but there is no man who will dream of attributing an
improper motive to him. There never was the slightest dan-
ger of his going wrong through any sordid influence. His
weakness does not lie in that direction. But there was some
danger of his erring through good nature, and in that way
he has erred. The measures like his bill for the reorganiza-
tion of the Excise Board, which have made him the subject
of considerable adverse criticism, he defends with the utmost
frankness on the ground that he is a Democratic partisan,
and believes in seizing the patronage for the benefit of the
party. Knowing that the Republicans had pursued a simi-
lar course when they had the power, he could see no reason
why he should not follow their example, on the principle of
what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. As the
Eagle has dealt with this view of the case a good many times
heretofore, it is not necessary to enter upon any refutation
of it now. What, however, is to be said of Mr. Kiernan as a
legislator, local political matters apart, is that he, from first
to last, is pre-eminently the representative in the Senate
of the business interests of both cities, and of the commerce
of the port. He early addressed himself to the work of abol-
ishing our absurd Usury law, of exposing the abuses of the
insurance receivership ring, and of guarding our warehouse
system against the attacks made upon it by men who, under
^'^'ivAaRachiii
BOAUD OF SUPERVISOns.
419"
pretense of serving the people, were striking at the public
welfare. By his exertions in these respects he has made the
two cities and the State his debtors."
What was thus said of Senator Kiernan by the Eagle,
Brooklyn's leading paper, fitly expresses the high estimation
in which he is held by' his fellow citizens. This newspaper,
though opposing some of the bills advocated by him, thus
closed the editorial from which we have made extracts
above :
"He comes back to his constituents as clean as when they
elected him, and with, upon the whole, an increased title to
their confidence."
Registrar. — The office of Registrar of Deeds is the
oldest in Kings county. The Registrar now has charge
of records of deeds, mortgages and all conveyances
touching the alienation of real estate; and his is a
most important office. When it was first established
the Registrar had charge of and recorded all deeds,
wills, and inventories of property.
The office was first created in the county of Kings,
by the colonial Governor-General, in the month of
November, 1679. The first book for recording deeds,
wills, etc., was opened December 3d, 16Y9, a little over
two hundred and five years ago.
The first deed of land in the county of Kings was
recorded December 3d, 1679. The following is a copy
of this venerable record, with the entries made by the
Registrar :
" This bill of sale was recorded at the request of Mr. Thomas
Barker, the third day of December, 1679."
Know all men by these presents, that I, Floris Willemsen,
farmer, inhabitant of Flatbush alias Midwoot, in the West
Eyding of Yorkshire, on Long Island, doe own and confess
for me, my heirs, executors and administrators and assigns,
to have alienated, bargained and sold, and set over and
delivered unto Thomas Barker, inhabitant of the West
Eyding of Yorkshire, on Long Island, to him, his heirs,
executors, administrators and assigns, all my housing and
land and meadow within the jurisdiction of Flatbush, on the
south side of the hill, near to Mr. Richard Betts, his land,
with a lot of meadow near the third hill, by Hendrick
Strykers Lott of meadow, with all the winter corn that is in
the ground, and all orchards, wells, fences, with all privileges
and appurtenances thereunto belonging or shall hereafter
belong to the said land and meadow; the upland is three
score acres of upland. And I doe further engage to bring up
and deliver a copy of the said land out of the secretary's
ofSoe at New York. And I doe own to have received full
satisfaction for the said housing and land and premises of
the said Barker; and I doe promise and engage to warrant
and defend the sale of the premises against any person or
persons whatever, except a farr invasion, and for the true
performance of this, my act and deed, I have hereunto set
my hand and seal. Was signed
Floeis Willemsen Keom. [Seal]
A true copy, per Peter Smith, Clerk.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us,
November the 4th, 1679.
Witness, Elias Doughty,
WiLLLiM Morris.
It will he seen by the foregoing, that Peter Smith,
oy his signature affixed to the said deed, was then the
acting clerk of the county; but when and by whom
appointed there is no record to show.
The first clerk or Registrar of the county, of whose
appointment there is any record, was John Knight,
appointed March 20th, 1683, by Col. Thomas Dongan,
Lieut. -Governor and Vice- Admiral of the colony of
New York.
The following is a verbatim copy of Mr. Knight's
commission as clerk and register :
"Coll. Thomas Dongan," Lieut. -Governor and Vice-
Admiral under his Royal Highness, Duke of York, and
dependensys in America. By virtue of a power devised unto
me, I do hereby authorize and appoint you, John Knight, to
be clerk and register for Kings county, and to act and
officiate in the said employ as a clerk or register ought to do
according to law and practice, this commission to be in force
during my will and pleasure only.
Given under my hand and seal at Fort James, in New
York, this twentieth of March, 1863.
A true coppie, ex'd
Thomas Dongan. the 5th day of April, 1884,
Passed the office, by John Knight,
John Shragg, Register.
Secretary.
The first will ever recorded in Kings County
is a curious document. It is what may be called a
nuncupative or an unwritten will, made verbally to
two witnesses, and afterwards reduced to writing, sub-
scribed and sworn to, and then recorded the same as
though duly probated. There were no Surrogates or
Judges of Probate, at this time, nor any commissioners
of deeds; and wills, deeds, mortgages and all convey-
ances that now require recording, were (at the request
of two respectable citizens known to the clerk) placed
on record in one book.
The will to which we have alluded is dated April 10,
1685, and is in these words :
"No all men by these presents, that we underwritten, Jan.
Teunisse and Pieter Hendricks, carpenters, do certify and
declare, upon ye request of Mistress Hendrickse Stockells,
widdow of Mister Michael Hainelle, deceased, that the said
Hainelle, at the time that we, deponents, were building ye
wind mill within ye jurisdiction of Brewklin, for the above
said Mister Heiuelle, that the said Mister Heinelle then
being sickly and lying before ye fire, in his house, but by his
full understanding, for so much we could see, did desire and
recommend us underwritten that in case he came to depart
from this world and go to a better, that we should be helpful
to his widdow, and to give her encouragement for building
and finishing ye said wind-mill; and further, that it was his
will that after his death which he did expect soon, his
widdow should be possessor and remaine in possession of ye
whole estate until remarriage, and that his widdow before
the performing of an other marriage, if she did contract
thereof, should part with ye half of ye whole estate for 3 e
use and behoof of ye children, and the said Mister Heinelle
did decease but five days after that time, all of which we
declare to be the truth, and willing to take oath upon this
our deposition also past at Fflackland this 3d day of March,
1685.
Tester, Signed,
Randolph Evans, Jan Tennisse,
Jan Aertsan. Pieter Hendricks.
420"
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Fflaoklands, in Kings county, the 3d day of March, 1684,
came Jan Tennisae and Pieter Hendricks and made oath that
the within affedavit is true before us.
Elbert Elbertson,
Received for record Rollopf Martense.
this 8th day of April, 1685.
John Knight, Cl'k.
The following curious document was recorded April
4, 1689; and is very important as exhibiting old land-
marks and boundary lines :
" To satisfy whom it may concern, that I being with Mister
Jacobus Coertland about the twentyeth day of November,
1684, Imployed by brewkland and fflatbush to view and run
out ye line between ye two townes to the South of ye hills
ffound that ye line run fformerly by Cap't. Jacques Cortel-
you and Mister StiUwell is right and just which we both
being agreed give in our approbation of ye same.
" Staaten Island in the Philip Wells,
County of Richmond, Surveyor.
the 4th day of Aprill, 1689.
"Recorded by order of summe of the inhabitants of
Brewcklyn." (See page 316.— Editor.)
An old mortgage recorded August 7, 1686, begins as
follows:
"To aU Christian People to whom this present writing
shall come, Pieter Giliemseu, of Flatbush, in Kings County,
and Margaritiem, his wife, send Greeting in our Lord God
Everlasting. Know ye that for and in consideration of the
sum of one hundred and eighteen pounds, twelve shillings
current money, to them in hand paid by Maria Van RensUar,
of ye town of Albany, widow, &c., have sold, bargained,"
&c., &c.
The description of the lands mortgaged is then given,
and the mortgage closes in these words :
"In witness whereof the said Pieter Giliemsen and
Margaritiem, his wife, have hereunto set their hands and
seals at New York the first day of January, in the second
year of the reign of our sovereign. Lord James the Second of
England, Scotlaad, ffrance and Irelaud, King, defender of
the faith. Sec, and in the year of our Lord one thousand six
hundred eighty and five six."
This mortgage was dated July 20, 1686, and re-
corded August 7, 1686. We have given the fii'st
mortgage which was recorded in Kings County; the
following is the first appraisement of property of a de-
cedent recorded in the county.
" An appraisement of the e-state of John Smith, deceased,
lying in and about Bedford within the jurisdiction of the
towne of Brewklin appraised by us underwrit in obedience
of the order of the most worshipful Court of Sessions, bear-
ing date, the 7th day of October, 1684.
Imprimis.— Foviy acres of upland, two lott of
meadow, a house lott, with a house there-
upon aU valued at £70
A mare with saddle and Piecterm 4
The clothes, according to inventory 8
The bedding, according to inventory 25
One Walts 4
Wooden Ware, according to inventory 3
Tools and Iron work, according to inventory 13-13-0
Brass and Couper, according to in ventory 7
The pewter, according to inventory 3
Tin wares and others, according to inventory 3-3-0
In a-U £145-0-0
Also appraised by us under written by order as above men-
tioned at ye house of Mister Smith, deceased, the twenty-
seventh day of March, 1685, in Bedford, in the jurisdiction of
Brewklin within the Kings County.
Thomas Lambertse,
the mark x of Jan Gerrits,
the mark x of John Damen,
Tenkis Jansen,
Daniel Rapalie.
In presence of Jacob Vander Warter, Clerk. Recorded by
order of the Court of Sessions, dated the 7th day of April
1685, by me. John Knight, CI"
John Knight (appointed by the Governor-General of
the colony, to hold the office during the pleasure of that
magnate) held the office of Ron^ister until the 11th of
April, 1687, when he was removed, and Samuel Bayard,
of the city of New York, was appointed in his place.
Mr. Bayard never discharged the duties of the ofSce,
but held it as a sinecure, the Governor-General having
made it very lucrative. He appointed Jacobus Vander
Water his deputy, who discharged all the duties of the
office until 1704, a period of seventeen years.
An Old-Time County Clerk's Commission.—
The following is the commission of Mr. Bayard, con-
stituting him clerk of Kings county:
" Thomas Dongan, Capt. Generall Governr in Chieffe, &c.,
and Generall in and over the province of New York and teri-
tory and dependencies there-on in America under his Majesty
James the Second by the grace of God of England Scotland
fifranoe and Ireland, King, defender of the faith, &g. By
virtue of the authority derived unto me I do hereby author-
ize empower and appoint you Samuel Bayard of the city of
New York, gentleman, to be Clerk and Register for Kings
County giving you full power and authoritie to act and ofiS-
ciate therein as clerk or Register therein ought to do. And
this commission to continue during my wiU and pleasure
only.
" Given under my hand and seal with the great seal of the
Province at Fort James in New York the 11th day of April,
1687, in the third year of his Majestie's reign by command of
his excellancy
Thomas Donqan.
Recorded by Jocobus Vander Warter, Deputie Clerk and
Regester fifor the Kings County the 30th day of June, 1687."
We have now given the original history and manner
of conducting the office of the Clerk of the county of
Kings, an office in which the whole real and much of
the personal property of the county, with all the vast
alienations of lands by way of mortgage or deed abso-
lute, are recorded; the archives of the title of every
landholder and grantor in the county from the origin
of titles.
County Registrars.— In another place, in the his-
tory of county officers, we have given a list of the
Clerks of the County, from John Knight, appointed, as
we have seen, in 1684, down to the last clerk elected to
that office in the county. But that does not contain a
list of the Registrars of said county, from the fact that
down to 1852 the Clerks of the county were, as they
had been from the first, the custodians of all the records
now in the custody of the registers.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
42P
On March 22, 1852, an act was passed by the legis-
lature providing for the election of a Register of Deeds
for the county of Kings. The act provides that this
officer shall be elected at the general election to be held
in the county in November, 1852, his election to be the
same as all other county officers; his term of office was
fixed by the said act for three years from the first day
of January following his election, and until his suc-
cessor should be duly qualified. Before entering upon
the duties of his office, he must give security by filing
in the office of the County Clerk his bond in the penal
sum of $5,000, executed by himself, with at least two
sureties, freeholders in said county, and shall justify in
double the penalty. The Register may appoint a dep-
uty, in like manner as the deputies of county clerks are
appointed, with the like powers, duties and responsibil-
ities. The Register performs all that part of the duty
of County Clerk of the county of Kings which, in the
city of New York is required to be done by the Regis-
ter of Deeds in said city and county of New York ; and
the County Clerk of Kings county is forbidden to dis-
charge any of the duties of the Register. His fee is
fixed by law. For every paper required to be recorded
he shall receive the sum of six cents for every hundred
words, and no more. This act took effect July 1, 1852.
At the general election held in November, 1852,
William Marshall was elected, under the provisions
of the act. Register of Deeds for the county. Mr. Mar-
shall entered upon the duties of his office January 1,
1853, and all the records of deeds, mortgages and other
instruments touching the alienation and purchase of
lands heretofore kept in the office of the Clerk were re-
moved to the office of the Register. The Clerk of Kings
county is now, as he was previous to the said enact-
ment, the Clerk of the various courts of record of the
county, excepting the City Court of Brooklyn and the
Surrogate's Court; he is therefore the custodian of all
judgments, decrees. Lis petidens, and finally of all legal
papers and documents required by the statutes, the
rules, orders and practice of the said courts, to be
entered and filed in his office.
As we have seen, William Marshall was the first
register elected in Kings county, serving frore January
1, 1853, to December 31,1855. His successors were:
Jacob Meskeole, elected November, 1855, serving for
1856-7-8; Howaed C. Cadt, 1859-60-61;
the _____
Htch McLaughlin, 1862-1S6'7 (two terms); Charles
ScHUEiG, from 1868 to 1870; Hugh McLaughlin, from
1871 to 1873; William Baeee, from 1874 to 1879 (two
terms); Thomas Caeeoll, from 1880 to 1882; Samuel
KiCHAEDs, from 1883 to 1885.
Commissioner of Jurors.— Previous to the year
58, the duty of selecting and summoning jurors for
e grand and petit juries was performed in the county
0 Jiings, as it now is in most of the counties of the
state by the County Judge and the Clerk of the county;
«, by an act of the legislature, passed April 17, 1858,
the duty of selecting and summoning juries was given
to one person to be appointed by a board, which, by
the provisions of said act, were to consist of the County
Judge, the District Attorney, the Sheriff, the Surrogate
and the Justices of the Court of Sessions. The person
so appointed was to be known as the Commissioner of
Jurors of the county of Kings. The first meeting of
the said appointing board was held, according to the
law, on the second Monday of May next succeeding the
passage of this act. The clerk of the Board of Super-
visors is required by said act to attend the meetings of
the said board, and act as clerk thereof, and keep a
record of the proceedings. The act makes it the duty
of the assessors of the city of Brooklyn, and of the
assessors of the several towns in the county, after the
first day of May in each year, to select and return to
the Commissioner of Jurors so appointed, the names and
places of residence and occupation of all persons in the
said city and towns respectively, liable under said act
to do jury duty. Such returns shall be made in writ-
ing, subscribed by the assessors of such city and towns,
and shall be delivered to the Commissioner of Jurors on
or before the first day of July of the same year. The
Commissioner shall also, at the same time, proceed to
select from the names of persons residing in the county
of Kings suitable persons to serve as jurors; in making
such selection the said assessors and the said Commis-
sioner shall take the names of such as are, first, male
inhabitants of the county, not exempt by this act from
serving on juries; second, of the age of twenty-one
years or upwards and under sixty years old; third, in
possession of their natural faculties, and not infirm or
decrepit; fourth, free from all legal exceptions, of fair
character, of approved integrity, of sound judgment,
and well informed.
The first Commissioner of Jurors was Wm. H. Camp-
bell, appointed May 2, 1858; he was succeeded by
Aldbn J. Spoonee, who was appointed May, 1862, and
who served three years ; his successor was Nelson
Shueman, who served from May 5, 1865, to May, 1871;
and he was followed by John Linskt, May, 1871, and
by reappointment serving till 1877; Wm. A. Fuet was
his successor, appointed May, 1877, and serving one
term, and who was reappointed and is the incumbent of
this office at the present time.
By an act of the legislature, passed April 26, 1866,
the act creating the office of Commissioner of Jurors,
passed April 17, 1858, was amended so that the ap-
pointment of such a commissioner was vested in a board
consisting of the Sheriff, County Judge, District Attor-
ney and Judge of the City Court of Brooklyn. The act
subjects the Commissioner of Jurors to very severe pun-
ishment for any malfeasance in the discharge of his
duties, and works a radical change in the former prac-
tice of drawing jurors, making the office of commis-
sioner one of the most important and delicate of any in
the county.
422*
HISTORY 01 KIKQS COUNTT.
County Auditor.— The County Auditor is a new
officer in the county of Kings. It was established by
an act of the legislature, passed April 26, ISTl, and it
was created for the purpose of relieving the Board of
Supervisors of one of its most difficult and onerous du-
ties— that of auditing the immense number of bills an-
nually presented to the board. The act creating the
office makes it the duty of the County Auditor to care-
fully examine all bills presented against the county of
Kings for payment, including all bills incurred by the
Commissioners of Charities, and to certify to the Board
of Supervisors the result of this examination, stating
whether sufficient money is in the treasury of the said
county to the credit of the account to which such bills
are chargeable; also, whether such bills have been in-
curred under the authority of law; also, whether the
services have been rendered, or materials furnished, for
which such bills had been presented, and whether the
charges are just, reasonable and proper; and if, by a
majority of all said supervisors elected, and the ap-
proval of the Supervisor-at-Large, the said bill shall be
approved, they shall be paid by the proper officers of
the said county.
Down to the present writing, there have been only
three incumbents of this office, viz. : Maurice Fitz-
gerald, Francis A. Biggs, and Daniel Lake. Mr.
Lake is the present incumbent of the office. The salary
of the auditor is fixed at $3,000 per annum.
County Interpreter in the Courts of Kings
County. — By an act of the legislature, passed May 2,
1864, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Kings
were authorized and empowered to designate and ap-
point some suitable person, making it his duty to attend
the courts of record in said county, in which witnesses
are sworn and testify, to interpret all testimony or evi-
dence given by witnesses who cannot speak intelligibly
the English language. The salary of said officer is
fixed at the sum of $1,200 per annum. He is to hold
his office during good behavior. Christian Volkman
was the first interpreter appointed under this act, re-
ceiving his appointment May 17, 1864. By a subse-
quent act of the legislature three interpreters were pro-
vided for the county of Kings — one for the County
Court, Court of Sessions and Surrogate's Court; one for
the Supreme Court of the second judicial district and the
City Court of Brooklyn ; one for the Italian, French and
Spanish languages, to serve as interpreter of these lan-
guages in all courts in the county. Under this last act
Adolph Gubnbr was appointed interpreter for the
County Court, Court of Sessions and Surrogate's Court;
John Smith, for the Supreme Court and City Court of
Brooklyn; and Lorenzo Criscola as interpreter of the
Italian, French and Spanish languages. These gentle-
men are, at this writing, serving as such interpreters.
Their salaries are $1,200 each per annum.
Supervisor-at-Large.— On the 4th of March, I87i
an act passed the legislature of the state creating the
office of "Supervisor-at-Large," an elective office by
the people. He has the power of a casting vote but
no power to present any motion or resolution or to
take any part other than as presiding officer of said
board, excepting the power of a casting vote. He
holds his office for the term of two years, from the first
day of January of 1872, with a salary of $3,000— a
county charge. " Every act in the proceedinge of tte
said board shall be submitted to the said officer within
five days after its passage; to take effect after ten days
after its submission, if he shall not object thereto or
sooner, upon his approval of the same, but shall in no
case take effect if he shall file objections thereto in
writing, with the reasons therefor, with the clerk of the
said board, within said ten days, unless the said board
shall, within thirty days after the filing of such objec-
tions, by a vote of at least two-thirds of the members
of said board, again pass the same, notwithstanding
such objections." The said act provides that "the said
Board of Supervisors shall, from time to time, elect a
president pro tern, from its own members, whose term
of office shall expire at the same time as that of the
Supervisor-at-Large then in office, unless the term for
which such president ^ro tern, was elected as a member
of such board shall sooner expire. The said officer
shall have and possess the same powers as the Supervisor-
at-Large in case of his sickness, absence from the
county, or inability to attend the duties of his office."
We have now given the various duties and powers of
the Superintendents of the Poor and of the two boards
which succeeded them.
Thus closes the history of the Board of Supervisors
of the county of Kings. In another portion of the
work (page 463) will be found the history of the Super-
intendents of the Poor; their successors, the Commis-
sioners of Charities; and their successors, the Commis-
sioners of Charities and Corrections for the county of
Kings — these respective bodies having always been
under the supervision of the Board of Supervisors.
In connection with this chapter upon the Board of
County Supervisors, we sincerely acknowledge our in-
debtedness to the lively interest and courtesy mani-
fested in our work by Edward B. Cadlet, Esq., the
gentlemanly and able Clerk of the board, as well as by
Messrs. James L. Connelly and Jaques S. Stryker, As-
sistant Clerks, and James Doyle, Messenger of the de-
partment.
CIVIL LIST
OF
OFFICERS OF THE TOWN AND YILLflGE OF BROOKLYN.
1671-1833.
Trustees aijd Oteeseebs.
1671-74 (inclusive) — Frederick Lubertse, Pieter Per-
niedeau.
1675— John Piertersen, Mackbike Jerome De Eapos-
telley.
1676-78 (inclusive) — Tunis Guis Bergen, Thomas Lam-
bertsen.
1679 — John Harrill, Martyn Reyandsen.
1680-82 (inclusive) — Symon Aeresen, Michael Harsen.
1683 — John Aeresen, Daniel Rapellje.
Trustees and Commissionees.
1684 — Thomas Lambertsen, Randolph Emans, John
Aeresen.
1685 — Tunis Guis Bergen, Daniel Rapelje.
1686 — Michael Hansen, Jeromus Rapalje.
1687— Adriaen Bennet, Thomas Lambertsen, Jan Ger-
ritsen Dorland.
1688-89— Simeon Aeresen, Claes Barense, Michael
Hansen.
1689— Simeon Aeresen, Maohael Hansen, Claes Barense.
1690-'98 (inclusive) — Joris Hansen, Hendrick Claasen,
Jan Gerbritse.
1699— Benj. Vandewater, Joris Hansen, Jan Garretse
Dorland.
1700-1702 (inclusive)— Hendrick Vecbte, Jacob Han-
sen, Cornelius Vanduyk.
Trustees.
1^03-1708 (inclusive)— Hendrick Vechte, Jacob Han-
sen, Cornelius Vanduyk.
lV09-'26 (inclusive)— Hendrick Vechte, Cornelius Van-
duyk, John SlattB.
lV27-'52 (inclusive)— Jeromus Rapelye, Jacobus Lef-
fertse, Reni Remsen.
»63-'55 (inclusive)— Jacobus Leffertse, Peter Vander-
voort, Jacob Remsen, Rem Remsen, Nicholas
Vechte.
lY56-'66 (inclusive) — Rem Remsen, Leffert Leffertse,
Jeromus Rapelye.
1767 and '68 — Jeromus Rapelye, Rem Remsen, Leffert
Leffertse.
1769 — Leffert Leffertse,Rem Remsen, Jeromus Rapelye.
1770 and '71 — Rem Remsen, Leffert Leffertse, Jeromus
Rapelye.
1772 — Rem Remsen, Jeromus Rapelye, Leffert Lef-
fertse.
1773-75 (inclusive) — Jeromus Rapelye, Leffert Lef-
fertse, Rem Remsen.
1776 — Rem Remsen, Leffert Leffertse, Jeromus Ra-
peyle.
{No records during the Revolutionary War.)
1784- '87 (inclusive) — Fernandus Suydam, Teunis Ber-
gen, Charles Doughty.
1788 and '89 — Fernandus Suydam, Charles Doughty,
Peter Vandervoort.
1790 — Charles Doughty, Peter Vandervoort, Fernandus
Suydam.
1791 — Peter Vandervoort, Fernandus Suydam, Charles
Doughty.
1792-95 (inclusive) — Joshua Sands, Fernandus Suy-
dam, Peter Vandervoort.
1796 — Lambert Suydam, Peter Vandervoort, Jeremiah
Johnson.
1797 — Peter Vandervoort, Jeremiah Johnson, Lambert
Suydam.
1798 — Lambert Suydam, Peter Vandervoort, Jeremiah
Johnson.
1799 — Theodoras Polhemus, Lambert Suydam, Jere-
miah Johnson.
1800 — Lambert Suydam,Theodorus Polhemus, Jeremiah
Johnson.
1801 — Lambert Suydam, Jeremiah Johnson, Theodorus
Polhemus.
1802 — Theodorus Polhemus,Lambert Suydam, Jeremiah
Johnson.
1 803 — Lambert Suydam,Theodorus Polhemus, Jeremiah
Johnson.
424a
LIST OF TOWN AND VILLA GE OFFICERS, 1671-18SS.
1804 — Walter Berry, Theodorus Polhemus, Jeremiali
Johnson.
1805 — Theodorus Polhemus, Walter Berry, Jeremiah
Johnson.
1806-1808 (inclusive)— Walter Berry, Theodorus Pol-
hemus, Jeremiah Johnson.
1809 — Walter Berry, Jeremiah Johnson, Theodorus
Polhemus.
1810 — Jeremiah Johnson, Theodorus Polhemus David
Seaman.
1811 and 1812 — Theodorus Polhemus, Jeremiah John-
son, David Seaman.
1813 — Jeremiah Johnson, Theodorus Polhemus Jolm
Cornell.
1814 and '15 — Theodore Polhemus, John Cornell Jere-
miah Johnson.
PRESIDENTS AND TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE, 1816-1834.
1816 — John Garrison* Andrew Mercein, John Dean,
John Doughty, John Seaman.
ISIT — Wm. Furman, Henry Stanton, William Henry,
Tunis Joralemon, ISToah Waterbury.
1818 — Wm. Furman, Henry Stanton, Wm. Henry,
Tunis Joralemon, Am^e J. Barbarin.
1819 — Wm. Furman, Henry Stanton, William Henry,
Tunis Joralemon, John Doughty.
1820 — Wm. Furman, Henry Stanton, William Henry,
Tunis Joralemon, John Doughty.
1821 — John Doughty, Fanning C. Tucker, Joseph
Moser, Tunis Joralemon, Abraham Vanderveer.
1822 — John Doughty, Joseph Moser,Fanning C.Tucker,
Geo. S. Wise, Jr., Abraham Vanderveer.
1823 — John Doughty, Joseph Moser, Fanning C.
Tucker, Geo. S. Wise, Jr., Abraham Vanderveer.
1824— <7bsAt<a Sands, John Doughty, Joseph Moser
John Moore, Samuel James.
1825 — Joshua Sands, John Doughty, Joseph Moser,
David Anderson, Joseph Sprague.
1826 — Joshua Sands, Fanning C. Tucker, Henry War-
ing, Jehiel Jagger, Joseph G. Swift, Geo. Hall,
James H. Clarke, Clarence D. Sackett, John Garri-
son, Wm. Rushmore, John Seaman.
1827 — Joseph Sprague, Henry Waring, Hezekiah B.
Pierrepont, Jehiel Jagger, John Doughty, Losee
* Names thua italicized denote the Presideat of ttie Board.
Van Nostrand, Richard Wells, David Leavitt,
Eliakim Raymond, Wm. Rushmore, James H.
Clarke.
1828 — Joseph Sprague, Henry Waring, Hezekiah B.
Pierrepont, John Doughty, Robert Bache, Richard
Wells, O. J. Lucas, David Leavitt, Eliakim Ray-
mond, James H. Clarke, John F. Walton.
1829 — Joseph Sprague, Henry Wai'ing, Robert Bache,
D. L. Lucas, Losee Van Nostrand, Ralph Mal-
bone, Henry Stanton, James H. Clark, John P.
Walton.
1830 — Joseph Sprague, Robert Bache, Richard V. W.
Thorne, Joseph Moser, Losee Van Nostrand, Wm.
C. Smith, Francis Van Dyke, Conklin Brush,
Henry Waring, James H. Clarke, Samuel Hart.
1831 — Joseph Sprague, Richard V. W. Thorne, Robert
Bache, Losee Van Nostrand, Joseph Moser, Silas
Butler, Isaac Moser, Samuel H. Moore, James H.
Clarke, Samuel Hart, Francis Van Dyke.
1832, Geo. Hall, Zachariah Lewis, David Stanford,
Bobert Ba^he, Edward Copland, Losee Van Nos-
trand, Joseph Moser, Nathan B. Morse, Francis
Van Dyke, James H. Clarke, Wm. M. Udall.
1833 — Geo. Hall, Zachariah Lewis, David Stanford,
Robert Bache, Edward Copland, Losee Van Nos-
trand, Joseph Moser, Nathan B. Morse, FranciS
Van Dyke, James H. Clarke, William M. Udall.
HISTORY OF EDUCATION
IN
KINGS COUNTY,
1659-1883.
By
FOR MANY YEARS succeeding the settlement
of Brooklyn, in 1636, the scattered settlers on
the western end of Long Island were dependent
upon the embryo city, across the river, for all
their civil and religious privileges. This state of things,
with all its inconveniences, lasted (as regards civil
matters) until the investiture of Breuckelen with mu-
nicipal powers in 1646, and (as regards ecclesiastical
matters), until the erection of a church edifice at Flat-
hush, in 1654. In the meantime, it cannot be sup-
posed that the peculiar toils, embarrassments, and pri-
vations incident to life in a new settlement, afforded
the first settlers much opportunity to attend to the
education of their children, except such as could be
given them at home. In 1659 (possibly in 1653),
Flatbush seems to have had a schoolmaster; and
in July of the following year (1660), Breuckelen,
probably through the influence and exertions of
its first minister Selyns, obtained the services of
its first school-master, Carel (Charles) de Beauvois.
The range of studies purs.ued in the schools
'frorilJV^
o-'^Hci^r}^
raosimile of Signature of Oarel de Beauvois, tlie first Schoolmaster oi Brooklyn,
of
De Beauvois' period was extremely lim-
ited; being, in fact, simply confined to reading,
™ting, and the religious doctrines of the church.
Under the encouragement given to schools by bluff old
Peter Stuy vesant, the last Dutch governor, their num-
ber and quality increased in New Netherland ; but,
during the English colonial period which succeeded,
education received little or no attention or support
from the government. It was the church that was the
true foster-mother of education in the early Dutch
colonial period.
The following amusing document, an agreement
between the town of Flatbush and Johannes Cornelius
Van Eckkelen, accepted school-master and chorister, is
quoted to illustrate the intimate relation between the
school and the church at an early period.
' ' Art. 1. — The school shall begin at 8 o'clock and go out at
11 ; shall begin again at 1 o'clock and end at 4. The bell
shall be rung before the school commences.
"Art. 2. — When the school begins, one of the children
shall read the morning prayer, as it stands in the catechism,
and close with the prayer before dinner, and in the afternoon
the same. The evening school shall begin with the Lord's
prayer and close by singing a psalm.
"Art. 3. — He shall instruct the children in the common
prayers and the questions and answers of the catechism on
Wednesdays and Saturdays, to enable them to say them better
on Sunday in the church.
"Art. 4. — He shall be required to keep this school
nine months in succession, from September to June,
one year with another, and shall always be present
himself.
"Art. 5. — He shall be the chorister of the church,
keep the church clean, ring the bell three times be-
fore the people assemble, and read a chapter of the
Bible in the church between the second and third
ringing of the bell. After the third ringing he shall
read the Ten Commandments and the twelve articles
of our faith, and then set the psalm. In the after-
noon, after the third ringing of the bell, he shall
read a short chapter or one of the psalms of David
as the congregation are assembling ; afterwards he shall
again sing a psalm or hymn.
"Art. 6. — When the minister shall preach at Brooklyn or
Utrecht he shall be bound to read twice before the congre-
gation from the book used for the purpose. He shall hear
the children recite the questions and answers out of the
catechism on Sunday, and instruct them therein.
0
410
HISTORY OF KIWOS COUNTY.
"Art. 7.— He shall provide a basin of water for the adrain-
istration of holy baptism, and furnish the minister with the
name of the child to be baptised, for which he shall receive
twelve stivers in wampum, for every baptism, from the
parents or sponsors. He shall furnish bread and wine for the
communion at the charge of the church. He shall also serve
as messenger for the consistory.
"Art. 8. — He shall give the funeral invitations, dig the
grave and toll the bell, and for which he shall receive for
persons of fifteen years of age and upwards, twelve guilders,
and for persons under fifteen, eight guilders ; and if he shall
cross the river to New York, he shall have four guilders more.
THE SCHOOL MONET.
"1st. — He shall receive for a speller or reader, 3 guilders a
quarter, and for a winter, 4 guilders, for the day school. In
the evening 4 guilders for a speller or reader and 5 guilders
for a writer, per quarter.
"3nd. — The residue of his salary shall be 400 guilders in
wheat (or wampum value), delivered at Brooklyn Ferry, with
the dwelling, pasturage and meadow, appertaining to the
school.
" Done and agreed upon in consistory under the inspection
of the honorable constable and overseers this 8th day of
October, 1683. Signed by Casper Van Zuren and the con-
sistory.
" I agree to the above articles and promise to obey them.
"Johannes Van Eckkelbn."
Teachers of the present day, if required to discharge
all these duties, would not regard their positions as sine-
cures.
When, however, early in the beginning of the seven-
teenth century, the tide of immigration set toward this
shore from the British Islands, education received a
new impulse, slight indeed, yet indicative of progress.
As the population of New Amsterdam and the sur-
rounding towns became more cosmopolitan, there arose
a Babel of languages ; English, Welsh, Irish, Scotch
and Dutch were spoken ; until, in the opinion of Smith,
the historian of the colony, the language was " hope-
lessly corrupt." Even in the New England colonies
there was no uniform standard ; with scarcely an ex-
ception, the schools were illy conducted, and the few
competent instructors were secured only by those
families whose hereditary wealth enabled them to
secure the best advantages for their children. The
Dutch, meanwhile, fought vigorously against the in-
roads which the English language and customs were
making upon their own ; and, determined to keep at
least one sample on hand of the real pure old stock,
the consistory of the Dutch Reformed Church of New
York, as late as 1 755, sent to Holland and imported
from thence a genuine Dutch school-master and chor-
ister, John Nicholas Whelp, by name, who served them
until his death, eighteen years after. Sad to relate,
however (and perhaps it hastened his death even be-
fore the close of his career), the English language was
introduced into his school as a separate branch of study;
and his successor, in 1773, was especially directed to
instruct the scholars in the English as well as in the
Dutch tongue.
Our Brooklyn ancestors, being removed from imme-
diate contact with New York city — for there were no
regular running steam ferry-boats in that day, and no
city railroad lines offering commutation to school chil-
dren— probably did not keep up with the advance of their
metropolitan neighbor in educational matters. Things
went on in pretty much the same old jog-trot fashion
and the Dutch, pure and undefiled, was spoken by
teacher and pupil, and the catechism of the reformed
church was held in high esteem.
The Dawn of a Higher Education.— Toward
the middle of the seventeenth century, however even
the darkness of these rustic parts, Kings and Queens
counties, began to dissipate before the illuming rays of
a brighter and better educational dawn. The old news-
papers reveal more than can be learned elsewhere of
the schools of this period.
1749. July 3. "Notice is hereby given that at New York
Ferry, upon Nassau Island, is carefully taught reading,
writing, vulgar and decimal arithmetic, the extraction of
the square and cube root, navigation, and surveying. French
and Spanish taught and translated, and sufficient security
given to keep all writing secret, by John Clark, Philomath ;
where there is likewise boarding for youth."— JV. K foA
Boy.
1758. April 17. "Wanted, a person qualified to teach
Dutch and English, both reading and writing. Any such
person, inclining to keep school, may meet with good en-
couragement by applying to Philip Nagle and Englebert
Lott, at Flatbush. And, also, wanted such another person
for the New Lotts ; but, if this last be well qualified to teach
reading and writing only, he may have good encouragement
by applying to John Vanderveer and Johannes Lott, living
in the aforesaid precinct of Flatbush."— iV. Y. Post Boy,
1763. March 31. Jacob Sebring, of Red Hook, and Aria
Eemsen, owner of the old mill at the Wallabout, and John
Eapelye, the rich old loyalist, who owned nearly the whole
of the fourth and fifth wards of the present city, advertised
that they had "hired Punderson Austin, A.B., of Tale Col-
lege, to teach Oreek and Latin at the Ferry, Brooklyn.
1778. January 4. The Flatbush Grammar School is adver-
tised as kept by John Copp, where Latin and Greek are
taught, it being particularly mentioned that "boarders have
the advantage of being taught geography in the winter
evenings, with many other useful particulars that fregumtly
occur to the teacher."
The orthodox Dutchmen of that town, however, were
not to be distanced by any new teacher with his Latm
and Greek and the other dimly-hinted-at " useful par-
ticulars that frequently occur to the teacher." And,
during the following summer, they advertised for "a
school-master who is capable of teaching the English
and Dutch languages," carefully adding as an " N. B.
It will be of advantage to him if he is capable of serv-
ing as clerk to the Dutch church."
Schools During the Revolutionary War-
But shortly the revolutionary war broke out, and
during its seven years duration, the iron heel of mili-
tary occupation was held upon New York and Long
Island ; while the peculiar excitements and ejrigeneies
of war times pretty effectually closed the schools and
EDVGATIONAL HISTORY.
411
caused the -writing-copy and spelling-book to be ex-
changed forthe more practical exercise of the manual
of arms. Of course, the existing schools kept in opera-
tion as well as the exigencies of the times would per-
mit ; but there is sufficient evidence to show that, as a
rule, the rising generation mostly ran wild during the
revolutionary war.
Educational Revival after the Revolutionary
War. — When, however, after the evacuation of New
Tork and Long Island by the British forces, the people
began to look around them, to revive their former in-
dustries, and to provide for those important interests
of government, religion, and education, upon -which
rested the hopes of their new and dearly-purchased
liberties. Long Island -was certainly not behind any
other portion of the State in her attention to the edu-
cational wants of the people. At Easthampton, in
1784, was established the Clinton Academy, which was
chartered in 1787, being the first institution of the
kind incorporated by the regents of the University of
the State of New York. Erasmus Hall, at Platbush,
was erected in 1786, its charter bearing the same date
as that of the Easthampton Academy ; and, in 1791,
Union Hall was erected at Jamaica, being the sixth
chartered in the State. The first public exhibition of
Erasmus Hall, at Flatbush, was held on the 27th of
September, 1787 ; and the scene was graced by the
presence of the Governor of the State, several mem-
bers of the Assembly, and a large concourse of promi-
nent gentlemen of the vicmity. Walter Minto, LL.D.,
described as "a mathematician' who has traveled in
Europe," was then principal ; but was soon called to
occupy the mathematical chair at Princeton College,
where he died in 1791.
In March, 1791, the following advertisement appeared
in the newspapers :
"Education— lately established in Brooklyn, an academy
in which the Greek and Latin languages, with the higher
branches of literature, are taught by Isaac W. Crane ; and
spelling, reading, and -writing elegantly, the English lan-
guage and grammar, arithmetic, and the art of Book-
keeping, by Henry Davis. The healthful situation of the
village, its vicmity to New York, the cheap rate of genteel
board, and, above all, the sobriety and learning of the
teachers, recommend this academy to the public. The moral
and mental culture of the pupil is inspected by the Rev.
Elijah D. Rattoon and by George Powers, John Van Nos-
trand, Nehemiah Allen, John Cornell, and John Doughty,
Jr., trustees."
The suggestive allusion to the sobriety of the teach-
ers, although having a curious sound now-a-days, was
perhaps not without its influence upon the parents of
that day, who might be anxiously seeking a good
scEoolto which they could send their children. Mr. Hen-
RT Ondeedonk, Jr., himself an old Long Island teacher,
says; « Our teachers were usually from the old country,
^00 fond of strong drink, and kept blue Monday. Some
had their bottle hid in their desk, and imbibed at pleas-
ure. Their forte was figures, and they were generally
better arithmeticians than the New England teachers
who superseded them."
The subject of public instruction continued to be agi-
tated in the public prints and the pulpit; and the atten-
tion of the legislature was repeatedly called, by the gov-
ernor's messages, to the paramount importance of hav-
ing a regular school system throughout the State.
Finally, in 1795, that body passed " an act for the en-
couragement of schools ;" and with it an appropriation
of $50,000 per annum, for five years, "for the purpose of
encouraging and maintaining schools in the several
cities and towns in this State, in which children of
the inhabitants residing in this State shall be in-
structed in the English language, or be taught
English grammar, arithmetic, mathematics, and
such other branches of knowledge as are most use-
ful and necessary to complete a good English educa-
tion." Public attention, about the same time, was also
called, by the operations of the Manumission Society, of
which Governor Jay was president, to the propriety of
furnishing the blacks with the elements of education,
a measure in which, as will be seen. Kings County
subsequently took an active part. In 1798, New York
city had a Teachers' Association ; in 1 805 was incorpo-
rated the Free School Society of the City of New York ;
which, owing its origin to the untiring efforts of the
Female Association for the Relief of the Poor, ultimate-
ly became the Public School Society of the City of
New York. In 1805, also, the Common School fund of
the State was established.
Early Educational Advantages, and Meth-
ods.— Brooklyn and the Kings County towns were, as
might be expected, considerably behind their metropol-
itan neighbor in educational progress ; yet it cannot be
denied that there was progress. But the schools of that
day were far different from what they now are. The
circle of knowledge usually taught was confined mostly to
the "three R's, Reading, 'Riting, and 'Rithmetic." Yet,
even this had its advantage ; for, where the range of studies
was so limited, they could hardly be otherwise than well
taught and well learned. " The great book of the day,"
says Mr. Ondeedonk, " was Dilworth's spelling-book,
which kept its ground till after the revolution, -when Noah
Webster's supplanted it. Dilworth was a teacher at
Wopping, England, in 1740, and the author of several
school-books. His arithmetic held its ground lono-er
than his spelling-book, but was supplanted by Daboll,
after a thirty years' struggle. Reading-books were more
varied. After the easy lessons of the spelling-books had
been mastered, then came the Psalter, Testament and
Bible. lu some schools were the Child's Instructor,
the Young Gentleman's and Lady's Monitor, etc., then
the American Preceptor ; and latterly, Murray's Intro-
duction, English Reader and Sequel. When the New
England teachers came, elocution was attempted, and
the Columbian Orator was used as a text-book. Writ-
412
HISTORY 01 KINGS COUNTY.
ing was well attended to ; and it was a good, legible
round hand. The labor of making pens from quills (for
steel pens were unknown), was not inconsiderable ; nor
had the writing-books been ruled with blue ink as at
present. Hence the industrious teacher was at his desk
every morning, a half hour or so before the formal
opening of the school, to mend and make pens, rule the
writing-books with a leaden plummet, and set copies.
The art of teaching the English grammar was but little
understood in those days. Navigation was taught in the
common schools, for many of the young men in those
days went to sea; some as sailors, some as supercargoes ;
some studied medicine and established themselves in the
West Indies till they had acquired a fortune, when they
returned and settled in their native place. Therefore
navigation was a favorite study. Surveying, also, was not
neglected. Latterly, geography was taught after a
fashion, almost without maps. Guthrie and Salmon were
text-books ; superseded finally by Morse. In common
schools Dwight's geography, by question and answer
were used. Some of the books used in the academies
before 1800 were Blair's Rhetoric, Stone's Euclid, Mar-
tin's Trigonometry, Warden's Mathematics, etc."
But, to return. When, in 1805, the Public School
Society of New York was formed and the public school
was established in that city, there were those in Brook-
lyn who were watching the experiment with intelligent
and hopeful eyes. When New York's second public
school-house was established, in 1811, the watchful vil-
lagers, perhaps, took heart to talk up the matter of free
education in Brooklyn. And though they met with
much opposition, especially from those who feared an
ncrease of taxes, yet they so far succeeded, that, about
il813, they secured the election of three school trustees,
viz., Andrew Mercien, John Seaman, and Robert Snow;
to whose patient but preserving labors Brooklyn owes
the commencement of her public schools. They gave
their services to the work gratuitously, visiting every
house in order to examine for themselves the condition
of the children and invite the parents ; and although
the village paid school taxes for three years, yet, during
that time, their endeavors to overcome the opposition to
the free education plan was unavailing. Early in 1816,
measures were at length adopted, at a public meeting of
the villagers, for organizing a public school to be taught
on the Lancasterian plan, and the sum of $2,000 was
appropriated for the purpose, payable by a tax on the
inhabitants of the district. On the 1st of May, 1816,
public notice was given by the trustees (above named),
that on the ensuing Monday (6th), a school for District
No. 1 would be opened on the lower floor of Mr. Thomas
Kirk's printing office, in Adams, near Sands street,
which would accommodate from thirty-five to forty chil-
dren, at $1.50 per quarter, including everything neces-
sary for instruction; but no colored children would be
admitted until the completion of the new building which
it had been resolved to erect. Two days after (on
May 3d), a public meeting was held at Tommy Lane-
don's at which the three trustees were deposed from of-
fice, because they had proposed to divide the tax in such
a way that it should be paid in two years, and that upon
each tax-payer should be levied an average assessment of
five dollars. The trustees appointed to fill their places
were: Benjamin Smith, John Harmer, and Jacob Patoh-
en. On the 6th of May, however, the district school then
and subsequently known as No. l,was opened; there be-
ing, at that time, five hundred and fifty-two children in
the district who did not attend school. Judge John
Dikeman, one of the most highly respected residents, was
the first teacher of this school, which commenced opera-
tion on the first day with seventy-three scholars ; and a
two-story frame edifice was erected, as soon as possible,
on the corner of Concord and Adams streets, the subse-
quent site of Public School No. 1.
This district, in 1821, comprised the whole of the
then village of Brooklyn, having one thousand two hun-
dred and eighty children between five and fifteen years,
of which only one hundred and eighty-eight had re-
ceived instruction, at an expense to the public of $454,
half of which came from the town. In 1823, the town
received from the State its portion ($413.13) of the ap-
propriation for common schools. In 1824, upwards of
two hundred children were taught in the school of the
district, the price of tuition being not above $4 per an-
num, and from that amount to nothing, according to
the abilities of the parent. One thousand one hundred
and fifty-seven out of one thousand six hundred and
seven children in the district (between five and ten
years of age) attended the public or private schools.
The school was continued on the Lancasterian plan un-
til about 1836. In this system, thus named after its
inventor, Joseph Lancaster, of England, the seats and
tables were arranged in the centre of the school-room,
leaving a passage clear around the outside ; on the
walls hung stiff cards or pasteboards, containing the
lessons; so that the class, standing in a semi-circle,
could learn to read and spell from the same card. The
tables were divided into partitions or shallow boxes,
filled with sand, and occupying the spaces in front of
each scholar. The child was taught the letters and to
make them, by drawing them in the sand with a stick,
cut sharp at one end and fiat at the other, so that light
and heavy lines could be made without having to re-
trace them. The sand was smoothed over, with a rule
of exactly the same width as the partition; and the
lines to rule the sand were made by little pegs in the
ruler, on the other side, which was used after the sand had
been smoothed. After learning to trace the letters in
the sand, the scholars were given slates and pencils, af-
terwards pens and ink. Monitors from the higher
classes were assigned classes to teach; being changed
frequently, so that teaching might not occupy too much
of their time, to the detriment of their own studies.
Musical instruction was introduced into this school m
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
413
1836, by the late lamented Theodore D wight, who
served as a volunteer teacher, and the first words ever
sung in a Brooklyn public school, were by the scholars
of this school, in the song commencing.
Softly now the light of day,
Steals upon my sight away, etc.
Early Private Schools. — Of private schools, be-
tween 1800 and 1816, there had been no lack. Of such,
probably, was the following, thus advertised in May,
1802: "The Brooklyn school is now open, where are
taught reading, writing, arithmetic, geography and
book-keeping; also, if required, Greek, Latin, History
and Belle-Lettres. Trustees: John Doughty, Robert
Hodges, John Vandewater, John Dean, and Dr. George
A. Clussman." In 1809, there was in the place, George
Hamilton's select school, where "students were taught
to make their own pens." Hamilton was shortly suc-
ceeded by one John Gibbons, at the same place, who
kept an "academy for both sexes," where the various
branches of education were taught "on unerring princi-
ples." Mrs. Gibbons, also, undertook to aid her hus-
tand by instructing little girls in spelling, reading,
sewing and marking; and an evening school for young
men was proposed by Mr. and Mrs. Gibbons, and " N.
B. good pronunciation." In the next year, 1810, Brook-
lyn seems to have been still better supplied with private
Bohools. One Whitney kept school opposite the Post
Office; Mr. John Mabon taught the Brooklyn Select
Academy, of which the trustees were Joshua Sands, S.
Saokett, andH. I. Feltus; and Piatt Kenneday's scholars
were advertised to hold an exhibition on Christmas
Eve, at Benjamin Smith's old inn. But of all these,
and their successors, and their name is legion — Evan
Beynon, Samuel Seabury, John Swinburne, and other
notable instructors — there is not the space to recite
their histories, or to celebrate their praises.
In 1813, an enterprise originated which ultimately
resulted in the establishment of the first Public School.
A number of charitable ladies (Mrs. Sands, Mrs. On-
derdonk, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Moffat, Mrs. Ireland, and
others), formed an organization and established a
school known as the Loisian Seminary, named after
Lois, the grandmother of Timothy the Apostle, and by
whom he was instructed in the first principles of the
Christian Religion.
It was an association for the free instruction of poor
children in reading, writing, arithmetic, knitting and
sewing.
It was governed by a Board of five Trustees, who
solicited donations of books, and of cash for the rent
and ordinary expenses of the school; and the tuition was
given by young ladies of the village, who volunteered
for the purpose. The school continued on this plan for
some years. Some of the teachers married, others tired
of their duties; and, finally, a lady was engaged to teach
at a salary, agreeably to a suggestion of Mr. Andrew
Mercein, whereby the school was converted into a Pub-
lic School under existing law. The last teacher of the
Loisian School was Mrs. Abrams, wife of an old-time
undertaker of St. Ann's Church.
But, here we trench upon the limits of the admirable
sketch of The History of Public Education in the
City of Brooklyn, prepared by our esteemed friend,
Tunis G. Beegen, Esq., President of the Board of
Education of the city, which will be found in a later
portion of this work.
The local historians of the several towns represented
in this History, have given ample information concern-
ing the schools of their respective towns; see Flatlands,
p. 75; Flatbush, p. 249; Gravesend, p. 173; Bushwick,
p. 276; New Utrecht, p. 265, and New Lots, p. 314.
See also. Index, for many incidental items relating to
educational matters.
HISTORY
OF THE
MEDICAL PROFESSION
By
OF KINGS COUNTY,
1644-1822.
Of Beookltn.
THE TERRIBLE INDIAN WAR of 1643-44,
which devastated and very nearly extinguished
the rising settlements of the New Netherlands,
under Kieft's ill-starred management, was virtu-
ally ended, in July, 1644, by the arrival of the ship
"Blue Cock'' from Curacoa. The 130 soldiers which she
brought — and which Petrus Stuyvesant, then governor
of that island, had been glad to get rid of, as having
no use for them, and fearing a threatened famine —
added strength and confidence to the sorely pressed
colonists. And, availing themselves of the breathing
spell thus afforded them, attempts were made to establish
a permanent peace with their savage neighbors.
In this vessel, also, probably, came a surgeon, Paulus
Van Dee Beeck, of Bremen, who had served in the
West India Company's ships, and at its station at
Curacoa. He was, pi-obably, the second medical man in
the colony, Hans Kierstede, also one of the W. I. Co.'s
surgeons, having settled in New Amsterdam as early as
1638. A pushing man, shrewd and "with an eye to
the main chance," was the ex-ship-surgeon; for, in Oc-
tober of the same year, some three months from the
date of his arrival, he married Mary Thomas or Baddie,
who had already been the wife, successively, of Willem
Arianse Bennett and of Jacob Verden. Her first hus-
band, Bennett, was one of the first settlers in the
present limits of the City of Brooklyn, having, with
Jacques Bentyn, in 1636, purchased (Stiles' Brooklyn,
i. 52) a large tract of land which he had cultivated, and
on which he built (about at the intersection of the
present Third avenue and Twenty-eighth street) a
home. He was killed by the Indians at the beginning
of hostilities, his buildings burned, and his stock stolen
or destroyed. In 1644, however, peace being made
with the Indians, the settlers gradually returned to
their ruined farms. The widow and her new husband
soon returned again to Long Island, and Bennett's
deserted farm was cultivated, and buildings erected
upon it by Surgeon Van Der Beeck, who took up his
residence there, probably, before 1653; for in that year
he, with others, was chosen by the neighbors to repre-
sent them in a convention and as a delegate to Director
Stuyvesant. This convention framed a petition, strongly
worded, insisting with sturdy Dutch determination on
their rights, as citizens, to have a voice in the govern-
ment of the province.
In a sparsely populated colony, among settlers who,
from the necessity of the case, must be rugged with
health, but little call existed for medical skill. Every
man became not alone his own doctor, but each was
virtually a "jack of all trades;" no one pursued one
avocation to the exclusion of others. So with Paulus
Van Der Beeck; we read of him as "Mr. Paulis, surgeon
and farmer." Danger seemed to have no terror for him,
for he lived far from the protecting walls of the fort.
Like a shrewd man, he cast his eye upon the public crib,
and for many years fed at it. In 1656 he was collector
or farmer of the revenues; 1661-62 finds him farming
out the Excise and Tenths on Long Island; at the same
time he was ferry-master. He prospered and grew
rich. In 1675 he was assessed on £133 10s., and there
were only nine citizens with higher rates. In 1676, he
is rated £140, an acre of land passing at £1 wampum
values ; and, in a previous year — 1657 — the church
having fallen behind in the dominie's salary. Van Der
Beeck is rated as " in easy circumstances and well off,
and taxed ten florins. But one break did occur in a life
seemingly so full of success. In 1663, his step-sons, the
children of Bennet, petitioned for a re-possession of
their patrimony; and, by the order of the Director-
General and Council, Sheriff Hegeman put them in con-
trol of part of the land.
Surgeon Paulus Van Der Beeck died previous to
1679; for in that year the much bereaved Mary was
once more a widow, and as such conveying lands.
Gbeaedus Willemse Bbekman, a physician and
SKETCHES OF ANCIENT PHYSICIANS.
415
tician is recorded as the next doctor in Kings
nty. His father, Wilhelmus Beekman, emigrated
a Hesselt in 1647, and held many public offices in
T Amsterdam. G-erardus settled in Flatbush, and
([oyember, 1678, was chosen one of the deacons of
Reformed Dutch Church of that place. Of his
Jical labor nothing is recorded. As others followed
le calling besides their trade or profession, Beekman
braced politics and remained an office-holder till the
e of his death. In 1687 he took the oath of al-
iance as a native, while two years earlier he was ap-
nted a colonel in the militia and justice of the peace.
fas his destiny to be in active life during the ill-
edLeisler controversy, and he was a firm adherent
Leisler's cause. When the justices in New Amster-
n refused to administer the oath of allegiance to
illiamand Mary, 1689, Jacob Leisler sent to Long
md for Captain G. Beekman, Justice of the Peace, to
form that duty. A year later Dr. Beekman was one
Leisler's Counsel of Ten. Ere another year passed,
ffever, a change in the administration occurred. In
tober, 1691, Beekman was placed under arrest, but
eased under a bond of £500 not to depart the
)vince and for good behavior. But he was too
ong a partisan to be quiet, and issued a spirited de-
ice of Leisler's actions. Brought to trial with five
ire of Leisler's staunch supporters, he was found
ilty and sentenced to death. Now it was that his
irling character became apparent ; Governor Slaugh-
■ offered him a free pardon if he would but apologize
r Ms adherence to Leisler ; and his friends impor-
aed him to accept the proffered clemency, pointing out
It Leisler and Milborne had already been executed;
dthat, owing to delay of communication with the home
vemment. Slaughter was practically in absolute
ntrol ; and, that whatever the result of after investi-
tion into his actions might be, Beekman's life could
t be restored. Perhaps, finding him still obdurate,
ey suggested that the apology would only be a form,
d that as soon as advices could be received from
igland, Slaughter would be recalled. He declined
ike their advice and suggestions, and firmly facing
e result, refused to ask the proffered pardon, because
believed the cause of Leisler a just cause, and his
ra conduct in the matter, right. He, with his com-
des under sentence, were at length pardoned by order
the King. For several years after this we hear but
tie of Beekman in public life. Not till 1 705-'6 did he
:ain hold office ; then he appears as a member of
)rd Cornbury's council, and in the latter year as a
mmissioner for the Mohegans in their claim against
)Mecticut for certain tracts of lands. In 1709, 1711
i 1715 he was a member of Governor Hunter's
uncil ; and he was acting governor of the province
Jm 1709 to 1710. He died in November, 1724, at
eageof 71 years.
An amusing incident relating to Beekman has been
preserved to us, by a letter of one H. ITilkins. A con-
troversy had arisen between the congregation of the
Breuckelen church and their dominie, Mr. Freeman ;
hot words, followed by hotter actions, disturbed the
quiet of the community, and at last the law was invoked
by the clergyman. Justice Beekman rendered the de-
cision that Mr. Freeman should preach. A few days
later Colonel Beekman and H. Filkins met on the fer-
ry, coming to Breuckelen, and, on landing, stopped at
the ferry-tavern to drink a glass of wine. One glass
followed another till both gentlemen were well fuddled;
then the subject of Rev. Freeman's preaching came
under discussion. Mr. Filkins was also a justice of the
peace, and bitterly opposed to Dominie Freeman. The
controversy grew more irritating, till Beekman finally
asserted that service should be continued as heretofore.
To this Filkins retorted that he was also a justice, and
Beekman's peer. Then Col. Beekman's wrath blazed
out; and, as Filkin's states in his letter, he "gave me the
lie, calling me a pitiful fellow, dog, rascall, &c." Such
language poured upon a temper already inflamed by
the infusion of "Dutch courage," naturally caused an
outbreak, and Filkins goes on to state "which caused
me, being overcome with passion, to tell him I had a
good mind to knock him off his horse, we being both at
that time getting upon our horses to goe home, but
that I would not goe; I would fight him at any time
with a sword." "I could wish," he adds "that these
last words had been kept in, and I am troubled that I
was soe overcome with passion and inflamed with
wine. The work of these Dutch ministers is the occa-
sion of all our quarrells."
Ere Beekman's death, a Dr. John Neebuet was re-
siding at the Brooklyn ferry. Little can be learned of
him. In 1710 a Palatine child was indentured to him.
In 1732 he presented a bill against the county, amount-
ing to £6, 4s, for taking care of a poor man at Mr.
Stryker's, of Flatbush ; later he deeded a wood-lot
in Flatbush to Johanna Dewitt, and still later, in
1746, evidence exists that he was living on Staten
Island.
Henry, or Hendeick Van Beueen is the next prac-
titioner of whom any record can be found. In 1754 he
presented a bill to the county, for setting the shoulder
of Mary Ann Smith, and for after attendance, valuing
his services at £1, 12s. Another bill of his for " doctor-
ing" the "French neutrals," for 14s., bears date of
1765. These "French neutrals" were some of the two
thousand unhappy Acadians whom England had de-
ported from their homes in 1755, and scattered in the
New England provinces, and as far south as Pennsyl-
vania. Another bill against the county, in 1770, and
one in 1772, attest that he was engaged in active prac-
tice. Busy as he was, however, he found time to pro-
test against the doings of the numerous " irregulars " in
his vicinity. In the New York Gazette, or Weekly
Postboy, for May 20, 1754, he appears in this letter :
416
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
" Vita brevis, ars vero longa : seo occasio momentosa mag-
ni momenti ; empirica periclitato perimilosi Judicium diffi-
cile. HlPPOCEAT. Aphoris. — The daily and innumerable
Abuses that are committed on the Bodies of our Fellow-
creatures, in the Practice of Physio and Surgery, by the un-
skilful Pretenders to both ; and the deplorable instances of
the Havook and Devastation, occasioned by such intestine
Enemies (destructive to any State, as a raging Pestilence), is
obvious to all Men of Judgment and Observation. Hovt^ so-
licitous ought every Monarchy, and Commonvrealth, to be,
about the health and Preservation of every Individual? The
ancient Romans were very singular in this way. Any one
who had the good Fortune to save the Life of any Roman
citizen, was dignified with an Oaken Garland. Even the
diminutive Republic of St. Marino, in Italy, in our days, is
very remarkable for the judicious Choice in a Physician, un-
der whose Hands the Commonwealth thrives. A proper Reg-
ulation in this Respect, so necessary in this Province, will be
likely never to take place, without the attention and con-
currence of the Legislature.
" Every pitiful Fellow, now-a-Daya (more dexterous at mur-
dering or maiming his Patients, than at terms of Art), as-
sumes to himself, with no small Arrogance, the Appellation of
Doctor ; far from being due to Quacks and Medicators, and
only so to the Gentlemen of the Faculty, the undoubted sons
of ^sculapius. So venerable a Distinction is become rather
a Term of Reproach to those to whom it peculiarly belongs,
who have taken the highest Degree in that Art, or Science, in
some University ; or, at least, ought to be qualified for so
doing.
" Well may a Gentleman of the Faculty, in the City of New
York, particularly distinguished for his uncommon merit,
disdain the appellation, when he must share it with numbers
who can have no Pretension to it at all ; and even with
Apothecary apprentices, before they have finished their elab-
orate studies and application of Three long years."
It may not be amiss to notice these impostors, who,
at this time, so irritated Dr. Van Beuren and others, as
to call forth frequent protests in public prints. The
demand for medication was evidently on the increase,
and the emoluments of the profession becoming more
valuable. The immunity from climatic change that
the settlers had at first enjoyed, had given place to an
outbreak of intermittent fever and of dysentery in the
summer, and to lung and throat affections in the win-
ter. Already small-pox had appeared among the col-
onies, and swept through the province more than once.
Yellow fever had also been introduced and added to
the death rate. These maladies were widespread, and
doubtless carried great alarm to the worried colonists.
The modesty of charlatans has never been conspicuous,
and such an opportunity to prey upon human fear and
credulity was no more neglected two centuries ago,
than it is to-day. Legislation did not interfere with
their action, and their pretensions, however absurd,
were believed by a people not too well educated. Any
one might set up as a practitioner of medicine, and
succeed. That many did so, we may judge from the
indignant protests of the few educated physicians who
had cast their lot here. A writer in the "NY. Indepen-
dent Reflector,'' 1753, says : "That place (N. Y.) boasts
the honor of above forty gentlemen of the faculty, and
far the greatest part of them are mere pretenders to «>'
profession of which they are entirely ignorant"'
Another, in a New England colony, writes, inlJsj.J
" Few physicians amongst us are eminent for theii'-;
skill. Quacks abound like the locusts in Egypt anj;i
too many have recommended themselves to a full and'
profitable practice and subsistence. This is the less to
be wondered at, as the profession is under no kind ofi'
legislation. Loud as the call is, to our shame be it revt
membered, we have no law to protect the lives of the'
King's subjects from the malpractice of pretenders. Any ,!
man, at his pleasure, sets up for physician, apothecatyji
and chirurgeon. No candidates are either examined or-
licensed, or even sworn to fair practice." In the !iglit«t
of these statements. Dr. Van Beuren's strong letter-;
seems fully justified, and affords us, also, a glimpse of^
the writer's character. He was an educated physician, i
conscientious in his life's work, and detesting, with an^
honest man's contempt, the claims of impostors. j
After the battle of Long Island, most of the Kings,,;
County people hastened to renew their allegiance to the ;
crown; among them was Henry Van Beuren. In,.
Rivington's Gazette, June 30, 1781, " James Rankin, ,;
chairman of the Board of Refugees, requests the Loyal ,
Refugees of Kings County to appear at the home of.
Dr. Van Beuren, Flatbush, on Wednesday next at noon, .
to consult on matters of importance.''
Contemporary with Van Beuren is found the name
of De. John Lodbv^iok. His record is extremely
slight ; for, with the exception of two bills against the
county, nothing can be learned of his existence. The
first bill, bearing date of 1759, is for tending a sick
woman at Peter Lott's, in Flatbush ; the next, in 1767,
is for tending a sick man from December 19, 1766, to
April, 1767, and for medicines, and amounts to £9, 5«,
6d
Another contemporary of that time, and the last pre-
revolutionary physician of whom I find record, is De.
Haeet Van Db Watbe. One of his bills agamst the
county bears date 1766, and is for medicine and attend-
ing on a sick vagrant person at Justice Theodoras Pol-
hemus' (of Bushwick), £2, 10s. Another, date 1769, is
for medicine and attendance on a vagrant person for
two weeks. His death occurred from disease contracted
on board one of the prison-ships. A history is in these
last few words. Long Island was in complete control
of the British, and the cause of the colonists was at its
lowest ebb. Van De Water's neighbors, and some, at
least, of his professional comrades, were staunch royal-
ists ; to be patriotic at such a time, implied the loss o
property, social ostracism, perhaps imprisonment an
death. He accepted the issue for what he believed to
be right.
The War for Independence brought many army sur-
geons into Kings County. At the date of the battle ot
Long Island, the medical officers of the Eastem^"-
sion, supposed to have been present, were Prs.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN KUSFGS COUNTY.
417
Shippen, of Pennsylvania, chief physician of the " flying
camp;" Department Director General Isaac Foster ;
Physician General of hospital Ammi E.. Cutler, of
Mass.- Surgeon General of hospitals Philip Turner; and
Physician and Surgeon General of the army Wm.
Burnett.
At the close of that disastrous August day, the fol-
lowing American surgeons were prisoners in the British
lines : John and Joseph Davies of the First Penn. Bat-
talion ; Dr. Holmes of Huntington's regiment, and Dr.
Young of Atlee's regiment. After the battle, Boerum's
holt-house, the house on the Heights known as the-
Livingston or Joralemon house, and the Remsen house,
then occupying the site of Grace church, were used as
Brooklyn military hospitals ; while in New Utrecht
and Flatbush, the churches were used both as hospitals
and prisons. Sad was the fate of the wounded prison-
ers at first. In Flatbush, they were neglected and un-
attended, wallowing in their own filth, and breathing
infected air. After ten days of this misery. Dr. Richard
Bailey of the Staten Island hospital was appointed to
care for them ; and he, assisted by Dr. Silas Holmes of
Norwich, Conn., a prisoner of war, did all in their
power to alleviate the suffering. Under their charge
the wounded were daily visited ; a sack-bed, sheet and
blanket was obtained for every prisoner, and the over-
crowded church was relieved by distributing the cap-
tives into the neighboring barns.
Daring the progress of the war, Rivington^s Gazette
was largely used for advertising lost or stolen property;
among the advertisements is that of a reward of two
guineas, by Surgeon A. Bainbridge of the New Jersey
Volunteers, for a runaway slave; and one of Dr. Alle-
mand, for the recovery of a lost mouse-colored horse.
In the mortality list on the British side, stand the names
of Wm. Poole, chief physician of the Naval hospital in
Brooklyn, who died in 1778, and Surgeon John Howe,
who died in 1782.
War has ever been a great incentive to the medical
profession. Its necessities call for more recruits, its
agonies and deaths for increased skill, to alleviate the
suffering caused by its wounds, and combat the diseases
incident upon camp life. Our war for independence
was no exception to the rule; and, at its close, we need
feel no wonder at the increased number of practition-
ers of medicine. At least three army surgeons took up
their residence in Kings County at the close of the
war; one in Flatbush, whose name is given as Dr.
Bkck, and John J. Barbaein and John Duppibld, in
Brooklyn.
Of Dr. Beck so little is known authentically that
even the correctness of his name is in dispute. That an
English army surgeon settled in Flatbush at the close
of the war is, however, beyond dispute. He was a man
of ability and obtained a successful practice, to which
e attended, till an accident or illness prevented active
or. After this he seems to have become dissipated
and poor, and for some time before his death to have
been dependent on charity. His end was tragic; his
body was found in an old well, and it is unknown
whether he fell in by accident or committed suicide.
Either contemporaiy with this physician, or succeeding
him by but a short time, were the brothers James J.
and John H. Van Buebn. James lived in the old
Duryea house, now owned by the Brooklyn City R. R.
Co.; John was a bachelor, and lived with another
brother, who kept a hotel near the old jail. In the
Supervisors' proceedings for 1787, is a resolution that
Dr. Van Buren attend upon a sick person in the county
jail at Flatbush, and that £4 be allowed him ; and a
strong probability exists that at this time Dr. Van
Buren was the keeper of and occupied the county court-
house and jail. James Van Buren died in 1802, fol-
lowed by his brother nine years later.
At this time Flatbush was the principal town and
county seat of the county. In Brooklyn, we have
already seen that Drs. Duffield and Barbarin cast their
lot at the end of the war. Of the former, little can be
learned, save that he died in 1798, and that a street was
named after him. John Joel Baebaein was in the
British service during the Revolution ; before its close
he married a daughter of Lodowyck Bamper of Brook-
lyn, and shortly after resigned from the service and
settled here in practice. In Nov., 1784, he petitioned
the Assembly to grant him the right of citizenship.
A MS. record of accouchment cases attended by him,
from 1791 to 1796, was kept by the doctor in the
French language, and is reported to be still in existence.
Barbarin was one of the first trustees of the incorporated
village of Brooklyn. A street, now Lawrence street,
was originally named after him. From his portrait, he
seems to have been a man of fine physique, with dark
complexion and black eyes; his dress was plain, but rich,
and garnished at the wrists with lace.
During the first decade of the present century the
profession in Flatbush was augmented by the coming
of Dr. Wm. D. Creed. He was born in Jamaica, L. I.,
became a licentiate in 1809, and began active practice
in the county towns. He was elected to the office of
sheriff for one term. At the close of his term of ser-
vice, he moved to New Utrecht, where he again prac-
ticed his profession. In the epidemic of Asiatic cholera
in 1832, he was a member of the Board of Health of
Flatbush, with Drs. Zabriskie and Vanderveer of that
village, and Dr. Robert Edmond of East New York.
In Brooklyn, at the period between 1800 and 1822,
are found the names of Geoegb A. Clussman, J. G.
T. Hunt, Matthew Wendell, Chas. Ball, Benjamin
Lowe, Samuel Osborne and John Carpenter. The
first mention found of Dr. Clussman is in a bill against
the county, in 1779, for £5, 4s. In one of the copies
of the Long Island Weekly Intelligencer, for 1806,
William Vander Veer, apothecary, advertises that he is
regularly educated in his business, having studied in
418
SIS TOUT OF KINGS GOXTNTY.
Amsterdam, and that his store is in the house of Dr.
Geo. A. Clussman, who, with Dr. Samuel Osborne, will
guarantee his ability and drugs. Dr. Clussman further
seems to have been deeply interested in educational
matters.
Joseph Gednet Taelton Hunt was born in West-
chester, N. Y., in 1783. He studied medicine with
Drs. Whitehead, Hicks and Bard, was licensed in 1804,
and appointed Asst. Surgeon in the navy. In a short
time he was promoted to be full surgeon. He served
in the Algerian war, under Decatur ; was on board the
Chesapeake when she was captured by the Leopard.
At length he was stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard;
here he not only attended to his official duty, but ac-
quired a considerable private practice. In 1820, he
resigned from the service, and made his home on the
corner of Concord and Fulton streets. He was one of
the earliest members of the Kings County Medical
Society, of which he was President from 1825 to 1830,
inclusive. In 1824, he was appointed the first Health
Officer of Brooklyn, with a salary of $200 a year, and
was re-appointed, without intermission, till the time of
his death, in August, 1830. Dr. Hunt was small in
stature, with a brusque manner, but he redeemed this ap-
proach to curtness by many agreeable social qualities.
Samuel Osboene (previously mentioned as vouching
for apothecary Vander Veer), son of John Osborne,
M.D., of Middletown, Conn., studied medicine, settled
in Brooklyn, and became a physician of some repute.
A bitter newspaper controversy was maintained be-
tween him and Drs. Wendell and Ball, during the
yellow fever epidemic of 1809; a controversy ending
in the indulgence of outrageous personalities between
the disputants. Shortly after this, Osborne removed to
New York city.
From about 1790 to 1805, Dr. Pbtke, or Peters, was
living at New Utrecht, and built on the high ground,
midway between Fort Hamilton and the village of New
Utrecht, a large edifice for an academy. Here he kept
a school in addition to his practice. This building,
later known as " the De Karsy House," was torn down
in 1872. His practice covered the town of Gravesend.
It is said that it was his custom to go to the hotel,
upon his arrival in town, and to ring a large dinner-
bell, to notify those needing his services that he was in
readiness for consultation. In 1805, Dr. Francis
Hbnet Dubois, who became a licentiate in 1802, settled
at New Utrecht, and acquired a large practice, which
he retained till his death, in 1834.
Kings County Medical Society established.—
We have at length reached the period at which the
desultory and disconnected detail of sometime practi-
tioners ceases ; and the medical men of Kings county
formed an organized society for their own protection
against impostors, and for the benefit of the people in
their mutual reports and discussions of diseases, and in
their closer acquaintance and fraternity with each
other. In 1806, the Legislature of New York enacted
a law allowing the incorporation of a state and of
county medical societies. Under this act, the State
Medical Society was organized at once. The medical
men of this county did not act in the matter, ho-wever
for several years, and it was not till 1822 that organi-
zation was attempted. On Monday, February 22,
1822 Drs. Chas. Ball, Matthew Wendell, John Car-
penter, Wm. D. Creed, Francis H. Dubois and Adrian
Vander v^eer, practicing physicians in this county, met
in the village of Flatbush to discuss the propriety of
forming a county society. After informal discussion
they adjourned to meet in Brooklyn on March 2. At
the March meeting it was decided to organize a society,
and the following officers were elected: Cornelius Low,
President; Matthew Wendell, Vice-President; Adrian
Vanderveer, Secretary ; John Carpenter, Treamrer.
At the same meeting, ByrLaws for the government of
the society were, adopted. On April 2, 1822, the fol-
lowing physicians, with the officers already named,
founded the society : Francis H. Dubois, J. 6. T.
Hunt, Chas. Ball, William D. Creed, Thomas Wilson
Henry. From the organization of the society till the
present time, the following gentlemen have been its
Presidents :
Cornelius Low, 1822 to '25; J. G. T. Hunt, 1825 till
his death, in 1830; Thos. W. Henry, 1831 to '33;
Chas. Ball, 1833 to '35 ; Isaac I. Rapelye, 1835 ; Mat-
thew Wendell, 1836 ; Adrian Vanderveer, 1837 to '39 ;
John B. Zabriskie, 1839; Purcell Cooke, 1840 to '42 ;
Theodore L. Mason, 1842 to '44; Bradley Parker, 1844;
Purcell Cooke, 1845; J. Sullivan Thorne, 1846; Lucius
Hyde, 1847 ; Chauncey L. Mitchell, 1848 ; Henry J.
Cullen, 1849 ; James H. Henry, 1850 ; Samuel J. Os-
borne, 1851 ; George Marvin, 1852 ; Andrew Otterson,
1853 to '55; Geo. L Bennet, 1856; T. Anderson Wade,
1856; Samuel Boyd, 1857; Chauncey L. Mitchell, 1858
to '60 ; Daniel Brooks, 1860 ; C. R. McClellan, 1861;
Samuel Hart, 1862 ; Dewitt C. Enos, 1863 ; Joseph C.
Hutchison, 1864 ; John T. Conkling, 1865 ; Andrew
Otterson, 1866 ; Wm. W. Reese, 1867 ; R. Cresson
Stiles, 1868-'70 ; J. H. Hobart Burge, 1870-'72 ; Wm,
Henry Thayer, 1872-'74 ; A. J. C. Skene, 1874-'V6 ;
A. Hutchins, 1876-'79 ; J .S. Prout, 1879 ; Charles
Jewett, 1880, '83; G. G. Hopkins, 1883.
TRAVEL AND TRANSIT
IN
Kings County.
STAGES AND RAILROADS.
By
C
f /?>-e.M3-^l-^^^^^ .
FACILITIES FOR TRAVEL IN KINGS
COUNTY. The growtli of a city is most
surely and palpably demonstrated by the in-
crease in its means of ready and rapid communi-
cation with its suburbs and the country adjacent. In
.1833, fifty years ago, Kings County, including the vil-
lage of Brooklyn, had a population of about 26,000.
There were three ferries, two of them but recently es-
tablished, to connect it with the city across the East
river. The mails were brought to and from New
York to the growing village, daily, and to the suburban
towns, from once to three times a week, according to
their remoteness and the amount of their population,
and a one horse-wagon sufficed to carry the whole.
Stage and Omnibus Lines.— There were, it is
true, stages running somewhat irregularly to the prin-
cipal villages of Queens and Suffolk Counties, but
these were not sufficiently frequent for local travel.
Two licensed hackmen, with perhaps five or six extra
carriages for weddings or funerals, were able to furnish
all necessary transportation to those citizens who were
not provided with vehicles of their own, or did not
prefer to traverse the roads leading to the remoter dis-
tricts, on their own stout limbs. A line of omnibuses,
started between 1830 and 1840, were so irregular in
their time-tables, and so dilapidated and worthless,
that they obtained little patronage. This line and its
privileges, as well as some others just starting, were,
about 1840, bought up by Mr. Montgomery Queen,
who being interested with others in developing a large
property in the Bedford neighborhood, then quite out
of town, found that the great hindrance to securing
desirable purchasers for his lots was the lack of regular
and efficient communication between Bedford and Ful-
ton ferry. He established the first really effective
line of stages (omnibuses) in the county, having good
Md new vehicles, excellent horses, and running
promptly and regularly on time. Mr. Queen's first
route was through Fulton street and its eastward ex-
tension as far as Bedford. Regularity brought pub-
lic confidence and secured patronage, and this stage
line contributed largely to the growth of the city in
the Bedford district. When city railroads were estab-
lished, Mr. Queen became their warm supporter, and
was largely identified with the Brooklyn City Railroad
Company. Soon after 1840 he established other lines
through Flushing avenue, and a little later through I
DeKalb and Flatbush avenues. On this last-named '
avenue the stages ran regularly to the village of Flat-
bush. There was also a stage line through Myrtle |
avenue, owned and operated by Seymour L. Husted,
which was maintained only at a great pecuniary sacri-
fice. In 1851 the first regular line of stages from Flat-
bush, was run by " Old John Roe," of Canarsie, who
made two trips daily from Canarsie via Flatbush to
Fulton ferry, changing horses at Flatbush. It was
through the efforts of the parishioners of " the Holy
Cross " that this stage line was first established, and it
was maintained until the Flatbush route of the Brook-
lyn City Railroad took its place in 1860.
The historian of Coney Island and Gravesend has
kindly furnished us with the following facts relative to
stages and staging in Gravesend :
Fifty years ago, and even less, it was a day's journey
to go to Brooklyn and return ; consequently due prep-
aration must be made the day beforehand for such an
undertaking. The lumbering stage-coach was the only
public conveyance at that time. Neither was there a
direct public highway to the city then as now, but
people were compelled to go through Flatlands and
Flatbush before they could reach Brooklyn. The
stage left Gravesend in the morning and did not return
again until night. The journey became, therefore, a
matter of dread, rather than pleasure, to those com-
pelled to undertake it.
Mr. Church, of Fort Hamilton, ran a line of stages
from the Fort, through Gravesend to Brooklyn, some
fifty years ago. We have no knowledge of any public
conveyance to the city before this period. In 1834
Mr. James W, Cropsey ran a stage line from Coney
420
BJSTOJiT OF KINGS COUNTY.
Island to Fulton Ferry, a distance of eleven miles. He
was then the proprietor of the Coney Island House,
and the same year built the first horse railroad on Long
Island, running from his hotel to the shore, some eighty
rods, for the accommodation of his guests.
Mr. Cropsey continued the stage line for six years,
and then sold out to one Felter; who, after some years,
was succeeded by John Carll, who, in addition to pas-
sengers, carried also the mail. Carll gave place to
Pat Breslin, well remembered to-day as a jolly and
accommodating stage driver.
In 1879 a line of stages was started by Mr. Stiles, to
run from the corner of Grand and Lafayette avenues
to the City Hall. He afterwards extended the route,
and formed a stock comjjany called the Lafayette Ave-
nue Stage Company. April 23d, 1882, H. Hamilton
bought the line of stages, with all its appurtenances,
and now runs them between Bedford Station and Wall
Street Ferry. He is sole proprietor, and owns twenty
stages, eighty-five horses, and employs twenty-five
men.
In the Eastern District of the present city, the
first omnibus was started in the year 1840 by a
Mr. Williams, a painter, who resided in South Fifth
street, near Twelfth. Unlike the systematic manage-
ment of the present lines of stages, the first omnibus
was driven promiscuously through the different streets,
and straggling pedestrians picked up and conveyed to
or from the Peck Slip Ferry, which was the business
focus of this new enterprise. Mr. Williams continued
the running of his omnibus about sis months, when, not
having sufficient patronage to defray the incurred ex-
penses, he abandoned the enterprise, and thus the in-
habitants of Williamsburgh were again left to their
own traveling resources. Since then, lines of stages
have been successfully and profitably run through
Grand, First, South Fourth and South Seventh streets,
and to East New York; Fulton and South Ferries,
Brooklyn, Bushwick, Maspeth, Newtown, Greenpoint,
Astoria and Flushing.
In 1836 the Brooklyn and Jamaica Railroad,
which had been chartered in 1832, was opened from
the South Ferry to Jamaica, a distance of about twelve
miles ; and not long after the Long Island Railroad,
chartered April 26, 1834, ran cars over the same track,
reaching some of the towns in Suffolk County.
The route was along Atlantic street, and what is now
Atlantic avenue. But although this road was a great
advance on all previous modes of locomotion, its value,
as a means of local travel, was limited to the immedi-
ate vicinity of the street through which it passed, and
it served even this need imperfectly. It is not to be
supposed that it had attained to the efficiency of the
railways of the present day. The best locomotive in
this country at that time, seldom exceeded a speed of
tweWe 'miles an hour, and the Long Island Railroad,
having no competition to fear, was not then, nor for
many years subsequently, equipped in the best man-
ner. More than twenty years later, in its passage
through Atlantic avenue, an active boy or man found
no difficulty in keeping up with its express trains for
two or three miles. As to its local support, in its route
through Kings County, it was much less valuable than
a horse railroad would have been. From the vicinity
of the ferry, for nearly a mile, it ran through a tunnel
or a sunken arcade, where it could receive no passen- i
gers, and at the road or street-crossings beyond, its'
high platforms, and the difficulty of entrance or exit
to and from the oars, made the local patronage very
meagre. It is to be remembered also that it could af- ''
ford accommodation to only a small portion of the in-
habitants of Kings County, had its facilities been much!
greater than they were.
There was a settlement of moderate extent, near the
present junction of Flatbush and Atlantic avenues ; a
village of somewhat larger size at Bedford, around the
crossing of the Clove road with Fulton street; and
another near the eastern, border of the county, then
known as the town of New Lots — now the populous
suburb of East New York. These three points were
all of any importance in the county, reached by the
Long Island Railroad. Its moderate business was
mainly with Queens, and later also with the western
portion of Suffolk County.
Although chartered in April, 1834, the main line was
not opened for travel through to Greenport until July
29, 1844. It was designed to be a direct route be-
tween New York and Boston, by connecting at the
eastern end of Long Island with a line of steamers for
the main land, but the completion of the New Haven
all-land route diverted the through travel. The Brook-
lyn and Jamaica Railroad, leased from its completion
in 1836, extended its line to the South Ferry in Broolj-
lyn. The new line to Long Island City, having been
completed in 1861, the line in the city of Brooklyn
was abandoned, but was rebuilt in 1876 as far as the
intersection of Flatbush and Atlantic avenues. In
1881, the Long Island Railroad Company was formed
for the purpose of uniting the various lines under one
management. At this time the old project of a steam
ferry from the east end of the route to Block Island,
Newport and Providence was revived, but after one
season's trial was again relinquished. The road was
for some time in the hands of a receiver, but was dis-
charged by order of the Supreme Court, October 17,
1881. During the past two years, the company has
largely increased the equipments of the road, purchased
10,000 tons of steel rails, and acquired valuable dock
privileges at Long Island City. The capital stock was
increased from $3,260,700 to $10,000,000, of which about
$9,000,000 was used in retiring the old indebtedness of
the road, and in the improvements already mentioned.
The Officers for 1882-'83 are Austin Corbin, Pres^
J, R. Maxwell and B. S. Henning, Vice-Presidents; F.
RAILROADS.
421
"W. Dunton, Treas.; E. B. Hinsdale, Sec; I. D. Bar-
ton Supt.; J. Carlsen, Auditor. In the winter of
1882-3 arrangements were completed by Mr. Austin
Corbin and his associates, by which the Manhattan
Beach Railroad, also owned and controlled by them,
was leased by the Long Island Railroad, and its track
widened, so that it could be run in connection with that
road thus opening a direct route to and from Coney
Island, to all parts of Long Island. The extension to
Montauk is to be completed during the autumn of 1883,
and limited express parlor-car trains run through to
Sag Harbor in two hours and twenty minutes. On the
first of June, 1883, maps and papers were filed for a
Long Island Trunk Railroad Co., having substantially
the same stockholders and managers as the Long Island
Railroad Company, and intended to connect the Long
Island Road with the newly-opened Bridge ; and, as
soon as possible, with the Hudson River and other
railroads coming into New Yoi-k, by means of an ele-
vated railway, which they proposed eventually to con-
tinue to Jamaica, Long Island. The purpose of this
connecting link was to enable any person on Long Isl-
and (in Brooklyn or elsewhere) to go without change
of cars to any part of the continent, even to the Pacific
coast. This project will meet with strong opposition,
but in some form will probably be carried into effect.
Tbie capital of the new road is to be five million dollars.
But to recur to the early history of travel in Kings
County ; the omnibuses had a monopoly of the business
of local passenger travel, for about thirteen years, when
the
Brooklyn City Railroad Company was incorpo-
rated (Dec. 17, 1853). This road bought out most of
/'the old stage lines, including the Myrtle Avenue line,
which Mr. Seymour L. Husted had so long struggled
to maintain. There were, however, one or two of these
running as late as 1859 or 1860, and between 1875 and
1883 two or three new stage lines have been estab-
' lished. Of these, the Lafayette Avenue Stage Co. and
the Montague Street Cab-line are still in existence.
Four of the Brooklyn City Railroad's routes, viz.,
the Fulton Avenue, Myrtle Avenue, Flushing Ave-
nue and Court Street, were in operation for two or
three miles of their length by the 3d of July, 1854.
This company now have twelve car routes, beside trans-
fers, all starting from Fulton Ferry, and radiating
thence in every direction to the city line, and several
of them to and beyond the county line. These are, in
alphabetical order: 1. The Flathish Line, from Ful-
ton Ferry to Prospect Park and Flatbush. 2. The
Flushing Avenue Line, from Fulton Ferry to Sands
street and Flushing and Van Cott avenues. This line
transfers passengers at corner of Classon and Flushing
avenues to Greenpoint and to City Hall. 3. Mdton Street
to Mist Wew York. 4. Furman Street Line, from
Fulton Ferry to Erie Basin. 5. Gates Avenue Line,
by Fulton, Greene and Gates avenues to Ridgewood.
6. Greenpoint Line via Classon Avenue, from Fulton
Ferry to Newtown Creek. This is a transfer to Gra-
ham avenue. 7. Greenpoint Line via Washington
Avenue. This is much the same as the preceding, ex-
cept a short cut across the Wallabout through Wash-
ington avenue to Kent. It is not a transfer line. 8.
Greenwood Line via Court Street, to Third and Fifth
avenues, to Greenwood Cemetery, and connecting with
steam-cars for Coney Island. 9. Hamilton Avenue Line,
from Hamilton Ferry to Greenwood at 25th street,
and by steam-cars to Bay Ridge and Fort Hamilton.
10. Myrtle Avenue Line, from Fulton Ferry through
Myrtle avenue to Ridgewood. 11. Putnam Avenue
Line, from Fulton Ferry, and Fulton street to Putnam
avenue and Halsey street, to Broadway and by trans-
fer to Ridgewood. 12. Third Avenue Line, from
Fulton Ferry to Flatbush and Third avenues, to 25th
street and Greenwood Cemetery. Its routes have an
aggregate length of 43 miles. Messrs. S. L. Husted,
Henry C. Murphy, Henry G. Pearson and Algernon S.
Sullivan were among its leading promoters ; and the
two first named, together with Charles Whitson, Whit-
son Oakley, William Benson, John Kellum, J. O.
Whitehouse, George S. Harland, Thomas J. Cochran,
Jeremiah Johnson, George L. Bennett, Henry W.
Conkling and Thomas Brooks, were the first Directors
of the company. Mr. Montgomery Queen, the ener-
getic stage proprietor, finding his occupation gone, be-
came identified with the railroad company at an early
date, and was for many years its efficient superintend-
ent. The first officers of the company were S. L. Hus-
ted, President, and Charles C. Betts, Secretary.
The Board of Ofpicees in 1883 consists of S. L.
Husted, Prest.; William M. Thomas, Vice-Prest.; Will-
iam B. Lewis, Sec. and Cashier ; Daniel F. Lewis,
Asst. Sec. and Treas. The number of cars in use is
625 ; of horses, 2,500 ; employment is given to 1,500
men. The total number of passengers carried in 1882
was 34,000,000. The capital, originally fixed at $2,-
400,000, was reduced by legislative permission in 1855
to $1,000,000.
The Brooklyn and Jamaica Railroad was, as we
have noticed above, of earlier date than the Brooklyn
City Railroad, having been chartered in 1832 and
opened in 1836 ; but it and its congeners, the Brooklyn
Central and Jamaica, Flushing, New York and Flushing,
and South Side, were steam, not horse railroads. All of
them, with the exception of the Atlantic Avenue, an
organization of later date, though running over the
same tracks, are now leased to or consolidated with the
Long Island Railroad.
The Atlantic Avenue Railroad Co. first operated
in 1859 and reorganized in 1873, has now six routes,
viz. : the Atlantic Avenue Line, from Fulton Ferry, — •
the cars run by steam-motors from Flatbush avenue to
Jamaica. 2. The Adams Street and Boerum Place
Line, to Prospect Park, Coney Island and Greenwood,
422
SISTOBY OF KIWGS COUNTY.
passing over the Atlantic avenue tracks from Boerum
Place to Fifth avenue and Greenwood, and with a
branch at 15th street to Ninth avenue and Greenwood,
eastern entrance, and transferring to and from South
and Wall Street Ferries at 15th street. 3. The Butler
Street Line, passing over the Adams and Atlantic street
routes to Washington avenue, thence to Butler street
and Nostrand avenue. Transfers to and from South
and Wall Street Ferries. 4. The Greenwood and
Coney Island Line, from Fulton Ferry through Fur-
man street and Atlantic avenue and Fifth avenue,
connecting at 27th street with Bath and Coney Island
Steam Railway. 5. The Prospect Park Line. Over
the same route as preceding, to Fifth avenue, and
Flathush avenue to Prospect Park, and along Ninth
avenue to Greenwood, connecting with Prospect Park
and Coney Island Steam Railroad at 20th street.
6. The Seventh Avenue Line, following the Adams
street route to Fifth avenue, thence by Flatbush avenue,
along Seventh avenue, to Greenwood, at 29th street,
thence to Ninth avenue and Prospect Park and
Coney Island steam-cars at 20th street. Transfers
are made here to and from South and Wall Street
Ferries. These lines are leased to and controlled by
William Richardson.
The Grand Street and Newtown Railroad Company was
chartered August 18th, 1860, with a capital stock of $200,-
000, which was afterwards reduced to $170,000. A double
track, from the foot of Broadway along First and Grand
streets, was completed to Bushwick avenue in October, 1860,
and afterwards extended to Maspeth and Newtown. The
present route of the main line is from Grand street to Hum-
boldt street, to Meeker avenue and to Calvary cemetery,
while a branch road continues on the original track from
Grand street to Newtown. The whole length of the road is
8i miles. The company has 50 oars and 180 horses. Nearly
2,000,000 passengers were carried last year. This road was
much indebted to its originator, Ira Buckman, Jr., for its suc-
cessful struggle against many obstacles and much opposition.
Its present officers are : Nicholas Wyckoff, Pres., Edmund
Driggs, Vice Pres., William E. Horwill, Sec. and Treas., and
E. B. Sturges, Supt.
The Broadway Railroad Company was the first one or-
ganized in the eastern district. Its charter is dated August
20, 1858, but the road was not estabhshed till 1860. Its
original ofl&cers were Thomas G. Talmage, Fi-es., E. O.
Gromelin, Sec. and Treas., Augustus Ivins, Supt., L. E.
MOler, Att'y. The company's route extends from Eoose-
velt street ferry up Broadway to East New York. They have
also two branch lines, one from Broadway to Eeid avenue
and Utica avenue to Atlantic avenue and return, and the
other from Broadway through Sumner and Troy avenues to
Bergen street. The length of track is 7 miles. The company
employs 350 men and uses 120 cai-s and 635 horses. The
number of passengers carried last year was 5,790,755. An
extension from East New York to Cypress Hills, a distance
of two miles, is operated as asteam-road, andis owned jointly
by the Broadway and Brooklyn city companies.
The Brooklyn and Coney Island Road, usually known as
the Smith street route, is chronologically next in order, but
we will postpone the consideration of that till we take up
the Coney Island roads together.
The Brooklyn City and Newtown Railroad Co. comes next
The articles of association of this company were filed Mar 22
1860, with the following officers : E. B. Catherwood, Pres. e'
Pell,Fice Pres., C. O. Richardson, Sec, S. E. Phelps, Tre'oi,
and Samuel McElwy, Eng'r. Its route extends from Pulton
Ferry through Fulton, Front, Washington, entering Fulton
again at Myrtle, thence to BeKalb avenue to Myrtle avenue
a distance of 4 J miles. At first and for several years its
route was from Front street to Bridge, to Willoughby and
to DeKalb, and returning from DeKalb to Gold, to Front
and Water, only touching Fulton at Gold street. These
routes were definitely abandoned in 1877. Since the open-
ing of the Bridge, they have been partially revived in con-
nection with a short line to the Bridge approach in Sands
street. This road is said to run the finest cars in the city.
Officers, Samuel Hutton, Pres., Louis Fitzgerald, Vice Pres.
H. A. Schultz, Sec. and Treas., and H. W. Bush, Supt.
The South Brooklyn Central Railroad Co. is next in the
order of time. The first company operating the route now
controlled by this company was known as the South Brook-
lyn and Park, and was organized in 1865. It was long
known as the Sackett street and Bergen street line, and did
not attain any considerable success. The road was foreclosed
and sold ; the company reorganized under its present name
and chartered August 7th, 1877. Its capital stock is $125,-
000. Its line from Hamilton ferry to Kingston avenue is 7
miles in length, of which 4J are in operation. It has recently
opened a branch through Bergen street, Flatbush avenue to
Prospect Park. At Nostrand avenue it connects with the
Williamsburgh and Flatbush line to foot of Broadway, E.
D. The number of passengers transported last year was
1,500,000. Officers, D. B. Mangam, Pres., R. W. Adams,
Treas., John O. Adams, Sec.
The Bushwick Railroad Company was chartered March
20th, 1867, with a capital stock of $200,000, and the fol-
lowing Officers: F. W. Kalbfleisch, Pres., A. M. Bhss,
Treas., H. S. Bellows, Sec, Ira H. Moore, SupH. The
company operates three horse routes: the Bushieick, from
Grand street ferry to city line ; the Oreenpoint, from Tenth
and Twenty-third street ferries, Greenpoint, to Bushwick
avenue, and the Tompkins Avenue, from South 7th and
Grand street ferries to Bergen street, Kingston avenue
and Brighton Beach junction. It also runs two steam lines,
from City line to Cypress Hills, and from the city Mne to the
Lutheran cemetery. The total length of its lines is about 13
miles. The company employs five motors, 140 cars and 475
horses. Officers, Wm. H. Husted, Pres., Frederick Crom-
well, Vice Pres., Augustus Ivins, Treas., S. D. HalloweU,
Sec, Wm. N. Morrison, Supt.
The Van Brunt and Erie Basin Railroad Co.— Organized
February 15th, 1861, with a capital of $50,000, which was
afterwards increased to $150,000. Its first ofBcers were:
Eobert Middleton, Pres. , and Andrew Foster, See. Its route
extends from Hamilton Ferry to the Erie Basin, one and one
quarter miles. It transfers its passengers by Brooklyn City
EaUroad to Fulton Ferry, passing all ferries. It employs 20
men, and with 25 horses and 6 cars carried nearly a half mil-
hon of passengers last year. Ofiacers, 1883 : Jas. Binns, Pres.;
Edmund Terry, Treas. and Sec; John Cunningham, Supt.
The Brooklyn Cross-town Railroad Co.— In 1868 the JViw-
sau Railroad Co. and the Oreenpoint and Williamsburgh Co.
were merged in the Brooklyn City, Hunter's Point and Pros-
pect Park Co., with Gen. H. W. Slocum, Pres., Demas Strong,
Treas., and C. F. Estee, Sec In 1874 the company was
changed to the Brooklyn and Crosstown Railroad Co., with
a capital of $200,000 in $50 shares. Its length of track from
Hunter's Point to Erie Basin is eight mUes. Its route trar
kAttROAtoS.
423
verses the whole length of the city from North to South,
connecting all the great manufacturing and commercial
establishments, and crossing all the numerous East and West
lines. The company started originally with 8 two-horse cars
and 76 horses. In 1876, one-horse cars, leaving every two
minutes during the day, were substituted for the larger cars
running at longer intervals. The company now employs 240
men 400 horses and 75 cars. It carried five million passen-
gers last year. Officers : Gen. H. W. Slocum, Pres., John R.
Connor, Sec. and Treas.
The North Second Street and Middle Village Railroad Co.
was first organized in 1864 as the Metropolitan Railroad. In
1869, its name was changed to the Orand Street Ferry and
Middle. VillageB. B.; and on Oct. 10, 1870, when it first com-
menced an active existence, it took the name of the North
Second Street and Middle Village Railroad Co. It absorbed
whatever there was to absorb (not very much) of the Brook-
lyn, Winfteld and Newtown Co., and commenced the con-
struction of its road from the foot of Broadway, E. D.,
through First to North Second street, along North Second to
Metropolitan avenue, to the Lutheran Cemetery and to Mid-
dle Village, Queens Co. Its track is seven miles in length ;
capital stock is $150,000, and it has a funded and floating
debt of $186,000. It carried, in 1881, 1,375,488 passengers.
The Pres. of the road is R. H. Greene ; the Sec, William T.
Graff.
New Williamsburgh and Flatbush R. R. Co.— This com-
pany organized in 1866 as the Williamsburgh and Flatbush,
with the following officers and directors : J. C. Hazelton,
Pres. ; Edward Boddy, Sec. ; C. H. Wilkins, Treas. ; J. T.
Conover, H. A. Merrill, W. V. Studdiford, J. C. Oatman, C.
H. Smith. The company was re-organized in 1873, and
chartered October 18, 1878. The length of the road from the
South Seventh street Ferry to Prospect Park is four and a
half miles. Its route is from foot of Broadway to Fifth street.
Division avenue, Lee avenue, Nostrand avenue, Malbone
street and Prospect Park. It employs 330 horses and 56 cars,
and transported two million passengers last year. Officers
and directors : Geo. W. Van Allen, Pres. ; Wm. B. Wait,
Sea.; C. B. Cottrell, Treas.; Wm. H. Van Allen, D. W.
Binns, W. A. Jones, C. B. Cottrell, R. W. Adams, Di-
rectors.
Grand Street, Prospect Park and Flatbush Railroad Co.
—The first officers of this company were Lof tis Wood, Pres. ;
Walter G. Hovey, Sec. ; P. H. House, Supt. The road was
sold on foreclosure Dec. 23d, 1869. The company was re-
organized with a capital of $300,000, and a new charter ob-
tained April 13th, 1870. This company leases the Prospect
Park and Flatbush Road, which was organized in 1878. Its
length of track, in 1882, was 4i miles. It employs 135 men,
250 horses and 60 cars, and last year carried nearly 2,000,000
passengers. Officers : Lof tis Wood, Pres. and Supt. ; Thomas
Ennis, Treas. ; Samuel Parkhill, Sec. In the beginning of
1883 this company again changed hands, Mr. Loftis Wood
and his associates withdrawing from it entirely. The new
company have laid new track, equipped it throughout in the
best manner, and extended the route to the Eastern entrance
to Greenwood, a distance of nearly two miles, making its
entire track over six miles. It now passes around the east
and south sides of the park, between it and Windsor terrace,
and reaches the new and beautiful eastern entrance to
Greenwood. It connects at Bedford station with the Man-
hattan Beach and Brighton Beach Railroads, and at Ninth
avenue and Twentieth street with the Culver road. Its
origmal capital stock was $300,000, and its funded debt of the
same amount. The new company has increased the capital
and probably the funded debt.
Before entering upon the Coney Island .Railroads,
some of which are also largely engaged in local trans-
portation in Brooklyn, there is one more route, part
railway and part steamboat, which deserves mention.
It is :■
The Brooklyn, Canarsie and Rockaway Beach Railroad
and Steamboat Route. During the summer, trains run half
hourly or hourly between the Howard House, East New
York, and Canarsie Bay, and connect with steamers running
to and from Rockaway Beach. D. C. Littlejohn is president
of the company. Both the Rockaway beaches are now
reached by branches of the Long Island Railroad and by
steamers plying regularly from New York, passing and land-
ing also at the Coney Island piers ; and the Canarsie route
has not met with such an extraordinary increase as some of
the other modes of reaching these famous beaches. A part
of this road is or has been leased to the Manhattan Beach
Railway.
The following are the railways which have one or
both of their termini at Coney Island :
The Coney Island and Brooklyn Railroad Company was
chartered December 10th, 1860. Its first President was David
M. Talmage, and first Secretary, Garret P. Bergen. Its
capital stock was $300,000, which was afterwards increased
to S500,000. It has a funded debt of $381,000. Its length
from Fulton Ferry to Coney Island is ten and a half miles,
with a branch of one mile to Hamilton Ferry. It passes
through Water, Main, Prospect, Jay and Smith streets, and
Ninth street to Ninth avenue before reaching the city line,
and has a large local patronage aside from its Coney Island
business. Horses are used within the city limits and steam
motors are employed for the remainder of the distance. The
company owns 91 oars and 395 horses. The present officers
are General James Jourdan, President ; Edward F. Drayton,
Secretary, and William Farrell, Superintendent. The num-
ber of passengers carried in 1881 was 4,208,107.
Brooklyn, Bath and Coney Island Railroad Company.—
This company was organized in 1862 with a capital stock of
$100,000 and the following officers : Alfred H. Partridge,
President ; G. P. Bergen, Treasurer, and C. R. Alton, Secre-
tary. The road was sold upon mortgage foreclosure in 1868,
and operated by the owners until 1879, when the present
company was organized. Its charter bears date January 22,
1879. The capital stock was increased to $500,000, of which,
however, only $300,000 has been subscribed and paid in. It
has a funded debt of $80,000. The whole number of stock-
holders is 7. The road is seven miles in length, and employs
eight engines and thirty cars. It carried last year a half mil-
lion passengers. Officers are C. Godfrey Gunther, President;
George A. Gunther, Secretary and Treasurer; Wm. Kaval-
ski. Engineer.
The Prospect Park and Coney Island Railroad Company,
chartered Oct. 9, 1874, was the next of the Coney Island roads.
It was formed by the consolidation of several other roads,
among which was the Park Avenue, chartered in 1870, and
the Greenwood and Coney Island, chartered in 1872. Mr.
Andrew R. Culver has been its leading and effective spirit
from the first. Its original capital authorized by the charter
was $500,000, but this was reduced by the stockholders in
1880, to $350,000, all paid in. It has a funded debt of $750,-
000, and the cost of the road and equipment lias been about
$1,300,000. The road is 18^j miles in length and extends
through Water to Bridge, Concord, Navy, Park avenue, Van-
derbilt avenue to Ninth avenue and Greenwood Cemetery,
connecting with steam cars there for Coney Island. It has
424
MI8T0BT OFKlJsrOS COtlN^TT.
been a prime factor in the building up of Coney Island. It
has leased one or two short railroads on Coney Island, and
Mr. Culver has been actively engaged for two or three years
past in the effort to obtain a charter for an elevated Rapid
Transit road through Brooklyn, to connect with his steam
railroad from Greenwood to Coney Island. His plans, though
urged with great moderation and regard to the rights of pro-
perty holders, have not yet been successful, but in the new
deals consequent upon the completion of the Bridge, his turn
may come. He has at present ten locomotives and fifty
steam passenger cars ; seventy-five horse cars, and about 375
horses. He transported in 1881, 3,645,281 passengers, and
about the same number in 1883.
The New York and Manhattan Beach Railroad Company
was chartered October 28, 1876, and was in operation in the
early summer of 1877. Its capital stock is $800,000, of which
$750,000 has been subscribed and paid in. Its funded debt
in 1881 was $834,600. It has two routes, one from Green-
point, E. D., to Manhattan Beach, crossing the 23d Street
Ferry. New York ; the other from foot of Whitehall street.
New York, by steam ferry, to Bay Ridge, and thence by
rail to Manhattan Beach. It also leases a part of the old
Canarsie line already mentioned, and several other short
lines. Its length of road operated was in 1881, 18j'^^ miles.
It had that year eight locomotive engines and 79 passenger
cars. In 1880, it transported 1,337,597 ; in 1881, 945,871; in
1883, less than 900,000. The number of stockholders is 35.
Officers : Austin Corbin, President ; J. Baxter Upham, Vice
President ; G. S. Moulton, Secretary and Treasurer ; Daniel
C. Corbin, Superintendent. In the Winter of 1882-1883, Mr.
Austin Corbin, who had, in 1881, become a large stockholder
in the Long Island Railroad Company, and its president, ar-
ranged for leasing the Manhattan Beach Railroad to that
company, and perhaps for an eventual consolidation with it.
This arrangement required some changes of track, stations,
&c., but the two are now run practically as one road, and
there is free and ready access to and from all parts of Long
Island and Manhattan Beach. This change has undoubtedly
largely increased the travel over this road the past season.
The Brooklyn, Flatbush and Coney Island Railroad Com-
pany was formed October 5th, 1877, by the consolidation of
the Coney Island and East River Railroad Company, with the
Flatbush, Prospect Park and Concourse Railroad Company.
In its organization there were twenty-six directors ; the
officers were: President, John A. Lott ; Treasurer, Charles C.
Betts ; Secretary, Monroe B. Washburn ; Superintendent,
Robert White. Trains were run from Prospect Station to
Coney Island July 2nd, 1878, and from Flatbush avenue on
the 20th of August following. The company owns about
fifty acres of land at its terminus on Coney Island, which,
with the Hotel Brighton, it has leased for a term of years.
The statistics of the railway are as follows : Its terminus is
at the Hotel Brighton, Brighton Beach. Its capital stock is
$500,000, all paid in ; its funded debt is $1,000,000. There are
155 stockholders. The cost of road and equipment in 1881
has been $1,546,893. The length of track of main line is 7.50
miles. Some branches owned or leased add more than a
mile. The number of passengers carried in 1880 was 1,004,-
503 ; in 1881, 1,024,629 ; in 1882, about a miUion. The season
of 1883 was unfavorable ; high prices diminished travel. The
number of locomotives in 1881 was seven ; of passenger cars,
44. There are four stations in the town of Gravesend, and
two in Flatbush and Brooklyn. The late Henry C. Murphy
was the leader in this enterprise.
The New York and Sea Beach Railway Company, char-
tered in September, 1876, was not completed till 1877 by Mr.
M. McCormack, Col. James Smith, and other New York capi-
talists, who held large landed interests at Mapleton, down a
road from Bath junction, on Gunther's road, to Coney
Island, which was operated one season with a single train.
In 1879 the company was strengthened ; Colonel Rioker was
elected President, and a fine water-front at Bay Eidge was
purchased, together with the right of way from Bay Ridge
to Bath. The road was opened for through business to
Coney Island July 19, 1879. In 1883, the company was re-
organized, and the following officers elected : Charles
Seidler, President; W. O. McDowell, Vice-President and
General Manager, and C. W. Douglas, Superintendent. The
length of the road is six miles, connecting at Bay Ridge
with a line of steamers for New York. The company also
owns several acres of land at Coney Island, on which are
the Sea Beach Palace Hotel, and a number of other struc-
tures devoted to the entertainment of visitors to the beach,
under the superintendence of E. D. Myers, general manager.
They have five locomotives and thirty-one cars. Passengers
carried, in 1880, 389,000; in 1881, 411,480; 1883, about 450,000.
The corporation is distinguished for its attention to the wants
of the traveling public, and shows an interest in its employes
which has resulted in better service and increased patronage.
The road has a large proportion of the carrying trade between
New York and Coney Island.
Its capital stock is $500,000, of which $403,767 has been
subscribed and paid in, in 1881. Its funded debt the same
year was $439,788. The number of stockholders is 53. The
cost of road and equipment to the close of 1881, was $776,-
365. The officers are Frederick A. Potts, President; JohnS.
Barnes, Vice-President; Q. A. Hobart, Treasurer; Edmund
C. Stanton, Secretary; C. W. Douglas, General Manager.
The Marine Railway, on Manhattan Beach, intended to
extend from Sheepshead Bay to Brighton Beach, owned and
run in the Corbin interest, is a paying investment | narrow-
gauge, inexpensively built, but carrying 871,898 passengers
m 1881, almost paid for itself in a single year. Its ofScers
are the same as those of the Manhattan Beach R. R.
The other railways in operation on Coney Island, are
Culver's, from West Brighton Beach to Coney Island Point,
and an Elevated Railroad from Brighton to West Brighton,
The last was chartered in 1880, is one mile in length; capital
stock, $115,900, aU paid in; funded debt, $144,835; forty-nine
stockholders ; cost of road and equipment, in 1881, $286,-
048.79 ; number of passengers in 1881 (two months, eighteen
days), 137,461 ; six locomotives, seven passenger-oars.
Officers : Seth R. Keeney, President; Isidore M. Bon, Treas-
urer; Clarence A. Barrow, Secretary; James L. Morrow,
Superintendent. Other roads have been projected, but none
of them are now in operation.
The following table, prepared with great care from
the latest report of the State Engineer and other offi-
cial sources, embodies, it is believed, as completely as
possible, all the particulars which go to make up the
history of the railroads of Kings County, with their
condition and officers on the 1st of January, 1882, the
latest date for which reports have been received. The
footings of the columns and the general summary
which follows the table, serve to show that while rail-
roads have had an immense development within the
county, and transported, in 1881, 92,826,786 passengers,
they have been, as a rule, not very profitable to the
stockholders. Only $520,641.50 was paid in dividends
that year on a paid-up capital stock of $20,576,250, or
less than 2^ per cent., while the actual excess of re-
THE EARLIEST FERR Y.
425
oeipts over expenditures was only $128,000. The
Brospeots for a greater measure of success in the future
for some of these roads is brighter now than it was
one or two years since. Very many companies have
failed and become extinct, while only four or five roads
have paid large dividends, the Brooklyn City paying
the largest, 14 per cent, per annum. Yet most of these
roads are worked to their full capacity, and there is a
demand, which must soon be met, for some mode of
transportation which shall combine greater speed, bet-
ter facilities for entrance and exit to and from the
cars and more ample accommodations for passengers.
Whether the elevated steam roads can fulfill all these
conditions is still an unsolved problem.
There have been several attempts made to build ele-
vated railroads, and one was partially constructed, but
became bankrupt ; its management being so tainted
with suspicions of fraud that it was abandoned, and a
prejadiee excited against all elevated railroads, which
has thus far prevented the prosecution of any similar
enterprises. Eventually there will probably be some
elevated roads built on principles which shall be just
and fair to the citizens and property owners, as well as
to the stockholders of the roads. There were two or
three plank-roads in existence so late as 1870, and there
are traditions of them still among the oldest inhabi-
tants, but like plank-roads everywhere else, they were
long since abandoned.
There are, in the county, two principal boulevards,
the Ocean Parkway, from Prospect Park to Coney
Island, and the Sackett street boulevard or Eastern Park-
way, extending from the Park to East New York, each
two hundred and fifty feet wide, with rows of trees,
macadamized, or rather telfordized, and forming the
finest drives on the continent. Several of the principal
streets of the city, notably Flatbush avenue, Bedford
avenue, Clinton avenue and Clinton street, and Third
street, are of exceptional width, well paved and lighted,
and forming attractive routes for carriages, etc., to and
from Prospect Park.
BROOKLYN FERRIES AND FERRY RIGHTS.
^J/^
The Earliest Ferry established between Long
Island and New Amsterdam, was from the foot of the
present Fulton street, Brooklyn, to the foot of the present
Peck Slip, New York. This was what was subsequently
known as the Old Ferry. At that early day, the time
occupied in crossing the river, as well as the diiBculties
and labor of rowing across a strong current, were so
great, as to necessitate the location of the ferry at this
point, where the two shores come nearest together ; al-
though at a considerable distance above the then settled
portion of New Amsterdam. The first regular ferry-
man of whom there is any mention, was Cornells Dirck-
sen, who, in 1642, kept a small inn near the present
Peck Slip, where he owned a farm. It is a somewhat
curious coincidence that our fellow citizen, Mr. Hbnet
E. PiEEEEPONT, whose whole life has been so inti-
mately associated with the history of Brooklyn ferries,
18 a lineal descendant of this Dircksen, who seems
also to have owned a small piece of land, with a house
and garden, on Long Island, near the present Fulton
Perry, which, in 1643, he sold to one Willem Thomasen,
together with his right of ferriage, provided the di-
rector would give his consent, for 2,300 guilders, in
cash and merchandise. Willem Thomasen may possi-
bly have been the same as, or the predecessor of Wil-
lem Jansen, who is next found in charge of the ferry.
The embryo city of New Amsterdam, at this period,
afforded the country people of Long Island their only
market for sale or purchase, and the travel of passen-
gers and produce across the ferry gradually increased
to such an extent, as to attract the attention of the pru-
dent burgomasters of the city, who, on the 13th of
February, 1652, applied to Gov. Stuyvesant for the ferry
franchise, as a legitimate source of revenue, with which
to defray the municipal expenses. Their petition,
however was refused ; the Director perhaps, considering
it as one of his own perquisites. Two years later, July,
1654, in consequence of the "daily confusion occurring
among the ferrymen on Manhattan Island, so that the
inhabitants are waiting whole days before they can ob-
tain a passage, and then not without danger, and at an
exorbitant price," the director and council found it nec-
essary to enact an ordinance, the first on record relative
to ferries. It comprised the following provisions :
1. That no person shall ferry from one side of the river to
the other without the license from the magistrates, under
the penalty of £1 Flemish, for the first offence ; £2 for the
second, and £3, with confiscation of boat and corporal pun-
426
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
ishment, for the third infraction of this order ; one-third of
this fine to be paid to the legal ferryman, one-third to the at-
torney-general, and one-third to be at the disposal of the
judge.
2. The ferryman shall always keep proper servants and
boats, and a lodge on both sides of the river, to protect pas-
sengers from the weather.
3. The ferryman is to be allowed:
Fl. St.
For each wagon or cart, with two horses, or oxen, 3 10
For one cart or wagon, with one horse 3
For one cart or plough 1
For one pig, sheep, buck or goat
For two, eight stuivers, and what is above that, each 3
For every man or woman, Indian or squaw 6
For two or more persons, each one 3
For a child under ten years, half fare
For one horse, or four footed horned beast 1 10
For one hogshead of tobacco 16
For one ton of beer 16
For one anker of wine or liquor 6
For a tub of butter, soap or such like 6
For a mud (4 bushels) of grain 4
And what exceeds that is one half a stuiver for skeple.
Other articles not specified above, in proportion, as parties
shall agree.
4. The ferryman cannot be compelled to ferry anything
over before he is paid.
5. The hours of the ferry shall be from 5 o'clock, A. M., to
8 P. M., in summer ; " provided the windmill (on the battery
of Manhattans) hath not taken in its sail ; " after this last men-
tioned hour, double ferriage.
6. From 7 o'clock A. M., to 5 P. M., in winter, but he is not
to be obliged to ferry during a tempest, or " when the wind-
mill hath lowered its sail, in consequence of storm or other-
wise."
7. The Director and members of the councU, the court
messenger, and other persons invested with authority, or
dispatched by the Executive, are to be exempt from toll.
In the year 1655, Egbert Van Borsum leased the
ferry from Governor Stuyvesant (whose perquisite it
seems to have been) for three years, and erected a ferry-
house, or tavern, the first erected on the Brooklyn side.
On the 19th of March, 1658, he renewed his lease, for
the term of three years from the last of May ensuing,
at a rent of 300 guilders per annum. By the terms of
his contract, he "was obliged to furnish, within four or
five months, a large scow at his own expense. He was
in possession of the ferry as late as June 15, 1663, at
which time the governor allowed him fifty guilders, for
public services as ferryman.
Ancient Ferry Rights. — It is quite evident, from
the above facts, that the ferry to Long Island, although
regulated by legal enactments, was never held hy the
city of New Amsterdam, as a municipal right and pos-
session, during the continuance of the Dutch govern-
m,ent.
On the 6th of September (2'7th of August, O. S.),
1664, the New Netherlands capitulated to the British
arms, and on the 8th the City of New Amsterdam was
formally surrendered to Col. Richard Nicolls. On the
]8th of October, 1667, Nicolls, then the first English
governor of the colony of New York, granted to the
inhabitants of Brooklyn a patent, wherein they were
fully and amply confirmed in all the rights and privi-
leges of a town.
This patent itself is evidently confirmatory of jsome
previous general patent of the town, under the Dutch
government, which is now lost, and, it must be re-
membered, antedates the first (or Nicolls') charter of
New York some eighteen years.
In August, 1673, the New Netherlands were retaken
by a Dutch squadron, under command of Captains
Benoke and Evertsen, and in August, 1674, again
passed, and finally, into the hands of the English.
In 1667, the ferryman and his son, or servant, at the
Long Island ferry, was excused from training.
From January, 1674, to January, 1675, the ferry was
leased by C. Dyre, at £103 per annum. "From that
time to Mr. Leete's taking it, Otto Garrets took it, but
giving no security, Mr. Wells received it, at £259.10."
In 1674, Sir Edmund Andros assumed the govern-
ment of the colony, and the same year confirmed all
its rights and privileges to the New Netherlands, and,
in October, 1675, gave to New Amsterdam its first
mayor, aldermen and sheriff. He was succeeded by
Sir Thomas Dongan, who arrived on the 25th of
August, 1683.
By his orders was convened, October 17, 1683, the
first colonial assembly, elected by the people. On the
9th of November a petition was presented to him, by the
mayor and aldermen of New Amsterdam, asking for a >
charter, and reciting the ancient customs, privileges
and immunities of the city, which, they asserted, had
been confirmed and granted to them by the late Gov-
ernor Nicolls, no mention, however, being made of any
ferry. The petition was granted; and, emboldened by
the governor's liberal attitude toward them, the author-
ities, on the 30th of the same month, presented an ad-
ditional request for certain other rights and privileges,
as desirable sources of revenue. Among these are
mentioned, for the first time, " all the vacant lands
within this island to low water mark," and " the ferry
now between the said city and Long Island, or that
hereafter shall be appointed." In his reply, the gov-
ernor, though intimating his surprise " at so suddenly
receiving another petition " from them, inasmuch as he
had so recently granted to them almost " every particu-
lar of a large and considerable petition," expressed bis
willingness to oblige them " as far as can be reasonably
done;" and informs them that "the ferry is granted
with the promise that two boats for passengers be kept
on each side of the river, and one boat for cattle each
side ^of the river also." Also, " that no ferry in any
other place allowed, but what is already." As to
vacant lands within the city to low water mark, he
informs them that they are " already disposed of." IM
discussion which ensued resulted in the grant, in 1686,
of what is known as Dongan's Charter, by which tue
COKfESTS AS fO FERRY EIOHTS.
42?
corporation became vested with divers sources of im-
mediate income. Among these were the ferry, and an
extension of jurisdiction in vacant lands to low water
mark all round Manhattan Island, but not a word is
mentioned concerning the land between high and low
water mark on the Brooklyn shore. Indeed, it would
seem as if the governor entertained some doubts as to
his right even to grant the ferry, for it contains an
express saving of all the rights of other persons, bodies
politic and corporate, their heirs, successors and
assigns, in as ample a manner as if that charter had not
been made. And, in fact, the charter for which
Dongan received the sum of £300 from the corporation,
was never confirmed, and its validity was even after-
wards disputed by Dongan himself.
On the 13th of May, 1686, only a few days after the
granting of this charter, the freeholders and inhabitants
of Brooklyn, actuated, perhaps, by fear of encroach-
ments by New York, obtained from Governor Dongan
a patent under the seal of the colony, fully confirma-
tory of that granted them, in 1667, by Governor
Meolls. In this patent the land and water boundaries
of the town are set forth as in the former, the rights
of the citizens are enlarged, and a quit rent is reserved.
In the step thus taken by the Brooklyn people to
protect their rights, we see the first evidence of those
conflicting claims and interests which have made the
ferry question, from that day to this, a bone of con-
tention betwixt the two municipalities. Notwithstand-
ing the specious claims set forth in the N^ew York
charter of 1686, that the ferry had been established
and settled " for the accommodation and conveniency
of passengers, the citizens and strangers," the people
on the Brooklyn shore maintained their right to carry
themselves, and others who might request them, over
the river, without regard to the ferry privilege.
Among other plausible pleas urged in their own de-
fence, was the one that the ferry granted to the cor-
poration, being the only established one, the whole
river, except at that point, was a public highway, per-
fectly free to all who chose to pass. So universally
did they carry their principles into practice that John
Airensen, who leased the corporation ferry, 1692, for
the term of seven years, failed, owing to the number of
independent boats, to realize his expected income, and
after stemming the current of competition awhile, was
only kept from abandoning his lease by the induce-
ments and encouragements offered him by the author-
ities.
It would seem, from the foUovnng order, that the
Court of Sessions of Kings County exercised some au-
thority over the ferry between Brooklyn and New
York, October 7, 1690: " Whereas, much inconvenience
uoes arise by several negroes coming on this island
from New York and other places, and from this island
to New York: It is ordered, that the ferryman shall
not bring or set over any negro or slaves upon the
Sabbath day, without a ticket from their masters." ( Ct.
of Sess. Reo.)
On the 6th of May, 1691, an act was passed by the
general assembly, confirming to the inhabitants of the
colony their several grants and patents. By this act
both of the patents of Brooklyn were confirmed.
Meanwhile, the corporation of New York, evidently
uncertain about the perfect validity of the Dongan
charter, took measures, in 1692, to secure its confirma-
tion from the Crown.
On October 12th, 1694, the New York corporation
further strengthened their foothold on the Brooklyn
side by purchasing of one William Morris, for no spe-
cific consideration, a piece of land in Brooklyn near the
ferry.
This deed is the foundation of the corporation claim
to their land in Brooklyn.
The ferry was leased, on October 20th, 1695, to John
Andreson, at auction, for the term of seven years from
Is* of March, 1696, at a rent of £147 per annum,
payable annually. In 1699, among other important
improvements undertaken by the city, a contract was
made for a new brick building, at the ferry on the
Long Island side, in size 24 by 40 feet. This edifice,
serving the double purpose of a ferry house and tavern,
was completed about the year 1700, at a cost of £435.
Soon after, the following rates of ferriage were estab-
lished : single persons, 8 stuivers in wampum, or a
silver two-pence; persons in company, half price; after
sunset, double ferriage; cattle, single, one shilling; in
company, nine-pence; colts or calves, three-pence, etc.
In 1698-9 the ferry was leased to one John Euwatse
(Jan Evertse?).
He was succeeded, December 27, 1700, by Dirck Ben-
son, at an annual rent of £130 for seven years from
March 25, next ensuing. At the same time, the lessee
was required to keep a pen or pound for cattle, etc.,
and to land his passengers either at the dock of the
city, " of some of the slips, or at the Burgher's path,"
and the' conditions of the lease mention "a new brick
house barne and pen thereunto belonging. "
On the 10th of October, 1707, the ferry, together
" with the new ferry house, barn, pen," etc., was leased
to James Harding, victualler, of New York, at an an-
nual rent of £180.
The terms of this lease, somewhat altered from
those of the previous lease, specified that the
ferry was to land " every Monday and Thursday, at
Countess' Key, every Tuesday and Friday at Burgher's
Path, and every Wednesday and Saturday at the Dock
Slip, near Col. Courtlandt's house, and at no other place
whatsoever."
Renewed Contests as to Ferry Rights. —
In January, 1708-9, one Cornelius Sebring, a wealthy
farmer and mill-owner of Brooklyn, petitioned the gov-
ernor and council for permission to establish a new
ferry from some point on the island, between the old
428
HISTORY OF KINGS OOTTJVTT.
ferry and Red Hook, to the centre of the city of New
York. Taking alarm at this, the corporation immedi-
ately (Feb. 5, 1709) presented a remonstrance thereto,
in which, after reciting the long time which they had
held the ferry, and the great expense which they had been
at in maintaining and keeping it in proper repair, they
state that it " is the only considerable income ^ef t to
support the public buildings, bridges, gaols, landing
places, fire and candle for their watches, salaries of
their ofiicers, bell men, &c. ; " and the other public and
necessary charges of the city. Wherefore they pray
to be protected in their rights against the " unreason-
able and unjust petition of the said Cornelius Sebring."
Their petition was granted, and that of Sebring re-
jected.
Annoyed, however, by the pertinacious opposition of
their Brooklyn neighbors, and bent on wresting from
that town their water rights, the corporation of New
York, on the 19th of April, 1708, obtained from Gov.
Cornbury, a man notorious for his vices, and disregard
of justice, a new city charter, confirming them in their
title to the old ferry, and investing them with a grant
of all the vacant and unappropriated land between hic/h
and low water mark, all the distance of the Long
Island shore, from Red Hook to the Wallabout, re-
serving to the inhabitants of Brooklyn dwelling by the
river side only, the right of transporting themselves,
and their goods over the river, ferriage free, provided
they carried no strangers. As the patents of the farms
on the Long Island shore extended to the river,
there was consequently no vacant and unappropriated
land between these farms and low water mark. The
grant, therefore, was for jurisdiction only, and not a
right of property, as claimed and first established by
Philip Livingston, when Mayor of New York, by his
taking out the first grant for a pepper-corn considera-
tion, for the land between high and low water in front
of his brewery at foot of Joralemon street.
In December, 1712, the ferry was sold at auction to
Dirck Adolph, mariner, of New York, for five
years, at £211 per annum. In January, 1717, it
was again taken by James Harding, for five years, at
a rent of £155 per annum for the Nassau side, and £85
per annum for the New York side. Harding's applica-
tion for this lease was backed up by the proffer of
"Capt. Lancaster Lymes, Capt. William Walton, and
Mr. Anthony Duane, merchants, three substantial
citizens of this corporation, and of undoubted wealth
and reputation " as his securities ; and by a letter to
the corporation, from his excellency Governor Hunter,
recommending him as a person "who, while he had the
ferry, diligently tended the same and duly and punctu-
ally paid his rent," and that he " be preferred before
his competitors, none ofllering more rent for the said
ferries than he has done, etc." Harding played his
cards well ; the corporation of New York could do no
less than accommodate their action to the suggestion of
"his Excellency's said letter," " to which " as their
minutes say, " this corporation will always pay the
greatest regard and deference imaginable, as well as
the knowledge they have of the said James Harding
and of his honesty, industry and capacity to undertake
the said ferries."
On the 10th of January, 1723, the Long Island por-
tion of the ferry (the ferry privilege had previously
been divided into two distinct leases, by resolution of
the corporation, Nov. 27, 1722) was leased at auction to
John Dean, Mariner, of New York, for five years from
the 25th of the ensuing March, at a yearly rent of £135'
and the New York part of the same ferry (established
between the slip at Burgher's path and the Great Dock)
to James Harding, the former incumbent, for the same
period, at £70 per annum. But Harding desiring to
reside on Nassau Island, probably on his wife's account,
she being " lame and sickly," was obliged (inasmuch as
the corporation insisted that the lessee of the said ferry
should reside on the New York side) to seek a release
from his contract, and the lease of the ferry between
Burgher's slip and the Great Dock, to Brooklyn, was
again put up at auction January 29, 1723, and was bid
off by William Webbing, butcher, for five years, from
the 25th of March, ensuing, at the rent of £71 per an-
num. The latter, however, in 1725 complains, as a
butcher, against James Harding, as being then in charge
of the ferry, for carelessness, etc., in the transportation
of cattle. Probably, then, Harding had bought out
Webbing's ferry lease.
In 1727, the ferry was sold at auction to Theophilus
Ellsworth, victualler, of New York, for five years, at
an annual rent of £258, andwas renewed to him in 1732,
for five years longer, at £245 per annum.
The Montgomery Charter.-— Meanwhile the
Brooklyn people, who treated the pretensions of the
Cornbury charter with very little respect, and who
had not ceased to injure the corporation ferry by
every means in their power, procured from the
colonial legislature of 1721 an act confirming their
patent rights. To obviate the effects of this law, and
in the hopes of strengthening the charter of Cornbury,
which, from the circumstances under which it was ob-
tained, the corporation had reason to fear was invalid,
the latter procured in 1730, from Governor Mont-
gomery, a new charter confirming their pretended rights
to the land, to high water marlc on the Broohlyn shore.
This, known as the " Montgomery Charter," after
reciting the Dongan and Cornbury charters, and the
causes of the various disputes, etc., concerning their
validity, makes the following remarkable confession :
" that the said city, or inhabitants or citizens thereof,
never were well, regularly or legally incorporated, ana
for want thereof, none of all the said grants, confirma-
tions, instruments or letters patent, hereinbefore men-
tioned, could take effect or operate, and for divers
other defects in all, some, or one, of the aforesaid
COJ^T^STS As TO FiJkRT BIGSTS.
429
grants, confirmations or writings," etc. This charter,
which, according to the rather tardy confession of the
worthy corporation of New York, may be considered
the first charter on which they can justly found their
claims, confirmed all that was previously intended to
be granted in the charters of Dongan and Cornbury, in
reference to Brooklyn. The corporation paid the gov-
ernor the sum of £1,400 for it, but it was refused con-
firmation by George II, and so remained until Oct. 14th,
1732, when an act passed the colonial assembly, "con-
firming unto the city of New York its rights and privi-
leges." Nothing, however, could quiet the Brooklyn
people who, in addition to constant infractions of the
law, appealed to the assembly in January, 1735-'6,
for a repeal of the obnoxious confirmatory act of 1732.
Their application succeeded in the House, in the face
of strenuous opposition from the corporation of New
York, but by some means was stifled in the Council.
In December, 1737, the ferry was leased to William
Cornell, Jr., " of Hempstead, Queens County on Nas-
sau Island, yeoman," for five years at £310 per annum,
and at the expiration of his lease, it was taken by Rich-
In 1737, another petition from Brooklyn people for
release from former law was presented; and, in fact,
from 1730 to 1745, the corporation of New York lived
New York market in his market boat. This suit (Hen-
drik Remsen vs. Corporation) was first tried before a
jury in Westchester County, and after being kept
before the Supreme Court of the colony for thirty
years, was decided in October, 1775, in favor of Rem-
sen, who was awarded damages in the sum of one hun-
dred and eighteen pounds, fourteen shillings and ten-
pence half-penny for his costs and charges. An appeal
from this decision, to the king and council, was brought
by the corporation, but was not determined in conse-
quence of the Revolutionary war. "There is a tradi-
tion in this town that the corporation of New York
were so apprehensive of this claim on the part of the
town of Brooklyn, that in order to disengage Hendrik
Remsen from the interest of the town, they gave him
a house and lot of land near Coenties Slip, in the city
of New York. How far this tradition is correct, we
are unable to say. It appears, however, that he about
that time became in possession of such property, and
the same remained in his family within the memory of
some of our inhabitants." During the litigation of this
suit, in 1748, the ferry-house belonging to the corpora-
tion, on the Long Island side, was set on fire and con-
sumed with all its contents. A view of the old ferry-
house, copied from an ancient engraving, is herewith
presented.
OLD FEERT-HOUSE, 1746.
in a perpetual state of warfare with the inhabitants of
Brooklyn. They constructed a large stone house which
infringed upon a part of the highway of the village;
and by charging extortionate rates of wharfage on those
who were privileged to pass in their own boats, as well
as by every other means in their power, endeavored to
compel them to pass the river in the public ferry
boats. At length, exasperated by the continued injus-
tice and petty annoyances to which they were subjected,
the citizens of Brooklyn, in July, 1745, compelled the
corporation of New York to defend a suit for five shil-
hngs, to test their right to prevent one citizen of
Brooklyn from conveying the goods of another to the
September 26th, 1750, Andrew Ramsey, "innholder "
of New York, received a lease of the ferry, including
"the dwelling-house, stables, erectments, buildings,
pens, land and well " in Brooklyn, " at the place com-
monly called the ferry, and now in the tenure and
occupation of Daniel Bloom," for the term of two years
and six months ensuing, at the yearly rent of £455, to
be paid in quarterly installments. He was bound to
keep one or more scows, and one or more boats for
transportation of cattle, one of which was always to be
in readiness upon the New York side.
In May, 1753, Jacob Brewerton became the lessee of
the ferry for fivffyears, at a rent of £650, which lease
430
SI8T0RT Ot KINGS COUKtT.
was renewed, on the 1st of May, 1758, for another five
years, at a rent of £570 per annum.
November 14th, 1753, the freeholders and inhabi-
tants of Brooklyn appointed Jacobus Lefferts, Peter
Vandevoort, Jacob Remsen, Rem Remsen, and Nicholas
Vechte, as trustees " to defend our patent, when in any
manner our liberties, privileges and rights in our patent
specified is encroached, lessened or taken away by the
commonalty of the city of New York."
In 1763, the ferry was managed somewhat differ-
ently, being divided between Francis Kohler and Wil-
liam Pontine, the former leasing the east side for three
years from May 1st, at a yearly rent of £600 and the
latter the west side, for the same term, at £200 per
annum.
In May, 1766, it passed into the hands of Samuel
Waldron for five years at a yearly rent of £660 ; and
in May, 1771, was renewed to him for another three
years at £550 per annum. At the expiration of his
lease in 1774, it was determined by the corporation that
three ferries, viz., one from Coenties Slip to the landing
place of Messrs. Livingston & Remsen (foot of present
Joralemon street) on Nassau island; the second, from
Peck Slip to land at Jacob Brewerton's wharf, or land-
ing place, at Brooklyn ferry, and the third from the
Fly market or Countess's Slip to the landing place at
the same Brooklyn ferry. Accordingly, on the 12th
of April, 1774, three several leases were duly executed,
for the term of two years, from the 1st of May ensuing,
to the following persons, viz. : to Elisha DeGrushe, for
the first named ferry; and to Samuel Balding, for the
second named ferry, at an annual rent of £120, and to
Adolph WaWron for the third, at an annual rent of
£430. The lessees of these ferries were obliged to pro-
vide boats as follows: "The one that purchases the
middle ferry to provide six boats, four large ones and
two small ones; and the two others that purchase the
upper and lower ferries to provide two large and one
small boat."
In May, 1776, the whole ferry came under the control
of Adolph Waldron for two years, at £450 per annum.
A clause in this and the previous lease provided that
the lessee should furnish " at his own expense a suf-
ficient house or room on the city side of the said ferry,
as near Countess's slip, or the usual and common land-
ing place as can be had, for the reception of all such
persons as may have occasion to cross said ferry."
Waldron, being a whig, left New York with the Ameri-
can army in 1776, and did not return till the close of
the war. During the British occupation of New York
and Long Island (1776 to 1783) the ferry was let by
Mayor Matthews and Gov. Tryon, to some of their tory
friends, Van Winkle and Buckett, probably for their
joint benefit. Van Winkle is described "as a very im-
portant feeling man, who was accustomed in warm
weather, to walk about in a silk morning gown." They
raised the fare to sixpence, not so high a charge per-
haps, when we consider that wheat was then selling in
New York at the extraordinary rate of one guinea per
bushel. After the evacuation of Brooklyn by the
British, November 25, 1783, Captain Adolph Wal-
dron, by a lea^e executed June 28, 1784, resumed the
ferry for five years from the ensuing first of May, at
the yearly rent of £500. During the severe winter of
1783-'4, it is said that he and his sons made considera-
ble money by purchasing wood in Brooklyn and selling
it in New York, where it was quite scarce.
In 1788, previous to the expiration of his lease, Wal-
dron offered proposals to the corporation of New York
for the renewal of his lease. But they had resolved on
a different plan of leasing and managing the ferries;
and at their session of March 11, 1789, they adopted a
report, recommending the letting of the ferry-house
and other corporation buildings, at Brooklyn, indepen-
dent of the ferry, and licensing a certain number of
boats to individuals, for the conveyance of passengers
and freight across the ferry, the rent to be paid quarter-
ly, and the tenants to defray all expenses of repairs and
pay all public taxes, etc.
At a subsequent session, March 1 8, 1789, it was agreed
that six persons be licensed by this board to exercise,
during its pleasure, the privilege of keeping, each, one
large and one small boat; the former to carry horses,
cattle, carriages and heavy freight and passengers,
and the latter, light freight and passengers from this
city to Nassau Island, and from Nassau Island to
the city.
"That four of the said large boats and four of the said small
boats ply to and from the Fly Market slip in this city, and
the corporation ferry stairs at Brooklyn, on Nassau Island
aforesaid; and that two of the said large boats and two of
the said small boats ply to and from the stairs at Peck slip,
and the corporation ferry stairs at Brooklyn aforesaid. That
the boats, together with their masts and sails, be of such
form and dimensions as the wardens of the port of New York
shall approve. That each boat be constantly worked and
managed by two sober and discreet able bodied and ex-
perienced water-men. That each boat be always furnished
with four good oars, and two boat hooks. That the said
boats be all numbered, and that the name of the owner, and
the number of each boat be painted on the inside of the stem
of the boat, easily to be seen. That no greater rates of fer-
riage be demanded than those by law established. That no
horned cattle be taken ofiE or landed by any of the said boats
at any place in this city to the westward of Catharine slip in
the Out ward. That the persons licensed as aforesaid shall
pay, into the treasury of this city, the following sums
monthly: that is to say, each of the persons licensed to exer-
cise the privilege of keeping two boats to ply to and from
Fly Market slip, as aforesaid, the sum of £3 lOs. per month."
In default of payment within ten days after date the license
was to be forfeited.
At a corporation meeting, April 1, 1789, it was agreed
to license Henry Dawson, Gilbert Van Mater, John
Hicks and Jacob Wilkins, Jr., to keep two boats each,
to ply between Fly Market and Brooklyn on the same
terms.
DAlSrOERS OF FERRY TRAVEL IJV THE OLDEN TIME.
431
In May, 1805, Dirck Amerman became the lessee of
the ferry from New Market or Catharine slip, to
Main street, Brooklyn, for the term of three years, at
an annual rental of $1,275; and Josiah Brown took the
Fly Market ferry for the same time at |3,050. His
lease, however, was cancelled in June, 1808, and he was
succeeded by Burdett Stryker, for three years from
May 1, 1808, at the same rent. Then followed Theo-
dosius Hunt and Lessee Van Nostrand, for three years
from May 1, 1811, at a rent of $3,450 per annum.
During the prevalence of the yellow fever in Brook-
lyn, in the month of August, 1809, the old ferry was
removed to the foot of Joralemon street, from whence
the boats plied to Whitehall, New York.
Dangers and Difficulties of Ferry Travel in
the Olden Time. — Those who in these later days pass
quickly and comfortably over the East river in the
capacious and swift ferry boats, or by the majestic
Bridge with its cable-cars, can scarcely imagine the
discomforts, hindrances and even dangers, which ac-
companied the ferry travel during the last century.
Previous to the year 1814, the only boats used on
the East river were row boats, flat scows with sprit
sails; or at best, periaguas or two-masted sail-boats.
Ferry business was, therefore, very much at the mercy of
the wind and tide. At slack water or with a moderate
current, the oarsmen had an easy time, and the passen-
gers a comfortable and quick trip. But, against an angry
flood or rapid ebb the boatmen could make little or no
headway, and the work of ferrying was slow and toil-
some. Sometimes, a favorable breeze enabled the sail-
boats to cross without difiiculty; and again, bafiled by
wind and tide, they brought up near Governor's Island,
or as far out of their way in the opposite direction. It
may be expected under the circumstances that naviga-
tion was often stopped temporarily, that delays were
common and accidents frequent.
A nuisance incident to the ferries, and one much
complained of, was the manner of carrying cattle. A
large portion of their stock, it will be remembered, was
obtained by New York butchers from Long Island.
Boats loaded with cattle, if caught by a stiff breeze,
while crossing, were very liable to be upset. Indeed, so
unsafe were they considered, especially when the day
was windy, or the river obstructed by floating ice, that
few persons would venture to trust their horses, car-
nages, cattle or other property upon them, and it was
no uncommon circumstance for such persons to wait a
day or two for calm weather, in preference to running
the risks of the passage. The oar barges, for foot pas-
sengers, though more regular in crossing, were by no
means comfortable, or always safe. That the dangers
of the passage were not altogether imaginary, is quite
evident from such newspaper items as the following:
"On the afternoon of January 15, 1784, there was an ex-
citing scene in the East river. A Jersey ferry boat had got
"> the ice and was so damaged that it sank almost immediate-
ly, throwing the passengers (eight in number) into the water.
They were enabled to get on a cake of ice, which was carried
by the North river eddy around into the East river. 'All
the slips being full of ice,' says a newspaper, 'it was with
difiSculty that two or three small boats were got out to at-
tempt their relief ; but the large fields of ice at that moment
in motion rendered every effort of the boatmen fruitless, and
cut off every prospect of deliverance.' A boat, however,
with a crew of soldiers, was enabled to follow them and
rescue all but one, a negro man, who was frozen to death."
In 1784, the Independent Journal states that:
"On Saturday last, when a ferry-boat passing over from
Brooklyn to this city was suddenly overset. This accident is
said to have been occasioned by the shifting of one of the
horses, of which there were five on board, which so startled
the rest, that they all removed to one side, when the boat
immediately filled. The passengers, viz. : Mr. Thorne, Mr.
Staokhouse. and a servant man, together with two ferrymen,
saved themselves by swimming till they were picked up,
when about exhausted, by several boats from the shore, and
the different vessels in the harbor.''
N. Y. Journal and Post Rider, December 22, 1795,
says:
"On Tuesday last, 17th Dec, 1795, one of the Brooklyn
ferry-boats was overset in passing the East river ; one man
and seven fat oxen were drowned."
N. Y. Journal, April 3, 1798 :
" Yesterday, about twelve o'clock, one of the large ferry-
boats which plies between [the old ferry stairs at Fly Mar-
ket] this city and Brooklyn, across the East river, was un-
happily sunk in a gust of wind. There were eight men in
the boat ; five of them were boatmen, and three passengers,
all of whom were drowned, except one of the boatmen."
And again, in the American Citizen, May 27, 1801,
is the following statement:
"Having seen several erroneous accounts in the papers,
respecting the upsetting of the ferry-boat at Fly Market, and
being myself on board at the time, will thank you to publish
the following : We started from Fulton Market ferry stairs,
with little wind, but there was a prospect that the wind
would blow very fresh, so that the passengers desired the
boatmen to brail up the sails, which they would not comply
with. Some of the passengers wished and talked of taking
charge of the boat themselves. We considered the boatmen
incapable of conducting the boat, owing to intoxication ;
however, we concluded that no men would be employed in
that business unless they were capable of the task ; but un-
fortunately we allowed them to proceed. The first gust that
came upset us, and several of the passengers were immedi
ately lost. As near as I can recollect, there were in the boat
about twelve persons ; one woman and five men were imme-
diately drowned ; six of us were saved after having been up-
set, nearly one hour and one-half in the water. One, after
the storm was over, being spent, could not lay hold fast, but
let go, and was drowned. There were three horses and a
chair* on board."
These incidents are of value as showing the contrast
between the barge, or scow, that carried the passenger,
at the risk of his life and to his great personal discom-
fort, between New York and Brooklyn, in those days,
*A two-wheeled carriage on leather springs.
432
SISTOBT OF KINGS COUNTY.
and the elegant, rapid, comfortable, and absolutely safe,
ferry-boats that now form the unbroken connections of
the two cities.
In addition to the unseaworthiness of these sail-
vessels, and the frequent intoxication of the boatmen,
the public too often found just cause of complaint in
the dilatoriness of the boats in starting upon their
trips, the delay and inconvenience occasioned by cattle-
loading, etc. Many undoubtedly were the wrangles
betwixt ferrymen and passengers ; fierce the objurga-
tions occasionally bandied from mouth to mouth ; not
infrequent, perhaps, the actual personal rencontres which
arose between the overworked and independent boat-
men, and their annoyed, impatient and captious pas-
sengers.
Steam introduced on the Ferry-Lines.— The
success of Fulton's first steamboat, the Clermont,
in the years 1807-8, inaugurated a new era in the
history and science of navigation, and aroused the at-
tention of some of the leading capitalists of that day,
to the peculiar applicability of the new motive power
to the improvement of ferries. The first opportunity
for a practical test of this matter was afforded by the
expiration of the Paulus hook (Jersey city) ferry lease,
in 1811. In view of the termination of said lease,
various competitors had, as early as 1809, urged the
merits of their respective methods or improvements in
the working of vessels by machinery ; but, after a
careful examination of their claims, leases were exe-
cuted, in March 1811, to the Jersey Association (with
which Mr. Fulton was connected), for the Paulus Hook
ferry ; and, with John Stevens, for the Hoboken ferry.
The competition which ensued between these rival
lessees as to who should have the honor of first bring-
ing a steam ferry into actual operation, terminated in
favor of Mr. Stevens, in October, 1811. The Jersey
Association having been delayed by certain improve-
ments of Mr. Fulton's, did not get their boat on the
route until August, 1812.
Flattered and encouraged by the success which at-
tended these ferries on the North river, Fulton (who,
with his patron, Robert R. Livingston, held the mono-
poly of steam navigation in the State of New York),
on the 5th of October, 1812, offered to the corporation
of New York a proposition for the establishment of a
similar ferry to Brooklyn. This was accepted, and, on
the 24th of January, 1814, a lease was executed from
the corporation to Robert Fulton and William Cutting,
for the ferry between Beekman's slip, in New York,
and the old ferry slip at Brooklyn, for the term of
twenty-five years from the first of May ensuing, upon
the following conditions :
1st. That for the first eighteen years they should pay
to the corporation the annual rent of $4,000, and for
the last seven years, $4,500.
2d. That on or before the 2d of May, 1814, they
should provide and navigate a steamboat similar to the
Paulus hook ferry-boat, to run daily, once an hour
from each side of the ferry, from half an hour before
sunrise to half an hour after sunset. In addition to
this they were to furnish such barges, etc., as were pro-
vided for, by previous acts of the State.
3d. On or before the 1st of May, 1819, they were
to place on the ferry a second steamboat, in all respects
similar and equal to the first.
The corporation, on their part, covenanted to build
and keep in repair all the necessary wharves or piers at
both termini of the route ; and that, as a compensation
to the lessees for the large increase of expense which
would be incurred in conducting the ferry upon such an
enlarged plan, they would apply to the legislature for
a modification and increase in the rates of ferriage. In
case of the passage of this bill before May 1, 1819,
Messrs. Fulton and Cutting were to put on their second
boat at the earliest possible date thereafter. In case of
its failure, the lessees were to be permitted to receive
four cents from each and every passenger who might
choose to pass over in the steamboat, but the fare on
the horse-boats and barges was to remain as it had
been, viz., two cents.
Having thus satisfactorily arranged with Messrs.
Fulton & Cutting, the corporation informed the lessees
of the ferry that they could no longer have the ferry,
and also notified the citizens of Brooklyn that the rates
of ferriage were to be increased. Thereupon, the
Brooklyn people called a town -meeting, at which, after
due discussion of the subject, a committee of six
was appointed with full power to use all proper means
to oppose any increase of the ferry rates. The com-
mittee entered upon their work in the most energetic
manner ; they procured a correct account of , the re-
ceipts and expenditures of the ferry for the three pre-
ceding years, and ascertained that the expenses had
been about $14,000, and the receipts about $22,000 per
year, and that $14,000 were paid by foot-passengers at
the rate of two cents each. Upon this data, the com-
mittee calculated that the income of the ferry for the
first year, at the proposed increase of rates, would not
be less than $38,000 ; and that, in less than fifteen
years, the income would be doubled. Disbelieving the
current New York statements concerning the cost of a
steamboat and appurtenances, the committee, also, as-
certained from competent workmen in Philadelphia
what a steamboat constructed in the best manner would
cost, and from the estimates thus obtained became well
convinced that the rates of ferriage ought not to be
increased. They therefore sent a strong remonstrance
to the corporation of New York against such increase ;
and further than this, in order to leave the corporation
without excuse, the committee offered to take a lease
of the ferry upon the same terms and conditions
whereon it was subsequently granted to Fulton and ms
partners. This proposition was rejected by the Hew
York corporation, although the ability of the gentle-
STEAM OJST THE FERRIES.
433
men who made it, to meet their obligation, was un-
doubted. Failing in this, the committee addressed a
memorial on the subject to the legislature, and also
forwarded to Albany one hundred and fifty copies of a
Brooklyn paper containing the remonstrance, and esti-
mates of the committee, etc., and which were addressed
to each several member of the legislature. The papers,
however, were purloined on the road, the corporation
and the lessees of the proposed steam monopoly united
their efforts to defeat the wishes of the Brooklyn peo-
ple, and were successful.
Team (or Horse) Boats on the Brooklyn
Ferry. — Meanwhile a new motive power had been
introduced upon the other (the New, or present Cath-
erine) ferry, viz. : a team-boat, or "horse-boat," as it was
called.
The Long Island Star of April 6, 1814, says :
" On Sunday last, April 3d, (by the way, the Sabbath seems
to have been a favorite day with old Brooklynites for testing
their experiments in navigation — Ed.) the public were grati-
fied by the performance of a new invented ferry-boat on the
new (Catharine street) ferry, between this village and New
York. This boat was invented by Moses Rogers, Esq., of
New York. It is, in some respects, similar to the Paulus
Hook ferry-boats, and calculated to receive wagons in the
same commodious way ; but the water-wheel in the centre is
moved by eight horses. It crossed the river twelve times
during the day, in from eight to eighteen minutes each, and
averaging two hundred passengers each time. It makes
good way against wind and tide, and promises to be an im-
portant acquisition. Another boat, to go by horses, is now
building for that ferry ; and a steam-boat, belonging to Wil-
liam Cutting and others, is nearly ready for the ferry between
Brooklyn and Beekman slip. Tliese improvements on the
ferries cannot fail to benefit this village and the adjacent
country."
Two days after, it was announced, "the horse-boat
will continue to run from the new ferry to Brooklyn
until the first of May, as a temporary anangenaent.
Passengers will be charged four cents, two of which
are for the owner of the ferry, and two cents for the
owner of the boat. All other articles at the rates here-
tofore charged in the row-boats.''''
The fact mentioned above, that the horse boat was
able to make " good way against wind and tide," was
an important one, inasmuch as a bead wind interfered
sadly with the trips of the sail boats, while an adverse
current severely tried the muscles of the oarsmen and
the patience of passengers in row boats. These horse
boats had covered cabins, and were, in all respects, su-
perior to the scows and periaguas which they had
replaced. Those at first introduced on the ferry were
"single enders"— that is, they had but one bow, and were
compelled to turn around in crossing the river. Subse-
quently, double enders, or boats capable of running
bow on, without turning round, were used. This im-
provement was due to the inventive genius of Mr. John
Murphy, the father of Hon. Henry C. Murphy, and
who was at that time connected with Mr. Rodman I
Bowne in the construction of these horse or team boats
used on the new ferry. These boats were each made
with two hulls, about twenty feet apart, and covered
over by one deck. The paddle-wheels turned on a
shaft between these two hulls; and this shaft was made
to revolve by means of cranks on a small wheel on
either end of the shaft, fitting into a large wheel, which
with corresponding cranks, was moved around a circle
of eighteen or twenty feet diameter by horses, as in a
cider mill. By Mr. Murphy's invention the direction
of the boat was reversed, without changing the horses,
simply by lowering the end of the shaft, on which the
paddles were fastened, from its lock with the cranks of
the large wheel, and raising the other end of the shaft,
and locking it with the cranks of the large wheel, an
operation which was performed by means of a lever in
less than half a minute.
From a New York paper of that day, we learn that
" the boat impelled by horses from the new slip to the
upper Brooklyn ferry, carriM, at one time, 543 passen-
gers, besides some carriages and horses. And a horse
boat is to run soon from Grand street dock to Wil-
liamsburgb."
The number of passengers on this occasion could not
be regarded, of course, as an indication of the average
travel on the ferries, but rather of the very general
curiosity excited by the new style of navigation, which
prompted many to make the trip, simply as a matter of
pleasure. On the 4th of June, 1814, the other boat
referred to above, was launched.
The introduction of horse boats effected a revolution
in ferry navigation, and those who had before hesitated
to trust themselves to the old boats regarded the new
ones as wholly safe, and found great pleasure in the
easy passage afforded by them. Yet, the old arrange-
ments were not wholly dispensed with. The horse
boats made regular trips at stated intervals, but there
were kept constantly ready for use a number of the
ordinary row boats, which, at an extra charge, would
carry over those who did not care to wait until the
larger boats started.
Steamboats on the Brooklyn Ferry. — But,
shortly after the introduction of team boats into ferry
navigation, at first, on the New Ferry, steam entered
the lists as a competitor against human muscle and
horse-flesb.
The desired law, allowing an increase in the rates of
ferriage, was passed on the 4th of March, 1814, and
included a reduction of fare on all vehicles loaded and
unloaded (articles not carried in such vehicles being
charged according to the act of April 9, 1813); a pro-
vision for commutation for $10 per annum, and a clause
prohibiting the anchorage of vessels in such a position in
the stream as to interfere with the running of the ferry.
These preliminaries being thus satisfactorily arranged,
the original lessees, Messrs. Fulton & Cutting, formed
a stock company, entitled
434
SISTOJRT OB KINGS COUNTY.
The New York and Brooklyn Steamboat
Ferry Associates, to whom they made over about
one-half of the capital, valued at $68,000, divided into
sixty shares, and the new enterprise commenced its
career in the full tide of public fpvor, consequent upon
its novelty and the prospect of its future importance
and usefulness.
The first steamboat put upon the ferry w as .the Nas-
sau, whose advent is thus noticed in the Long Island
Star of May 11, 1814:
" New Steamboat Nassau. — On Sunday last (the 10th) com-
menced running the new and beautiful steamboat Nassau, as
a ferry boat between New York and Brooklyn. This noble
boat surpassed the expectations of the public in the rapidity
of her movements. Her trips varied from five to twelve
minutes, according to tide and weather. The inhabitants of
Long Island, particularly, will find this a most interesting
improvement, as the ferries heretofore, however well con-
ducted, have been inconvenient, and to many a subject of
dread. Carriages and wagons, however crowded, pass on
and off the boat with the same facility as in passing a bridge.
There is a spacious room below the deck, where passengers
may be secure from the weather. This splendid evidence of
the progress of science and the arts, while it affords to all a
safe and agreeable communication with the city, is a sure
harbinger of the future weal and prosperity of Long Island."
And again. May 18th:
" The steamboat Nassau crossed the ferry forty times on
Sunday last. She is generally from four to eight minutes in
crossing. On the day of her commencement she carried at
one time 549 passengers, one wagon and two chairs with
their horses, and one saddle horse."
The boat received abundant patronage, and was kept
actively employed, even after the business hours of the
day. The Star of July 6, 1814, thus glowingly des-
scribes a pleasure trip:
" Rational and Refilled Pleasure.— On Thursday evening
last (June 29) the beautiful steamboat Nassau, having been
fitted up for an excursion of pleasure, received on board
about two hundred and fifty persons, principally inhabitants
of Brooklyn, and also an excellent band of music from New
York, and left the slip amid the huzzas of an admiring mul-
titue. She was beautifully illuminated, and moved majesti-
cally on the water, streaming the white waves in the rear by
the force of her excellent machinery. The moon shone with
a kindly radiance, and the air was just sufficiently cool. As
she passed up the East River near the city, multitudes assem-
bled on the docks, and cheered responsive to the enUvening
music of the band. On the water were a multitude of small
row-boats, with people of all colors and both sexes, vainly
striving to keep up with the steamboat, and catch the drop-
pings of the music and merriment which prevailed on board.
On her return, when near the flag-staff on the battery, her
way was stopped awhile — when
'The brisk, the bold, the young and gay'
mingled in the sprightly dance. The boat proceeded some
distance up the North River, and on her return again stopped
at the battery, to serenade the crowds there assembled. She
next passed around that grand military establishment. Gov-
ernor's Island. The silence of the night, the majestic castle,
the measured step of the sentinel, his arms occasionally
shining in the moonbeam, the dark forest of Red Hook on
the one hand, and the neat white dwellings of our brave
defenders on the other, all, all conspired to give to ' the soul
of sentiment ' the most enrapturing emotions.
" This is a refinement, a luxury of pleasure unknown to
the old world. Europe, with her boasted excellence in the
arts and sciences, in vain may look at home for any parallel.
The captain, lordly as old Neptune, drives Ms splendid car
regardless of wind or tide, and is able to tell with certainty
the hour of his return. Honored age and sprightly youth
the beauteous fair and their manly admirers, all who have
partaken, will dwell with delight on the innocent and varied
charms of the Nassau's evening excursion."
The following advertisement, published soon after-
wards, shows that these excursions became quite
popular:
"The Steamboat Nassau will start i?iis evening (July 27),
at 8 o'clock, on a tour of pleasure. An excellent band of
music is provided. Tickets may be had of Mr. Gboegb
Hicks, ferry-master, Brooklyn.
Those who are curious, can acquaint themselves fully
with the appearance and mechanism of this boat by
consulting Fulton's own description and plans of the
Paulas Hook ferry boat, after which the Nassau was
modeled, published in Valentine's Corporation Manual
of New York for 1859, pages 605, 610.
The commutation system was early established, as
appears by the following advertisement in the Long
Island Star of May 4, 1814:
tf
— ?
. "\
New- York and Brooklyn Ferry.
CUCH persons as are inclined to compound,
agreeable to law, in the Steam Ferry-Boar,
Barges, or common Horse Boats, will be pleas-
ed to apply to the subscribers, who are authori-
zed to settle the safne.
GEORGE HICKS, Brooklyn,
JOHN PINTARD, 63 Wall-st
Commutation for a single person not
transfevable, for 12 months, $10 00
Do. do. 8 months, 6 67
May 3, 1814. 6m.
For several years after its establishment, the new
steam ferry won golden opinions from the public, and
so great were the benefits experienced by the inhabi-
tants of Brooklyn, and of Long Island generally, that
a very general wish was expressed for the addition of
the second boat, which, by their contract, the ferry
company were to place on the route prior to May 1,
1819. This, however, the company seemed disinclined
to do, and, under the plea that their present receipts
would not justify the increased expense of building a
pew steamboat, and alleging (with more sp
FERBIES.
435
than truth, perhaps) that team boats were not only
more easily navigated, but much safer in winter than
steamboats, they offered, in 1817, that, if the Brooklyn
people would petition the corporation for permission
to substitute a horse boat for the steamboat, they
would provide the said horse boat one year earlier than
stipulated, and run the same during evening ferry
hours. This was agreed to by the inhabitants of
Brooklyn, and application made to the Legislature for
a law fixing the same rates of ferriage by law on team
boats as on steamboats. Opposition ensued from New
York, but, on a renewal of the application to the legis-
lature, in 1818, the corporation of New York, jealous
of legislative interference (and assuming that they had
the right), granted the substitution of the team boat, and
raised the ferriage to four cents on team and steam-
boats alike; granting, also, to the lessees the privilege
of replacing the team boat with a steamboat whenever
they should see fit.
Renewed Agitation of the Ferry Question. —
In Brooklyn, however, the spirit of opposition, still
unconciliated by the measures adopted by the New
York Corporation, gained new force from the unusual
severity of the following winter (1821-'22). The de-
tentions and irregularities which naturally occurred in
the ferry travel, during that season, occasioned great
dissatisfaction, and, together with the inadequacy of
the ferry accommodations, to the wants of the rapidly
growing village, gave rise to an animated struggle
for relief, which was carried on in the newspapers, in
pamphlets, by means of public meetings and before
the corporation of New York. The ferry, at this time,
(both of its lessees having died, Mr. Fulton in 1815,
and Mr. Cutting in 1821), was owned by certain New
York stockholders, representing sixty shares of stock,
and by the widow of Mr. Cutting, who had a separate
interest. The few concessions extorted from these
stockholders by the agitation of the subject, being en-
tirely insufficient to meet the public necessities, Messrs.
David Leavitt and Silas Butler, in 1833, interested
themselves in obtaining from the scattered stockholders,
forty-four out of the sixty shares, and the controlling
mflnence thus secured in the ferry, was energetically
exerted for the benefit of their fellow citizens. Yet,
although a new boat was added, and other measures of
improvement adopted, these all failed to satisfy the
demands of the public, whose discontent became still
more violent. Meanwhile, the extension of Brooklyn
(in 1826), beyond the southernmost limits of the village
(at District, now Atlantic street) had necessitated the
establishment of a south ferry, which was effected in
1836, between New York and Patchen's dock, ^ foot
of the present Atlantic street. (See History of South,
or Atlantic street ferry, in a subsequent portion of this
chapter). This additional ferry, however, afforded but
little relief to Fulton Ferry, where scanty accommoda-
tions, poor boats, etc., gave rise to many inconveniences.
frequent delays and even to serious apprehensions of
danger. So great, indeed, was the excitement' which
prevailed in Brooklyn upon the subject, that some of
the most peaceable and estimable citizens went so far
as to indulge in threats of sinking the boats.
In 1836, Messrs. Leavitt and Butler, together with
Mrs. Cutting and the other stockholders, were induced to
dispose of the unexpired lease for the sum of $100,000 ;
and a subscription to a seven per cent, stock was made
among a number of citizens, who desired, both for their
own use, and for the benefit of the city wherein they
dwelt, a good ferry, free from a speculative interest.
Although the investment was considered a safe one for
the return of the capital, the amount was not fully
made up, and the committee who negotiated the pur-
chase of the lease, were obliged to assume more of the
stock than they desired. This committee consisted of
Messrs. John D. Wright, Jonathan Trotter, James S.
Clarke, Seth Low, W. J. Cornell, H. B. Pierrepont,
Henry Young, Cbas. Hoyt, Edgar Hicks, John Van
Antwerp, George Hall, Charles Hallock, Joseph W.
Allen, William Hull, S. H. Moser, John S. Doughty,
John Frost, Ed. G. Miller, E. D. Hulburt, John N.
Smith, S. B. Whitlock, Austin Melvin, Losee Van Nos-
trand, D. Anderson and L. Green. The new lessees,
thi-ough their executive committee, Messrs. Wright
Trotter and Frost, conducted the ferry with an assidu-
ity which fully proved their intention to fulfill the ex-
pectations of the public. They did not escape, how-
ever, the usual imputations of interested motives, or
the annoyances of misrepresentations and attacks, both
in the newspapers and public meetings ; and, notwith-
standing their prudent management, the assets of the
association, at the expiration of their lease in 1839,
proved the value of the stock to be only sixty-eight
per cent.
At the same time the lease of the South Perry ex-
pired, with very unsatisfactory results to its stock-
holders, its receipts having been greatly exceeded by
its expenses, and a large proportion of the capital used
up. In order to prevent its complete abandonment,
they applied to New York, for the union of their ferry
with the Fulton Ferry, under a new lease. As might
have been expected, the application met with violent
opposition from those interested in the Fulton Ferry,
and very generally from the property owners in the
older part of Brooklyn ; and at a public meeting held in
May, 1839, expression was given to the opinion that the
proposed union of the ferries " would be detrimental to
the interests of Brooklyn at large." And, against this
unsound policy, the absurdity of which has been abun-
dantly proved by subsequent experience, scarce half a
dozen persons present had either the foresight w the
courage to battle for the more liberal principle 'of a
union of the ferries, for the benefit of the city at large.
Among these, although bis property and interests were
nearer to the Fulton Ferry, was a lessee of the Union
436
SISTOBT 01 KIirGS GOUJSTTT.
Ferry Company. Both parties appeared, by counsel,
before the corporation of New York, by which body it
was finally determined that the ferries should be united,
and a lease was accordingly granted, May 3, 183 9, for a
term of five years, at an annual rental of $12,000, to
thirty-two individuals, acting with reference to the in-
terests of the city of Brooklyn. These incorporators of
The New York and Brooklyn Ferry Company
were George Wood, Losee Van Nostrand, James E.
TJnderhill, John Dimon, Chas. J. Taylor, R. M. White,
John Dikeman, Cyrus P. Smith, Henry E. Pierrepont,
Eli Merrill, P. Marquand, J. A. Perry, J. H. Moser, N".
B. Morse, E. Lewis, John B. Lasala, C. Kiersted, Jos.
Ketchum, John A. King, David Johnson, Chas. Kelsey,
Parmenus Johnson, Chas. Hoyt, Lemuel Green, Geo.
B. Pisk, W. N. Degrauw, R. D. Covert, A. G. Benson,
John Benson, Jacob Bergen, Joseph W. Allen, David
Anderson. Mr. N. B. Morse was appointed president,
and Mr. Henry E. Pierrepont, in compliment to the
disinterested public spirit shown by him in the previ-
ous controversy, was made an associate in the lease,
and the vice-president of the company. By the terms
of this lease, only seven per cent, dividend was allowed
to the stockholders ; the net profits on the capital, at
the end of the lease, were to be paid to the treasury of
New York ; the lessees being bound to purchase all
the old boats of both ferries from the previous lessees,
and to provide, at their own expense, all piers, floats,
ferry houses, equipments and improvements, etc., as
might be necessary, for all of which the corporation of
New York declined to offer any compensation upon the
expiration of the lease. Messrs. Leroy and Perry gen-
erously advanced about $50,000 to relieve the embar-
rassment caused by paying off the old Fulton Perry
stockholders who preferred to withdraw. The United
Fulton and South Ferries were managed, however, by
the New York and Brooklyn Ferry Company, with
faithfulness and a due regard to the wants and inter-
ests of Brooklyn and its citizens, and were improved
as rapidly as a prudent expenditure of their income
would permit. Upon the settlement of the company's
affairs, after the termination of their lease. May 1, 1844,
the stock was found to be worth only seventy-five cents
on the dollar. It was now hoped that more liberal
counsels would prevail in regard to the new lease of
the ferries, which would allow of a reduction in the
rates of ferriage, as well as of an increase of facilities
and accommodations of travel. The application of the
lessees for a renewal of their lease was favorably re-
ported upon by the ferry committee of the corporation
of New York, who recommended the granting of a
seven years' lease of the united " ferries, to such thirty
of the stockholders of the present ferry, as shall be
selected by the ferry committee and the street com-
missioner, at an annual rent of |20,000" Notwith-
standing this report in favor of a renewal of the lease,
the corporation found itself so harassed by bids and
importunities from rival applicants, that it was finalh
decided to receive sealed proposals. This created
much excitement in Brooklyn. Its citizens suddenly
awoke to the danger which threatened their most
important interests, should they fall into the hands
of speculators, who, without any real interest in Brook-
lyn, would have regard only to their own private
gain. Pending the receiving the bids for the ferries, a
large public meeting was held (8th of May, 1844), at
which the mayor presided, and it was unanimously re-
solved "that the power of establishing ferries should
be lodged in some independent and impartial tribunal "
and that measures should be taken to ascertain whether
the assumed right of the city of New York to lease
these ferries was a franchise, or simply a jurisdiction
subject to recall by the State. Messrs. John Green-
wood, Geo. Wood, William M. Harris, George Hall,
Eben Merriam, Jonathan Trotter, Alden Spooner
Henry E. Pierrepont, Cyrus P. Smith, George S. How-
land and Gabriel Furman were appointed a committee
to carry these resolutions into effect.
Thg'ferry lease was at last granted to Messrs. Jacob
R. Leroy and Henry E. Pierrepont, for the term of
seven years, in consideration of a bid of $30,000, with-
out restrictions as to the rates of ferriage, or dividends,
and with the power to retain as much stock as they
pleased, and to select their associates. Having chiefly
in view the promotion of the interests of Brooklyn, and
the repayment of the par value of the capital invested
by the stockholders, with seven per cent, interest
thereon, the lessees selected seventeen out of the f onner
thirty-two managers, and four others to form a board,
which might represent fairly the important sectional
interests of Brooklyn, and to whom they intrusted the
organization of the company.
The Brooklyn Union Ferry Company, as thus
constituted, July 1st, 1844, was composed of the fol-
lowing gentlemen : Jacob R. Leroy and Henry E.
Pierrepont, lessees and trustees; George Wood, Joseph
A. Perry, John Dikeman, Joseph Ketchum, John B.
Lasala, Seth Low, C. J. Taylor, L. Van Nostrand,
Walter N. Degrauw, H. R. Worthington, C. N. Kier-
sted, N. B. Morse, C. P. Smith, John Dimon, A. 6.
Benson, Chas. Kelsey, Jas. E. Underbill, Ezra Lewis,
Sam E. Johnson, E. J. Bartow, Geo. Hulhurt, board of
managers; N. B. Morse was elected president, and H.
E. Pierrepont, vice-president.
When the articles of association were drawn, it was
not anticipated that the stock at the end of this lease
would be worth more than par, for these articles speci-
fied that "the net profits should be applied to dividends
upon the stock, but no more or greater amount than 7
per cent, per annum shall be declared;" that "the sur-
plus profits, if any, shall be applied to improvement
of the ferries and extinguishment of the stocks. The
net capital, at the end of the lease, shall be applied to
the payment of the capital stock then outstanding.
lERRIES.
437
Agreeably, therefore, to the trusts which the new
company had assumed, the four ferry landings were
largely improved, at an expenditure of nearly $50,000;
superior boats were built in place of the old boats ; the
rates of the ferriage were, from time to time, reduced,
as income warranted, until the fare for foot passengers
was fixed at one cent. Yet, the increase of the business,
and the income of the ferries, outstripped the managers'
anticipations, so that, at the termination of the lease, the
assets were found to make the stock worth more than par.
Meanwhile, under the direction of the committee,
appointed at the public meeting of May 8th, 1844, the
act of May 14th, 1845, had been drafted, and its pas-
sage by the legislature secured, after a strenuous con-
test with the interest of N^ew York, mainly by the
efforts of John Greenwood, Alden J. Spooner and
William Burbank, Esquires.
This act provided for the appointment, of three com-
missioners, non-residents of New York, Kings, Queens,
Suffolk or Richmond counties, empowered to grant
licenses for as many ferries between New York and
Long Island as, in their judgment, public convenience
demanded. The commissioners under this act were
Judge Samuel Cheever of Saratoga Co., Chairman ;
Judge John McLean of Washington Co., and Hon. Mr.
Barker, Attorney General, whose place was subse-
quently filled by Ebenezer Blakely, Esq., of Otsego
Co. Having thus secured the impartial commission
which they desired, Alfred G. Benson, Edward J.
Bartow, Charles Kelsey, William S. Packer and Elihu
Townsend, applied to the commission for a license to
establish and keep four ferries between New York and
Brooklyn, viz., the Fulton, the South and the Hamilton
Avenue ferries for the term of ten years from the ex-
piration of their respective leases, and a new ferry
from the foot of Wall street. New York, to the foot
of Montague street, Brooklyn, for ten years from date.
The required lease was granted to the applicants on
the lYth of October, 1848 ; the whole transaction being
intended as a test of the validity of the act of 1845,
and the rights of the city of New York. An amicable
suit was commenced. May, 1849, for the purpose of
testing the question (entitled "The Mayor, &c., of New
York vs. Alfred G. Benson, et alios''''), and was brought
to trial before Judge Roosevelt of the Supreme Court,
in the year 1852, the City making an appropria-
tion for defraying the costs of said suit. The case
was argued on behalf of Brooklyn by the Hon. Wil-
Ham Kent and Charles O'Connor, Esq. ; and on behalf
of New York city by Hon. Henry E. Davies and John
Van Buren, Esq. Judge Roosevelt decided that the
city of New York had a vested interest in the ferries
that were established— which opinion, however, was a
verbal one— and was never committed to paper by
him. The late Judge Barkelo, also, delivered a similar
decision on the subject, in another case, but these
opinions were not appealed from.
In 1850, a renewal of the lease of the Fulton and
South ferries was obtained by Messrs. Leroy and Pier-
repont, for the term of ten years from May 1st, 1851,
at a rent of $35,000 per annum — and the Hamilton
avenue Ferry was included in the same lease. These
three ferries, at this time, were running successfully at
one cent fare ; while the independent ferries (viz., the
Gouverneur, Catharine, Roosevelt and Wall streets),
were running at two cents, but were unable to sustain
competition with the Fulton ferry, which was paying,
not only its own, but a large portion of the expenses
of the South and Hamilton ferries.
At the same time, also, the business of the Fulton
ferry was already as great as could well be accommo-
dated, and ought not in justice, to the safety of its
passengers, be increased by the abandonment of the
other ferries, and the consequent deflection of their
business to it.
These independent companies, therefore, asked the
Union Ferry Company to increase its ferriage, which,
of course, was not granted ; whereupon they offered to
sell out to the Union Ferry Company, at a great re-
duction on their cost, and take pay in the ferry stock.
This was agreed to by the lessees, Messrs. Leroy and
Pierrepont, on condition that the consent of the stock-
holders should be obtained, and that the acceding
company should become incorporated under the gen-
eral law.
This desired consolidation was effected by the crea-
tion, on the 10th of November, 1854, of a corporation,
organized under a statute of the state (passed April 9,
1853), entitled "An Act to authorize the formation of
ferry companies," under the corporate name of the
Union Ferry Company of Brooklyn, and in-
cluded the Fulton, South, Catharine, Hamilton Avenue,
Wall street, Roosevelt Street and Gouverneur Street
Ferries.
The nominal capital stock of this company was $800 -
000 (with a right to increase the same to $1,000,000),
divided into 8,(i00 shares of $100 each. The directors
were H. E. Pierrepont, N. B. Morse, Cyrus P. Smith,
J. A. Perry, A. A. Low, W. N. Degraw, Joseph Ket-
chum, Charles J. Taylor, Henry K. Worthington, John
Blunt, Chas. J. Bill, G. G. Van Wagonen, J. S. T.
Stranahan, Abraham B. Baylis and Ezra Lewis.
The result, however, as far as concerned the cheap-
ness of fare, disappointed the company's expectations.
Their loss during the first year, had the one cent fare
been continued, would have been nearly $120,000 ; the
rate was therefore raised to one and a half cents, and sub-
sequently, from the necessity of the case, to two cents.
The lease of 1851 was to expire in May, 1861. In
anticipation, application was made in 1859 for a re-
newal for ten years. The lease was sold at auction,
and by the competition of speculators, the rent was
bid up to $ 1 03,000, at which price it was obtained by
the Union Ferry Company.
488
HISIOBY OF KINGS COUNTY.
In the year 1859, the new lease of the ferries being
advertised for the I'Zth of December, an offer was made
on the 26th of November by the city of Brooklyn and
its authority, to the corporate authority of the city of
New York, to take the said lease upon the same terms
as those by which they were held by the Union Perry
Company. This, however, was refused, and an appli-
cation was made to Judge Hogeboom, of the Supreme
Court, for an injunction against the sale, under the
terms advertised. It was promptly issued, and served
on the comptroller of the city, but was, however, finally
dissolved ; and, on the 29th of May, 1860, the ferries
were again bid off by the Union Ferry Company of
Brooklyn, for the term of ten years, at an annual rent
of $103,000. The company also had to pay 820,000
¥ULTON FERRY, 1865.
annual rent on the Brooklyn side, besides purchasing
land for repair shops, coal depots, &c.
I |At the expiration of this lease, in 1871, Tweed was
in power, and, it is supposed, for popularity, obliged the
Union Ferry Company to take a renewal of their lease
for ten years at the nominal rent of one dollar, but
restricting the ferriage, morning and evening, during
the five crowded business hours to one cent.
As eighty per cent, of the ferry income is derived
from foot passengers, the company fearing a loss to
the stockholders, proposed to take a new lease on the
same terms as that expiring. Being informed that a
party, supposed to be Mr. Tweed, was ready to take
the lease on the terms proposed, the company accepted
rather than have the ferries in the hands of speculators,
who had no interest in Brooklyn.
Whatever diversity of public opinion may have ex-
isted in Brooklyn, in regard to the Union Ferry Com-
pany's motives or management, it was generally
regarded, by the community at large, as a fortunate
circumstance that they retained the possession of these
ferries against the speculators who competed at the
sale. They were Brooklyn citizens of honorable re-
pute, and amenable, to some extent at least, to local
opinion ; while the apparent desire, which they had
recently exhibited, to lower the rates of ferriage, al-
though not meeting, perhaps, the full measure of the
public demand, was yet regarded as an earnest of a new
and more liberal spirit. It would, indeed, have been a
step " from the frying pan into the fire," if the ferries, so
vitally connected with Brooklyn'^ interests, had then
fallen, or should, at any time, fall into the hands of
grasping New York politicians and speculators, who
would be more likely to disregard public
remonstrance than the present manage-
ment.
After the fall of the Tweed ring, the
authorities of New York claimed that the
terms of the lease at the nominal rent were
illegal, and a New York judge so decided,
and a claim for ten years back rent at
11,500,000 was made on the Ferry Com-
pany.
This suit and claim was compromised by
the payment of 1300,000 to New York;
and a renewal of the lease for five years
was obtained at the auction sale for a per-
centage annually of 12| per cent, of the
gross income of the ferries.
The authorities of New York have here-
tofore represented, that they desired to
require for the rent of ferries, only the
commercial value of the slips. But by the
present rental demanded, of 12^ per cent,
of the ferriage, they impose a tax on every
passenger crossing the river to enter or de-
part from the city, and acknowledge no
limit to the demand they may make in future. This is
a misuser of their franchise, and if adjudicated, may
be so decided, and New York be restrained or deprived
of the exercise of it.
The principle of union of the ferries, established by
those who organized the Union Ferry Company (by
which plan the non-profitable are supported by the pro-
fitable ferries, for the public benefit and at uniform
rates of ferriage), must ever continue to prevail, if the
public interests are duly regarded by the Legislature, l
The New Ferry, now Catharine Street Ferry.
This route from the foot of Main street, Brooklyn, to
the foot of Catharine street. New York, formerly
called the New Ferry, in contradistinction to the Old
or Fulton Ferry, was established August 1st, 1795, by
William Furman and Theodosius Hunt, lessees from the
corporation of New York. They were succeeded by
Messrs. Noah Waterbury and Henry Stanton, who ran
^
'^Z ^^^-i^ //M'^A/y-
yy^-.
FERRIES.
439
it for a short time ; and it subsequently passed into
the hands of Rodman Bowne, who, in 1811, asked an
extention of his contract for two years from May, 1812,
which was granted. It was again renewed to him in
1814 for five years longer, at $1,2V5 per annum, on
condition of his making, within a specified time, certain
needed improvements, etc. The chief of these improve-
ments was the introduction, in April of that year, of
the horse or teamboat, previously described in connec-
tion with the Fulton ferry.
In March, 1816, before the expiration of his lease, he
took a new one for eight years from May 1st, 1819, at
the same rent. This, however, was cancelled in June,
1820, and another lease executed to Rodman and Sam-
uel Bowne, of the same ferry, for nineteen years from
May, 1820, at a yearly rent for the first seven years, of
$1,275, and for the next five years, of $1,800, and for
the last seven years of $2,000.
In 1846, Samuel Bowne leased the feri-y for 1 years
from date, at the yearly rent of $3,500, and it remained
in his hands until March 24th, 1852, when it was pur-
chased by Messrs. Smith & Bulkley, who subsequently
united it with Union Ferry Company of Brooklyn.
Samuel Bowne was born at Pelham Point, West-
chester County, New York, in 1790. He was de-
scended from the Bowne family of Flushing, Long
Island, and the Pell and Rodman families of West-
chester County.
After the death of his father, his mother removed
with her family to the City of New York, and Samuel
and Rodman Bowne at an early age acquired a knowl-
edge of commercial and shipping interests, and com-
menced business together at Catharine Slip.
In 1809, Rodman and Samuel Bowne purchased the
New or Catharine Ferry, with all the boats, and ap-
purtenances. At that time, passengers and freight
were transported across the river to the foot of Main
street, Brooklyn, by sail and row boats.
As the traffic of the ferry increased in importance,
the two brothers devoted their time, energy and means
to this enterprise, making Brooklyn their home, and dis-
playing an unusual unanimity of purpose, which brought
with it a marked degree of success.
In the year 1814 they had horse-boats built by Buck-
master, of New York.
On page 433 we have quoted a notice of these boats,
which appeared in the Long Island Star of Wednes-
day, April 6th, 1814:
This was the first horse-boat used on the river, and
Catharine Ferry took the lead in the transportation of
passengers and freight, and effected a revolution in
ferry navigation.
The Paulas Hook boats were propelled by steam
power ; and, after the introduction of the horse-boat
referred to, the Fulton Ferry, as required by their lease,
ised a steamboat which cost over $30,000. Steamboats
were ^expensive and troublesome, ■ frequently getting
out of order.
The Eveninff Post, of August, 1814, said in relation
to the horse-boat :
" It is calculated to supersede the necessity and expense of
steam, particularly for those short ferries."
The owners of Fulton Ferry were required, by their
lease, to put another steamboat on their ferry, in 1819.
They petitioned the Common Council of New York
for leave to substitute a horse-boat, which leave was
granted ; and one after the pattern of those on Catha-
rine Ferry was introduced and used after 1818. At
that time, the horse-boat was as good as a steamboat ;
and in times of ice, better. The second steamboat was
not put on the Fulton Ferry until 1827. Steamboats
were first introduced on Catharine Ferry in 1822. In
the year 1824 the proprietors of Catharine Ferry in-
troduced on the river the first single-hull steamboats.
One was named the George Washington, the other the
Independence.
Samuel and Rodman Bowne are referred to in the
following quotation from an ofiicial document, embody-
ing the report of the Ferry Committee of the Board of
Aldermen of New York in regard to renewing their
lease, dated March 28th, 1842.
"It is worthy of consideration that the present lessees of
the Catharine and Main Street Ferry are not a numerous
body of stockholders, upon whom a loss, large or small, might
be averaged without serious inconvenience. They are, as
appears by their petitiop, two in number. They have spent
their youth and manhood, and have grown grey upon the
ferry which they now occupy. They commenced their busi-
ness with oars and sails, and have passed uninterruptedly as
tenants of the Corporation, through all the various improve-
ments in ferry navigation for the period of thirty-three years,
and always to the entire satisfaction of the successive Com-
mon Councils to which their applications for renewals have
been made. While, therefore, these individuals ought not
to receive any privileges or indulgences unwarranted by the
public interests, the Common Council should not demand, as
a condition of renewing their lease, a sum that, while it
overrules a fair remunerating rent for this Ferry, may result
in loss and detriment to them. The proximity of the Catha-
rine and Main street to the Fulton Ferry, the last conducted
by a powerful, numerous and wealthy combination, adds
force to the arguments that caution should be used in impos-
ing a rent which may prove exaggerated."
Samuel Bowne was of medium height, strongly and
compactly built, and capable of great endurance.
He possessed great energy, was persistent of purpose
and devoted to his business, rarely absenting himself.
Strict integrity was his marked characteristic; and the
esteem and confidence of his numerous employees and
of the general community were his in the fullest mea-
sure.
Atlantic Street, or South Ferry. In 1825,
Charles Hoyt and associates, who were largely inter-
ested in property in South Brooklyn, petitioned the
440
SIS TOBY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Corporation of New York for a new ferry between
Old Slip, in that city, and Joralemon street dock, on
Long Island.
The opposition of New York landholders, who feared
the competition of cheap Brooklyn lots, with their own
property, served to defeat this proposition, in the com-
mittee to which it was referred. The assigned reason
was that their contract with Messrs. Cutting & Fulton,
pledged the Corporation not to permit any ferry to be
established, south of Catharine Slip, to Brooklyn, dur-
ing the time of that lease. A legal question was raised
as to whether the word Brooklyn in that contract signi-
fied the incorporated village, or the town of Brooklyn.
Brooklyn people took the former view, which was
sustained in written opinions by ^ such authorities as
under pressure of the representatives of the upper
wards, the petitions were denied by a vote of 9 to 5
Satisfied, at last, that no arrangement could be effected
with the corporation of New York, the citizens of
Brooklyn, in 1835, appealed to the Legislature. An act
vesting the right of granting ferries in an impartial
tribunal, was drawn, and was, after varying fortunes
on the eve of being passed, when the city of New York
presented a remonstrance, in which, under mask of a
liberal feeling towards Brooklyn, she consented to the
establishment of another ferry south of Fulton street.
But when, subsequent to the adjournment of the
Legislature, the corporation of New York were desired
to fulfill their pledge, that body, instead of locating the
New York landing at Old Slip, as had been desired
ATLANTIC SSTRBET, OB SOUTH FEREY.
Chancellor Kent, Samuel Jones and Benjamin F. But-
ler; and in 1827, the Ferry and Law Committees of the
Common Council, reported jointly in favor of the estab-
lishment of a new South Ferry, under condition that
the lessees should indemnify the corporation against all
damages under their covenant with the Fult.on Ferry
Company.
Finally, in 1833, the Fulton Ferry Company con-
sented to the establishment of a new ferry, on condition
of a yearly payment to them of $4,000, during the con-
tinuance of the Fulton Ferry lease.
A new petition was now presented to the Common
Council, and their committee reported that an addi-
tional ferry, south of Fulton street, was called for by
public convenience. When brought up for discussion,
however, other arguments and objections, of more or
less ingenuity, were brought forward, and finally,
and expressed, placed it at Whitehall, the southernmost
part of the city, a place manifestly inconvenient and
unsuited to the wants of the public. On September
1st, 1835, therefore a lease for a ferry, from Whitehall
Slip, New York, to, or near to, the foot of Atlantic
street, Brooklyn, was granted to Lyman Betts, Conk-
lin Brush, Charles Kelsey, Joseph A. Perry, Clarence
D. Sackett, and Alpheus Sherman, for a term commenc-
ing with the completion of the ferry accommodations
at Whitehall, to May 1st, 1839, at a yearly rent of
$1,000, and the city of Brooklyn, which erected pierfl
for the ferry, at the foot of Atlantic street, charged
seven per cent, on the disbursements of the corpo-
ration.
The ferry was first opened for travel on May 16th,
1836. At the expiration of its first lease in 1839, the
South Ferry was united to, and leased, with the Fulton
FBimiES.
441
Ferry to the New York and Brooklyn Ferry Company.
The rental of the united ferries was $12,000.
These leases were again renewed May 1st, 1844, by
V&iaiiX HOTTSB AT FOOT OF HAMILTON AVENUE
the same corporation, then organized as the Brooklyn
Union Ferry Company, at an annual rent of $30,500.
In 1854, its lease was renewed by the incorporated
Union Ferry Company of Brooklyn, by which it has
since been retained.
"Hamilton Avenue Ferry. The ferry from the
foot of Hamilton avenue, Brooklyn to the Battery,
New York, was granted to the lessees and trustees of
the Union Ferries, Henry E. Pierrepont and Jacob A.
Leroy, November 6th, 1846, at the
nominal rent of $1,000 per annum
(" for the better accommodation of
funerals and passengers to Green-
wood Cemetery"), at the solicitation,
and for the benefit of the Atlantic
Dock Company, who guaranteed the
Union Ferry Company against any
loss, in consequence of the trustees
not having a legal right to run other
ferries in connection with the Union.
Though run economically, the ferry
lost $25,000, daring the five years it
was so run, which amount was re-
paid by the Atlantic Dock Com-
pany. The affairs of the Company
were at length wound up, and the
franchises and property passed into
tW hands of the Union Ferry Com-
pany, by whom it has since been
rnn.
Wall Street Ferry.— Mr. Geo.
S. Howland, in 1846 made the first
attempt to establish what is now
known as Wall Street Ferry. He was a large owner of
real estate in East Brooklyn, to which the line of
Montague street and Myrtle avenue were a direct ap-
proach. In order to open this approach he purchased
from the Pierrepont estate the remaining poi'tion of
their property on Montague street, removed the old
Pierrepont Mansion, then standing on the line of the
street, built a tunnel through the
Heights, a stone bridge over Furman
street, and graded the street to the
river.
In these operations he associated
with himself Messrs. William H.
Packer, J. H. Prentice and Edgar J.
Bartow. In the subsequent struggle
to obtain the Ferry franchise, these
gentlemen were greatly assisted by
Mr. H. E. Pierrepont, who, though
in no way interested pecuniarily,
with his usual devotion to the best
interests of the public, entered, heart
and soul, into the project.
The application for a lease failed
in the New York Board of Alder-
men, owing to the opposition of property-holders
in Wall street, and was then taken before the Com-
missioners of Ferries, appointed under the act of
1845. The application to the Commissioners included
a lease for the thi-ee old ferries, Fulton, South, and
Hamilton avenue, and after much opposition on the part
of New York, and some litigation, was at length allowed.
When Howland & Co., finally determined to seek a lease
from the city authorities, to avoid further opposition they
FERRV HOUSE
FOOT or MONTAGUE STKEBT.
sought it under other names, and it was finally granted
to J. Sharp & Co., December 1st, 1853. Proving un-
profitable, it was united to the Union Ferry Company
and continued by them, though at an annual loss.
442
msTonY OF KijsTGs GorrirTT.
Over the five ferries conducted by the Union Ferry
Company (the lulton, Catharine, Wall, South and
Hamilton Avenue), the passages made by individuals
in a year, are estimated (including those who cross in
vehicles), at 45,000,000— a number nearly equal to
the whole population of the United States. When,
to this, is added the number who cross the other
ferries, from the eastern district of Brooklyn, the ag-
gregate is indeed formidable, and the proper accom-
modation and security of so many lives becomes a
consideration of the highest importance. The mana-
gers of the Union Ferry Company, as citizens of
Brooklyn, and deeply interested in its welfare, as
principal tax payers, with a full sense of the magni-
tude of the trust committed to their care, have every
motive to do their work well. On the five ferries not
less than twelve hundred and fifty crossings of the
river are made daily. The almost incredible immunity
from accidents which these ferries have enjoyed for a
period of over thirty years, is largely due to the pecul-
iar skill, care, sobriety and fidelity of the pilots — a
class of men carefully trained on the boats for this po-
sition, and so rigidly sifted, that not more than one in
twenty-five is ultimately accepted by the company.
The boats at present (1883) run by the company are
seventeen in number ; large, strong and superior ves-
sels in every respect, and regarded as models for other
establishments. So strong are they, indeed, that no
less than seven of them were required and taken by
the government for war vessels during the recent civil
war ; heavy batteries were mounted upon them, and
they performed important and constant service — prov-
ing, by their efliciency, the models of the famous
"double-enders" built by the government during the
war. Two of them, the Somerset and Clinton, after
the close of the war, were repurchased by the company,
and arc now doing daily duty on the Wall street ferry.
Of these 11 boats, 14 are kept constantly running,
and 3 are held in reserve, as relief boats, when either of
the others needs repairs. The smallest is 500 tons,
and the largest 658 tons. The smallest is 148 feet,
and the largest 1V2 feet long. They have all powerful
engines ; are heated by steam and lit by gas, and pro-
tected against any danger of accident by fire, by every
appliance that ingenuity or experience could suggest.
The cost of these boats is from $50,000 to $77,000 each.
When we consider that the services of nearly 400 men
in all departments of labor and superintendence, are re-
quired ; that repair-shops, spare boats, coal-depots, etc.,
must be maintained ; that large sums must be annually
paid for leases to New York, and for private slips in
both cities, besides the great and constant depreciation
by wear and tear ; we can readily understand, that the
five ferries, united, can be conducted at less expense
than they could be separately, and that the union of
these ferries is indispensable, in order that the five may
be sustained by the receipts of all.
The Union Ferry Company, as at present managed
is no mono2}oly, but in fact the converse of a monopoly
inasmuch as under this system the five ferries are riin
at the lowest fare consistent with efliciency and safety
their revenues form a common fund which is applied
to the support of all, so that the people of every sec-
tion are afforded their ferry accommodation at a uni-
form price.
The Fulton ferry, as we have before shown, is the
only one which more than defrays its expenses from
its receipts ; and the other four ferries are now sus-
tained by the profits derived from that ferry.
In addition to these five ferries, the Union Ferry
Comjyany are connected with tlie history of the Gou-
verneur and Roosevelt street ferries.
The Gouverneur Street Ferry, from Bridge
street, Brooklyn, to Gouverneur street. New York, was
established by Messrs. Smith & Bulkly. In December,
1853 (together with the Wall, Catharine and Roosevelt
ferries), it was united to the Union Company. Its
lease expiring in September, 1856, was not renewed,
and the ferry was discontinued January, 1857.
The Roosevelt Street Ferry, from Roosevelt
street. New York, to Bridge street, Brooklyn, was com-
menced with three boats in June, 1853, by Mr. F. C.
Havemeyer and others, who ran it, until December,
1853, when united, they sold out to the Union Ferry
Company at $140,000, being a loss of over $30,000. In
1860, it was sold and run between Roosevelt street,
New York, and South Seventh street, Brooklyn, E. D.,
by the BrooJdyn Ferry Company, at an annual rental
of $3,000, In 1867, a new ten years' lease was executed
to the JSfew York and Brooklyn Ferry Company, at
$4,900 per annum.
Brooklyn Ferry Houses.— At eight of their land-
ings the Union Ferry Company have erected commo-
dious and even elegant buildings, the total cost of
which has been about $395,000. Of those which are
located in Brooklyn we present views. The present edi-
fice at the foot of Fulton street was built in 1871 from
designs by Mr. W. B. Olmsted, and cost, with founda-
tions $138,000: Besides the waiting rooms, it contains
the general offices of the company, store rooms, and a
spacious Directors room in the second story. It is ap-
propriately ornamented by a fine bronze statue of Robert
Fulton, in a niche in the front of the tower.
The Catharine Ferry building was designed by the
same architect and erected in 1874, at a cost of
$45,000.
The ferry house at Hamilton avenue was designed by
Eidlitz, cost $32,000, and was built in 1801.
The Wall Street Ferry building was built by the
original lessees of the ferry in 1853, but has been modi-
fied and improved by the present company.
The present ferry buildings at the foot of Atlantic
street, were designed by Mr. W. B. Olmsted, were
erected in 1865, and cost $42,000.
c^yiALzVJ^'t^
BIOGRAPHY on HENRY E. PIERREPONT, Esq.
443
IIen'by Evelyn Pieerepoxt, Son of Hezekiali B.
Pien-epont, Esq. (whose portrait and biography will be
found on page 129 of this work), and his wife, Anna
Constable, was born August 8th, 1808, on Brooklyn
Heights, in the old Pierrepont mansion, memorable as
liavin"' been Gen. Washington's head-quarters during
the battle of Long Island. He has, from his youth,
been one of the most active and useful members of the
community, and associated in the management and pro-
motion of its interests and institutions. He was at an
early age sent to the boarding school of Mrs. Melmoth
(see page 131), in what is now known as South Brook-
lyn, and in 1819 to one of the best schools that has
been known in the city of New York, conducted by a
French Emigre, M. Louis Bancel, where he remained
for seven years, and among other acquirements, besides
a general education, became thoroughly conversant
with the French and Spanish languages.
On leaving this academy, he was, and until 1833 con-
tinued to be, constantly engaged in aiding his father
and brother in the management of large landed interests
in Brooklyn, and in the northern part of the State. In
the latter part of that year, he visited Europe, making
an extensive tour. This was before railroads had super-
seded stage coaches, and dUigenoes, and he consequently
saw the regions he visited more thoroughly and delib-
erately, than can be done by tourists now-a-days. He
was in England during the agitations and riots, caused
by the famous Reform bill. The letters which he took
made him acquainted with persons very distinguished
in rank and office, and gave him unusual facilities for
social intercourse of most interesting character.
During his absence in Europe, Brooklyn had been
transformed from a village into a city. A detailed
plan of streets and squares became at once necessary, and
Mr. Pierrepont was one of a committee, appointed by
the corporation, to prepare such plan. Having carefully
examined those which had been adopted in Edinburgh,
Marseilles and Carlsruhe, three of the best arranged
cities in Europe, he sought to provide for Brooklyn a
similar system, including among others, two diagonal
avenues which he recommended, one from the corner of
Fulton and Sands street to Bedford, and the other from
the City Hall toward New Utrecht and Bath. He pro-
posed also the laying out of 200 acres on Gowanus
Hills for a rural cemetery; and also selected a site on
Ocean Ridge, as suitable for an Astronomical Observa-
tory, then contemplated in Brooklyn. It was found,
however, that the plan for the laying out of the city,
hy the citizen's committee, could not legally be enforced.
Commissioners were then, in 1835, appointed by the
Legislature, whose plan, which was mainly that of the
citizen's committee, was established by the Legislature
as the permanent plan of the City. It omitted, how-
ever, the diagonal avenue toward.s Flatbush, but in-
cluded the other avenue which Mr. Pierrepont had
suggested, from the City HaU to New Utrecht ; but it
was afterwards abandoned, as it would have passed
through the ground selected for Greenwood Ceme-
tery.
Mr. Pierrepont took much interest in providing a
cemetery suitable for the city, and while abroad, in
1833, studied carefully the arrangements of Pere La
Chaise in Paris, and the Campos Santos in Italy ; both
of which he regarded as inferior to Mount Auburn at
Boston, which he visited in 1832; and which, especially
by the character of its groundsj suggested to him the
special fitness of the beautiful hills of Gowanus (with
every part of which he was familiar), on which Green-
wood Cemetery has since been established. With a few
other gentlemen, aided by the accomplished engineer.
Major D. B. Douglas, he labored assiduously for five
years in effecting that result. The enterprise was much
impeded by the financial embarassments of the country
in 1837, but the organization of the company was
finally effected, and the cemetery received its charter in
1838. Mr. Pierrepont was its Vice-Pi-esident ; and,
on the retirement of its first President, the late Robert
Ray, Esq., Mr. Pierrepont was appointed in his place.
The late Joseph A. Perry, Esq., after its organization,
devoted his whole life to the perfection of this beauti-
ful necropolis, than which it is believed there is none in
the world more beautiful His excellent judgment,
skill and admirable taste, ably seconded from the
beginning by Mr. Pierrepont, has made it what it is.
Mr. Pierrepont's life has been one of trusts, of which
few men have carried a larger burden. He was among
the early promoters, and has been at all times one of
the most active Directors of the Brooklyn Savings
Bank and the Brooldyn Hospital ; also of the Or-
phan Asylum, and the other establishments of the
Church Charity Foundation, and Trustee of its endow-
ment funds. He was the first President of the Aca-
demy of Ifusic and of the Brooldyn Club ; director
of the Brooklyn Trust Company ; of the Home Life
Insurance Company ; of the Long Island Historical
Society, and one of its building committee ; a patron
of the Mercantile Library and of the Art Association;
Warden of Grace Church; Delegate to the Long
Island Episcopal Convention; and also of the General
Convention of the E}piscopal Church. As manager, dur-
ing 23 years, of the real estate and the finances of the
General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church,
he redeemed the Institution from great embarassments,
and did not resign his laborious post until it was in good
condition. He is a Trustee of the Episcopal Fund;
Trustee of the property belonging to the Diocese of
Long Island, and President of Greenwood Cemetery.
Perhaps none of Mr. Pierrepont's services to the City
has been more steady and important than that which
he has rendered in connection with the ferries, which
are so absolutely vital to the welfare of Brooklyn. In
connection with the very able gentlemen, who have
composed its boai-d of directors, he has labor^ at all
444
HISTORY OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
times for the result which they have so conspicuously-
achieved, of creating and maintaining the most admir-
ably conducted ferries in the world. On the death of
his father he was appointed a Director in his place, and
made Vice-President of the company and Chairman of
its Executive Committee, and has continued in the
active management of the ferries for more than forty
years. During seventeen years, he and the late Mr.
Jacob R. Le Roy were the lessees of the ferries from
the City of New York. He has always given his time
and services, as have the other Directors (except the
three, who as its officers were occupied exclusively in its
business), without fee or reward, or ownership of its
valuable stock. As we have stated, on page 425, the
first ferry to Long Island was established in 1G38, from
the present Peck Slip to the present foot of Fulton
street, Brooklyn, and Cornelius Dirck&on [Soaglandt)
was the first ferry-master. He had a farm of sixteen
acres on the Brooklyn side, near the ferry, and came
at the call of a horn which hung against a tree, and
ferried passengers across the river in a skiff, for the
moderate charge of three stivers in wampum.
The son of Cornelius Dirckson Hoaglandt married
Elizabeth, daughter of Joris Janssen de Rapalie.
Their son, Adrian Hoaglandt, married Anna Byvanck,
whose daughter, Belitie, married James JRenaudet, of
Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 1714.
Their daughter, Ann Renaudet, married Townsend
White, whose daughter, Ann White, married Win.
Constable. Wm. Constable's daughter, Anna Maria'
married HezeTciah B. Pierrepont.
Thus, their second son, Henry Evelyn Pierrepont,
who has, for over forty years, been connected with the
management of the Brooklyn ferries, has descended on
the maternal side, in the seventh generation, from the
■first ferry-master.
We have named duties and action enough for one
man's burden, but have named only the lighter labors
of Mr. Pierrepont's life. The very large landed prop-
erty of his father, in the Counties of Oswego, Lewis, St.
Lawrence and Franklin (some 500,000 acres of wild
land), and in Brooklyn, required in its superintendence,
development, sales and improvements, incessant vigi-
lance, toil and good judgment; and in its partition, una-
voidably protracted and complicated legal proceedings.
For these services (other than those at law) he was par-
ticularly trained, and educated by his father (since whose
death, in 1838, the main charge has devolved on him),
and made expert in surveying, mapping, and conveyan-
cing, and in keeping the accounts with settlers, who were
very numerous, on the Northern lands. Among the
works he executed on the Brooklyn estate, was the
excavation of Furman street; the building of a retaining
wall of 775 feet in length, to sustain the Heights; the
placing of a bulkhead on the water front, filled from
the earth of the Heights, by which five acres of valua-
able wharf property was created. This great load of
labor be carried all his life, save as his responsibilities
were measurably abated by the partition, which trans-
ferred to others their respective shares ; and them
he has steadily continued to advise and aid.
On the 1st December, 1841, Mr. Pierrepont was united
by marriage with Anna Maria, daughter of Peter
Augustus Jay and granddaughter of John Jay, former
Chief Justice of the United States. He has a family
of three sons and two daughters living. His daughter
Mrs. Rutherfurd Stuyvesant, died in December, 1879.
Mr. Pierrepont's residence is on a part of the homestead
on which he was born, and his windows overlook the
beautiful bay, and the great city on the opposite
shore.
Within the limits of Brooklyn proper, that is, the
present Western District of the city, there are two
other ferries, viz. : the Bridge Street and the " Navy
Yard," or Hudson Avenue ferries.
The Bridge Street Ferry, from Bridge street,
Brooklyn, to James slip. New York, was held by A.
V. Stout and others {New York and Brooklyn lerry
Company), at an annual rent of $600, the lease ex-
piring in 1874.
The Navy Yard Ferry, from Hudson Avenue,
Brooklyn, to Jackson street. New York, was first estab-
lished between Walnut street, New York, and Little
street on Long Island, on the west side and adjacent to
the Navy Yard ; and was granted, on the 1st of De-
cember, 1817, to Capt. Samuel Evans, for the term of
fifteen years, for the accommodation of mechanics and
others in crossing. No rent was charged for the first
seven years, but for the last seven $100 per annum.
About the year 1857, Mr. James Wilson, leased from
New York the Jackson slip, with a ferry franchise to
Hudson avenue. The Brooklyn authorities allowed
him the use of the foot of Hudson avenue, about
seventy feet wide. Owing to interference with the
pier of the Gas Company adjoining, in landing the
boats, he was stopped by an injunction procured by
them. Being unable to litigate the matter with so rich
a corporation, he compromised and paid them $100 a
year rent for the use of the side of their pier. At the
end of the Wilson lease, Mr. John L. Brown obtaind
another ten years' lease from New York city, at $50 a
year. Being unwilling, however, to submit to the rent,
as well as the claims for damages made by the two
companies, he discontinued the ferry, retaining his
ferry franchise from New York, and the right of the
city slip from the Brooklyn Common Council. In July,
1869, by a coup de main, he regained possession of the
city slip, which had been occupied by the Gas Com-
pany, and commenced running the ferry agam.
We next come to
The Ferries of Williamsburgh.-The history
of these, ferries, although perhaps not so interestmg
as that of the Brooklyn ferries, is yet of sufficient oonse-
EASTERN DISTRICT FERRIES.
445
quence to demand a passing notice. The water front
of Williamsburgli and Busliwick, being located entirely
outside of the limits pretentiously claimed by the city
of New York, there has been none of that tedious and
expensive litigation, which has so overshadowed the
adjacent city of Brooklyn; and the ferry abuses of
which Williamsburgh has had to complain have been
the results of private cupidity and monopolies, rather
than corporate injustice and gigantic legalized frauds.
In the total absence of any of those neighborly claims
which forbade the citizens of Brooklyn from crossing
the river in their own boats, the people of Busliwick
freely exercised their own will and convenience in the
matter of rowing themselves, their neighbors and their
garden-truck over to the city, so that no regular ferry
was established until near the close of the last century.
The Grand Street Ferry. — About the year 1T97,
Mr. James Hazard, who resided at the foot of Grand
street. New York, established a regular row boat ferry
from that point to what is now the foot of Grand
street, Williamsburgh. At this time, the houses on the
OLD GRAND STREET FEEET, WILLIAMSBURGH.
New York side, in the vicinity of the ferry, were very
scattering; and, where extensive blocks of buildings
and a large population now exists, were then, to a great
extent, opei) fields of unbroken ground. What is now
known as Williamsburgh, consisted then of eight or
ten farms fronting the river, and extending eastward.
About the year 1804, Mr. John Morrell came here
and purchased a farm, and having opened the present
Grand street, thi-ough its centre, started a ferry from
its foot, which place he called Morrell's Point. "In a
short time," says the chronicler, " an amicable under-
standing existed between Mr. Hazard and Mr. Morrell,
and both ran their row boats, the one from New York,
the other from Morrell's Point, and each sought for all
the business he could obtain without infringement on
the other's rights. It may be amusing to state that
Mf. Morrell kept a AoTO at his ferry, for the conven-
ience of passengers, who, when they wanted to be fer-
ried over the wave, "would give the ventidal sig-
Wu 4boi;t this time, also, a gentleman named
TYoodhull having purchased land on North Sec-
ond street, established a ferry from the foot of that
street to Rivington street. New York, which he called
the " Williamsburgh Ferry."
Mr. Morrell, at the Grand street ferry, determined
not to be outdone by the new comer, improved his
boats, increased his accommodations, and rendered
every facility which the times demanded. The
spirited competition which ensued was much more
favorable to the growth and general interests of the
rising village, than to the pecuniary benefit of the
rival owners, and was finally terminated by the absorp-
tion of the North Second street ferry by the Grand
street ferry, which continued to be the only one for
many years. Subsequently, following the course of
public improvement, row and sailboats were exchanged
for horse boats.
This ferry belonged, at one time, to David Dunham,
Esq., of Bushwiek, and was sold by his admiuistrators,
in September, 1823, to David Ross Dunham, for fi.2B,-
000. The horse-boats were used until the incorpora-
tion of the village, in 1827, when one was metamor-
phosed into a steam boat, and very appropriately
named the IVie Eclipse, running for some years, in
connection with the old horse boats, which were con-
tinued in use long after they had become unsafe from
age. This (together with the Peck Slip and Division
Avenue) ferry was subsequently held hj the Williams-
burgh Ferry Company, (incorporated in 1849, with a
capital of $130,000); and subsequently, by Messrs. J.
V. Meserole & Co. {Brooklyn Ferry Co.) at an annual
rent of $15,000, the lease expiring in 1869.
The Houston Street Ferry, connecting Grand
street (E. D. ), with Houston street. New York (dis-
tance three-fourths of a mile), was established in 1840;
and has proved a great convenience to those employed
at the dry-docks and other works in that part of Brook-
lyn. It has been held by the Houston Street Ferry As-
sociates, cstablished*in 1842, at an annual rent of $6,-
500. Its rent since 1863 was $4,500, and its lease ex-
pired in 1874.
The Division Street Ferry, from South Seventh
street, Brooklyn, E. D., to Grand street. New York
(distance, half a mile), was commenced in 1851, and
proved a most convenient route between the southern
part of Williamsburgh and the city of New York.
With the Grand street and Peck Slip ferries, it belong-
ed, at one time, to the Williamsburgh Ferry Company,
then to J. V. Meserole & Co., at a rent of $15,000, its
lease expiring in 1869.
A ferry was also established in , by A. J. Berry
and J. J. Hicks, per Brooklyn Ferry Co., from James
slip. New York to South Seventh street, Brooklyn, E.
D., at annual rent of $3,000. In 1866, the East River
Ferry Co. (same parties), leased it at same rent. Its
lease expired in 1888, and Oliver Charlick afterward
held it, at an amiaal fcfl-t qi $4,600 for tea years.
446
BISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
A ferry between James Slip and South Sixtli street.
Brooklyn, E. D., also run by A. Y. Street and others
{Wew York and Brooldyn- Ferry Co.), at an annual
rent of |3,450, lease expiring in 1874.
The Peck Slip Ferry— (From foot of South
Seventh street (E. D.), to Peck Slip, New York),
distance two miles, was established in 1836, and con-
tributed, it is believed, more largely than any other, to
the growth of WiUiarasburgh by introducing the most
respectable class of citizens, both mercantile and pro-
fessional. It was formerly held by the Wiliiamsburgh
Ferry Co., and later by J. V. Meserole & Co., at a
rent of $21,000. Its lease expired in 1869.
The Green-Point Ferries, are from the foot of
Green-point avenue, Brooklyn, E. D., to the foot of
East Tenth and East Twenty-third streets. New York.
The first named route was established in 1852 (lease
dated 1850), by the efforts of Mr. Nezia Bliss, of Green-
Point ; and was soon transferred to Mr. Shepard Knapp,
and afterward held by G. Lee Knapp. The Twenty-
Third street route was established in 1857, and held by
St. Patrick's Cathedral, per G. Lee Knapp. Rent of
the Tenth street ferry, $1,300, and of the Tweuty-
m
Third street, $600 per annum, both expiring
1874. °
The Brooklyn and the Erie Annex Ferries.—
In 1877 Gen. Daniel Butterfield, acting for fWePennsyl-
vania Railroad Company, leased from the Union Ferry
Company, the south side of the Fulton Ferry pier and
the slip adjoining, to run a boat called the "Annex "
connecting with the Pennsylvania Road at Jersey City
and with the Albany boats, conveying passengers to
and from them, and checking baggage to all parts of
the U nited States. This arrangement was acceded to
by the New York and Brooklyn Common Councils, and
the latter city leased the bulkhead at the foot of Pulton
street at an annual rent of $1,500, which is in addition to
a rent of $500 paid the Union Ferry Co. More recently
the Erie Railway has established a similar ferry, landincr
at the foot of the Brooklyn bridge-tower. By these ar-
rangements the delays incident to the two ferries, and the
crowded streets of New York, are avoided by passengers
leaving Brooklyn for points reached by these railways.
For the following list of New York Ferries to points
in Kings County, we are indebted to the Comptroller
of the City of New York :
LESSEE.
LOCATION AND DUKATION OF LEASE.
IIENTAL.
Grand Sfreet, to Grand Street, Brooklyn, E. D. April
18, 187t5, to April 18, ISyo
$1,100 per year.
Grand Street, to Ilroadway, Broolilyn, E. D. May 1,
1879, to May 1, 1839
Fulton Perry, Soutli Ferry, Hamilton Avenue Ferry,
$18,862.85 per year.
j 1^ per cent. oT gross receipts (wliloh
1 includes certaiu docic piivUef^es.
$1,000 per year.
5 per oent. of gross receipts, and $5,000
for Dock.
Franchise and dock, $20,000 per year.
Heory 'F. Stone, Trustee
New York Ferry Co
Twentv-tliird Street, to Quay Street, Brooldyn. May
1, 1882, to Jlay 1, \m
Itonsevclt Street, to Broadway, Broolilj-n,E. D. Marcli
1, 1883, to iMarrh 1, 1888
Tenth Street, to Greenpoint. February 3, 1883, to Feb-
ruary 1, 1888
Twentv-tiiird Street, to Greenpoint. February 1, 1883,
to Juno 1, ItOl
Houston Street, to Grand Street, Brooklyn, B.D. May
1,1883, to May 1,1888
Franchise and dock, $3,000 per year.
Nassau Ferry Co
Franchise. .5 per cent, on gross receipts ;
dock, $i 000 per year.
$t,00D per year.
Ten years ago it was conceded, even by the ferry
managers, that the limit of ferry accommodations, at
the chief centre of travel, had been reached, and addi-
tion to the present ferry accommodations involved
greatly increased hazard of ferry travel, across an arm
of the sea in which the commerce of the world is
crowding more and more every day, and this of itself
would tend to bring the city's progress to a stand-still.
It was not therefore, simply as a provision for the
future, but as an actual and present necessity, that
additional means of communication were needed be-
tween Brooklyn and New York, and numerous plans
were brought before the public ; but the favorite one
was that of the construction of a bridge across the
East river, betweeu the two cities.
THE FIRST BROOKLYN FEERT-MASTBK,
TiSOE EAST iilVEli BRID(}K
447
THE NEW YORK AND BROOKLYN BRIDGE.
Bt GEORGE B. LINCOLN, Jr.
Those wlio have perused the previous pages of
this work, will remember that, as early as the year 1800,
a suggestion was made (page 103) of the feasibility of
a bridge across the East River. And it was farther-
more stated that " a plan has already been laid down on
paper, and a gentleman of acknowledged abilities, and
good sense has observed that he would engage to erect it
in two years time." Who this audacious bridge propo-
ser was, we have no means of knowing. It may, how-
ever, have been Thomas Pope, "Architect and Land-
scape Gardener," who, in 1811, again broached the idea
of such communication between the village of Brooklyn
and the city of New York. His plans, however, though
published in an octavo volume on bridge architecture,
fell on unheeding oars. Twenty-five years passed, with
no doubt many suggestions, which have been lost to the
public, when, in 1830, General Joseph G. Swift, an esti-
mable Brooklynite of the olden time, proposed a dyke
across the river, on which was to be laid out a Boulevard,
wedding together the two cities. Thirteen years later,
in 1849, the New York 2Vibune again agitated the
matter in an article from which we quote.
A Bridge to Brooklyn. — The great project of municipal
improvement now occupying public attention in tliis city and
Brooklyn, is the building of a splendid bridge connecting the
two shores of the East River, and thus making New York and
Brooklyn emphatically one. . . It is in the inevitable
course of events that the seaward point of New York Island
should constantly be over run with the pressure of business
and population and should be seeking outlets for the excess
in every possible direction. The great natural remedy for
this commercial and populative plethora is Brooklyn. . .
Ferries are rapidly becoming unequal to the immense and
swiftly increasing intercourse between counting house and
home to so many thousands of our citizens. The only thing
to be thought of is a bridge to be built from some high point
in New York to another in Brooklyn— thus permitting ves-
sels of every kind to pass freely under at all times, and afford-
ing passage to a steady stream of vehicles and pedestrians.
Such a bridge would become instantly an immense and im-
portant thoroughfare, second scarcely to Broadway itself.
First Active Measures Taken Towards a
Bridge.— In February, 1864, a bill was introduced in
the Legislature providing for a commission to investigate
the feasibility and expediency of a bridge across the
East River, and appropriating $5,000 for the expenses
la the preparation of thU sketch we have availed ourselves liberally
01 the intormattoa contained in Mr. William C. Conakt's article, in
tiarmr'a Mofjazine, for Nf ay, 1683, to which we are also indebted for the
accotiipanying illustrations; the Easle "Bridge" issue of May 24, 1883,
aaa memoranda kindly furnished us by the Bridge offlolals. Editor.
of such commission. The bill provided that the com-
mission should report the results of their investigations
to the Legislature of 1805.
On February 4, 1805, a bill was introduced in the Leg-
islature to incorporate the East River Bridge Company.
Among the intelligent and practical men who had in
mind the idea of solving the problem, was Colonel Julius
\V. Adams, of this city, for many years recognized as
one of the most accomplished members of the profes-
sion of civil engineering. lie had studied the matter
ever since 1855, and never lost sight of its importance
but, upon his return to Brooklyn, followed it up with
characteristic zeal. After the conclusion of the war he
renewed his attentions to the subject, and finally, in
1805, he succeeded in maturing apian, which he believed
was practicable. His idea was to build a suspension
bridge from Fulton Ferry on the Brooklyn side to a point
near Chatham square on the New York side. The inten-
tion was to have the main body of the bridge built of
two elliptic tubes placed side by side and supported by
ribbons of steel. There were to bo three platforms for
travelers, and, it is claimed by its projector, that the
capacity would have been greater than that of the present
structure. Colonel Adams communicated his plan to
Mr. William C. Kingsley, who was largely engaged in the
contracting business in this city. Mr. Kingsley entered
heartily into the spirit of the enterprise, and carefully
examined the diagrams submitted by the engineer. He
spent several months in a thorough and exhaustive ex-
amination of the entire question, studied the needs of
the two cities, and finally became fully impressed with
the practicability and feasibility of the scheme.
Again in the severe winter of 1866-7, the j)erils and
difficulties of ferry navigation, called public attention
strongly to the necessity of some more secure, and
stable method of transit between the two great cities.
Popular feeling was soon highly gratified by the
announcement that leading citizens of Brooklyn were
moving in the matter, and that a bill for chartering a
Bridge Company had been introduced in the Legisla-
ture then in session by the Hon. Henry C. Murphy, by
whose unflagging support, as well as the untiring aid
of its projectors, it became a law April 16th. This bill
was drawn upon the basis of Col. Adams' plans.
The New York Bridge Company thus incorpo-
rated, consisted of the following citizens named as cor-
porators: John T. Hoffman, Simeon B. Chittenden, Ed-
ward Ruggles, Smith Ely, Jr., Samuel Booth, Gren-
448
mStORT OP KINGS COJTN'TT.
ville T. Jenks, Alexander McCue, Henry E. Pierreijont,
Martin Kalbfleisb, John Roach, Charles A. Townsend,
Henry G. Stebbins, Charles E. Bill, Chauncey E. Mit-
chell, T. Bayley Myers, Seymour L. Husted, William
A. Fowler, William Wood, Andrew W. Green, Ed-
mund W. Corlis, William C. Rushmore, Ethelbert S.
Mills, Albert W. Craven, Arthur W. Benson, T. B.
Cornell, John N. Hayward, Isaac Van Anden, Pomeroy
P. Dickinson, Alfred M. Wood, J. Carson Brevoort,
William Marshall, Samuel McLpan, John W. Coombs,
William Hunter, Jr., John H. Prentice, Edmund
Driggs, John P. Atkinson, John Morton. A vacancy
was tilled by the selection of Henry C. Murphy, who
became President of the Bridge Company. The Act
fixed the capital stock at five millions of dollars, with
power to increase it, and gave the cities of New York
and Brooklyn authority to subscribe to the stock of the
company such amount as their Common Councils re-
spectively should determine, wisely judging that
neither private capital nor municipal management
alone could be relied on to carry such a work success-
fully to corapletiou.
The cities of New York and Brooklyn were author-
ized to subscribe for such amounts of the capital stock
as two-thirds of their Common Councils should deter-
mine, or to guarantee the payment of the principal and
interest of the company's bonds, in such amounts as the
Common Councils should prescribe. Under this provi-
sion the city of Brooklyn was at once asked to sub-
scribe $3,000,000 to the stock of the company.
In 1868 the Common Council of Brooklyn resolved to
subscribe this amount, on condition that two millions
should first be subscribed by others, and ten per cent,
of this be paid in, and that the city should be repre-
sented in the board of directors.
On the 29lh of December, in the same year, the New
York Board of Councilmen passed an ordinance sub-
scribing 11,500,000 to the stock of the company, on
condition that the Mayor, Comptroller, and President
of the Board of Aldermen should be ex-officio members
of the company. Thus a paid up capital of four and
one-half millions was insured.
On the organization of the company in May, 18G7,
one month after the passage of the incorporating act,
John A. Roebling was appointed engineer (May 2 ft,
1867), and he made his report of surveys, plans, and es-
timates on the 1st of the following September. In the
following May a commission of three United States en-
gineers, Maj.-Gen. Horatio G. Wright, Maj.-Gen. John
Newton, and Major King, was appointed by the War
Department, to report upon the general feasibility of
the project, especially as to whether or not the bridge
would bo an obstruction to navigation. The engineers
entered upon their work at once. After a thorough re-
view of the plans, they concluded to examine the prin-
cipal suspension bridges throughout the United States.
Mr. Roebling by this time had substantially completed
his plans. The incorporators, after examining them
though having full confidence in his judgment, experi-
ence, and ability to construct the work, believed it advis-
able, in view of the uncertainty or opposition of the pub-
lic, to call in a board of consulting engineers. Opinions
were accordingly asked from Horatio G. Allen of
New York (who brought from England, and ran in this
country, the first locomotive operated on the Western
Hemisphere, and who is still living) ; Alfred W. Cra-
ven, the engineer of the Croton Aqueduct; II. B. Lat-
robe, builder and chief engineer of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad ; Chief Engineer Steele, of the Readinw
Railroad; James P. Kirkwood, W. J. McAlpine, John
J. Serrell, and Colonel Julius W. Adams. For four or
five months they passed nearly all their time in study-
ing the plans proposed by Colonel Roebling, and at the
conclusion of their labors they reported favorably upon
them in every respect. When the journey of observa-
tion was made by the War Department engineers, in
the Spring of 1869, they were accompanied by Messrs.
John A. Roebling, Kingsley, McCue, Slocum, Lewis,
Kinsella, Carey, and Probasco. They visited I'ittsburg,
Cincinnati, Niagara, and other places, and made a thor-
ough examination of the bridges at all these important
points. A little later the Government Commissioners
presented their report. They approved and endorsed
all of Mr. Roebllng's plans, with the single exoeplion
that the height of the central span above the middle of
the river be 135 feet, instead of 130 feet, as proposed.
By an Act of Congress the bridge was declared to be
a lawful structure when completed, and a post-road for
the conveyance of the United States mails.
The original Act provided that the bridge should be
completed and opened for use on, or before, the first of
June, 1870. In 1869, the time was, by an amendment
to the charter, extended to June 1st, 1874, and a rail-
road franchise was added, the use of which was optional
with the company.
The work of preparing the site of the foundation of
the Brooklyn tower was commenced January 3, 1870,
but Mr. Roebling did not live to see the first stone laid
in the magnificent structure that was to have crowned
his illustrious career. In the Summer of 1S69, while
engaged in determining the location of the Brooklyn
tower, a ferryboat entering the slip, thrust the timbers
on which he stood, in such a manner as to catch and
crush his foot. Tlie injury resulted in lockjaw, from
which he died sixteen days after.
A fit successor was found in his son, Washington A.
Roebling, who had not only been the accomplished as-
sociate of his father in some of his principal works, but
had aided him most efficiently in the preparation d the
designs and plans of the bridge (See Sketch of Colonel
Roebling, in a following page).
Before the actual work of construction had com-
menced, however, considerable modification had to be
made in the original design. These changes were m
THE EAST RIVER BRIDGE.
440
the direction of not only a larger and more capacious
structure, but also of increased solidity and strength
throughout, thereby adding largely to the cost.
In 1870 work was commenced on the foundation for
the tower at the Brooklyn side of the river. To cross a
stream 1,600 feet in width, with a single span, was a
thing never before accomplished, but the difficulties
were immensely increased by the fact, that the towers
to support this immense structure had to be erected
under circumstances that rendered the usual methods
for sinking piers impracticable. The only element of
uncertainty was believed to be in the failure, or success,
of the submarine operations. This point settled, the
constructors had an open pathway to full fruition of
their hopes and plans. Of course, under ordinary cir-
cumstances of bridge construction, attention is paid to
the obstacles in securing foundations, piers, and ap-
proaches; but, in this case, the supporting masonry was
placed where the exigencies of the work demanded.
Preliminary operations were begun at the site of
the Brooklyn foundation as early as ISGY. The trial
boring at that time showed gneiss rock at a depth
of 96 feet below high water mark. It was found ne-
cessary to establish a uniform foundation over the entire
space. This, it was determined, should be built of solid
timber in the form of a caisson — an apparatus aptly
described by one of the engineers as " a diving bell
on a huge scale." It was therefore determined to em-
ploy the method by compressed air; and caissons were
constructed by Messrs. Webb & Bell, of Greenpoint,
having the horizontal dimensions of the proposed piers,
which were 102 by 1Y2 feet. Each caisson was, in ef-
fect, a wooden box, made of Georgia yellow pine,
turned bottom upward, the interior space being 9 feet
high. The roof of the New York caisson was 22 feet
thick, of solid timber, bolted together, and was sup-
ported by frames running from side to side, which
frames, together with the edges of the box, were to
sustain the vast superincumbent weight, aided by the
upward pressure of the condensed air within the cais-
son.
The caissons, having been built on ways, were
launched in the same manner as a ship, and were towed
to the points where the piers were to be located.
The launch of the Brooklyn caisson, on March 19,
1870, was regarded as the first great step in the actual
mechanical progress of the bridge. It was accom-
panied by appropriate ceremonies, and witnessed by an
enormous concourse of people. Meanwhile an army
of workmen were busy preparing the site for the foun-
dation. This comprised the establishment of a rectan-
gular basm, open on the side toward the river, and sur-
rounded on three sides by sheet piling, with the bottom
leveled to a uniform depth of 18 feet below high water
mark. Many difficulties were encountered in the work
of dredging. First, the workmen took out something
over 10,700 yards of surface mud. Blasting was re-
sorted to, in order to remove the boulders on the bot-
tom. By April, the work had progressed so far that
six air compressing machines were placed in position,
ready, for operations on the caisson. At the begin-
ning of May the caisson was towed into position. The
structure was moved by six tugboats, and the trip oc-
cupied two days. Ten courses of timber were laid on
the top of the caisson, crossing each other at right
angles, with spaces of from four to five inches between
the sticks. Within the five weeks ending with June
20, 1870 over 100,000 cubic feet of timber was thus
put in place. The spaces between the timbers were
filled in with concrete, for the purpose of adding the
necessary weight as well as hardening and preserving
the timber. Air and water shafts were put in and the
finishing touches were given to the air locks. These
locks were seven feet high, and six feet six inches
diameter inside. The interior was lighted by bulls-
eyes. Three derricks were used to lay the masonry.
For the lower courses Kingston limestone was the ma-
terial used, while above the surface of the river all the
facing was done with granite, brought from Maine and
Pennsylvania. Courses of granite blocks were laid
upon the top of the caisson, by which it was sunk until
it rested upon the bed of the river. Air was then
forced into the chambers beneath, by means of engines
upon the shore, until the water was entirely displaced,
and the river bed left dry. The pressure was main-
tained at this point, the engines working day and
night. The air chamber was not entered and explored
until May 10, 1870. The workmen obtained access to
the chamber by means of two shafts which extended
above the surface of the water. At the bottom of each
shaft were two air locks, which were simply ante cham-
bers, constructed of iron, into which the men entered
from the shaft, and closing an air tight door behind
them, admitted the compressed air from the caisson,
by means of a cock, until the pressure in the lock
reached the same degree as that in the caisson; when
a communicating door was opened, and the men passed
into the chamber below.
By a very ingenious arrangement which it is not
necessary ta describe here, the earth excavated from
beneath the caisson was carried up to the surface, with-
out affording opportunity for the air to escape. In
this way the earth was being constantly removed from
underneath the caisson, and the vast mass settled, day
by day, down through the gravel and quicksand which
formed the bed of the river, until, at a depth of 78
feet, on the New York side, and 45 feet on the
Brooklyn side, a solid foundation was reached. In
proportion as the caisson settled, the masonry upon
it was built up ; so that the top of the stone work
was always above water. When the solid founda-
tion had been reached the interior of the caisson was
filled with concrete ; and the 400,000 cubic feet of tim-
ber was left buried nearly 80 feet below the surface,
450
HISTORY OF KIN'GS COUNTY.
where, practicably indestructible, it remains as the
foundation of the tower.
This work of lowering the caisson and removing the
obstacles at the bottom required all the skill of the en-
gineering corps engaged upon the bridge. The area of
the wooden structure was 17,000 square feet. It was
soon found that no uniform stratum could be had over
the whole of this space, and it was necessary to proceed
with great care. The most serious obstacle to the sink-
ing of the caisson was the presence of large boulders
under the edge of the iron shoe at the bottom. When
they extended more than two or three feet outside the
shoe, no attempt was made to haul them in,but they were
chipped off until the edges of the caisson could clear
them. The deeper the prospectors went, the larger and
more numerous became the boulders. When the caisson
had reached a depth of twenty -five feet below the water
level, it became necessary to resort to blasting. Fears
were entertained of the effect of the explosions upon the
ear drums of the men, in view of the compressed atmos-
phere, and it was apprehended that trouble might arise
from injury to the air-locks and water-shafts. The ex-
periment was begun by first firing a pistol with succes-
sively heavier charges; small blasting charges followed,
until the use of powder became an every-day resort.
The descending caisson left a perpendicular wall around
it, none of the soil showing any sign of caving in. In
supplying the compressed air, six double air pumps were
used. The air pressure at the outset was governed en-
tirely by the tides, and regulated itself according to
their height; but after the caisson had entered into the
water-tight and air-tight strata of clay, the tides no
longer had any effect upon the air pressure. Regularity
of air pumping was maintained until fresh- water springs
were encountered, which caused much trouble. At
about this time occured some singular mishaps, which
were called "blow-outs."'
The overweight of the air pressure would at times
disturb the equilibrium of the caisson, the structure
would be moved, and the escaping air would carry an
enormous stream of water up to a tremendous height.
One Sunday morning, during the construction of the
Brooklyn foundation, occurred the greatest blow-out in
the history of the work. The overweight had increased
to such an extent that the south water shaft blew out
all of the compressed air. Eye witnesses state that a
dense column of water, fog, mud and stones, was thrown
up 500 feet into the air, accompanied by a terrific roar
and a shower of falling fragments, covering the houses
for squares around. This column was seen a mile off.
The noise was so frightful that the whole neighborhood
was stampeded, and made a rush up Fulton street.
Even the toll collectors at the Ferry abandoned their
tills. From this blow-out the caisson settled ten feet,
its weight at the time being 17,675 tons. The air
tightness was not impaired by the blow-out. Despite
these mishaps, the wooden structure was steadily lower-
ed. When it had been sunk to within three feet of its
bed, and while the air chamber was being filled with
concrete, seventy-six brick arches were erected below it.
The concrete was laid at the rate of 100 yards per day.
Upon this was laid the masonry, the foundations rising
as the caisson descended. Several fires occurred during
the progress of the work, owing to the carelessness of
workmen, and the tendency to combustion in compress-
ed air. The most serious of these, in December, 1870
was not discovered for several hours after its inception,
and was only extinguished by admitting air to the
caisson, and then flooding the air chamber with water.
The damage was confined to the third and fourth
courses of timber, and by March 6, of the following
year, was fully repaired, and the caisson was as strong
as ever.
The following figures show at a glance the general
dimensions of the Brooklyn caisson:
Length over all 168 feet.
Breadth 103 feet.
Height of ah- chamber 9^ feet.
Total height when launched 14i feet.
Total height when completed 21i feet.
Cubic feet of timber in it 111,000 feet.
Weight of iron work 250 tons.
Launching weight of caisson 3,000 tons.
On the 15th of June, 1870, the first stone of the
Brooklyn tower was laid ; and from that time the work
went on without serious interruption. Circumstances
delayed the work on the New York side, and the
caisson was not launched till May 8th, 1871. It was
towed to its position and the work of sinking it was
commenced September 11, 1871. It may here be ob-
served that the work of constructing and sinking these
caissons, and building the foundations of the towers,
involved some problems in engineering that had never
before been practically solved. The foundation of
the Brooklyn tower was sunk to a depth of forty-
five feet, where a sufiiciently firm foundation was
found. The caisson on the New York side was
sunk to the rock at a depth of seventy-eight feet.
Upon the tower foundations, of course, rested the
stability of the entire work, and the success of the en-
terprise depended on them. By the skill of the chief
engineer, W. A. Roebling, and his able assistants,
Messrs. CoUingwood, Fame, Martin, and MoNulty, the
difiiculties, the risks, and uncertainties attending the
construction of these foundations were satisfactorily
overcome. The subsequent building of the towers, and
of the superstructure, was work that had been done be-
fore on a smaller scale, and involved but few problems
that had not already found a practical solution.
The site selected for the New York tower was at the
end of Pier No. 29, East River, 400 feet from what is
denominated the shore or bulkhead lines. In its general
features the New York caisson was a reproduction of
that which had been used so successfully in laying the
THE EAST RIVER BRIDGE.
451
Brooklyn foundation. The air chamber, 9 feet 6 inches
high, was divided into six compartments, lined with
light boiler iron. The air locks were built into the
roof of the caisson, and were regarded as an improve-
ment upon those previously in use. There were four
supply shafts. The interior was lighted with gas and
calcium lights. In this caisson, as well as that of the
Brooklyn foundation, measures were taken to protect
the woodwork from that most destructive of insects of
its kind, the teredo, or sea worm.
The caisson was equipped with a temporary floor ex-
tending over the base, and additional courses of timber
were laid upon it, so that when finished it contained
twenty-two feet of solid timber above the roof of the
air chamber. A notable part of the work of excavation
below the New York caisson was the process of running
the sand up through the pipes by the force of compressed
air. An iron pipe was run down into the chamber,
within a foot of the ground. This was supplied with
a stop-cock beneath the roof. The sand and earth were
heaped up around the bottom of this pipe in the shape
of a cone, and when the stop-cock was opened it passed
out with such great velocity that stones and gravel
were often projected to a height of one hundred
feet.
No brick piers were used below the caisson as
in the Brooklyn air chamber. The concrete filling
was put in, and above this rose the solid mass of
masonry.
By the first of June, 18'72, the Brooklyn tower had
reached a height of one hundred feet above high water,
and the caisson of the New York tower had reached its
position on the rock beneath the river bed. The filling
of this caisson with concrete was completed July 12th,
1872, and in December the tower had reached the height
of 57 feet. The directors failing to purchase the proper-
ty for the Brooklyn anchorage, took legal steps to
acquire the title to it, which was accomplished January
7th, 1873, and they at once entered on the work of
clearing the ground and constructing the anchorage.
This work, as well as the work on the towers, was prose-
cuted till December, 1873.
The erection of the towers proceeded expeditiously,
with only such delays as were caused by the non arri-
val of the stone, owing to the fact that the granite
was brought from diilerent quarries, located at a great
distance.
By an Act of the Legislature, passed June 5th, 1874,
the entire control of the enterprise was given to the
cities of New York and Brooklyn, and the private
stockholders were to retire, under certain conditions
which were afterward accepted.
Ihe shares in the original company, as has been
shown, were fixed at $100 each. The list of the
subscribers, as revealed by the minute book still in
the possession of the Trustees, is very interesting. It
IS as follows :
No. of
Subscribers. shares.
Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of
New York 15,000
The City of Brooklyn 80,000
Henry C. Murphy 100
Isaac Van Anden 300
William Marshall 50
Seymour L. Husted 300
Samuel McLean 50
Arthur W. Benson 20
Martin Kalbfleisch 300
Alexander McCue 100
William M. Tweed 560
Peter B. Sweeny 560
Hugh Smith 560
Henry W. Slocum 500
J. S. T. Stranahan 100
Grenville T. Jenks 50
Kingsley & Keeney 1,600
John H. Prentice 50
William Hunter, Jr 50
John W. Lewis 50
Total 50,000
After the subscriptions were all made, several of the
subscribers withdrew or failed to make good their
promises, whereupon Mr. Kingsley took up their stock
and advanced the amount necessary to cover their de-
ficiencies. In fact, he, and the firm he represented, took
in all over $300,000 of the entire $500,000 subscribed
by the New York Bridge Company.
An estimate of the chief engineer showed that, by
reason of unforeseen difficulties, and some desirable
changes in the plan, the cost of the bridge would reach
the sum of $13,000,000. The work, which was tem-
porarily- suspended in the spring of 1874, was resumed
in the summer.
The Brooklyn tower was completed in the summer
of 1875, and the New York anchorage was commenced.
It was finished in the summer of 1876, as was also the
New York tower.
The original idea of facing the towers with granite,
and backing them with limestone, was adhered to
throughout. As completed, they form two magnificent
specimens of masonry. Better work was done on no
part of the structure than upon those twin granite sen-
tinels of the river.
The Anchorages. — The adoption of a suspended
span of 1,595^ feet, at a height of 135 feet, also deter-
mined (in combination with other mathematical and
mechanical considerations) the height of the towers
(276| feet) from which the span must be suspended,
and two other points in the air line of the bridge, at
which the ends of the suspension cables are secured —
in other words, the anchorages — for the cables are not
to pull on the tops of the tall towers, but to rest on
them with nearly a simple vertical pressure, being not
even fastened ; and thus, so far from tending to pull
the towers over, the suspended weight tends only to
hold them in position. The cables are therefore an-
452
SISTORT OF KllSraS COUNTY.
chored inland, at a distance of 930 feet back from the
towers on each side.
These anchorages are solid cubical structures of
stone masonry, measuring 119 by 132 feet at the base,
and rising some 90 feet above high- water mark." Their
weight is about 60,000 tons each, which is utilized to
resist the pull of the cables. Thus anchored by their
extremities on each side of the rivei-, 930 feet back
from the towers, the cables at the water-line on each
side are lifted up with a long, lofty, and graceful
sweep over the top of a tower 276 feet high, and droop
between the two towers in a majestic curve, which
one can liken to nothing else for grandeur but the in-
verted arch of the rainbow.
These enormous cables are similarly supported in
each case. At the bottom of the anchorage, and
near its rear side from the bridge, are embedded four
massive anchor plates of cast iron, one for each of the
cables. These plates measure \&^ by IV^ feet on the
face, and are 2^ feet thick at the centre. The weight
of each plate is over 46,000 pounds. Each plate has
many radiating arms, extending to grasp the masonry
in a manner suggestive of the octopus. This insures
the full resistive power of the great mass of masonry
upon the pull of the cables. Extending from the an-
chor plates are the iron link-bars, which are about 12 feet
long, and curve in a sweep forming the arc of a circle
through the solid stone work. Within 25 feet of the
surface of the anchorage wall, this chain of iron links
meets the wires of the cables, to which they are united.
As in the towers, the backing of the granite facing of
the anchorages is of limestone.
Everything was now in readiness for the engineers
to enter upon the throwing of the introductory span
across the East River. It was necessary, before the
cable making was entered upon, that nineteen galvan-
ized steel iron ropes should be thrown beyond the
stream. The first carried over was known as "a
traveler." Four of these were necessary at the outset.
They were three-quarters of an inch in diameter, and
were afterward spliced in two endless ropes around the
propelling machinery. Their purpose was to assist in
hauling over the other ropes and aiding generally in
the construction of the cable strands. On August 1 4,
1876, one end of a traveler was fastened to a reel
placed on a scow moored at the foot of the Brooklyn
tower. It was then carried over the top of the tower
and drawn up to and fastened on the Brooklyn anchor-
age. Warning was given to keep the river clear. The
scow was towed to the New York tower, the rope pay-
ing out as she moved and sinking to the bed of the
river. On the New York side it was hauled up to the
top of the tower and thence over the anchorage. On
the same day the second rope was taken up and hoisted
into position, the ends were spliced together round the
driving wheels provided, creating thereby an endless
rope or pulley . The third and fourth "traveler" ropes
were lashed to the ones already in place and hauled
over with the aid of steam power. When the lashings
were cut the workmen went out on the wire in suspen-
ded plank seats called buggies. Next was taken over
the carrier, all ingji ^opg capable of supporting a
greater weight than the travelers. Then came the
cradle cables to support the wooden platforms upon
which the workmen regulated the spinning of the
wires. The first person to cross the river on the
bridge cable was Mr. E. F. Farrington, who, as the
master mechanic, had charge of the cable making. He
made his aerial journey on August 25, 1876.
Before the end of the year temporary cables and the
cables for a foot bridge were in their places.
Making the Cables. — The machinery for manu-
facturing the cables was located on the Brooklyn an-
chorage. In selecting the wire to be spun in the con-
struction of the cables the utmost care was taken by
the engineers. The specifications were prepared with
the most careful attention to detail, under the direct
supervision of Col. Roebling.
The wire, after it was brought to the yard of the
Brooklyn anchorage, was dipped in linseed oil and
dried, and afterwards oiled with a coating of boiled oil
and rosin. The object of this process was to prevent
rusting at any joints where the work of galvanizing the
wires was imperfectly done. The wires were carried
across the river on what was called a traveling sheave,
a light wooden wheel five feet in diameter, with a
grooved rim. To this sheave the end of the wire wound
on the drum was attached, and as the traveler carried
the sheave across the river, the wn-e slowly unwound
and followed it. At first the wire was run out slowly,
the trip from anchorage to anchorage occupying thir-
teen minutes, but as the workmen became more famil-
iar with their task, the time was reduced to nearly ten
minutes. For months these sheaves made their rapid
trips to and from the anchorages, and day by day the
wires became more numerous, and the strands showed
their sturdier dimensions over the river. Close upon
the spinning of the wire followed the more delicate
work of regulating or adjusting it to its exact place in
the strand. The wires were regulated on the line of
the guide-rope stretched between the towers.
Let us first imagine the cable as constructed— simply
a bunch of wires, not twisted, but laid parallel, and
bound together by a continuous wrapping of whe. The
wires are of size No. 7, or a little over one-eighth inch
in thickness; they number over 5,000 in each cable, and
make a bundle 15| inches thick. To lay and bind this
prodigious bunch of wires straight and parallel, would
be impossible, except by subdividing the mass into
skeins or strands, which are first laid and bound sepa-
rately, and afterwards united. Each cable contains 19
strands of 278 wires each. They are formed precisely
like skeins of yarn or thread. Each skein is a oontmu-
ous wire, almost exactly one million feet, or nearly 200
THE EAST RIVER BRIDGE.
453
miles in length, passing from anchorage to anchorage,
back and forth, 278 times. The turns of the wire at
each extremity of the skein pass around a solid block
of iron, shaped externally
like a horseshoe, with a
groove in its periphery, in
which the bend or bight of
the skein lies as a skein
of yarn is held on one's
thumb for winding. Each
shoe or eye-piece is fixed
(after the strand is fin-
ished) between the ends of
two anchor bars, a seven-inch iron bolt passing through
the three, and so connecting the strand with the great
anchor chain at either end. After a skein is fully laid
in position (passing, of course, over the tops of the
towers), it is compressed to a cylindrical form at every
point, by large clamp tongs, and tightly bound with
wire at intervals of about fifteen inches throughout its
length. The men who did this work went out for the
purpose on the strand in a " buggy," so called, which is
a board seat slung by ropes from the axis of a grooVed
wheel fitting and traveling on the strand as bound to-
gether. "When the strands were thus completed and duly
regulated, the final work of wrapping the cable was
accomplished in a similar manner.
The cables thus completed were now ready for their
load, the floor or bridge proper.
The Bridge Floor. — Rising from the towers at an
elevation of 118 feet above high- water mark, in gentle
but graceful curve to the centre of the river span,
where it meets the cables at an elevation of 135 feet
above high- water mark, is the bridge floor, an immense
steel frame-work, bewildering in its complexity.
Upon these enormous cables were placed the suspen-
der-bands, of wrought iron, 5 inches wide and five-
eighths of an inch thick; to these are attached the wire
rope suspenders, and these in turn hold the steel floor
beams of the roadway. These floor beams are 85 feet
in length, 32 inches deep, 9| inches wide, and are sus-
pended at a uniform distance of 7 feet 6 inches from
centre to centre. They are unlike any beams ever be-
fore used in a suspension bridge. Each beam has two
top and two bottom chords, formed of steel channel
bases, tied and braced together. Between each pair of
the main beams lighter beams are introduced, resting
on the truss chords. This enabled the bridge builders
to support and fasten the floor planking at regular in-
tervals of three feet nine inches from the centers.
Ihere are six longitudinal trusses on the bridge, ex-
tending its entire length. In order to give greater
strength to the superstructure, smaller longitudinal
trusses are placed between the floor beams. The main
longitudinal trusses divide the roadway into five sec-
tions, forming five avenues fenced with steel. The
outside avenues are used for vehicles, that on the North
for those going to, and that on the South for those com-
ing from, New York. These outer sections have a
width of nineteen feet. The central promenade, ele-
SECTION OF BRIDGE, SHOWING FOOT, RAIL AND CARRIAGE WAYS.
vated twelve feet above the roadway, is fifteen feet six
inches wide, and overlooks the truss work and the rail-
way intervening between it arid the flanking drives,
affording pedestrians a magnificent view of the river,
the cities and surrounding country. The avenues be-
tween the drives and the space for foot passengers are
devoted to the purposes of the bridge railway system.
The weight of the whole suspended structure (cen-
tral span), cables and all, is 6,740 tons,' and the maxi-
mum weight with which the bridge can be crowded by
freely moving passengers, vehicles, and cars is esti-
mated at 1,880 tons, making a total weight borne by
the cables and stays of 8,120 tons, in the proportion of
6,920 tons by the cables and 1,190 tons by the stays.
The stress (or lengthwise pull) in the cables due to the
load becomes about 11,700 tons, and their ultimate
strength is 49,200 tons. *
It will be noticed that at the centre two suspenders
from each of the four cables hang close together, some-
times but a few inches, sometimes more than a foot
apart. This gives the clew to that problem of engi-
neering and puzzle to the public, as to how the expan-
sion and contraction, by heat and cold, of the floor, or
bridge proper, are to be provided for. The great span
may be said to be in two pieces or half lengths, con-
nected at the centre by an " expansion joint." Each
half of a truss is attached to one of the two suspend-
ers mentioned, and the two halves are connected by
plates attached to one, and sliding in channels or ways
in the other. No weight comes upon these guide-plates,
as the two suspenders support the halves of the truss, in-
dependently of each other. The planking is so arranged
as to be always continuous, and the iron rails for the
cars are at this point split in half, lengthwise, so that
one half plays upon the other, guide-rails on either side
protecting the cars.
At 118 feet above high-water mark, each of the towers
of the bridge is divided into three masses by the two
broad openings, 31^ feet wide, which here commence.
The six lines of the great steel trusses or frame-work
forming the bridge, pass unbroken in their continuity
through these openings of the piers, resting on the ma-
sonry underneath, and firmly anchored down to it by
huge bolts and ties of wire rope. An idea of the
454
BISTORT OFKIN-GS COUNTY.
strength of these trusses may be obtained, when it is
considered that for over one hundred feet out from each
side of the tower they are of themselves, without any
support whatever from the cables or stays, sufficiently
strong to carry all the load that may ever come upon
them. The openings continue to the height of 120|
feet, where they are closed by pointed arches. Above
these arches the reunited tower rises thirty feet higher,
where it receives a set of iron bed-plates, on which rest
the " saddles " in which the great
suspension cables ride. These
are iron castings in the form of
a segment of a circle, with a
grove to receive the cable on
the upper and convex side. The
under and plane side lies on a'
layer of small iron rollers held in
place by flanges on the surface
of the bed-plate. The object of
these is to give sufficient play to the bearings on which
the cables rest to prevent the cables themselves slipping
and chafing in the saddles if affected by the force of
storms or variations of load, or when lengthening and
contracting imder changes of temperature. From the
saddles each way the cables sweep downward in a
graceful curve, the landward ends entering the anchor
walls, as already described, and supporting the shore
ends of the bridge, while the main bow, or inverted
arch, hanging between the towers, holds up the central
truss of nearly 1600 feet span.
Italian school, and bringing into superb effect the
splendid rise of the roadway. Prospect and York
streets are crossed by formidable iron girders. The
excessive length and height of the New York ap-
proach made work upon it much more difficult than
on the Brooklyn side. Every effort was made to
achieve the full architectural effect, and the result was
the completion of a viaduct that for years to come
will attract the admiration of mankind. Some of
The Bridge Approaches. — The elder Roebling
intended that the approaches to the bridge should con-
sist of iron girders and trusses, supported at short in-
tervals on small piers of masonry or iron columns.
With the growing magnitude of the structure,
and the prospect of its increasing importance,
the management determined to construct the
approaches of masonry in a style fully up to
the standard of that adopted in the building
of the towers and the anchorages. The length
of the New York approach is 1,562 feet and
that of the Brooklyn approach 971 feet. In
the main the approaches consist of a series of
longitudinal Florentine arches, admirably proportioned
and faced with elaborately cut granite. These arches
are supported on brick piers of massive construction.
The parapets of those magnificent viaducts are elabo-
rately ornamented with cut granite, fashioned after the
ELEVATION OF BRIDGE, SHOWING TEMPORARY ROPES USED IN CABLE MAKING.
the spaces spanned on the New York side are so wide
that the structural crossings form in themselves good
sized buildings. The Franklin square bridge is the
longest span over any street in either city. Beneath
the approaches the vacant arches are being fitted up
for use as warehouses.
The increased cost over the estimates that had been
made of the approaches to the bridge, and some
changes in the details of the superstructure, neceesi-
tated the expenditure of more than the $13,000,000
which had been estimated; and $15,000,000 was in
1882 fixed as the hmit beyond
which the cost of the bridge
would probably not reach.
The first estimated cost of
the bridge was $7,000,000, ex-
clusive of land for the ap-
proaches.
It is the fate of all great
public enterprises to encounter
violent opposition from.a portion of the people. This
opposition is usually prompted by a variety of mo-
tives, some of which will hardly bear close scrutiny.
SITUATION PLAN OF NEW YORK APPROACH.
The East river bridge has not enjoyed immunity from
SITUATION PLAN OF BROOKLYN APPROACH.
this fate. Notwithstanding the high character of those
who, from the first, have been prominently identified
with the undertaking, they have been fiercely assailed
by a portion of the public, and efforts have been made
to embarrass them in their work. As tune has gone
TSE EAST RIVER BRIDGE.
465
on however, and the bridge has approached completion,
its prospective utility has become more and more appar-
ent to all, and this opposition has become more impotent.
The completion of this bridge inaugurates a new era
in the already rapidly increasing prosperity of Brook-
lyn, and Western Long Island; but it is quite safe to
predict, that, in the not distant future, other avenues
of transit across East river will be found necessary,
and that the skill and energy for their construction will
not be wanting.
The Bridge Railway. — The question of railroad
transit over the bridge has from the commencement
received the attentive consideration of both the engi-
neers and directors. Numerous plans were suggested,
all were carefully examined, and the result was the
adoption of a system believed to be the most servicea-
ble that could have been selected. Fully twenty-five
years ago, in advancing suggestions for a bridge, Mr.
John A. Roebling advised the construction of a double
railroad track over the river. His plan contemplated
the running of trains by an endless cable, something
after the method now in use, but experience in the use
of such appliance in San Francisco and Chicago, com-
pelled within the past few years many modifications
of the original plan cars. The mode of operating the
railroad was for years widely discussed and many diff-
erences of opinion arose in regard to it. Early in 1878
Colonel W. A. Roebling, in response to a request from
the trustees, submitted at length his views upon the
question of transit. There were, he pointed out, two
methods of effecting transit, namely, by the inclined
plane system, with an endless rope (which was adopted),
or the use of locomotives. Objections were made to
the introduction of the latter on various grounds. The
principal one of these being the grade, which in the
winter season amounts to over 200 feet per mile.
The matter was finally referred to Committee on
Transit across the Bridge. In May, 1878, on motion
of Mr. Thomas Kinsella, a committee was appointed to
confer with any other body or corporation, having for
its purpose the construction or running of a rapid tran-
sit road, or other steam roads to either terminus of the
bridge, to the end that the facilities of intercourse be-
tween the two cities might be promoted.
This committee in due time submitted their report,
and, among other matters, threw out a suggestion as to
a possible change in the central trusses, that would ad-
mit of the passage of a palace car, and this was even-
tually accomplished. Resolutions based upon the re-
port of the committee were adopted, fixing the gauge of
the raih-oad at 4 feet 8^ inches, and also that it be held
practicable to transfer the design of car, known as the
palace or sleeping car, upon the bridge, under the con-
ditions already stated, and so that the stress of the oar
might be distributed over two or more beams, provi-
ded that no train should consist of a greater number of
cars than three.
The Board of Trustees decided at the beginning of
last year to adopt the circulating system of running
the cars by an endless wire rope. This method is in
successful operation on street railways in San Francisco
and Chicago. Its operation is very simple, and seems
to be growing in popular favor. An endless rope is
run over the bridge along the middle of one of the rail-
way tracks, and is returned along the other. It is sup-
ported throughout its length on (490) pulleys, placed
22^ feet apart, and run continuously in one direction.
Motion is communicated to the rope by passing it three
times around a pair of grooved rope driving drums,
each 12 feet in diameter, placed facing each other.
These drums are revolved by means of a friction drum
located between and in contact with each. The pri-
mary operative power is furnished by two steam en-
gines, located in the large new engine house beside the
Brooklyn approach on the Washington street side.
They are horizontal, with cylinders twenty-six inches
in diameter and forty-eight inch stroke, and are capa-
ble of running with one hundred pounds steam pres-
sure. There are to be used upon the line twenty-four
large and twenty-four small passenger cars, nearly all
of which have been completed. These cars receive
their passengers at one end of the bridge and discharge
them at the other from the elevated platforms of the
iron depot buildings. Each car is mounted on two
four-wheeled trucks. They have side seats and dou-
ble sliding doors at the ends. Each of the larger cars
comfortably seats forty-six persons, twenty-three along
each side, and are capable of safely carrying all that
may crowd into them. In their general style they cor-
respond with the cars in use on the Manhattan Elevated
Railway, although they are wider and higher, have
wider doorways and platforms and differ in several de-
tails. As completed they are furnished with all that
is necessary for placing them on the tracks in running
order, with the exception of grips for attaching them to
the rope. The grips used are supplied under the direc-
tion of Colonel W. H. Paine, of the engineering staff.
This method of attaching the cars permits endless
ropes to be run continuously at an even speed by means
of stationary engines. The cars can be attached while
the rope is running at full speed. They can be started
slowly, and gradually brought to the speed of the rope,
the movements of the car being completely under the
control of a brakeman on the platform.
The plans for the rope traction were all prepared by
Colonel William H. Paine, who has been indefatigable
in his endeavors to improve the methods of transit over
the bridge and contribute as much as possible to the
comfort and convenience of the public.
The engineers estimate at present that the time ordi-
narily required to cross the bridge from one extreme to
the other will be about six minutes, although it may
be reduced to four minutes. The railway depots at
either end are highly ornamental structures, made of
456
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
ornate iron work and richly painted within and with-
out. The space for the storage of cars will be between
Washington, Sands, High and Fulton streets on the
Brooklyn side.
The engines at the Brooklyn side switch the cars
from one track to the other. When a car is ready to
start it is pushed by the engine a few rods, where it
connects with the cable. At the New York end the
cars are switched by a truck run by cables. The
switching arrangements are temporary, and liable to
be changed, or further deyeloped in their present
form.
The present difficulty in the railway system of the
bridge, is a lack of room at the New York terminus,
but this will probably be speedily remedied by a re-
moval of the Third Avenue Elevated Railway Station,
or a connection of the two systems by the proper
switches, &c. At 9 A. M. on September 24, 1883, the
railway transit of the bridge was publicly inaugurated,
and though some vexatious delays have occurred, which
have necessitated slight changes in the details of the
system, it may now be considered an accomplished
fact.
Accidents and Casualties. — The great work of
engineering is a battle with nature, in which, as in
other wars, Death must take his toll. There have been
employed upon the works at one time as many as six
hundred men, a small army in themselves ; and in the
fourteen years since the master-mind, John A. Roeb-
ling himself, became the first sacrifice, more than
twenty men have been fatally hurt. Several more
have been victims to the "caisson disease,"* resulting
from working in compressed air; but, despite the dizzy
height, no one has fallen from the main span into the
water below. Besides the fire in the Brooklyn caisson,
which cost no lives, and the fall of the derricks on the
Brooklyn tower, which had more serious results, there
has been one great accident only; but the imagination
can scarcely picture anything more dreadful. On
June 19, 18'78, one of the great strands broke loose
from the New York anchorage, carrying with it the
" shoe " and its ponderous attachments. As the end
swept from the anchorage it dashed off several of the
men at work, and then, with a frightful leap, grazing
the houses and peopled streets below, it landed for the
instant in the bridge yard close under the New York
tower. The great weight mid-stream whizzed it over
the tower with frightful and increasing rapidity, and
the whole span plunged madly into the river, narrowly
•The "caisson disease" is tlie result of living under atmosplieric
pressure greatly above that to which tlie human system is normally
adapted. The blood is driven in from the interior and soft parts of
the body to the central organs, especially the brain and spinal cord.
On emerging into the open air, violent neuralgic pains and sometimes
paralysis follow. Advanced consumption is, on the other hand,
stayed, and sometimes remedied, by compressed air. Dr. Andrew H.
Smith, surgeon to the Bridge Company, reported one hundred and ten
cases of the "caisson disease," of which three were presently, and
probably more finally, fatal.
missing the ferry-boats that ply, crowded with human
freight, below the line of the bridge. In these years
the enterprise has lost also its president, Henry C.
Murphy, and its first treasurer, J. H. Prentice, as well
as its first engineer. But, in strange and happy con-
trast, there has not been a single break in the engineer-
ing staff. Engineers Martin, Paine, Collingwood, Mc
Nulty, Probasco, and Hildenbrand having served con-
tinuously, most of them from the very first.
Bridge Statistics. — The following figures, care-
fully compiled from the records by the officials, give in
concise form the dimensions of the great structure, and
a list of the materials used in its erection :
Construction commenced January 3, 1870.
Bridge completed 1883.
Size of New York caisson, 173x103 feet.
Size of Brooklyn caisson, 168x103 feet.
Timber and iron in caisson, 5,353 cubic yards.
Concrete in well holes, chambers, etc,, 5,669 cubic feet.
Weight of New York cassion, about 7,000 tons.
Weight of concrete filling, 8,000 tons.
New York tower contains 46,945 cubic yards masonry.
Brooklyn tower contains 38,314 cubic yards masonry,
Length of river span, 1,595 feet six inches.
Length of each land span, 930 feet, 1,860 feet.
Length of Brooklyn approach, 971 feet.
Length of New York approach, 1,563 feet six inches.
Total length of bridge, 5,689 feet.
Width of bridge, 85 feet.
Number of cables, 4.
Diameter of each cable, 15f inches.
First wire was run out May 39, 1877.
Cable making really commenced, June 11, 1877.
Length of each single wire in cables, 3,579 feet.
Length of wire in four cables, exclusive of wrapping wire,
14,361 mUes.
Weight of four cables, inclusive of wrapping wire, 8,588i
tons.
Ultimate strength of each cable, 13,800 tons.
Weight of wire (nearly) 11 feet per lb.
Each cable contains 5,396 parallel (not twisted) galvanized
steel, oil coated wires, closely wrapped to a solid cylinder
15f inches in diameter.
Depth of tower foundations below high water, Brooklyn,
45 feet.
Depth of tower foundation below high water, New York,
78 feet.
Size of towers at high water line, 140x59 feet.
Size of towers at roof course, 136x53 feet.
Total height of towers above high water, 378 feet.
Clear height of bridge in center of river span above high
water, at 90 degs. F., 135 feet.
Height of floor at towers above high water, 119 feet 3
inches.
Grade of roadway, 8i feet in 100 feet.
Height of towers above roadway, 159 feet.
Size of anchorages at base, 139x119 feet.
Size of anchorages at top, 117x104 feet.
Height of anchorages, 89 feet front, 85 feet rear.
Weight of each anchor plate, 33 tons.
The Formal Opening of the Bridge.-The
"Eighth Wonder of the World" -eighth in pomt ot
time, but first in point of signifioanoe— was dedicated
THE EAST RIVER BRIDGE.
4:51
May 24, 1883, to the use of the People.
Amid the hooming of cannon, the shrill
whistling of a thousand steamers and
the plaudits of great masses of citizens,
the Brooklyn Bridge (for so it will be
called despite all formal titles, and so
it will he known so long as it shall
stand) was formally presented to the
Cities of New York and Brooklyn, in
the presence of the President of the
United States and officers of his Cabi-
net, the Governor of the State of New
York and his Staff, Senators and Rep-
resentatives from many States and Ter-
ritories, and the Mayors of both cities.
The weather was clear and bright,
and the population of the two cities
turned out almost en masse, to witness
the imposing ceremonies. Both New
York and Brooklyn were profusely
decorated; but Brooklyn naturally took
the lead in celebrating the completion
of the Bridge, as she had been the
earliest and chief mover in its designs
and building.
Flags and bunting, and bright colored
lanterns, waved in the breeze as far
away as East New York, all over Gow-
anus, and the Eastern District; and the
car horses and every passing vehicle
sported the Stars and Stripes and
waving plumes of red, white and blue.
Although the general decorations were
put up hastily, much artistic taste was
shown. The flags of all nations, and
flags which represented no nation, were
made to pay tribute to the occasion,
testifying to the cosmopolitan character
of the flnished enterprise.
The ceremonies commenced with pa-
rades in both cities, composed of mili-
tary and civic bodies, acting as escort
to the National and State officials and
distinguished citizens who were to
honor the occasion with their presence.
The two processions met at the
Brooklyn end of the Bridge, amid the
booming of cannons and the screaming
of thousands of steam-whistles. After
prayer by Bishop Littlejohn, the Bridge
was formally presented to the two cities
by Acting-President Kingsley in behalf
of the Board of Trustees, and accepted
m appropriate speeches by Mayors Low
and Edson. Addresses by Hon. A. S.
Hewitt and Rev. Dr. R. S. Storrs were
then listened to by tlie vast assemblage.
^a oa
458
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
and at the close of the ceremonies, the Bridge was de-
clared formally opened to the public. In the evening,
President Arthur and Governor Cleveland were enter-
tained at a reception at the residence of Mayor Low.
A magnificient display of fire-works was given on the
bridge at night, during which every roof and window,
or other coign of vantage, within miles of the bridge,
was crowded with an admiring multitude.
Probably in no more fitting way can we close our
account of the great Bridge, than in the eloquent last
words of Mr. Hewitt's address at the opening cere-
monies:
" At the ocean gateway of such a nation well may stand
the stately figure of ' Liberty Enlightening the World,' and
in hope and faith, as well as gratitude, we write upon the
towers of our beautiful bridge, to be illuminated by her
electric ray, the words of exultation : 'Finis coronat opus.' "
John A. Roebling. — The great mind who con-
ceived the wonderful work which we have thus de-
scribed, deserves a fuller notice than the limits of our
pages permit :
JOHN A. EOBBLING.
John A. Eoeblinq was born in the City of Muhlhausen,
Thuringia, Prussia, June 12, 1806. He received a thorough
academical instruction, and subsequently attended the Royal
Polytechnic School in Berlin, from which he graduated with
the degree of civil engineer. It is a notable fact that as
early as these college days he devoted much study to the
construction of suspension bridges, and made them the sub-
ject of his graduating thesis. Following the stern require-
ments of the Prussian administrative system, he served for
three years after his graduation upon governmental works.
At the age of 35 he emigrated to the United States, and
went at once to Pennsylvania and settled near Pittsburg.
It was about this time that the energies of the great Middle
States were being exerted in the direction of improving trans-
portation by a system of canals and slack-water navigation
on the rivers. Mr. Roebling first engaged in this work in
his career as an American engineer. His first operations were
on the Beaver river, a tributary of the Ohio. Subsequently
he was interested in a project for connecting the Ohio River
with Lake Erie, but this enterprise, owing to the growth of
the railroad system of the country, proved unsuccessful.
Mr. Roebling next entered the service of the State of Penn-
sylvania, located a feeder for the Pennsylvania Canal on
the upper Alleghany, and afterwards was engaged in survey-
ing and locating the route of the Pennsylvania Central Eail-
road across the Alleghany Mountains from Harrisburg to
Pittsburg. At about this time he entered upon the manufac-
ture of iron and steel wire, an occupation in which he gained
the wonderful knowledge of the nature, capabilities and re-
quirements of wire, which enabled him to revolutionize the
construction of bridges.
As early as 1844-5 he successfully constructed an aqueduct
over the Alleghany River (in the face of the opposition of
nearly all of his profession), on the principle of a suspension
bridge, the cables of which were of wires. After the com-
pletion of this structure Mr. Roebling built the Monongahela
River bridge at Pittsburg ; four of the suspended Aque-
ducts for the Delaware Canal ; in 1851, the great railroad
bridge over the Niagara River (at the time of its completion,
the longest suspension bridge in the world); the suspension
bridge over the Alleghany River at Pittsburg, and the one
over the Ohio at Cincinnati, which, with a span of nearly
two hundred feet more than the Niagara Bridge was another
great step in advance in the science of wire bridge building,
Mr. Roebling had the utmost confidence in the Cincinnati
bridge, and its wonderful success impressed upon en-
gineers throughout the country that the problem of the
bridge building was solved upon a principle that could not
be superseded. The excellence of that structure had much
to do with the selection of Mr. Roebling as chief engineer of
the Brooklyn Bridge. How he came to Brooklyn, his labors
upon the early plans, and his fatal injury at his post, are fully
told elsewhere in these pages. Undoubtedly, he intended
the East River span to be the achievement of his long, active
and useful life. Personally, few men were better liked than
Mr. Roebling. He was admirably fitted for the task assigned
him, and in his profession, as in the ordinary walks of life,
he endeavored to live up to the full measure of his duty. Dur-
ing the War of the Rebellion he was firm in his devotion to
the cause of the Union. He was of a kindly and benevolent
disposition, although exacting in professional matters, and
his domestic relations were of the most agreeable character.
Col. Washington A. Roebling is" a native of Pennsyl-
vania, born in 1837, and a graduate of the Rensselaer Poly-
technic Institute at Troy. He assisted his father in the
construction of the Alleghany Suspension Bridge, and soon
afterwards enlisted as a private, in the Sixth N. Y. artillery.
COL. WASHINGTON A. ROEBLING.
After a years service he was called to Staff duty, and re-
mained in the army until 1865, when he resigned, and went
to Cincinnati to aid his father in the completion of the greai
I?' *,
}
w
460
mSTOBT OF KlirOS COUNTY.
bridge over the Ohio. He had almost sole charge of the
superstructure, and finiehed the work after his father had
left it to begin the plans of the East River Bridge.
Col. Roebling took great interest in the new enterprise,
and went to England, France and Germany to collect the
latest scientific information upon the subject of pneumatic
foundations. He was in Europe for a year, studying all the
important engineering works in England and on the. Conti-
nent, and inspecting the manufacture of steel in the great
works of Krupp. He returned to this country in February,
1869. His father's death made him responsible for the
future work on the Brooklyn Bridge. His greatest anxiety
was as to the sinking of the caissons for the great towers,
and, day and night, he was at the work going on under the
water.
Constant exposure to the abnormal conditions existing in
the caisson, finally broke down Col. Roebling's health ; but,
even from his sick room, his oversight of the work did not
flag, except for six months in 1873, which he spent at Wies-
baden, in Germany, by the advice of his physician.
It has been often said that Col. Roebling simply copied his
father's plans. His assistants, better informed, agree that
there is scarcely a feature in the whole work that has not
presented new and untried problems, which have owed
their solution to him. The methods used to get the material
out of the caissons; the plan of lighting the caissons and
furnishing them with a supply shaft, the machinery for rais-
ing the stone on the towers, so that the top course was laid
at the same price as the bottom course, were all of his de-
sign. He made the anchor plates nvuch larger than his
father had intended. Steel cables were never before used,
and all previous cables had been made of seven strands.
The cables for the East River Bridge were so large that they
had to be made in nineteen strands. This involved new
problems in regulating — a task most difficult under any cir-
cumstances. The unusual number of strands rendered neces-
sary the construction of two tiers of anchor chains, which
had never before been attempted. It was only by this device
that it became possible to attach the strands in their proper
order of sequence. The use of an elevated foot-bridge over
the top of the towers was an entirely new feature, as all
other suspension bridges had foot-bridges nearly on the
same level as the main bridge. The splice which had for-
nxerly been used for iron wire was not adapted for steel wire,
and a new one had to be devised that would retain as nearly
as possible the full strength of the wire.
His return from Wiesbaden was followed by acute pros-
tration, his ailment being an elaboration of the caisson
disease, which puzzled the physicians. Despite his physical
condition, his mind possesses its pristine vigor, but any pro-
tracted exertion either in talking or listening is impossible.
He had an easy chair at the window of the top story of the
bay-window extension of his house, which commanded a
view of nearly the whole structure, and thus was kept
familiar with the minutest details of the bridge making.
The Engineering Staff. — Few engineers in charge
of an important public work have ever been so fortun-
ate in the personnel of their staff, as has Col. Roebling.
Until many years have passed, passengers over the river
span will not fail to associate with the name of Roeb-
ling, those of Martin, Paine, McNulty, Collingwood and
Probasco. It is fitting, therefore, that a short account
of their careers should be given herewith.
C. C. Martin was, like Col. Roebling, a native of Pennsyl-
vania, was bom in 1831, and spent his early life on a frontier
farm, graduated with high honor at the Polytechnic Insti-
tute, at Troy; commenced as a rodman on the Brooklyn
Water Works, and worked his way up to the possition of
Assistant Engineer, having charge of the construction of
three of the great reservoirs. Afterwards he was employed
in locomotive building and in bridge work, and during the
war was in charge of Government experiments on tubular
boilers, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. After the war, he laid
the 48-inch water main through Atlantic Avenue, and was
subsequently appointed as chief engineer on Prospect Park
where the roadways and admirable drainage system attest
his great skill as a civil engineer.
Col. W. H. Paine is another to whom great praise is due
for his part in the construction of the bridge. He is a native
of New Hampshire, and after completing his education, spent
several years as surveyor and mining engineer in the West.
In 1861, he went to the front with a Wisconsin Regiment,
but was soon appointed Captain of Engineers, and attached
to the staff of the ranking Major-General of the army. After
the war, he was employed in preparing maps and drawings
for several histories of the War. He has been connected
with the bridge since its inception; was engaged in the origi-
nal surveys, and afterwards in inspecting and testing the
wire, in which department he won the highest encomiums
from the trustees and from his chief.
Geo. W. MoNtjlty was born in New York city, and is the
youngest of the bridge staff, being but 33 years of age,
though a ripe scholar, and an enthusiast in his profession.
Previous to his engagement on the bridge, he had done but
little except surveying. His career in this enterprise has in-
cluded some very difiScult branches of the work, and his suc-
cess has gained him the unqualified approbation, not alone
of his associates and superiors, but of the trustees and all
those who have had opportunity to become familiar with his
work.
Francis Collingwood, of the engineering stafE, is also a
New Yorker ; was for some years a watchmaker's apprentice,
but saved money enough to enter, at the age of 19, the Rens-
selaer Polytechnic Institute, from which he graduated at the
head of his class in 1855. Was engaged for some time in
railroad surveys, and then (while conducting a jewelry busi-
ness), at Elmira, N. Y., was City Surveyor of that city. In-
vited by Col. Roebling, in 1869, to take part, for a month, in
the final surveys of the bridge, his month was lengthened
into a term of fourteen years' service. He has taken a prom-
inent and active part in all the work of the bridge, especi-
ally of the New York approach, including the Franklin
Square bridge.
The Directorate.— No sketch of this, the greatest
triumph of engineering science of this or any other
age, would be at all complete without special mention of
those who have stood behind all others, and, by their
patient oversight and careful management, have
rendered possible the success which has been achieved,
in the face of difficulties and opposition, such as have
seldom been met with in such an enterprise. They
brought to this, a public work, the personal probity,
energy, and experience which has distinguished them
in private life and in the walks of business; and the
Bridge to-day is no less a monument to their fidelity
than to the mechanical skill of its engineers.
As we have heretofore shown (page 451) the bridge
THE EAST RIVER BRIDGE.
461
was originally a private enterprise; but, under legisla-
tion obtained in 1874 and IS'ZS, the New York Bridge
Company was dissolved, and the management and
supervision of the work devolved upon the Trustees of
the New York and Brooklyn Bridge. The Board of
Trustees was arranged to consist of twenty members,
eight to be appointed by the Mayor and Controller and
President of the Board of Aldermen of the City of
New York, and eight to be appointed by the Mayor,
Controller and Auditor of the City of Brooklyn. The
Mayors and Controllers of both cities made ex-officio
members of the board. The terms of office of the
Trustees were fixed at two years, and this arrangement
of the power of control has since been maintained.
The Trustees chosen (for Brooklyn) were as follows:
In 1875— Mayor John W. Hunter, Controller S. S. PoweU,
William C. Bongsley, Henry 0. Murphy, Thomas Carroll,
WiUiam Marshall, Henry W. Slocum, Isaac "Van Anden, Wil-
liam B. Leonard, James S. T. Stranahan.
In 1877-Mayor Frederick A. Schroeder, Controller Wm. Bur-
rell, Henry C. Murphy, Thomas Kansella, William C. King-
sley, Henry W. Slocum, James S. T. Stranahan, Thomas
Carroll, William B. Leonard, William Marshall.
In 1879— Mayor James Howell, Controller G. Steinmetz,
James S. T. Stranahan, Wilham Taylor, William C. King-
eley, A. W. Humphreys, Henry W. Slocum, Alfred C.
Barnes, Wilham Marshall, Henry C. Murphy.
In 1881— Mayor James HoweU, Controller Ludwig Semler,
Henry C. Murphy, William C. Kingsley, Henry W. Slocum,
James S. T. Stranahan, Alfred C. Barnes, Alden S. Swan,
OttoWitte, WiUiam Marshall.
The Board as at present constituted consists of the
gentlemen named under the appointments of 1881, with
a few exceptions. Mayor Low succeeded Mayor Howell,
who in turn returned to the Board to fill the vacancy
caused by the decease of the Hon. Henry C. Murphy.
Controller BrinkerhofE succeeded Controller Semler.
From the formation of the New York Bridge Company,
up to the time of his death, Mr. Murphy was president
of the Boards of Directors and Trustees, with the ex-
ception of two years of which he passed in Europe.
During his absence abroad, Mr. Jeremiah P. Robinson
was president. In 1879, when Controller Steinmetz
and Auditor Ammerman constituted a majority of the
appointmg board, they were largely influenced by par-
tisan considerations in naming the Trustees. They
displaced Mr. Murphy from the directorate. The ex-
Senator felt the slight keenly, there was considerable
public criticism of the action of the appointing power,
and a demand for Mr. Murphy's reappointment. The
matter was finally settled when General Benjamin F.
Tracy, who had been appointed a Trustee, declined to
accept, and Mr. Murphy was returned to the place in
m°*'^^ left vacant by the General's declination.
While our space will not permit us to give individual
mention to all the Brooklyn members of these Boards,
(and the New York members would not properly ap-
pear in a history of Kings County), sketches of some of
the more prominent ones will be found in other parts of
this work.
To no one man was the inception of the Bridge so
far due, as to
Wm. C. Kingsley, a native of New York State, who came
to Brooklyn about 25 years ago. His early labors in this vi-
cinity were in connection with the construction of the
Eidgewood Water Works; and subsequently, in partnership
with A. C. Keeney, he was largely engaged in building
sewers (of which 65 miles are credited to this firm in Brook-
lyn alone) and in the construction of the Wallabout Improve-
ment. It was to Mr. Kingsley that Col. Adams submitted
his first plans, and through his far-sightedness and public
spirit, and his generous expenditure of a considerable sum
of money, that these plans were enabled to be elaborated, and
to become not only the basis of the first legislation in favor
of the projects, but also the foundation for the plans which
the structure was eventually built. He was continually in
the Board of Directors and its Vice-President, and by virtue
of that office has been acting President since the death of
Hon. Henry C. Murphy.
Of the others we cannot give extended mention, but
the names of Thomas Carroll, Wm. Marshall, "Wm. B.
Leonard, and Wm. Taylor, are suflSoient guarantee to
all Brooklynites that an enterprise confided to their
care and direction would surely be managed for the
best interests of the city.
The Old and New Penny Bridges, Newtown
Creek.— We are indebted to our antiquarian friend.
Town Clerk Wm. O'Gokman, of Newtown, Queens
County, for the subjoined facts :
Penny Bridge was built in 1836 by the Newtown and Bush-
wick Bridge Company. A turnpike road from Bushwick
(commonly called the "Shell road") to Newtown village
was part of it. Thomas H. Betts was the surveyor. It all
now belongs to Newtown and Brooklyn. Near the bridge,
the road cut through the Alsop farm, west of the old
Alsop House. This bridge superseded the use of the "Old
Penny Bridge," which crossed the creek a few yards east of
the Alsop House, and portions of whose foundation piles are
yet to be seen. That old bridge approach, on Kings County
side, ran directly in front of the old Duryea House. It
was the first bridge built over Newtown Creek, at least
over the main creek to Maspeth. It was not built until
a quarter of a century, or more, after the Revolutionary
war. It also gave name to an old road that ran, and
yet runs, from Newtown village, winding up and down
towards the old Alsop House. " The Penny Bridge Road "
is yet known to the (very) old people. It is now the Calamus
road. The toU on the old bridge was a penny, and was col-
lected at the side or end next the Duryea House.
The original bridge was built all on piles, whereas the one
built in 1836 had stone piers, for which reason many old
people called it the ' 'Stun " bridge. However, both the bridges
are now gone, and the present new iron " Penny Bridge" oc-
cupies the place of the bridge buUt by Thomas H. Betts, in
1836-7. This structure is about 150 feet long, and swings on
a central pier, leaving a channel on each side of 60 feet in
width. No toll is now charged.
The immediate point at the old Alsop House had been, from
the most remote times, a crossing point by ferry boat or
otherwise. Here Humphrey Clay moored his ferry boat in
times long anterior to the Revolution. During that period
462
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
the British man-of-war boats were constantly on duty
between that point and New York for despatches between
Newtown and the city head-quarters.
Even as late as 1812, it seems that Newtown Creek was free
from any bridge between Maspeth Landing and East River.
This is stated on the authority of old George J. Rapelye.
Mrs. Eliza Leaird, daughter of Thomas Alsop, stated that the
American gun boats used to patrol the entire length of the
creek during that war. She mentioned the young officers
Decatur, Nicholson and Perry, who shortly after became
famous, as being constantly the guests of John Alsop. M™
Leaird died two years since, at a very advanced age. She is
buried in the old ground inside of Calvary Cemetry. Views
of the old and new Penny bridges are preserved in the rooms
of the Long Island Historical Society.
Gowanus Creek Bridge.— A bridge across the Gowanus
creek, or canal, at, or about, Ninth street, was also known
in times past as " Penny Bridge," and for a time gave its
name to the district in its neighborhood, extending even to
the flats below Hamilton avenue.
VIEW IN BBMSBN STEBBT (LOOKING WESTWARD).
BIOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM G. KINGSLEY.
463»
WILLIAM C, KINGSLEY.
For the past quarter of a century, and more,
William C. Kingsley has been not only a resident
but an important element in the life of Brooklyn.
By nature inclined to large affairs, he found in this
city a field admirably fitted in many ways to call his
genius for the management of men and the administra-
tion of great material undertakings into full activity.
Twenty-five years ago Brooklyn had still many of
its village days' characteristics; there was nothing so
big in the place as its population. The system of
boulevards which now link the city to the sea was
then unprojected ; Prospect Park was an affair in the
future; not a few of our now finest avenues were mere
cow paths; the sewer system, which has in so marked
a degree contributed to the health of the population,
was little more than outlined, and the bridge — which in
its giant embrace, makes the two cities one, towers,
the noblest object in our landscape, and has increased
the honor of the American name throughout the
world — then existed not even as a dream.
For the transformation in these and kindred respects
effected, William C. Kingsley is in an eminent degree
responsible. That they would have been in time ac-
complished had he never come to Brooklyn is possible;
but that without him they would have been delayed,
even his most grudging critics will allow; and that the
bridge at least would not to-day stand a completed
work, had he not been here, no one familiar with the
inception and progress of that splendid achievement
will deny.
To outline briefly the story of this remarkable man's
career is all that shall be attempted in this sketch; but
the time must come when it shall be the task of a
biographer to lay before an interested public a picture
of his mind, and an account of the influences which
went to its formation.
Mr. Kingsley was born- in 1832, in Franklin county,
New York, where his father was a farmer. His
tastes, however, did not lie in the furrow or the
dairy ; although, until his eighteenth year, he re-
mamed at the homestead helping his father on
the farm during the summer months, and studying
with might and main in the winter season. Having in
this way equipped himself for life in the outer world,
lie slipped his' cable, as sailors would say, and gave his
canvas to the breeze; or, to be more exact, he began
MS active career by accepting the superintendency of a
httle school in Westmoreland county, Penn.; a position
in which, it is worthy of remark, he had been preceded
M a young man subsequently known to fame as Gov.
wary of Pennsylvania, who^in his turn had taken up
the ferule laid down by Edgar Cowan, subsequently
United States Senator.
But school teaching was as little to young Kings-
ley's desires as farming. He valued it as a stepping
stone and left it behind him when the stream had been
crossed. School teaching gave place to book-keeping
in the employment of a contractor engaged in building
a canal along the banks of the Susquehanna. At this
point, his career, as he has come to fill a place in the
public mind, may be said to begin. He was now, so
to speak, entered as a cadet in the army of constructive
industry for which nature had designed him. The
construction of the canal was fraught with many diffi-
culties, not the least of which were the frequent and
violent outbreaks of insubordination among the work-
men. In the prolonged absence of the superintendent,
Kingsley assumed command; and, by his indomitable
will and courage, combined with a love of strict and
impartial justice, soon had the mutinous laborers com-
pletely under control.
After the completion of this work, Kingsley was in-
duced to go West, when he constructed fifty miles of
railroad in Illinois, after which he returned to Penn-
sylvania. He had now attained his twenty-fifth year, and
had developed a peculiar fitness for the manage-
ment of men and the administration of great ma-
terial undertakings, as well as an enviable repu-
tation for integrity and honor. Added to these
qualifications an intellect rendered stronger and clearer
by experience and observation, a faculty of looking far
into the future, and calculating results with almost un-
erring accuracy, and it was plainly to be seen that fame
and fortune awaited the possessor.
In 1857, he became a resident of Brooklyn, which
then had no system of water supply; but its intro-
duction into the city had been decided upon, and Mr.
Kingsley contracted to build a large part of the water
and sewerage works.
Subsequently, he constructed what is known as the
Wallabout Improvement, and several other equally
important works.
After all these years of experience in engineering,
Mr. Kingsley brought his vigorous intellect and practical
skill to the problem of bridging the East River, which
had previously been a mere plan upon paper, a theory
hardly deemed feasible in actual practice. After fre-
quent consultations with eminent engineers, Mr. Kings-
ley, becoming more and more certain of the success of
the enterprise, determined to make an effort to obtain
from the Legislature a charter, which he succeeded in
doing, in 1867; not, however, without meeting many
464»
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
obstacles and much opposition, which his untiring
energy and perseverance overcame.
Money was necessary to defray the preliminary ex-
penses, but, as yet, not a dollar had been subscribed by
either city. Mr. Kingsley, with characteristic liberality,
and as a farther guarantee of his faith in the final
triumph, advanced large sums from his private fortune;
and the first five millions, necessary for the early
stages of the work, were raised by Mr. Kingsley's per-
sonal efl:orts.
In 1869, all the plans, &c., being perfected, it was
thought prudent, in order to avoid the possibility of
future litigation, to obtain further legislation before
commencing actual work. Mr. Kingsley, in the face
of apathy and opposition, obtained the passage of a
bill which empowered the company to commence
operations and to make the bridge a post route.
The eminent engineer, John A. Roebling, having
been chosen to conduct the work, there was now no
barrier, and operations were begun at once," with an
earnestness of purpose that could bring nothing but
success.
Mr. Kingsley's practical knowledge was invaluable
in overcoming the difliculties that constantly arose
in an undertaking so vast and before untried. In
the fall of 1869, he was appointed general superin-
tendent, and, with the exception of a brief interval,
when illness compelled him to seek a change of climate,
personally supervised the construction of what he hoped
would be the cAey cr<»iwre of his professional career.
His close application several times caused him to be
seriously ill; and, in April, IBTS, it was thought impos-
sible for him to rally from one of these attacks; but a
more than ordinarily robust constitution served him
well, and passing safely through the ordeal, he applied
himself, with renewed zeal, to the accomplishment
of his pet enterprise. He watched its progress with
the greatest interest and most thorough compre-
hension; engineering theories found their support
and backing in his practical knowledge and large
experience; and, for this reason, he was wont to sup-
plement others' calculations with his own methods of
execution.
When, at last, the noble structure was finished, Mr.
Kingsley, as President of the Trustees; at the formal
opening, presented it to the two municipalities which
had united to build it, and from his appropriate words
we quote the following: " I am not here as the spokes-
man of my associates in the Board of Trustees. Tl
are well content to let this great structure speak
them, and to speak more fittingly and eloquently
for the skillful, faithful and daring men vho hi
given so many years of their lives — and, in several
stances, even their lives — to the end that the natn
barrier to the union, growth and greatness of this gr
commercial centre should be removed, and that a v
scientific conception should be matched in the skill a
courage and endurance upon which it depended for
realization. * * * It remains for me to say,
conclusion, that the two cities rose at all times to t
level of the spirit of our time and country. Their ci
zens staked millions on what seemed to many to be
experiment — a structure, it was often said, that, at
best, would not be of any practical use. How solid
is; how far removed from all sense of apprehensio
how severely practical it is in allits relations; andhc
great a factor in the corporative lives of these citi
it is destined to be, we all now realize. This brid
has cost many millions of dollars, and it has tak
many years t»- build it. May I say on this oecasi
that the people of these two cities would not part wi
the bridge to-day, for even twice or thrice its cos
And I may remind those who, not unnaturally, perhaj
have been disappointed and irritated by delays in tl
past, that those who enter a race with time for a coi
petitor, have an antagonist that makes no mistake,
subject to no interference, and liable to no accident
Mr. Kingsley's private life has been uneventfi
passed amid family and friends, who prize his wort
his manliness, his integrity and afllection. His tim
out of business hours, is passed at his home in Washini
ton Park, or at his club, the Brooklyn, of which he h;
long been an honored member. He is fond of readinj
especially in connection with scientific subjects, and hi
accumulated a library which reveals its owner's taste
being useful and practical, without literary rnbbis.
In politics, Mr. Kingsley has acted with the Dem
cratic party of late years, although his busy life h;
prevented his active participation in public life, eve
had he been inclined thereto. In fine, William (
Kingsley is a typical American, keen, energetic an
enterprising. Quiet and unassuming, he allows actioi
to speak for him instead of words. He is one whof
innate activity impels him to new labors, and whoi
success in life is unmistakably due to his own force (
character.
H ISTORY
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE POOR
FOR THE
COUNTY OF KI NGS.
^-'^^^s.^r
Esq.
SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE POOR.—
No county in the State has made more generous
provision for its poor, and its indigent lunatics,
than the County of Kings. The history of her
public charities is one of which she may well be proud.
Her various public institutions, unsurpassed by those of
any other county in the State, bespeak her beneficence
more eloquently than words.
Previous to the year 1824, each town, in all the
counties of the State, supported its own poor, under
statutes enacted by the Legislature; but which, how-
ever humane and liberal, were still, in a measure, im-
perfect. The county itself contributed to a certain
class of paupers; there were no county poor-houses,
and the oiBce of County Superintendent of the Poor
was unknown. By an Act of the Legislature, passed
November 27th, 1824, the Supervisors of the County
of Kings, and several other counties in the State, were
empowered to purchase one or more tracts of land, not
exceeding two hundred acres, upon which to build for
the accommodation, employment and use of the said
county, one or more suitable buildings, to be denomi-
nated the Poor-House of the county, at an expense not
exceeding |7,000, which sum was to be assessed and
collected in the same manner as other county charges.
It was, also, made the duty of the Supervisors of the
county, at their annual meeting, to choose, by plurality
of votes, not less than three, or over five persons, to be
denominated Superintendents of the Poorhouse of the
County of Kings. Their duty was the management,
direction and superintendence of said poorhouse, and
of everything relating to the same ; the making of such
prudential rules and by-laws for the well ordering of
the same, and the employment, relief, management and
government of the persons therein placed, and the oflS-
eers and servants therein employed ; and the correction
of the refractory and disorderly by solitary confinement
therein, and feeding them on bread and water only, as
they might deem expedient for the good government of
It also empowered the said Superintendents
the
same.
to contract with a suitable person for the support of
those placed in the poorhouse. After the completion
of the said house, the overseers of any town or city in
the said county might make application to a Justice of
the Peace, who might, if circumstances permitted, make
an order sending any indigent person needing relief to
such poorhouse, and forcibly (if necessary) remove such
person to such poorhouse, to be provided for as his or
her necessities should require. It also provided that
the Overseers of any town might arrest any child over
fifteen years of age found begging in the streets and
send them to this poorhouse, there to be kept, employed
and instructed in some useful employment, as he or she
should be able to perform, until able to provide for
himself or herself. There are other humane and
thoughtful provisions in the said act for the employ-
ment of persons able to labor. The expense of main-
taining and supporting such poor persons, and of the
said poorhouse, was to be provided for in like manner
as all the other county expenses were, by a tax on the
personal and real estate of the freehold inhabitants of
the same county, in proportion to the number and ex-
pense of paupers which the several towns respectively
shall have in the Poor-House.
We have been thus particular to give the substance
of the said act, because it is the foundation — the begin-
ning— of the ofiice of Superintendents of the Poor — the
most important of county officers, out of which came,
nearly fifty years later, the present Board of Commis-
sioners of Charities and Corrections.
County Poorhouse Established. — At a meeting
of the Board of Supervisors, held March 14th, 1829, a
committee was appointed to inquire into the expediency
of establishing a County Poor-Souse, with power
to ascertain whether the almshouse of the town of
Brooklyn, could be made use of until a county poor-
house could be completed.
At a meeting, held March 28th, 1829, this committee
reported favorably, and were given time to make fur,
ther examinations.
464
HISTOR T OF KIJSTGS GO UNTT.
At the annual meeting of said board, held August 4,
1829, the Supervisors passed a resolution favorable to
erecting a county Poor-House, under the provisions of
the Act of November 27, 1824.
At a subsequent meeting, held January 2, 1830, Hon.
Jeremiah Johnson, Supervisor from Brooklyn, Chair-
man of the committee to which we have referred, sub-
mitted a very able and exhaustive report on the subject
of pauperism in the County of Kings, and in favor of
keeping paupers profitably employed.
His report also strongly favored the abolishment of
all distinctions by the Boards of Supervisors in the
several counties respectively, of the Cotm^y-poor, and
Tbiflw-poor, under the provisions of an Act of the Leg-
islature, passed April 4th, 1828. Said act provided for
making the expenses of maintaining all the poor in the
towns a charge upon the county, filing a written cer-
tificate of the determination of the said Board to abol-
ish such distinction, &o., duly authenticated by the
clerk thereof, in the office of the Clerk of the County.
The first Board of Superintendents of the
Poor in the County of Kings, of which there is any
record, was created at a meeting of the Board of Su-
pervisors held February 20th, 1830, and consisted of
the following persons : Samuel Smith, of Brooklyn,
David Johnson of Flatbush, and Michael Schoonmaker
of the same place. These gentlemen appeared before
the Board of Supervisors, gave their bonds and took
the oath required by law.
A resolution was passed by the Board of Supervisors
instructing the Superintendents, to purchase a tract of
land in the county, not exceeding two hundred acres,
and to erect thereon a suitable building or buildings, for
the reception of the poor of the County of Kings. The
Board, also, recommended that a certain tract of land
belonging to the Martense heirs, in the town of Flat-
bush, containing about sixty-four acres of land, be pur-
chased for the purposes aforesaid, and that the Poor-
House or Poor-Houses, be immediately erected thereon ;
that it be so constructed as to receive, for confinement,
vagrants and persons convicted of misdemeanors ; and
that, if it should be thought practicable, the Peniten-
tiary system should be connected with the Poor-House
establishment.
At its meeting of" April 7th, 1830, the Board consid-
ered the proceedings of a meeting of the citizens of
Brooklyn, held on the 2d of same month, authorizing
the Overseers of the Poor of that town to let the Aims-
House of the town of Brooklyn, with the land surround-
ing it, to the Superintendents of the Poor of the county,
for the term of one year, or until a County Poorhouse
could be built, at a sum of $360 per annum. This
offer was, by a resolution of the Board of Supervisors,
accepted ; the sum of $700 was placed at the disposal
of the Superintendents of the Poor, for the purpose of
defraying the expenses to which they would be sub-
jected. The Treasurer of the county w^s also directed
to pay them the sum of $3,000 for the land purch
of the Martense heirs.
At the annual meeting of the Board of Supervi
a committee appointed to examine the accounts of
Superintendents reported that they found all tl
correct, and recommended that $8,000 be raisei
meet the Poor-House expenses of the coming year,
a meeting of the Board held January 11, issi
Superintendents of the Poor were directed to pro
plans and estimates for the erection of a County I
House and a Penitentiary ; whereupon the Supi
tendents did submit such plans to the Board. T
were considered and adopted on the 22d day of Ma
following, by the Board of Supervisors, who place
the disposal of the Superintendents $9,000, to en
them to erect a County Poor-House and Penitent
on the county farm, purchased as we have stated,
the 23d of March the Superintendents of the Poor
mitted to the Board of Supervisors their annual
count, the first annual account ever submitted by
Superintendents of the Poor of the County of Kinj
This account of all monies received and expei
by the Superintendents, or under their direction,
of all their proceedings for the first year of their op
tions, ending the 7th day of April, 1831, shows, am
other things, that on the 7th day of April, 1830, tl
were 114 persons in the Poor-House — 22 men, 44
men, 22 boys, and 26 girls. Of these there wei
colored men, 9 women, and six children. That, dui
the said year, there had been 168 persons received
the Poor House ; there were 25 persons relieved,
side of the Poor-House. The total number relieTe(
supported from April 7, 1830, to April 7, 1831,
310, at an expense of the county of $5,500. The n
her of paupers under the charge of the Superinten(
on April 7, 1831, was 122, of whom 63 were males,
59 females. Daring the year, ending April 7th, 1
there were 31 deaths at the Poor-House; and 156
sons discharged and one absconded. Ninety-sevei
the inmates of the Poor-House were foreigners, 6
whom were Irish. The report also showed thi
school had been established in the Poor-House and
regularly attended by an average number of childr*
14 whites and 8 colored — and that they were mal
much progress in their studies.
Such paupers, as were able, had been profitably
ployed. The Superintendents reported very fa
ably of the Keeper, Mr. Thomas Baisely, and his ^
who discharged the duties of Matron to the Poor-He
The report further shows that Mrs. Baisely, with
assistance of some of the paupers, had cut and madi
517 garments, which had been distributed to the pau
by the Superintendents of the Poor.
From the lands attached to the Poor-House,
bushels of potatoes, 107 bushels of turnips, 13 hue
of onions, 750 cabbages ; four tons of hay, and 13 h
weighing 3,138 pounds, had been raised during the past
SUPERIJSTTEJSrBElSrTS OF THE POOR.
466
year. Articles, manufactured by the paupers, had been
sold to the amount of $244.36, and a considerable sup-
ply still on hand. This report was received with great
satisfaction by the Board of Supervisors and the people
of the county, and a resolution adopted highly compli-
mentary to the Superintendents of the Poor, for the
very able and successful manner in which they dis-
charged their duties. The Board allowed them the
sum of $600, collectively, for their services the past
year, to be apportioned among themselves. Their re-
port was published under the direction of the Board, in
all the newspapers of the county.
October 11, 1831, the Board voted that the sum of
|5 000 be placed at the disposal of the Superintendents
of the Poor, to meet the contingent expenses of the
Alms House for the current year.
February 9th, 1832, the Board of Supervisors, by in-
vitation of the Superintendents of the Poor, inspected
the Poor-House and Penitentiary then being erected ;
and reported that they found everything most satisfac-
tory and promising.
On the 8th day of April, 1832, the Board of Super-
visors directed that the inmates of the County Prison,
able to perform hard labor, be employed upon the
public highways in the county.
The Superintendents of the Poor submitted their second
annual report for the year, ending April 7th, 1832, to the
Board of Supervisors at a meeting held at the new Alms or
Poor-House and Penitentiary on the county farm, on the 28th
day of May, 1833. This report stated that they had had
charge of the poor for two years, ending on the 7th of April,
1833, and that they had reeeived during the year ending
April 7th, 1832, 305 persons ; and 10 persons who had boarded
out of the house, and 3 who had been inmates of the Lunatic
Asylum, connected with the said Poor establishment, mak-
ing in all 318 persons who had been supported thereat during
the then past year, at an expense, including clothes, medi-
cines, doctor, keeper, matron, nurse, etc., of |4,344.07.
The Superintendents had received for articles manufac-
tured during the year the sum of $234.67 ; from the County
Treasury, $16,437.76. That there was on hand |590 ; received
in a bastardy case, $150 ; overdraft on Long Island Bank,
$39.05. Total, $17,431.40. The number of paupers in Poor-
House on the 7th day of April, 1832, was 96. The sum ex-
pended over and above the labor and earnings of the paupers
divided by 133, being the average number kept during the
year, gives 83. 66^ cents per year, or 62i cents per week, as
the actual expense of keeping each pauper.
The school in the institution, taught by "a very moral
and competent pauper," and attended by an average number
of 23 children during the year, was reported to be in a highly
prosperous condition.
The report further showed that the new Poor-House,
etc., at Flatbush, was, on the 9th of April, 1832, so far
completed that the paupers were removed to the same
from the Brooklyn Aims-House, on that day; and that
the farmers in the neighborhood kindly assisted in
their removal. The report further shows that Dr.
Zabriskie had been engaged as physician to the estab-
lishment at a salary of fZO per year.
This second annual report of the Superintendents of
the Poor, like its predecessor, was received with gene-
ral satisfaction by the people of the county.
The third annual report, submitted May 33d, 1833, showed
that the number of paupers relieved and supported during
the year, preceding April 7th, 1883, in the new Poor-House,
was 401, supported at an expense of $3,057.59. The number
of persons in the Poor-House, on the 7th of April, 1838, was
136. Of the persons supported or relieved during the past
year, there were 150 foreigners, 106 of whom were born in
Ireland ; 3 lunatics ; 1 idiot, and 3 mutes. There were 5
births in the Poor-House, and 34 deaths ; bound out 11 ; dis-
charged 199 ; and absconded 21.
The report shows an interesting and startling fact,
which we give in the language of the Superintendents :
" The official situation we have for some time held in
relation to the poor, has enabled us to make some prac-
tical observations on the principal causes of pauperism;
and we do not hesitate to state the appalling fact that
three-fourths under our charge, are directly or in-
directly caused by intemperance. Many might suppose
that the farm and house might be conducted without
any hired help, but it is a fact that out of the whole
number of 401, we could not trust a man of them with
a team, to leave the farm; or a woman with the keys of
the medicine closet."
To this report was added the Physician's report, the
first ever submitted, showing four deaths by cholera,
two of the subjects having been brought to the Poor-
House in a collapsed state. The whole number of
deaths, from various causes, was thirty-four.
On August 6th, 1833, at the annual meeting of the
Board of Supervisors, a new board of the Superintend-
ents of the Poor was elected by the Judges of the
county. This Board consisted of Elias H. Hubbard, of
the town of Flatlands, Coe S. Downing, of the town of
Brooklyn, and David Johnson, of the town of Flatbush.
At a meeting held November 14th, 1833, the Board
of Supervisors ordered that the sum of $5,000 be placed
at the disposal of the Superintendents of the Poor, to
defray the expenses of the Aims-House establishment,
for the current year.
In the Board of Supervisors, on the 26th of April,
1834, David Johnson, Coe S. Downing, and Elias H.
Hubbard, County Superintendents of the Poor, sub-
mitted their annual report, by which it appears that the
whole number of paupers supported, or relieved in the
Poor-House, preceding April 7, 1834, was 434. The
whole expense in the support of said Poor-House was
$4,420.35.
The number of persons in the Poor-House on the 7th day
of April, 1834, was 180 ; of this number there were 85 fe-
males and 95 males. During the year there were 5 births
and 37 deaths in the Poor-House; 7 bound out; 21 absconded;
199 discharged. The receipts from the productions of the
farm during the said year, amounted to $1,547.28. There
were 84 persons in the Penitentiary connected with the Pcor
establishment.
466
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
At the meeting of the Board, on the 26th of April,
1834, David Johnson, one of the Superintendents, ten-
dered his resignation, which was laid upon the table
for further consideration. Dr. John B. Zabriskie was
re-appointed physician to the Aims-House, and his
salary increased from $70 to $100.
At the annual meeting of the Board of Supervisors,
held August 5th, 1834, Coe S. Downing and Losee
Van Nostrand, of the city of Brooklyn, and Elias H.
Hubbard, of Flatlands, were appointed Superintendents
of the Poor for the then ensuing year. The thanks of
the Board were extended to David Johnson, Esq., one of
the retiring Superintendents, for his valuable services
to the county, in the faithful discharge of his oflScial
duties as well as for his exertions and perseverance in
maturing and perfecting the Aims-House establishment
of the county, and placing it on a successful basis.
The Superintendents of the Poor, having presented
a communication, signed by themselves and the physi-
cians of the County Poor-House, relative to the estab-
lishment of a Hospital for Lunatics, and for Paupers
laboring under infectious diseases, and also to matters
touching the Penitentiary, the Supervisors, November
15th, reported favorably as to carrying the same into
effect.
In June^ 1835, the Superintendents of the Poor rec-
ommended that measures be taken to cultivate, at the
Poor-House farm, the best species of fruit trees; and,
also, for planting the mulberry tree for feeding silk
worms, with a view of testing the feasibility of making
an effort towards the cultivation of silk.
On the 4th day of August, 1835, at the annual meet-
ing of the Board of Supervisors, David Johnson, Samuel
Smith, and Losee Van Nostrand were appointed Super-
intendents of the Poor.
On August 8th, 1835, at at a meeting of the Board
of Supervisors, the Superintendents of the Poor sub-
mitted their annual report for the year ending April
*Jih, 1835. It gave the number of paupers relieved or
supported during that year, in the Poor-House, as 625,
at an expense of $5,303.47; from which, deduct the
support of 116 persons, sent to the Penitentiary in said
Poor-House, an average of 35 days each, equal to 12
persons for one year, at $23.16, making $277.92 to be
deducted from the sum of $5,303.47, leaving the whole
cost of the paupers at $5,025.25.
There were 585 persons furnished temporary support,
by the Overseers of the Poor, in the different towns,
on the order of the Justices of the Peace, at an expense
of $5,246.31.
The school at the Poor-House was reported to be in
a flourishing condition. The whole production of the
Poor-House farm this year, was $1,927.69.
On November 7th, 1835, the Supervisors appropria-
ted $5,000 for the support of the poor for the current
year; also took measures, to lessen the expense of grant-
ing temporary relief to sick, lame and disabled iodi-
gent persons outside of the Poor-House, and appointed
a committee to take charge of the matter. The Super-
intendents were also authorized to procure a place
places, in the City of Brooklyn, or other parts of the
county, for keeping paupers infected with pestilential
or infectious diseases; and to furnish them with main-
tainance and medical attendance.
January 20th, 1836. The Supervisors considered the
question of having, at the next annual meeting of the
Board, five Superintendents of the Poor appointed
two of whom should be taken from Brooklyn, one from
Bushwick, one from the town of Flatbush, or Flat-
lands, and one from the town of Gravesend or New
Utrecht; whose terms of office should expire simultane-
ously with those of the then Superintendents^ and that
all subsequent appointments of Supferintendents of the
Poor be made in conformity with this- regulation.
Also, that the Legislature be memorialized as to having
the Superintendents of the Poor of- the county, or any
one, two or more of them, invested with exclusive power
to do every act then done by the Justices of the Peace
of the town and Overseers of the Poor, in all the towns
in the County, in pursuance of the first Title,' ^Oth
Chapter, and 1st part of the Revised Statutes; and of
the 4th Title of the 8th Chapter of thfe said Statute.
The proposition was adopted.
August 2d, 1836. At the Annual Meeting of the
Board of Supervisors, Samuel Smith and Losee Van
Nostrand, of Brooklyn, and Michael Schoonmaker, of
Flatbush, were appointed Superintendents of the Poor
for the coming year.
The Annual Report of the Superintendents of the Poor pre-
sented at this meeting, showed that the Superintendents
had drawn from the County Treasury, from the 4th day of
August, 1835, to the 2d day of August, 1836 (including the
sum of $307.33, a balance on hand from the previous year),
the sum of $7,558.74; and that they had expended during the
same period $7,338.37, leaving a balance on hand of $330.37.
During the same time 581 persons in the Poor-House had
been supported, and 593 paupers relieved by the Overseers of
the Poor in difiEerent towns; making, in all, 1,174 persons, at
a total expenditure of |10,596.35.
Dr. Zabriskie, the Physician of the Poor-House, reported
688 cases treated during the year, of which 48 had died.
Eight of the said deaths were caused by delirium tremens.
There were, also, 118 convicts in the Penitentiary connected
with the Poor establishment.
December 14th, 1836, the Supervisors appropriated
$5,000 for the support of the poor for the current year.
At an adjourned meeting of the Supervisors, May
24th, 1837, the Superintendents of the Poor were .re-
quested to furnish a suitable plan for building a Work-
House, on the County farm, for the employment of the
poor, whose bodily strength would permit them to
labor ; a suitable plan for building or providing
an apartment in said Work-House for Lunatics; and
an estimate of the probable expense thereof, as soon as
possible. In conformity with these instructions,
the Superintendents, at their Annual Meeting, Au-
SXTPERIN-TENDENTS OF THE JPOOM.
467
gust 1st, 1837, presented plans and estimates for a
Jjunatio Hospitcd, which were unanimously adopted.
The Superintendents were invested with power to contract
for and supervise the erection of the said buildings, the
Supervisors providing the necessary funds for the same.
Tlie Board of Supervisors, with the Judges of the County,
proceeded to the election of Superintendents of the Poor for
the ensuing year, which election resulted in the choice of
Michael Schoonmaker, Flatbush ; Losee Van Nostrand, of
Brooklyn, and Jarvis R; "Woolsey, of Flatlands.
The Annual Report of the Superintendents gave the num-
ber of paupers relieved in the Poor-House during the year
ending August 7th, 1837, as 677 ; eight boarded out, and five
in Bloomingdale Lunatic Asylum; total number of paupers,
690.
Expenses of paupers in the Poor-House, |6, 394.61, which,
together with the other expenses of the Poor establishment,
was increased to the Sum of $8,783.03. A balance of cash
on hand of f 503.-49.
erection on the County Farm, was reported as near
completion.
At the annual meeting of the Supervisors, held
August 7, 1838, attended hy the Judge of the county,
the annual election for Superintendent of the Poor
took place. This election was contested with singular
obstinacy, there being several candidates for th€ .office,
each one of whom possessed considerable strength.
Thirteen ballots resulted in no election, and the Board
adjourned until the next day at 3 o'clock P. M., at
which time, there being no quorum of the joint Board
of Supervisors present, no choice of a Superintendent
was made ; and Michael Schoonmaker, Losee Van Nos-
trand and Jarvis R. Woolsey were continued in office
for the ensuing year.
At an adjourned meeting, September 1st, 1838, the annual
report of the Superintendents presented the number of pau
HOSPITAL.
In the School, established in the Poor-House at the organ-
ization of the estabhshment, during the year 1836, 63 children
were taught. Dr. Zabriskie, the Physician, reported 719 cases
treated, during the year previous, 65 of which died; two of
these were caused by delirium tremens; and 35 from con-
sumption, characterized as " an unusual number," and many
of whom died 34 hours after admission. An epidemic of
typhus (brought by emigrants) also had been raging in the
house from April 1st to date of Doctor's report.
During the year ending August 15, 1837, there had been
received into the Treasury, for Excise money $3,355.73, which
was directed to be paid over to the Superintendents of the
Poor for the benefit of the Poor-House establishment ; also,
from dog tax, the sum of $38.75.
On the 24th October, 1837, the Supervisors appropri-
ated the sum of $6,000 for the support of the Poor for
the current year.
In November, 1837, the Hospital, then in course of
pers supported in the Poor-House during the year preceding
the 7th day of August, 1838, as, viz. : In the House, 598 ;
boarded out, 9; in the Bloomingdale Asylum, 6 ; making, in
all, 613. The expenses of the Poor-House establishment, in-
cluding everything, was $13,608.89, of which $3,383.90 had
been disbursed in building the new Lunatic Hospital or Asy-
lum. On the 1st of August, 1838, there were in the Poor-
House 154 persons, 67 of whom were females, 66 males, and
31 colored- paupers. There were lunatic paupers, 30.
Mr. Baiseley continued as keeper, and Mrs. Baiseley as
matron of the Poor-House. They were appointed by the
first Board of Superintendents of the Poor. Under Mrs.
Baiseley's supervision, 50 bed quilts and over 1,500 gar-
ments for the use of the paupers, had been made during
the year.
By an act of the Legislature, passed April 18, 1838,
the powers and duties of Superintendents of the Poor
of the County were greatly enlarged, which were to be
468
SISTORT OF KINGS COUNl Y.
reduced to certain Rules and Regulations to be sub-
mitted to a subsequent meeting of the Board.
The report of Dr. J. B. Zabriskie showed there had been 879
cases of disease under treatment, and 51 deaths, of which 17
resulted from consumption.
On the 8th December, 1838, the Board of Supervisors
appropriated the sum of $6,000 for the support of the
Poor for the current year.
The 20th of March, 1839, the Rules and Regulations
of the Board of Superintendents, directed to be made
by the act of 1838, were submitted. They were in-
cluded in eight distinct articles.
The third article provided that the Superintendent
shall keep a register of the names of all the applicants
for temporary relief, with their place of residence, oc-
cupation and employment ; the number of persons com-
posing each family, their ages, places of nativity, and
amount of relief granted to each applicant.
Article fourth provided that no temporary relief
should be granted to any person not known to one or
more of the Superintendents.
By article fifth, repositories were to be established
for the relief of indigent persons, to be kept open from
the 1st day of May, in each year, at such hours and at
such places as the Superintendents shall designate.
The following provision of the Superintendents, made
under their enlarged powers, is worthy of insertion
here : " That the said Board will provide coffins and
other facilities for the interment of all such destitute
poor of the county whose friends are unable to bear
the expense ; and also for the interment of all such
strangers as Providence may, from time to time, cast
upon our hands, and which both Humanity and Chris-
tianity dictate should receive the rights of sepulture."
Among other provisions made by the act referred to,
the Superintendents of the Poor were given a Clerk, to
be appointed by them ; and, on the 20th of March,
1839, Michael Schoonmaker was appointed for that po-
sition.
We have seen (page 466) that, at a meeting of the
Board of Supervisors, held January 20, 1836, measures
were taken to procure an act of the Legislature by
which two additional Superintendents of the Poor were
to be elected.
The Legislature, on the 18th of April, 1838, passed
the required act; and, on August 6th, 1839, the Super-
visors, in annual meeting, elected^fwe Superintendents.
This Board, thus elected, consisted of Losee Van Nos-
trand and John Dimon, of Brooklyn ; Chauncey L.
Cook, of Bushwick; John Emmens, of New Utrecht ;
and Michael Schoonmaker, of Flatbush.
At this meeting the Board for the preceding year submit-
ted their Annual Report, with the report of Dr. Zabriskie,
Physician for the Poor-House and Lunatic Hospital, by
which it appears that the whole number of paupers relieved
or supported during the year ending August 7th, 1889, was
1,666. Of the whole number thus relieved or supported, 520
were county paupers in the Poor-House. The number of all
such persons as were temporarily relieved, was 1,146. The
aggregate expense of relieving and supporting all such per-
sons was $13,521.09. By an estimate made by the Superin-
tendents, it cost 81 J cents a week for the actual expense of
keeping each pauper, crediting the actual value of the labor
of each pauper performed on the farm and otherwise during
the year.
It will be remembered that the first cost of the land
and Poor-House establishment in 1830, was $3,000;
the estimated value of the whole establishment in
August, 1839 — about ten years later — was $24,500.
Of the whole number remaining in the Poor-House on the
7th of August, 1839, there were 157 persons, 85 foreigners,
9 lunatics and 2 idiots. The whole number of persons re-
ceived into the Poor-House during the year was 360. There
were 10 births, 48 deaths, 3 foundlings. There were 154
discharged, 106 ran away, 42 bound out, or out on trial.
Dr. J. B. Zabriskie, Physician to the Poor-House and
Lunatic Hospital, reported 572 cases of disease, 48 of which
proved fatal.'
There were received into the* Lunatic Hospital during the
year ending August 8th, 1849, fourteen lunatics, nine of
whom were cured, one died.
On the 4th of August, 1840 , Adrien Emmens, Alex-
ander Newman and John Dimon, of the City of
Brooklyn, and Alfred Hodges, of Williamsburg, Rem
Hegeman, of Flatbush, and Samuel S. Stryker, of
Gravesend, were elected Superintendents of the Poor,
for the ensuing year.
The Annual Report of the Superintendents, submitted to
the Board of Supervisors on the 11th of August, 1840, shows
the whole number of paupers relieved or supported during
the year ending August 1st, 1840, to be 2,726. The whole num-
ber thus relieved, who were inmates of the Poor-House,
was 737. The aggregate expense of relieving and support-
ing all such persons was $10,357.36. The Poor-House ex-
penses in all were $9,213.28. The average number of persons
provided for in the house during the year was 245, and the
sum applicable to the support of these was $8,567.74, which
divided by the average number of paupers, gives the sum of
$36.45 a year, or 70 cents a week, as the actual cost of sup-
porting each pauper. The estimated amount earned by the
paupers was $800. The number of persons in the Poor-House
on the 1st of August, 1840, was 237.
The Physician of the Poor-House and Lunatic Asylum re-
ported 811 cases of disease in the County Poor-House during
the year 1840, of which 49 proved fatal, two fatal cases
of delirium tremens, and ten of consumption. Sixteen per-
sons were admitted to the Lunatic Hospital, one of whom
died, nine were cured, leaving six still in the Hospital.
The Superintendents having recommended that a
new building be erected "for the accommodation of
paupers laboring under sickness and disease, or other-
wise," the Board of Supervisors, on the 16th day of
October, 1840, "Resolved to apply to the Legislature
at the next session for the passage of an Act to Author-
ize the Board of Supervisors to raise, by tax, the then
next year, a sum not exceeding $3,000, for the purpose
of erecting the buildings heretofore referred to, on the
County farm, and also such other and additional build-
SUPERIJSTTEN'DEN'TS OF THE POOR.
469
inffs -as migM from time to time be required for the
accommodation of the poor."
October 24th, 1840, the Superintendents informed
the Board that the increase of paupers had become so
great that the present buildings in the County were
inadequate, particularly those for the sick, the rooms
of the Hospital being small, and over-crowded; and that
a Hospital having been recently established in the City
of Brooklyn with more rooms than the requirements of
the city demanded, it being principally for injured per-
sons, arrangements had been made with the managers
of the City Hospital to receive from the County Poor-
House a portion of the sick paupers during the ensu-
ing fall and winter.
December 5th, 1840, the Board of Supervisors set
apart the further sum of $5,000 for the use of the
poor, in the discharge of their duties.
On the 16th of June, 1841, in accordance with an
Act of the Legislature of this State, entitled "An Act
Authorizing the Supervisors of the County of Kings
to make farther provision for the County Poor," pass-
ed May 26th, 1841 (on the petition of the Superintend-
ents), an order was made directing the erection on the
County Farm, during the year, of two buildings for the
better accommodation of the poor of the County; the
expenses not to exceed |3,000; one of the' said buildings
to be for the accommodation of the poor generally. The
other for the accommodation of such paupers sent
to the Poor-House as were afflicted with contagious
The Board of Supervisors, August 3d, 1841, ap-
pointed a committee of three to occasionally examine
the Poor-House establishment of the County, as to its
internal and external regulations; and, from time to
time, to give such instructions to the officers and
agents of the establishment, as to them seemed best
calculated to perfect the pauper system, and to report
thereon to the Supervisors. David Coope, Andrew
Emmens, and Nicholas Wyckoff, were the committee.
At this, it being the Annual Meeting of the Board,
Alexander Newman, Jacob Dey, oi' Brooklyn ; Alfred
Hodges, of Williamsburg ; Rem Hegeman, Matlands;
Samuel S. Stryker, Gravesend, were elected Superin-
tendents for the ensuing year.
The Report of the Superintendents, and the Physi-
cian, on the 25th of August, 1841, were taken up, ex-
amined and favorably reported upon.
The report showed that the whole number of paupers re-
or supported, during the year ending August 1st,
lieved
1841, was 3,098. Of the number thus relieved,~the number of
wunty paupers was 933. The aggregate expense of reliev-
fflgthem was $16,359.80. The total expenses of the Poor-
ouse (separate from the foregoing amount), were $13,050.56.
e average number actually provided for in the house
uunng the year was 284; and the sum applicable to their sup-
Pt was $11,315, giving the sum of $39.48 per year, or 75
paup ^^' '^^^^' ^^ *''® *°*"^1 ""^^^ °* supporting each
From the report of Dr. F. F. King, who had been appointed
in place of Dr Zabriskie, Phybioian to the Poor-House and
Lunatic Hospital, it appeals that, during the year end-
ing August 1st, 1841, 1,430 cases of disease had been under
• medical treatment; 86 of which proved fatal. There were at
that time 46 under treatment. During the year 1,398 had
been discharged; there were 31 births in the institution dur-
ing the year.
There were 17 lunatics received in the Lunatic depart-
ment, 10 of whom were discharged. The School in the
establishment continued to be very prosperous and satisfac-
tory.
Measures were taken to have divine service regularly
performed every Sabbath hereafter in the establish-
ment, the pastors of the different denominations in
the County having offered to officiate gratuitously.
November 18th, 1841, a report submitted by the
committee in charge of the erection of the two build-
ings on the Poor-House Farm (referred to June 16th,
1841), showed that they had completed the said build-
ings in accordance with the directions of the Board, at
an expense (^including a vault for the preservation of
meats) of $2,664.27. The sum of $6,000 was set apart
for the support of the poor for the current year; and
the salary of the Superintendents was fixed at the
sura of $125 each.
February 23d, 1842, the Supervisors directed the
Superintendents to render to the Board of Supervisors,
at their Annual Meeting, in addition to their usual
report, an account of the monies paid by them for
debts contracted by them prior to the 1st Tuesday in
August, 1831, by their predecessors in office; an ac-
count of monies paid by them for debts during their
own term of office, and for all monies paid out bv them.
Also, to state what sum in their opinion would be
necessary for the support of paupers in the County
Poor-House during the ensuing year.
On the 2d day of August, 1842, the Board of Super-
visors of the County elected as Superintendents of the
Poor of the County for the ensuing year, S muel Dox-
sey, Joshua Rogers, of Brooklyn ^ Chauncey H. Cook,
Williamsburg ; Isaac L. Schenck, Flatbush, and John
A. Emmens, iVew Utrecht.
The Annual Report of the Superintendents of the Poor and
that, also, of the Physician, for the year ending August 7th,
1843, were presented to the Board, by which it appeared that
the whole number of paupers relieved or supported, during
the year, was 3,964; all such persons temporarily relieved,
was 2,305; and an aggregate expense of $13,786.44; the aver-
age number of paupers provided for in the house during the
year was 390, and the sum applicable to their support, was
$9,231.24, giving the sum of $34.21 per year, or 66 cents per
week, as the actual cost of supporting each pauper. There
were 33 births in the house during the year; 88 deaths, 318
discharged, and 39 absconded.
The Physician reported 896 cases treated during the year,
88 of which were fatal ; 16 lunatics in the hospital August
1, 1841, of whom 4 died. Since that date, there had been 43
lunatics, of whom 3 died, 8 were relieved, and 18 cured ; 14
now remain.
470
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
$2,000 was set apart for the use of the Supai-inten-
dents of thq Poor for the current year.
April 18, 1839. An act entitled, "An Act to extend
the benefit of instruction to th6 blind," and for "other
purposes, was passed by the Legislature of the State.
At that time, one Margarets Denny, an orphap, wa,s
a beneficiary of the Orphan Asylum of Brooklyn. L.
"V'an iSTostr^nd, one of the Superintendents of the Poor
of the county, selected the said Margaret Denny as a
State pupil ,iij the ISTew York Institution for the In-
struction of the Blind, giving his certificate to the Su-
perintendent of Common Schools for that purpose.
Under the provisions of said Act, the Superintendents
of the Poor, by resolution, directed the sum of $20, to
be paid annually, to suitably clothe the said Margaret,
for a period of five years, from the 1st day of October,
1843, the term of her pupilage in the said institution.
This is the first step taken in the County of Kings to-
' wards the support and education of the blind.
In 1840, a Hospital had been established in the city
of Brooklyn, and on the 13th of January, 1844, Joseph
SpraguQ, Esq., Mayor of the city, sent a communication
to the Board of Supervisors and the Superintendents,
in which he stated that the expense of supporting
patients. therein, amounted to, several thousand dollars,
which was, in fact, chargeable to the county ; and re-
quested that provision be made by the said Boards foi'
the re-imbursement to the City of the monies so paid,
and that hereafter the whole expenses of the said
Hospital be paid, by the county. A comniittee, ap-
pointed - from each Board, subsequently reported
favorably, in regard to making the Hospital a county
charge. The further sum of $3,000 was set apart for
the use of the Superintendents of the Poor in their
ofiicial capacity. ■
March 7, 1844. The subject of erecting Anew Lu-
natic Asylum on the County Farm was brought before
the Board, and plans ' submitted, by a committee ap-
poiilted at a previous meeting. They recommended a
building of wood, filled in with brick, and covered
with shingles 110 feet in length, 33 feet in width,
three stories high, with a basement underneath ;
calculated to meet, not only the present, but the
future wants of the county, and accommodating about
60 patients. The cost was estimated at between $8,000
and $9,000. The report, together with a plan of the
proposed building, drawn by Asa Stebbins, was placed
in the County Clerk's office for public inspection.
The committee to which had been referred the pro-
priety of erecting a County Worh-IIouse, reported
favorably.
On the 20th of March, 1844, the further sum of
$2,000 was set apart for the use of Superintendents.
May 15, 1844, the Board of Supervisors received a
communication from Hon. Jacob Rapelje, one of the
Members of the Assembly from Kings county, inform-
ing them of the passage of an Xcl, by the Legislature,
providing for the erection of a new Lunatic Asylum-
whereupon a resolution was adopted that i the said
Asylum be commenced with all convenient dispatch ■
that it be located on the land attached to the Cbtinty
Poor-House, situated on the west side of the highway
leading from Brooklyn to said Poor-House, and placed
about 75 feet from said highway, fronting said Poor.
House. It was further ordered that the building be
constructed under the plan of Mr. Stebbins, heretofore
described ; and that Tunis G. Bergen, Daniel A. Rob-
bins, Wm. M. Udall, and John A. Voofhees, be the
building, committee to superintend the erection of the
Asylum. On the 5th of June, 1844, the Supervisors de-
cided to reduce the length of the building to 86 f6et, the
width being 36 feet. The building committee, after ad-
vertising for sealed proposals, let the building of the
Asylum to Stephen Haynes, Esq.
An act of the Legislature, passed April 22d,' 1844,
provided that the Superintendents of the Poor,' in and
for the County of Kings, should hold their offibd for
three years, and until others shall be appointed iii their
place ; and that, immediately after their first appoint-
ment, under the said act, the Supervisors shall, by' lot
or otherwise, divide the Superintendents of the Poor,
so first appointed, into three classes, numbered one,
two and three ; those of the first class, holding office
for one year ; those of the second class, for two years,
and those of the third class, for three years, to the eind
that the third part of the said Superintendents miy be,
as nearly as possible, annually appointed.
Under the provisions of^this act, John B. Hendrick-
son, of Flatlands, was on the 6th of August, 1844, ap-
pointed Superintendent of the Poor of the 1st Class ;
Losee Van Nostrand, of Brooklyn, and John A. Em-
mens, of New. Utrecht, Superintendents of the 2d class,
and Samuel Doxsey, of Brooklyn, and C. Le Cook,
oi. Williamsburg, Superintendents of the 3d class.
At this meeting, under an act to provide for the er-
ection of a new Lunatic Asylum for the County of
Kings, on the County Farm, passed April 26th, 1844,
the Supervisors directed that the sum of 16,000 be bor-
rowed on the credit of the county, and be placed in the
hands of the Superintendents, to be used for the erec-
tion of a new asylum.
On August 13th, 1844, the Superintendents reported
rapid progress in the erection of the said buildmg. ,
The annual report of the Superintendents of the Poor,
presented on the same day, gives the disbursements for Poor-
House expenses in all, during the year ending August 7tli,
1844, as $13,585.71; debts unpaid, $1,200.66, making house
expenses in all, $14,786.37. There were credits which re-.
duced this sum to $13,823.57.
There was received, during the same time, by the Superin-
tendents of the Poor, $30,063.71, as follows :
County Treasurer, $17,898.39; board of lunatics, f851,^o ,
in support of foreign paupers, $494.31 ; bastardy CMes, |4W.
75 ; produce sold, $435.84 ; old iron and bones, $71.35 ,
former Superintendents, $70.93 ; making, $30,062.71.
SUPEEIJSTTEN'DEN'TS OF THE POOR.
471
Of this sum, $5,448.30 was paid for the relief of indigent
jersonB. Addition to old hospital, which with the amount
'or the support of Poor-House, |14,114.32, makes the amount
(20,062.71.
The average number of paupers, actually supported in the
Aims-House, was 288, at a cost of $10,624.65, which gives
t36.89 per year, or 10 cents per day, as the cost for the sup-
port of each pauper. The amount saved by their labor was
fl,300.
The Physician of the Poor-House reported 484 cases of dis-
eases, of which 45 were fatal ; and 19 births during that
year ; 24 patients being admitted into the Lunatic Asylum,
of whom 12 were cured.
The school in the Poor-House was reported to be in a
flourishing condition.
November 21st, 1844, $2,000 more was placed at the
disposal of the Superintendents, to be expended on the
new Lunatic Asylum, then in process of erection ; also
a further sum of $2,000, for the Poor-House establish-
ment.
August 5th, 1845, at the annual meeting of the Super-
visors, John B. Hendrickson was appointed a Superin-
tendent of the Poor, for the 1st class, for the term of
three years, from the Ist Tuesday of August, 1843, and
until another should be appointed in his place ; James
Faiel, Wm. H. Campbell, and Eusebius Hopkins were
appointed a visiting committee of the Poor-House.
This committee subsequently recommended the mak-
ing of a school-roora and chapel in the old Lunatic
Asylum; and also the planting of a large number of or-
namental shade trees and shrubbery around the Poor-
House, Lunatic Asylum, and other buildings on the
County Farm. The pay of Superintendents of the
Poor was increased to the sum of $450 each.
The Annual Report of the Superintendents, pre-
sented August 5, 1845, shows that the whole number
of paupers relieved or supported during the year end-
ing July 31, 1845, was 4,698; the number temporarily
relieved, 3,884. The actual expenses of the Poor-
House and temporary relief was $18,139.55. The
amount expended on the new Asylum was $1,888.6'?.
The actual number supported in the Poor-house was
299, the whole cost of which was $9,547, which gives
135.27 per year, or 68 cents per week for the support of
each pauper. The value of the labor of the paupers
was $1,200 ; the produce of the farm had gradually
increased, so that at this time, almost every kind of
produce grown in this climate, was produced thereon,
gomg very far towards the support of the paupers.
The Physician reported 1,189 cases during the said
year, 61 of which were fatal ; 4 of these were caused
from delirium tremens, 25 were consumption.
It 18 a singular fact that, since the first existence of
the Board of Superintendents of the Poor, the average
yearly deaths in the Hospital from consumption was,
down to this time, 25.
-The new Lunatic Asylum, having been completed
smee the last Annual Report, the physician in charge
»ys of it, in his report:
"The good effects of the facilities afforded by the new
buildings, are very manifest in the conduct and in the
feelings of the patients. The want of room in the old
buildings, and the restraint upon the patients occasioned
thereby, led them to suppose they were prisoners instead of
patients, especially those who were inclined to be furious
and destructive.''
He also speaks of the healthful effects of the exten-
sive bathing-rooms, and apparatus for bathing.
The Report of the physician is lengthy and exceed-
ingly instructive.
On November 7, 1845, measures were taken by the
Board of Superintendents to purchase a plot of land
in Greenwood Cemetery, or elsewhere, for the burial
of the poor of the county, and strangers dying there-
in, at an expense not exceeding $8,500. A proposition
was made to purchase, or lease for a term of years,
about 43 acres of land adjoining the County Poor-
House farm, on the estate of Isaac Cortelyou, de-
ceased.
November 11, 1845. The Superintendents yr^r^ au-
thorized to draw from the County Treasury the sum of
$3,000 towards defraying the current expenses of the
poor for the ensuing year.
On March 25, 1846, the Supervisors directed that the
sum of $10,500 be set apart for the Poor-House estab-
lishment, to be disbursed by the Superintendents in the
discharge of their duties.
May 12, 1846. The attention of the Supervisors and
the Superintendents of the Poor was called to an Act,
which had then recently become a law, providing for
the purchase of land and the erection thereon of suita-
ble buildings, for a Work-House and Penitentiary; and
it was proposed to inquire whether lands for that pur-
pose could be obtained in the rocky hills in the 9th
Ward of Brooklyn. A resolution was adopted to
erect such Penitentiary and to purchase land therefor,
not to exceed 40 acres. A building committee was ap-
pointed and directed to proceed forthwith.
On August 4, 1846, an election of two Superinten-
dents, to fill two vacancies (2d class), occasioned by
the expiration of Losee Van Nostrand's and John A.
Emmens' terms, took place. John S. Folk, of Brook-
lyn, and Stephen W. Stilwell were elected for the term
of three years, from the 1st Tuesday of 1846.
A committee reported that the following pieces of
land could be purchased for the site for a Penitentiary,
viz. : 9 acres from Samuel Smith, at $200 per acre ; 9
acres from Cornelius Van Cleaf, at $200 per acre ; 5
acres from Ralph Malbone, at $180 per acre; and 14
acres from Jonathan Trotter, at $180 per acre. A reso-
lution was adopted, that the lands be purchased at
prices not exceeding those named above, provided the
title thereto is perfect.
From the Annual Report of the Superintendents and
Physicians to the Poor-House, August 33d, 1846, it appeared
that the Superintendents, during the year ending July 31,
1846, from all sources, exclusive of their salaiies, received
472
SISTORT 01 KINGS COUNTY.
for the benefit of the Poor-House establishment of the county,
the sum of $33,146.52 ; and expended, for the support of the
inmates of the Aims-House and Lunatic Asylum, the sum
of $16,462.60f. They have expended for temporary relief of
indigent persons out of the Poor-House, the sum of |6,534.55,
making their total expenditures, $32,997.15f.
The sum of $25,000, for the support of the poor for
the coming year, for discharging present indebtedness,
and for alterations and improvements necessary on the
county premises, was directed to be raised ; also, that
$50 be raised for purchasing hoohs for the Aims-
House.
The whole number of poor persons relieved or sup-
ported preceding July 31, 1846, was 6,556. The esti-
mated amount saved iu the expense of the support of
paupers by their labor, was $3,000.
The Physician of the Aims-House reported, during
the year aforesaid, 1,302 cases, of which 62 proved
fatal. In the Lunatic Asylum there were 39 cases.
On the 1st of August, 1846, there had been 82 ad-
mitted to the Asylum during the year. The whole
number of lunatics admitted into this Asylum from
May, 1838, when it was first established, down to Au-
gust 1, 1846, was 237, of whom there had been dis-
charged 158 ; died, 28. The greatest deficiency in the
Asylum was the want of sufficient sources of amuse-
ment, and reading matter for the moderately insane
patients.
We have already referred to the action of the Board
of Supervisors and Superintendents had at the Annual
Meeting in August, 1846, in regard to purchasing
certain pieces of land for a new Penitentiary. Octo-
ber 10th, 1846, it having been ascertained that the titles
of the said lands were perfect, a contract was made
with the owners, duly ratified by the Board, and a sur-
vey and map of the same made, by which it appeared
that they purchased said lands as follows :
From S. Smith, Sj^f-J^j^ acres at $300 per acre, amounting
to $1,704.92; from C. Van Clef, SrVV acres, at $200 per acre,
amounting to $1,774; from Ralph Malbone, 4t;YA% acres, at
$180 per acre, amounting to $881.97; from heirs of Jonathan
Trotter, ISy^"^, at $180 per acre, amounting to $3,513.88;
total, $6,874.77.
The land in these parcels thereupon became the site
of the Penitentiary.
On the 23d of January, 1847, steps were taken by
the Board towards procuring the passage of a law ma-
king the support of foreign paupers a State (instead of
a County) charge. The matter was referred to Seth
Low, Tunis G. Bergen and G. Howland.
February 27th, 1847, the Superintendents reporting
that they were out of funds, the Supervisors ordered
$3,000 to be placed to their credit.
On March 13th, 1847, the Board of Superintendents,
in view of the great increase of pauperism in the
County of Kings, presented the matter to the Super-
visors, who immediately passed the following unani-
mous resolution :
"Resolved, That the overwhelming increase of pauperism
in the County is an evil of alarming magnitude, and that the
laws require additional provisions to secure this and other
counties adjacent to New York from an undue burden re-
sulting from such increase.
Resolved, that our representatives in the Legislature are
respectfully and earnestly requested to give their immediate
attention to this subject as one of paramount importance."
On May 5 th, the Superintendents, owing to theWgh
price of provisions, and the great increase of paupers
asked for an appropriation of $3,000. It was oriererf
thereupon, that a loan upon the credit of the Coanty
of $12,000, be made for the said appropriation, and for
other expenses of the Poor-House establishment.
August 3d, 1847. At the Annual Meeting of the
Supervisors, an election for two Superintendents of the
Poor of the 3d class, occasioned by the expiration of
the official term of Samuel Doxsey and Chauncey L,
Cook, resulted in the election of Alfred B. Hodges of
Williamsburg, and William Rushmore of Brooklyn.
The Annual Report of the Superintendents of the Poor,
and of the-Physican of the Poor-House and Lunatic Asylum,
were also presented, for the year ending July 31st, 1847, by
which it appear that the whole number of persons relieved or
supported during the said year was 7,185; of those temporarily
relieved, 5,955. The aggregate amount of money expended
during the year was $37,577.14, of which $8,361.69 was ex-
pended for temporary relief. The expense of the general
support of the Poor-House was $19,315.45, which makes the
sum of $37,577. 14. The number of paupers in the Poor-House
on the 1st day of August, 1846, was 343; admitted during the
year 861 ; born in the Poor-House, 36. The proceeds of the
farm for the past year were largely remunerative ; much in
excess of last year.
The Physician reported 3,183 cases of disease treated, of
whom 111 had died; five of them being cases of delirinm
tremens, and 31 cases of consumption.
In the Lunatic Asylum there were 49 patients on the Ist day
of August, 1846; there were 40 more admitted during the
year, ten of whom died, 11 discharged as cured, one abscond-
ed, and on the 1st day of August, 1847, there were 61 re-
maining.
The salary of the Superintendents of the Poor for
the year 1847, was $1,800. September 2d, 1847, the
sum of $2,000 was set apart for the Superintendepts of
the Poor.
The Superintendents reported a plan and specifica-
tions for the new Penitentiary and Work-Souse, on
Oct. 5th, with an itemized estimate of the expenses
thereof, and that they had entered into a contract with
responsible persons for the construction of the same.
On Deo. 10th, 1847, the Superintendents asked for and
received an appropriation of $3,000, to he expended to-
wards the defraying of the expenses of the county.
On the 22d of December, the Superintendents and
Supervisors took into consideration the necessity of
erecting a suitable building, on a line with the Asylum,
for a Children's Nursery, it appearing that the same
was essentially necessary for the health of the children;
and that the present building used for .the purpose
SUPERINTENBEN'TS OF THE POOR.
4^3
could be advantageously occupied as a hospital for
women.
January Tth, 1848, the Board of Supervisors directed
the County Treasurer to place $5,000 to the credit of
the Superintendents, to be expended by them in the
Poor Establishment of the county. January 29th,
1848, the question of electing Superintendents of the
Poor and County Treasurer by the people came before
the Board, on a proposal to have Kings County ex-
cepted from any legislative bill providing for a law
for the popular election of the aforesaid officers. A res-
olution, favoring such exception, was defeated by a
very decisive vote.
February 10th, 1848, the death of Dr. J. B. Zabeis-
KiB, for many years a physician to the County Aims-
House, who died February 8th, of malignant fever,
taken in the discharge of his official duties, was an-
nounced to the Board, which, out of respect to his
memory, adjourned.
February 11th, the salary of the Keeper of the Peni-
tentiary was fixed at $800 per annum.
March 8th, 1848, $5,000 was placed to the credit of
the Superintendent of the Poor.
The erection of a building for a Children's Nursery
was again considered, and the Superintendents were
directed to proceed forthwith with its construction, at
an expense not to exceed $2,000.
July 5th, 1848, the Treasurer of the coun.ty was
authorized to borrow, on the credit of the county,
$5,000 to pay the contractors of the Hospital Buildings
recently burned * on the County Farm, at Flatbush, as
their bills severally became due.
August 5th, 1848, the Superintendents of the Poor made
and submitted their annual report; monies received $6,956,
from the Emigrant Commissioners, for the board of emi-
grant passengers, under an Act of Congress, and the Legis-
lature of this State, providing for board of emigrants.
The Eeport further shows the receipt of $1,319.14 from the
board of Lunatics during the year ending July 31st, 1848:
from putative fathers of illegitimate children, $1,341.25;
from the County Treasurer, $31,350; the net profits of the
labor of the paupers, $1,000, the whole estimated value of
their labor being $2,000. The sum actually expended, over
and above the labor and earnings of the paupers, $58.31 per
year, or $1,12J per week as the actual expense of keeping
each pauper.
The whole number of paupers relieved and supported dur-
ing the year was 1,746; the whole number temporarily re-
Ueved, 6,935; aggregate amount of money expended during
the year was $89,788.77. Of the above aggregate, for tem-
porary relief in the City of Brooklyn was $5,838.25; Wil-
liamburg, $4,574.61; Flatbush, $76.63; Gravesencl and Neiv
Utrecht, $140.49. There was paid out for physicians and
medicines $1,137.73; for the support of idiots and foundlings
$228.80; for repairs and improvements, $5,607.55.
The Physiciam reported 2,543 cases of diseases treated dur-
ing the year ; 324 of which proved fatal; 42 having died
It la to be regretted that the records of the Supervisors, and of the
Superintendents of the Poor, give no account of the circumstances
Pf the burning of the Hospital buildings.
from consumption; 10 from delirium tremens; suicide 3.
In the Lunatic Asylum, there were 130 patients during the
year, 7 of whom died; 23 were cured and 81 cases in the
hospital at date of the Report.
At the meeting of the Board, March 6th, 1848, F.
M. Ingraham, M, D., and Philip O. Hyatt, M. D., were
appointed Physicians to the County Poor-House and
Lunatic Asylum, in place of Dr. J. B. Zabriskie, de-
ceased, it having been decided to have two physicians
for the said establishment, owing to the large increase of
paupers and of diseases. The County Penitentiary and
Work-House was so far completed on March 23d, 1848,
that an order was made by the Supervisors to deliver
an order to the Sheriff, directing him to deliver to
David Afflick, the Keeper of the same, thirteen prison-
ers confined in the jail, to be employed at hard labor in
the said Penitentiary and Work-House, until the ex-
piration of their several terms. The longest term for
which any of these prisoners were sentenced, was six
months.
Arrangements for further accommodations were made
for the reception of more prisoners in the said Peniten-
tiary. An order was also made, directing the County
Treasurer to borrow, on the credit of the county,
$5,000 to pay the contractors on the Hospital building
as they severally become entitled to payment.
The records of the Superintendents are very imper-
fect in stating the names of the Keepers of the County
Penitentiary and Work-House, but we find that David
Afflick had for some time been Keeper; and that at the
meeting of August 22d, 1848, Richard W. Call and
Piatt Heart were appointed Assistant Keepers of the
Penitentiary and Work-House.
Sept. 19th, 1848, the Superintendents and Board of
Supervisors made an order that the prisoners confined
in the Penitentiary should be employed in repairing the
public highways leading from Brooklyn to the County
Poor-House, under the direction of the Overseers of
Highways, and in the custody of the Keepers of the
Penitentiary. $3,000 was placed to the credit of the
Superintendents.
January 18th, 1849, the Superintendents exhibited
vouchers for expenditures from August 1st, 1848, to
January 1st, 1849, amounting to the sum of $16,705.81;
of which $15,007.66 was for Aims-House expenses, and
$1,352.46 was for the Penitentiary account.
March 30th, 1849, the Hospital at the Penitentiary
was erected and ready for occupation.
August 7th, 1849, the Superintendents reported that
they were in immediate want of funds, to the amount
of $6,000. On August 27th, James C. Rhodes was ap-
pointed Chairman of the Board of Superintendents of
the Poor. Mr. Rhodes was the first Chairman ap-
pointed by this Board, of which there is record. On
that day, the Sheriff of the County delivered 13 more
prisoners, sentenced to hard labor, from the County
Jail to David Afflick, Keeper of the Penitentiary.
474
HISTORY OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
September 4tli, 1849, we find the Eecord of the
Board of Assistant Keepers of the County Penitentiary
was established.
The question of the salaries of the Board of Superin-
tendents had now become one about which there were
many severe contests in the Board of Supervisors.
Some of the members favored liberal salaries, while
others were in favor of reducing the salaries to the low-
est possible amount.
The question of the great disproportion of Poor ex-
penditures of Williamsburg over that of Brooklyn was
brought before the Board of Supervisors, and a resolu-
tion was adopted stating that the reasons given to
justify the great expenditure in Williamsburg (with a
population of about one-third of that of Brooklyn), are
insufficient, and such excessive expenditure was cen-
sured.
It appeared that the expenditure for the persons
temporarily relieved in Brooklyn during the year end-
ing July 31st, 1849, was $3,447; Williamsburg, $2,480.
On September 24th, 1849, the annual report to the Super-
intendents of the Poor, of the Physicians to the Poor
Establishment, was taken up, by which it appeared that the
whole number of persons relieved and supported during the
year ending July 31st, 1849, were 8,671; the number of per-
sons who were temporarily relieved was 5,984. The aggregate
amount of money expended during this year was $50,240.01;
of this $3,471.84 was on account of the Penitentiary, and
$6,534.61 on account of Hospital. Since January 1, 1849, for
the general support of the Poor-House, $33,886.13.
The estimated amount saved in consequence of the labor
of paupers was $3,000. The sum actually expended over and
above the labor and earnings of the paupers, divided by the
average number kept during the year, was $58.88 per year,
or $1.13 per week for keeping each pauper.
The cost of the new Hospital and the land it stands on,
with the brick building, 100 feet by 40, occupied exclusively
as an hospital, was $31,923.
The value of the whole establishment at that time was
$68,935.
The whole niunber of paupers in the establishment on the
1st of August, 1848, was 500. Admitted during the year,
2,035. There were 49 births. There were remaining in the
Poor-House on July 81, 1849, 494. Of this number 269 were
foreigners. There were 368 deaths in the establishment dur-
ing the year.
The Physicians' report to the Poor-House, for the year end-
ing July 31st, 1849, states that 3,712 cases of diseases were
treated, 368 of which proved fatal; 9 of these were caused by
delirium tremens; consumption, 45. The cholera having
broken out on the 1st of July, there were 88 deaths caused
therefrom.
In the Lunatic Asylum, there were, on the 31st of July,
1849, 81 patients; 53 were admitted after that date, mak-
ing 134 the whole number admitted, of whom 17 had died,
38 discharged, and at the date of report there were 77 remain-
ing.
Mr. Rhodes presented a communication relative to
the amount of room in the Lunatic Asylum. This
report did great credit to the Board of Superintendents,
which then consisted of William Rushmore and James
C, Rhodes, of Brooklyn; Henry E. Ripley, Williams-
burg ; Stephen K Stillwell, Gravesend and iVew
Utrecht, and John L. Ryder, Flathush and Flatlands.
On October 2d, 1849, the sum of $2,500 was appro-
priated by the Supervisors, to be placed to the credit
of the Superintendents for the erection of an additional
building on the County Poor-House Farm, for the ac-
commodation of children of the Poor-House; and an
order was made for the immediate erection of said
building.
October 31st, 1849, $1,000 was placed to the credit
of the Superintendents. A plan was submitted and ac-
cepted for the new Nursery Building, separate from
the Poor-House; and also a place for a new Peniten-
tiary Building.
By an Act of the Legislature, passed April, 1849, the
Treasurer of the County was authorized to borrow on
the credit of the County the sum of $10,000 for the
erection of nursery buildings on the Aims-House Farm
and for a wing to the County Jail.
On the 20th of N"ovember, 1849, the site for the new
nursery building was located at the east of new Hospi-
tal, and within the same enclosure.
At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, on the
9th of January, 1850, Samuel E. Van Derveer, who had
been elected a Superintendent of the Poor, took the
oath of office.
By a resolution of the Superintendents, January 19th,
1850, all the able-bodied male convicts in the Peniten-
tiary were directed to be employed, when the weather
permitted, in digging out, breaking and preparing
stone on the penitentiary grounds for the foundation
of the Nursery building to be erected on the Aims-
House ground.
February 13th, a Surveyor was employed to stake
out the grounds for a New Penitentiary.
On June 7th, 1850, the plans for the enlargement of
the Lunatic Asylum were presented, in obedience to an
order made in March of that year.
On June 18th, 1850, the Poor-Souse on the County
Farm was destroyed by fire. This fire was a very
serious and alarming one; and, at one time, the loss of
many lives seemed inevitable, and the destruction of
the other buildings imminent ; but, through the
bravery and alacrity of the firemen of Flatbush, this
great disaster was averted, and was confined to the loss
of the Aims-House alone. The gallant conduct of the
firemen was duly and publicly acknowledged by the
Board of Supervisors and Superintendents of the
County.
On June 24, measures were taken to rebuild the Aims-
House, and at the next meeting plans were given for
the new Aims-House. The Building Committee for
the new Aims-House was composed of Messrs. Sloan,
Voorhees, Waterman and Berry, who closed a contract
for the erection of a new building on July 23, 1850.
On August 16th, 1850, David Afflick, keeper of the
Penitentiary, having been superseded by James
STTPERmTE]SrDENTS OP TBE POOR.
476
Edwards, -was subsequently found to have been guilty
of malfeasance in his official duties, and was prosecuted
crimitially therefor.
The County Treasurer was directed on the 28th of
August to take the sum of $10,005 and credit the same
to the Superintendents of the Poor, towards defraying
the expenses of erecting a new Aims-House. Plans
were also submitted for the new Penitentiary on this
day.
The Annual report of the Superintendents of the Poor show
that, after the burning of the principal building of the Aims-
House, it became necessary to furnish immediate accommo-
dations for the paupers, and that they caused temporary
buildings to he erected for the purpose. As there was a
large quantity of bedding, furniture and other property
consumed, which they were obliged to imn;ediately replace,
they had incurred an expense of $2,000. The Superin-
tendents also recommended an addition to the Hospital, and
that it should be built at once. The report further shows
that the number of persons relieved and supported during
the year ending July 31st, 1850, was 7,963. The number of
persons who were temporarily relieved was 5,140. The
aggregate amount of money expended during the year was
$57,687.33. Among the items making up this expense was:
for physicians and medicine, $2,358.43; keeper and nurses,
13,446.63.
There was received into the Poor Fund $11,776.68 from the
Commissioners of Emigrants; forlSoardof lunatics, 2,150.68;
from putative fathers of illegitimate children, $444; for pro-
duce sold, $545.23; from the County Treasury, $34,000; from
the pockets of deceased paupers, $13.19. Balance on hand
August 1, 1849, $1,023.34.
The report also shows that a building designed as a nursery
for the children is in process of erection. The number of
paupers in the Poor-House on the 1st day of August, ] 849,
was 494; admitted during the year, 2,271; born in the Poor-
House, 58; discharged during the year, 1,933; ran away, 21;
died, 237. There were in the Poor-House on the 1st of
August, 1850, 582. The produce raised on the farm during
the year exceeded that of any previous year. The school for
the children was reported to be in a most flourishing condi-
tion. The estimate of the amount of money necessary for
the support of the poor, including every item for the year
ending July 31st, 1851, was $66,658.80. There was due from
the Commissioners of Emigration for the months of June and
July, $1,500.
For some cause the report of the Physicians to the Hospi-
tal and Lunatic Aylum does not accompany the report of
the Superintendents. Such a report is, however, alluded to
in these words: "The report of the Resident Physicians of
the Hospital and Asylum calls for the most serious consider-
ation."
On October 30, 1850, the Treasurer of the county was
directed to place to the credit of the Superintendents
of the Poor, the sum of $2,000. On the same day, the
new Nursery building for children was reported to be
so far completed that a portion of it was ready to be
occupied.
Nov. 28th, the Treasurer was directed to place
13,000 to the credit of the Superintendents.
On the 26th of December, the Treasurer of the county
was directed to place $5,000 to the credit of the Super-
intendents. At this time Dr. T. A. Wade proposed to
treat all the prisoners in the County Penitentiary and
furnish the necessary medicine for $12 per month,
which proposition was accepted. Jeremiah E. Lott,
who had been elected one of the Superintendents for
the ensuing year, took the oath of office.
The selection for a site for the new Lunatic Asylum
having caused much discussion, the question was finally
settled on the 27th of December, 1850, by locating the
asylum on the county farm. Plans for the asylum,
made after the Asylum at- Trenton, N. J., were favor-
ably received, and contracts made for the erection of
the same, to commence early in the spring.
May 2d, 1852, James Edwards was removed from the
office of Keeper at the King's County Penitentiary, and
Samuel S. Myers appointed in his place.
May 29, the construction of the new Aims-House
was reported rapidly progressing.
August 5th, 1851, the annual report of the Superin-
tendents, and also the report of the Physicians of the
Poor Establishment, were submitted, and laid over for
a future meeting; but it does not appear from the
minutes that they were ever taken up again.
On September 3, 1851, $2,500 was appropriated for
the erection of a dwelling-house for the Assistant-
Physician, on the lot south of the Asylum; and a peti-
tion from many citizens for the erection of a house
of worship for the Poor, on the Aims-House Farm,
was received and favorably considered. A resolution
was also passed ordering the building, on the County
Farm, of a cottage-house and engine and wash-house,
with steam engine and washing apparatus.
The question of the enlargement of the present
Lunatic Asylum, or the building of a new one, began
to engross the attention of the Boards of Superin-
tendents and Supervisors early in the autumn of 1851,
and gradually became an all-absorbing question.
About the first of October the project of erecting a
Lunatic Asylum upon Long Island was inaugurated,
and efforts were made to interest the Supervisors of
Queens, Suffolk and Richmond counties. It was also
proposed, and steps were taken in the direction of ad-
ding 100 feet in length to the Asylum building, and for
a time this project promised to be carried forward.
October 1st, 1851, an addition of 100 feet in length
was ordered to be made to the Asylum building; but
this action of the Board was subsequently rescinded.
November 15th a loan of $50,000 for erecting a new
Penitentiary and new Lunatic Asylum, under an Act
of the Legislature passed July 1st, 1851, was made;
but the resolution was soon after rescinded, and the
plan of enlarging the present Lunatic Asylum was
again revived.
February 26th, 1852, Henry E. Ripley became a
member of the Board of Superintendents for the ensuing
year.
Several efforts were made by the Supervisors to
purchase a site for the new Lunatic Asylum. Various
476
SISTOBT OF KIITGS COUNTY.
other sites were even selected; plans and specifica-
tions presented witii directions to proceed with the
building; but all proved abortive. The matter con-
tinued to occupy the Board for the remainder of the
current year; and, to add to the embarrassment, the
proposition to build a large addition to the County
Hospital was made in May, 1852, and vigorously
urged. Early in June, the same year, the salary of T.
A. Wade, Physician to the Penitentiary, was fixed at
the sum of $250 per annum.
About the first of July arrangements were made
and nearly completed for the purchase of the farm of
Mrs. Margaret Crooke, in Flatlands, for the use of the
County and for the site of the new Lunatic Asylum.
But the citizens of that town remonstrated so strongly
against having the Lunatic Asylum in their midst that
this project was abandoned.
August 34th, 1852, the annual reports of the Superin-
tendents of the Poor Establishment gave, as expended
for the Aims-House, Hospital and other establishments,
1113,208. The number of lunatic (paid) boarders in the
Asylum on the first of August, 1853, was 23. The weekly
cost of boarding a person at the Lunatic Asylum was $2.03.
The whole amount of Lunatics at the Asylum August 1st,
1853, 158. The actual cost for supporting the poor for the
year ending July Slst, 1852, was $104,525.59. The Superin-
tendents' report for this year is very imperfect, and the Phy-
sician's report is entirely wanting.
August Slst, 1852, the Treasurer of the County was
directed to place the sum of $30,000 to the credit of
the Superintendents, to be disbursed in the Poor Estab-
lishment.
On the 26th of September, 1852, the long mooted
and troublesome matter of selecting a site for the new
Lunatic Asylum was finally settled, by locating it
upon the County Farm; and the Asylum Committee
was directed to proceed at once with its erection. So
great was the joy of the majority of the Supervisors
over this settlement of the long-vexed question, that it
was ordered that the resolutions by which the same was
settled " be elegantly engraved, placed in gilt frames,
and hung up in conspicuous places in the several public
poor institutions in the county, for the benefit of pos-
terity."
December 11, 1852, Joel Skidmore was elected as
Superintendent for the ensuing year.
March 1st, 1853, the County Treasurer was directed
to place the sum of $4,000 to the credit of the Super-
intendents of the Poor, to be expended for the main-
tenance of prisoners in the County Penitentiary.
July 8th, 1853, the County Treasurer was directed,
under the provisions of an Act passed April 15th, 1853,
to borrow on the credit of the county the sum of
$50,000, payable in three instalments, with interest,
the same to be applied to the completion of the
Lunatic Asylum; and, also, to borrow on the credit of
the county the sum of $10,000, to be applied in com-
pletion of the County Hospital at Flatbush.
August 1st, 1853, the death of Dr. Btjllock, physi-
cian to the Lunatic Asylum, and who had fallen a victim
to the typhus fever, taken in the discharge of his
duties, was announced, and resolutions passed express-
ive of the high esteem in which he was held.
The annual reports of the Superintendents and
Physicians of the Poor Establishment were presented
at this meeting. They are not now extant.
From the accounts, however, which appears in the
records of the Supervisors, under date of September
9th, 1853, we find that the sum estimated as necessary
for the support of the poor for the year ending July
31st, 1854, was $162,490.82.
November 14, the Treasurer was directed to bor-
row, on the credit of the county, the sum of $10,000,
to be expended in the completion of the County Peni-
tentiary.
On the 8th of December, 1853, Samuel Hubbard and
H. E. Ripley took the usual oath of office as Superin-
tendents of the Poor. On the same day the Super-
visors of the County and the Superintendents of the
Poor gave notice and certified that the penitentiary in
the County of Kings was ready for the confinement
of prisoners therein, and that it was the duty of all
magistrates and courts therein to sentence all persons
who, on conviction, were liable to imprisonment for not
less than thirty days, to confinement in said Peniten-
tiary instead of the County Jail.
A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THE KINGS COUNTY
PENITENTIARY, 1884.
The sums of $7,000 was fixed as the penalty of
the bonds of the respective Superintendents of the
Poor.
The sums of $2,500, for the erection of a wash-house
for the County Poor Establishment; $3,500 for heat-
ing apparatus in the Aims-House and Nursery build-
ings were appropriated January 19, 1854; the sum of
$20,000 was placed to the credit of the Superintendents
for the support of the poor. On the 26th of January
the County Treasurer was directed to place the sum
of $89,690.80 to the credit of the Superintendents of
SUPEBIITTENBEI^TS OF THE POOR.
411
Poor, to be disbursed by them in the discharge of their
official duties.
It having been made known to the Board of Super-
intendents that a bill was pending before the Legisla-
ture directing that the bodies of persons who may-
die in poor-houses and certain other institutions
shall be delivered to medical schools for the purpose
of dissection, ai resolution was offered before the
Superintendents, and also before the Board of Super-
visors, denouncing the said bill as a monstrous out-
rage upon the sensibilities and social relations of the
poor, the unfortunate and the afflicted; and as morally
injurious, destroying all distinction between poverty
and crime, and calculated to arouse the indignation of
On the 11th of May an itemized account of the
expenses incurred in the construction of the Lunatic
Asylum was presented, which aggregated the amount
of $100,000; against which there was, on the 11th of
May, a credit of $100,000.
Great dissatisfaction was felt throughout the county
at the unfinished condition in which a costly edifice
like the Lunatic Asylum was permitted to remain, sub-
jecting the suffering inmates of the other buildings to
the horrors of their situation, and the speedy comple-
tion of the building was urgently requested.
Escapes of prisoners from the Penitentiary had
become very frequent of late, and on July 13th, in con-
formity with a resolution of the Board, the Keeper
ALMS-HOUSE.
the friends of the large class subjected to its barbar-
ous provisions.
After much discussion this resolution was adopted
by both boards; and the Members of Assembly from
Kings county were instructed to use their utmost ex-
ertions to defeat both bills.
March 2d, 1854, the Superintendents informed the
Supervisors of the want of sufficient accommodations
tor the greatly increasing number of small-pox patients,
and recommending the erection of a building for that
purpose, calUng their immediate attention to it. It
was estimated that the heating apparatus and plumb-
ing work on the new Lunatic Asylum cost $40,000.
March 23, 1854, the Committees on County Peni-
tentiary and on Alms- House were directed to use all
possible efforts to bring the same to a speedy comple-
tion.
of the Penitentiai-y and Work-House reported
the number of persons who had escaped from
the Penitentiary from June 10th, 1853, to July 27th,
1854, as fourteen in all, four only of whom were
retaken.
July 27th, 1854, the attention of the Board was
again called to the necessity of additional accommo-
dations for small-pox patients on the County Farm;
whereupon a plan was presented for the erection of a
small-pox hos^ntal, 65x36 feet, two stories in height,
which would accommodate about thirty patients; the
estimated cost of such building to be about $10,000,
and the Aims-House Committee was instructed to pro-
ceed immediately with its erection, at the expense of
$10,000.
August 29th the annual report of the Superin-
tendents for the year ending July 31st, 1854, was pre-
478
SISTOR T . OF KIJSTGS C 0 UJSTTT.
sented, and on September Sth was taken up and
considered. It was ordered, that the report be
printed, but, like several of its predecessors, it cannot
be found. The Supervisors, however, in passing upon
it, pay Mr. Stillwell, the clerk of the Superintendents,
a handsome compliment for the manner in which it
was gotten up.
The Supervisors, also, in their review of the report,
state that the Poor institutions at Flatbush do credit
to the Board of Superintendents, and Mr. S. S.
Myers, the keeper; Dr. Turner of the Hospital, and
Dr. Blanchard of the Lunatic Asylum, are especially
commended.
October 3d, 1854, $20,000 was placed to the credit
of the Superintendents, to meet the current expenses
of the Aims-House. The new Penitentiary funds
were reported to be exhausted, and the County
Treasurer was unable to dispose of the County bonds
in suflBcient amounts to meet the demands thereon;
whereupon it was ordered that all work on the erection
of the new Penitentiary be immediately suspended.
Suitable rooms were ordered to be finished in the
basement for the resident physician.
November 1st $20,000 was placed to the credit of
the Superintendents of the Poor, to meet the Aims-
House expenses.
Under an Act passed by the Legislature March 19th,
1852, and another Act passed March 2d, 1854, the
Board directed the Treasurer to borrow money on
Penitentiary loans to the amount of $100,000, if re-
quired.
As late as November 29th, 1854, the new Lunatic
Asylum, although partially occupied, was still unfin-
ished, requiring, at least, the sum of $30,000 to complete
it. Work was still suspended on the Penitentiary— a
matter which was greatly deplored — and, at the above
date, the County Treasurer was directed to borrow, on
the credit of the county, sufficient funds for the esti-
mated expenses of completing the Penitentiary.
December 26th it was ordered that a suitable en-
gineer and a competent architect be employed to
superintend the construction of a tower eighty feet
high on the Lunatic Asylum, for supporting a reser-
voir to supply the county buildings with water, thereby
saving the expense of putting in and running a new
engine, etc. The sum of $20,000 was also placed to
the credit of the Superintendents, to be expended in
support of the Aims-House department. On the 30th
of December the proposed tower on the Lunatic Asy-
lum was decided to be insufficient for a supply of
water, and all operations in regard to water were sus-
pended until a permanent supply of water should be
secured for the city of Brooklyn. Such had been the
delay and vacillation touching the public buildings on
the Poor-House farm, that the Committee on Lunatic
Asylum, in their report of December 29th, 1854,
said:
" Your committee cannot refrain from remarking upon
the inadequacy of the system under which the work is now
prosecuted. One Board of Supervisors will adopt plans-
another Board, composed of different members, may undo
the work of the first. The first may contract to build under
their plans; a third Board, composed of yet different mem-
bers, may see the edifice nearly completed under the con-
tracts and plans of their predecessors; while a fourth and
entirely new Board may complete the work and make a
final settlement with the contractors, to the great detriment
of all interests. Moreover, when a new building is finished
it is turned over to an entirely new Board, to be at once
made the subject of alterations and repairs. The result of
such a system has been, and is exhibited at the County Farm,
in a series of buildings of extravagant cost, but pai-tially sup-
plied with water, and, in some instances, with air; inade-
quately protected from fire, and in many other respects in-
convenient. The Committee, therefore, recommend that the
buildings should be subject to less frequent changes in the
management and in the plans, specifications and contracts
under which they are erected, or are to be erected."
This report serves to explain the somewhat confused
history of those public buildings which we have been
obliged to give.
January 9th, 1855, the Superintendents and Super-
visors each appointed special committees to report
some plan for ridding the streets of the great number
of vagrant boys which infest them.
January 16th the Board of Supervisors, acting
under the report to which we have referred, touching
the erection of county buildings, took prompt and
business-like action in regard to the matter.
January 30th, $20,000 was placed to the credit of
the Superintendents of the Poor, to be disbursed for
the benefit of the poor establishment of the county.
On the same day the Supervisors recommended the
appointment of a committee to confer with the Super-
intendents on the subject of teaching the children of
the Poor-House on the Sabbath; and recommending
that the old nurses be discharged, and that none but
native-born Americans be appointed in their place;
and that those so appointed have an advance of wages.
This occasioned an exciting contest. It was proposed
to amend the resolution by striking out the word
Americans and inserting the words competent teachers.
An amendment to this amendment was proposed, to
add before the word " Americans " the word "Protes-
tant," which motion was carried by a vote of 11 ayes
to 10 nays.
On the 30th of January it was decided to apply
to the Legislature for the enactment of a law
authorizing the Supervisors to create a loan sufficient
in amount to complete the Lunatic Asylum on the
County Farm. The further sum of $20,000 was placed
to the credit of the Superintendents on the 20th of
February, 1855, to be used by them for the Poor Estab-
lishment of the county.
March 20th, $11,000 was placed to the credit of the
Superintendents for poor relief and poor account;
SUPERINTEWDEN'TS OF THE POOR.
479
and $5,000 on account of the Penitentiary. William
Rushmore and James C. Rhodes took the oath of office
as Superintendents of the Poor.
April 2d, a recently passed act of the Legislature,
authorizing the Supervisors to create a loan for the
completion of the Lunatic Asylum on the County Farm,
was presented and action taken under it. A report was
presented on the 18th of April, showing that the
amount levied hy tax and collected was $187,041.80.
Of this amount $130,000 had heen disbursed, leaving
$67,041.80 unappropriated.
There had been levied and collected for the support
of the Penitentiary $17,000. Notwithstanding this,
on the same day the sum of $20,000 was ordered to
be placed to the credit of the Superintendents, to be
used by them in their official character.
Upon representation of the insufficient accommoda-
tions at the Nursery, a sewer, 1,100 feet in length, was
proposed to be constructed, leading from the same;
and an additional building, 52x36 feet, two stories
high, to be erected for a hospital for the Nursery, one
of the old Lunatic Asylum buildings to be used as a
hospital for the children in the Nursery until the com-
pletion of said new wing; all of which was favorably
considered by some of the members, while others in-
sisted that no new constructions be commenced or pro-
vided for until those in process of erection were com-
pleted; hut a majority were in favor of erecting a new
Nursery Hospital.
Previous to May 3d, 1855, it was the custom at the
county Poor-House, on two days, at least of the week,
to set what is called a "public table," furnished with
lunch, liquors and cigars for officials visiting the estab-
lishment on those days, all at the expense of the county.
On that day, at a meeting of the Supervisors,
Supervisor Caldwell created much excitement by
presenting, by permission, a copy of the Brooklyn
Morning Journal, of that date, containing an article
headed, " Fashionable Paupers at the County
PooE-HousE !" which was read by the clerk, and on
motion, was referred to the Superintendents of the
Poor, recommending to them hereafter to dispense
with dinners and other refreshments; except to distin-
guished strangers and to invited guests. It was sug-
gested that the number of distinguished strangers and
imited guests were rapidly increasing under the gener-
ous treatment they received at the Poor-House; which
to them was anything but a Poor-Souse. The intro-
duction of this question led to one of the most ani-
mated discussions that took place before the board
during that year. Motions to lay the whole subject on
the table, motions of amendment, and dilatory motions
were made.
Supervisor Bergen offered the resolution recom-
menduig "the Superintendents hereafter to discon-
tinue the setting out a public table, and furnishing
liquors or cigars on any day or days."
Supervisor Fenton moved to amend by striking out
all after the words, "public table," which was decided
in the negative by a vote of 11 to 11. The original
resolution was then adopted by a vote of 11 to 10. A
motion was then made for a reconsideration of the
last vote, which motion was carried in the affirmative
by a vote of 12 to 10. A motion was then made that
the Board adjourn, which was lost. Mr. Bergen now
asked permission to amend his resolution; to add at
the close thereof the words, "to the public.'" Mr.
Lindsey moved that the whole subject be indefinitely
postponed, which motion was lost by a tie vote.
Mr. Caldwell then moved the previous question
— the question then being presented in this form:
" Shall the main question now be put ?" which was de-
cided in the affirmative. And the question being
taken on the resolution as amended, it was decided in
the affirmative by a vote of 15 to 7. So that, so far as
the Supervisors were concerned, the public table, with
its refreshments, liquors and cigars, at the County
Poor-House was discountenanced; and the Board of
Superintendents subsequently coincided with the ma-
jority of the Supervisors. "We give rather a full
account of this contest, for reasons which will be very
apparent to the reader.
The plan for a hospital to the Nursery continued to
increase in popularity until the measure was adopted.
The plan for using the old Hospital for the sick child-
ren of the Nursery met with decisive opposition from
both Boards.
Under an Act of the Legislature passed March 27th,
1855, authorizing the Board to create a loan to com-
plete the Lunatic Asylum on the County Farm, the
County Treasurer was directed to borrow on the credit
of the County the sum of $35,000 in installments, pay-
able as follows: $5,000 in 1857; $7,000 in 1858; $8,000
in 1859; $10,000 in 1860; $5,000 in 1861— the bond to
be signed by the County Treasurer, countersigned by
the County Clerk, the seal of the County affixed to
the same, numbered and recorded in the. Book of
County Bonds as required by section 5, chapter 36 of
the laws of 1854.
A resolution was passed at this time directing that
the erection of the female wing of the new Peniten-
tiary be continued with all possible speed.
June 6th a resolution was adopted that all magis-
trates throughout the County be requested to commit
all adult vagrants to the Penitentiary, that they might
be put to hard labor.
On June 12th the salary of the Superintendents of
the Poor was fixed at $1,000 each; with $200 addi-
tional to the Superintendent acting as Treasurer of
the Board. On June 27th the annual appropriation
for the fiscal year for the support of the poor having
been exhausted, and the Superintendents being in debt
$25,000, the necessary measures were taken for their
relief until the next fiscal year.
480
HISTORY OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
On the 25th of July, 1855, the Lunatic Asylum was
reported as completed according to contract; where-
upon the following very imp^ortant resolution was
adopted:
Resolved, That the Board of Supervisors do now transfer
into the hands of the Superintendents of the Poor the build-
ing known as the County Lunatic Asylum.-
August 7th, 1855, the annual report of the Superin-
tendents of the Poor and that of the Physicians to
the Aims-House and Lunatic Asylum were submitted,
by which it appears that the Nursery building was, at
the date of the report, so far completed as to be occu-
pied by 340 children — too large a number to subsist in
a healthy state in one edifice. That, though when
completed it would afford additional space, it was cer-
tain that that would be immediately filled to an extent
which would be uncomfortable to its inmates.
Also, that the new Lunatic Asylum would be completed
about the first of September; that the school in the Aims-
House was admirably managed by Mrs. Saltzman and Miss
Brown; and that in religious insti-uction all the inmates of
the poor establishment have had the assiduous attention of
the Rev. Mr. Cai-ter, aided by other clergymen. The produc-
tions of the farm were very large, and were profitably dis-
posed of.
The whole number of paupers supported and relieved dur-
ing the year ending July 31st, 1855, was 26,581. The number
of such persons temporarily relieved was: In BrooMyn
(Western District) 10,670; (Eastern District) 7,904; in Flat-
bush, Flatlands and New Lots, 275; Gravesend and New
Utrecht, 48; total, 18,897; the cost of which was $225,217.86.
Received for the benefit of the Poor establishment, from all
sources, during the year, |}27,390.36. The estimated value
of the profit on the labor of the isaupers was $1,500. Of the
amount expended for the support of the poor, $67,750.51 was
expended for the support of the patients in the hospital and
small-pox house, averaging $143.85 per annum, or $2.75 per
week for the actual cost of each patient.
And the amount applicable to the support of the poor, di-
vided by the average number of paupers kept in the Alms-
House, Lunatic Asylum and Nursery buildings, gives $73.72
per annum, or $1.40 per week as the actual cost of each pau-
per.
The estimated value of the whole Poor Establishment on
the 31st of July, 1854, was $408,000; the nun[iber of persons
in the Aims-House, Hospital, Nui-sery and Asylum on that
day was 1,156; admitted during the year ending July 31,
1855, 6,376; there were born in the Poor-House, 152; dis-
charged during the year, 5,654; absconded, 41; died, 420;
bound out, 5; out on trial, 31; leaving in the Poor-House on
the 31st of July, 1855, 1,533; 921 of whom were foreigners,
and 185 lunatics.
The estimated expenses for the Poor Establishment for the
year to end July 31st, 1856, was $302,196.20. The estimated
amount necessary tor the support of the Penitentiary for the
ensuing year was $16,000. The number of prisoners in the
Penitentiary on July 11, 1855, was 185.
On September 5th, 1855, $25,000 was placed to the
credit of the Superintendents, to be expended in the
support of the Aims-House. On that same day there
were in the Penitentiary 165 prisoners.
On the 3d of October, 1855, the Committee of Super-
visors made a report which created great sensation in
the County, inasmuch as it strongly condemned some
of the management of the Superintendents of the
Poor, touching the Poor Establishment of the County.
The Superintendents in their reply alleged that as
they derived their office from the Legislature of the
State, and their election direct from the people thev
did not regard themselves as amenable to the Board
of Supervisors; and that the Legislature, in requiring
them to submit to that Board their annual reports and
accounts, only intended to give the Board of Super-
visors an advisory power. But the Supervisors insisted
that the following language of the statute: "It shall
be the duty of the Supervisors to examine the accounts
of the Superintendents of the Poor and audit the
same," made it the duty of the Supervisors to exert a
supervisory power over the Superintendents. Accord-
ingly the report to which we have alluded, which was
very lengthy, was submitted to the Board of Super-
visors, and adopted by that body and duly reported.
The report charged the Superintendents, among other
things, with extravagance in purchasing supplies for
the Poor-House. That the purchases included a pro-
fusion of articles which properly belonged to the class
of luxuries; alleging that the people never intended
that thp poor supported at their expense should share
in luxuries of which they (the tax-payers) were not
able to partake.
In evidence of the prodigality of the Superintendents
in furnishing supplies, the Committee allege that more
was actually paid for supplies purchased at wholesale
than the same articles would cost at retail. That
1,600 gallons of wine and brandy were purchased dur-
ing the year, at a cost of $5,000, giving about four
gallons each to the average yearly inmates of the Poor-
House. 18,000 pounds of tea was furnished for the
County buildings during that time — about nine tons—
at an average cost of from 43 cents to 45 cents per
pound, wholesale; 56,083 pounds of butter, or 28 tons,
at an average wholesale cost of 24| cents per pound,
consumed in the year; 119,245 pounds, or 60 tons, of
sugar, at an average wholesale cost of 7^ cents per
pound, etc., etc. The article chiefly furnished was an
ordinary brown Havana sugar, for which the New
York prices ranged from 5 to 5| cents per pound.
The committee concluded their report thus:
" This great abuse of office by the Superintendents in their
office demands from the Board of Supervisors of Kings
County merited censure; and we submit it to the Board to
judge whether this great looseness in conducting the County
business is not very near the perpetration of fraud upon the
county. Your committee do not charge fraud upon any one,
but leave the Board and the pubUc to judge of the statement
of facts as they appear from our examination."
The report was adopted by the Board of Supervisors,
who, in ten separate resolutions, admonished the Super-
SUPJERIN'TENDJEN'TS OF THE POOR.
481
intendents of the Poor touching their manner* of
purchasing supplies for the poor ; recommending,
also "the appointment of a competent person as a
store-keeper to receive and distribute supplies " for the
county poor. They also invited a public competition
in furnishing county supplies ; refused to audit all
bills for tea which did not furnish the particular cargo
and chop ; required the Superintendents to explain to
the Board the discrepancy in the purchase and actual
use at the Hospital of tea, sugar, butter and rice ; re-
fused to allow the charge of |34.45 for daily papers
for the use of the officers of the establishment ; or to
approve the account as rendered by the Superintend-
ents until they satisfactorily settle all errors in tares
and weights. They also directed the Superintendents
to furnish to the poor under their charge plain, sub-
stantial and wholesome food, and no goods of such an
average high grade as the expenses for the past year
indicated.
They required them to report to this Board monthly
(under oath) as to their purchases, expenditures and
proceedings; and appointed a committee to present to
the Board, as early as possible, a plan for an entire
and permanent reformation in the expenditures for
the poor of Kings county. Supervisors Caldwell, Ber-
gen and Rowe constituted this committee.
One thousand copies of this report were ordered to
be published, together with the annual report of the
said Superintendents.
This was the result of the action of the Board of
Supervisors in regard to the Board of Superintendents
of the Poor. No vote of censure was passed by the
former Board, nor was there any belief that the Super-
intendents were guilty of any fraud. It was conceded
that they only carried out a practice which had
obtained in the County Poor Establishment for many
years. The Superintendents afterwards, on October
10th, submitted a very able answer in explanation of
their course, which was presented at a joint meeting
of the two Boards, at which time all errors were sub-
stantially rectified.
On November 21st, 1855, $25,000 was placed to the
credit of the Superintendents of the Poor for the
benefit of the Poor Establishment of the county.
December 12th, 1855, $25,000 for the Aims-House
account and $6,000 for the Penitentiary account were
placed to. the credit of the Superintendents.
The committee heretofore appointed on the subject
of reformatory measures in the expenditures of the
poor, reported the draft of an act to be submitted to
the Legislature for enactment at the coming session,
which effected radical changes in the management of
the Poor Establishment of the county. We shall refer
to this act hereafter.
On the 10th of January, 1856, $25,000 was appro-
priated to the Superintendents for Aims-House
purposes. This appropriation, however, was not made
without strong opposition, inasmuch as the Superin-
tendents had failed to make the report called for by
the resolution of the Supervisors.
By the annual report of the Keeper of the Penitentiary,
January lOfch, 1856, it appeared that there had been, during
the year 1855, 1,054 prisoners committed to the Penitentiary,
of which 417 were committed for habitual drunkenness ; 101
for being drunk and disorderly.
February 5th, $15,000 was appropriated to the
Superintendents for Aims-House account, and $7,000
for account of temporary relief. The new Peniten-
tiary was reported to be " in a state of forwardness,"
indicating completion as early as August next. The
money expended on this building down to date
amounted to $24,990, and it was decided to borrow
$50,000 for the purpose of completing the same.
James Voorhees, elected at the general election in
November as Superintendent of the Poor, took the oath
of office on December 2Vth, 1855.
By an order of the Superintendents of the Poor, the
prisoners in the Penitentiary were directed to be em-
ployed, in bad weather, in breaking stones for macadam-
izing the roads.
On March 14th, 1856, $20,000 was placed to the
credit of the Superintendents of the Poor for the bene-
fit of the Aims-House.
On April 9th, 1856, $20,000 was deposited to the
credit of the Superintendents for Aims-House support,
and $5,000 on account of temporary relief.
The 30th of April a report was presented, showing
that the amount levied in the taxes for the support of
the poor for the fiscal year was $206,108.10 ; for de-
ficiency in the previous year, $25,000 ; Penitentiary
account, $17,000. Total, $248,108.10.
On June 11th, $25,000 was appropriated to the Super-
intendents of the Poor on Aims-House account, and
$9,113 for Penitentiary account.
At the annual meeting of the Supervisors, August
5th, 1856, the Superintendents of the Poor presented
their annual report (by far the ablest, most interesting .
and satisfactory of any of its predecessors), accom-
panied by that of Dr. Thomas Turner, Resident,
Physician of the Aims-House and Lunatic Asylum.
Report : Number of paupers admitted to the Aims-House
for year ending July 81st, 1856, was 4,477 ; discharged, 4,233 ;
died, 342 ; bound out, 4 ; put out on trial, 96 ; the number
remaining July 31, 1856, 1,347 ; of these were males over six-
teen years old, 383 ; under sixteen, 291 ; females sixteen years
old and over, 541 ; under, 132 ; 495 were natives, 852
foreigners. The number of persons temporarily relieved,
18,625 ; of these 10,603 were from the Western District of
Brooklyn ; 7,599 from the Eastern District ; 351 from Flat-
bush, Flatlands and New Lots ; 72 from Gravesend and New
Utrecht. Beeapitulation : Number remaining in the Aims-
House July 31, 1855, 1,533 ; admitted during the year, 4,477 ;
temporarily relieved during the year, 18,625. Whole number
relieved and supported during the year ending July 31, 185.6,
24,635. Expenditures during the year : Aims-House, $61,602.-
75'; Nurserjr for Children, 41,397,67; Lunatic Asylum, $48,888.-
482
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
11 ; Hospital, $78,320.02. General common account of the
Poor Establishment, |8, 637.43.
Dr. Thomas Turner, Resident Physician of County Hospi-
tal, reports total number treated during the year ending July
3l8t, 1856, to be 3,360, 1,746 males, 1,614 females ; 2,207
recoveries ; 433 improved ; 375 died ; 298 discharged ; remain-
ing July 31, 1866, 372. The daily average of inmates in
Hospital, nearly 453.
Dr. Robert B. Baiseley, Resident Physician of the Lunatic
Asylum, reports 330 patients treated during the above year,
of whom 93 recovered ; 16 improved ; 2 escaped, 16 died.
Dr. Baiseley called attention to tEe crowded state of
the Asylum, it having at that date fifty patients more
than could be properly accommodated. He strongly
recommends the building of another wing for _ the
female patients. He closes his report by regretting
that this is the first satisfactory report he has been
able to make in two years.
On the 19th of ISTovember, $25,000 was placed to the
credit of the Superintendents on the Aims-House
account.
About the 1st of December, 1856, the question of
letting out the labor of the convicts in the Peniten-
tiary to contractors began to be a very important one
■with the Board of Suj^erinten dents.
December 3d, 1856, H. E. Ripley and Charles W.
Church, recently elected Superintendents, took the oath
of office. The bonds of the Superintendents of the
Poor were fixed at the sum of $7,000 each.
December 26th, 1856, $30,000 was appropriated to
the Superintendents for the Aims-House Account.
The manner of purchasing supplies for the support of
the Poor, and the inmates in the other institutions of
the county, had become a matter of great importance
to both Supervisors and Superintendents. Both
Boards frequently met in conference, and various
means were devised to perfect an order of business un-
der this head, but nothing conclusive was effected, as
the various statutes regulating the Poor Laws were
deemed insufficient. At last, on the 27th of Dec, 1856,
the draft of an act regulating the purchase of supplies
for the Poor, containing 11 different sections, was re-
ported to the Board, to be reported to the Legislature
for enactment; and on April 15, 1857, the said proposed
act passed both branches of the Legislature and became
a law, see Chapter 511 of laws, 1857. This is a very
important enactment, in all its bearings upon the County
of Kings.
On Deo. 30, B. K Booth was elected a Superinten-
dent by the Board of Supervisors (they having power
under the statute to fill vacancies by election), in place
of Wm. Rushmore, resigned.
On January 6th, 1857, the Keeper of the Penitentiary and
Work-House reported that the number of prisoners com-
mitted was l,454,viz.: 990 males, 464 females, an increase of
400 over the number, being committed during the preceding
year. 885 of these were committed for drunkenness 38 being
drunk and disorderly.
Ja'nuary 20th, 1857, an interesting report was pre-
sented to the Board, showing ■ conclusively that the
County of Kings contributed larger amounts yearly
for the support of the poor, than any other county in
the State, except, perhaps, the County of New York
Feb. 17th, $35,000 was placed to the credit of the
Superintendents for the Aims-House Account. On the
same day, a committee of conference of the two
Boards met, and considered the question of erecting a
store house on the county farm, uniting in a report rec-
ommending such a building.
March 17th, $25,000 were appropriated to the Ac-
count of the Superintendents for the benefit of the
Aims-House.
A draft of a law for contracting the labor of convicts
in the penitentiary, was submitted and forwarded to
the Legislature for enactment. On the same day,
plans and specifications were submitted for a store
house on the county farm, at a cost of $3,000, and the
committee ordered to proceed immediately with its
erection.
June 2d, 1857, a proposition received from the
Aldermen of Brooklyn for leave to use the old Peni-
tentiary, when vacated, for Truant and Vagrant chil-
dren, was favorably considered, but not definitely acted
upon.
Under the Act of the Legislature passed April 15tb,
1857, entitled " An act relating to the purchase of sup-
plies for the support of the Poor, and other inmates of
the Public institutions of the County of Kings," the
Board of Supervisors, on June 16th, 1857, proceeded to
establish the " Contract System," for furnishing sup-
plies for the said institutions. These resolutions are
in the form of enactments, divided into 19 sections, the
1st section of which provided that, from and after the
1st Tuesday in August, 1857, all supplies for the insti-
tutions aforesaid should annually be purchased by
contract; that ten days notice at least, shall be given
before the 1st Tuesday in August of ^ach and every
year by the Superintendents in the daily papers pub-
lished in the county, specifying the probable amount of
each article, which will be required, the place of de-
livery on the county farm, what articles shall be
delivered separately or included together ; the prob-
able time at which payments were to be made ; the
securities to be given-, etc. ; that sealed proposals were
to be received at the county Treasurer's office.
Section 3d provides that no proposal shall be con-
sidered valid unless made in such forms, and in ac-
cordance with such regulations as the Board of Super-
intendents may adopt.
Section 6 provides that nothing shall be construed as
forbidding the superintendents from purchasing from
some one or more of their body, or by an agent to be
designated by them, in open market, such articles as
may be needed for the support of the poor and the
inmates of the other institutions on the County Farm,
StTJPERIN'TENDEN'TS 01 TSE POOR.
483
whenever necessary, during such period as contractors
may neglect to comply with the provisions of their
contracts. The enactments then proceed to regulate
the prices of articles, and their relations to the markets,
and the quality of the articles, designating what shall
he regarded as necessary and appropriate.
Sections 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, IT, 18 and 19 provide for
the office of Store Keeper and his assistants, and his
and their duties, the manner of their future appoint-
ment, and the amount of security each shall give, &c.
August 25, 1857. The annual report of the County Peni-
tentiary shows that there had been expended for that
institution during the year, commencing August 1st, 1856,
and ending July 31st, 1857, $40,773.39; that the njamber of
prisoners in the Penitentiary, August 1st, 1856, was 93 males,
72 females; total, 164"; the whole number received during the
year ending Jjily 31st, 1857, 675 males, 394 females; total,
1,233; number discharged, 770; deaths, 3; on hand at date
of report, 191. Average number during the year ending
August 1st, 1853, 53i; for the year ending August 1st, 1854,
89; for 1855, 153; for eight months, April 1st, 1856, 166; four
months, August 1st, 1856, 159.
The whole cost for food during the year ending August 1st,
1857, was 16,857.90. Add the estimated number of 8 persons,
oficers of the institution, permitted to use articles of food
fmnished for the prisoners free, to the 184J-, the average num-
ber of prisoners, and it gives 193^ persons provided with food
for one year at the cost of $6,857.90, or of .09^*^ cents per
day.
The report further shows there had been expended for land
in 1846-1847, $9,584,76. The cost of the old Penitentiary
buildings to January 1st, 1851, was $3,704.37. For building
expenses of new Penitentiary, January 1st, 1857, were $190,-
414.55. Deduct cost of land and old buildings, $13,355.38,
leaving disbursed for new buildings $177,059.37.
October 6, 1857. The annual report of the Superintendents
was taken up and considered, which shows that the total
receipts for the benefit of tlie Aims-House, Hospital and
Lunatic Asylum, during the year ending July 3tst, 1857, was
1243,899.40. The total expense, or total aggregate net costs
of supporting the poor, was $233,313.57. This amount, by
certain credits, was reduced to $201,461.86. The number of
persons supported at the public institutions was largely
diminished during the said year by the decreased number of
foreign immigrants; and by the great vigilance exercised
over the applicants for admission. The average number sup-
ported or relieved during the year ending July 31st, 1857, was
1,340; the cost of supporting these persons was, as we have
seen, |201,461.86, which, divided by the average number of
inmates, gives the cost per person per year, $150.34J; per
week, 13.89; being an increase over the previous year for
each inmate, per year, $13. 04 J; per week, 35 cents.
The report also shows a decrease of 403 in the number of
persons supported this year.
November 17th, 1857. Proposals for the erection of
^ dormitory building on the Aims-House Farm were
favorably received and referred to a committee for
action. On the 8th of December plans and specifica-
tions, and estimate of expenses, for the erection of a
;tbee-8tory and cellar hfick building, 124x34 feet, for a
dormitory for the male paupers, was reported favorably;
with recommendations to proceed immediately with
the work.
December 22d, 1857. A draft of an Act providing
for the election of the Superintendents of the Poor hy
Districts was presented and approved, and ordered sent
to the coming session of the Legislature for the enact-
ment of a law to that efEect. December 29th, the official
bonds of B. N. Booth and J. J. White, elected as Super-
intendents of the Poor, were presented. The penalty
in the bonds of the said gentlemen was fixed at $10,000
each, and they took their oath of office.
On April 1st the salaries of B. N. Booth and J. J.
White were fixed at $1,200 per year.
May 19th the sum of $85,000 was appropriated to
the use of the Superintendents of the Poor. June 2d.
A recommendation favorable to the purchase of addi-
tional grounds, and the erection of a Small-Pox Hospital
thereon.
August 3d, 1858, annual report shows the aggregate costs
of tlie poor (including out-door relief) for the year ending
August 1st, 1857, was $333,213.37 ; for the year ending Au-
gust 1st, 1858, $193,079.77— the difference, $41,133.60. The
expense of supporting the poor at tlie Aims-House for the
year ending August 1st, 1857, as per report of that year, was
$301,461.86 ; ditto for the year ending August 1st, 1858,
$158,604.66— difference, $43,857,30. The average number of
inmates for the year ending August 1st, 1857, was 1,340 ; Au-
gust 1st, 1858, 1,495.
The above amouat ($158,604.66) for supporting the poor for
the year ending July 31st, 1858, divided by 1,495, the yearly
average, shows the yearly cost of each person was $106.09 ;
the weekly cost of each person was $3.04— being a decrease
from the previous year for each inmate per year of $44.35 ;
per week, 85 cents.
This report shows that the Poor Establishment was,
on the year ending as above, in a most prosperous
and satisfactory condition, with a few exceptions,
such as the necessity of a Small-Pox Hospital, and a
Dormitory for the male paupers; and for these there
was a good prospect of an early relief. It states that
the gradual increase of patients in the Lunatic Asylum
points to an over-crowded state of that department,
The report was signed by Superintendents James
Voorhees, Henry E. Ripley, B. N. Booth, Charles W,
Church, John J. White.
Edwin R. Chapin, M.D., elected Resident Physician to the
CouDty Hospital, reports as in that institution on the 1st day
of August, 1857, 373 patients -169 males and 304 females.
Admitted during the year, 3,399 1,336 males and 1,073 fe-
males ; recovered, 1,498 ; improved, 440 ; unimproved, 149 ;
died, 357 ; total discharged and died, 2,344 ; remaining July
31st,' 1858, 3371=59 males, 168 females.
The report showed an increase of small-pox in the institu-
tion ; that from August 1st, 1850, to August 1st, 1857, there
had been 365 cases of small-pox, 35 of which were fatal. Of
the diseases in the Hospital for the said year, there were 30
cases of delirium tremens, 3 of them fatal. Number of
patients in the Hospital July 31st, 1858, 368=.108 men, 160
women ; 187 foreigners, 81 natives ; and 57 employees.
The first annual report of the Matron of the Nursery, Mary
Luscomb, was also presented, and is full of interest. It
showed that in her department there were on the 1st of Au-
gust, 1858, 111 boys and 103 girls ; that there had been dur-
484*
niSTORY OF KIN^GS COUNTY.
ing the year ending July 31st, 1858, 575 girls and boys. The
condition of this institution was satisfactory beyond the
most ardent hope of its friends.
The Keeper of the Penitentiary reported the expenses of
the establishment for supplies of all kinds and repairs, ex-
clusive of expenditures for new Penitentiary and salaries, at
$34,896.98. The number of persons in the institution on
August 1st, 1857, 791 ; the number received during the year
ending July 31st, 1858, 1,517, of which 1,008 were miles, 509
females. There were 1,336 discharged during the year, 1
death and 6 escapes.
October Bth, 1858, the main building and wings of
the Penitentiary were reported completed at a total
expense of (including lands) $200,531.53 ; deducting
cost of land and old building, $13,355.28, absolute cost
of new building, $187,175.25. The indebtedness of
the supply account was $1,275.02 ; on the building
account, $499.51 — total floating debt, August 1st,
1858, $1,775.53.
In December, John C. Vanderveer was elected one of
the Superintendents of the Poor.
January 12th, 1859, Hiram Helmes was elected
Keeper of the Penitentiary. On the same day, an act
in relation to the commitment of lunatics and va-
grants, and to provide for the appointment of a person
to take affidavits in certain cases, was presented and
ordered sent to the Legislature for enactment. The
matter of selecting lands to be purchased for Aims-
House purposes, from the Cortelyou estate, was sent to a
committee, with directions to proceed with the purchase.
April 12th, a proposition was made and favorably
reported upon for erecting a temporary building on
the Aims-House Farm, to be used as a Pest Hospital,
at an expense not to exceed $2,000.
On the 13th of April, 1859, James C. Rhodes, late a
Superintendent of the Poor, was charged with collect-
ing monies in his official capacity, which he had not
paid into the county treasury. The report recom-
mended that an action be brought against him to
recover the money in his hands, and that he be re-
moved from office, which report was accepted.
August 2d, 1859, Dr. J. L. Zabriskie was appointed
Physician to the Penitentiary for the ensuing year.
October 5th, 1859, annual report for the year ending July
31st, 1859, gives the total amount drawn by the Superintend-
ents onthe County Treasury for the year ending July 31st,
1858, was $192,079.77 ; for the year ending July 31st, 1859,
$113,942.07 ; showing a decrease of $78,137.70. The average
number of inmates for the year ending July 31st, 1858, was
1,495 ; for the year ending July 31st, 1859, 1,085. Decrease,
410. The cost of each inmate supported during each year
was : for the year 1858, $106.09 per year, $2.04 per week ;
for the year ending July 31st, 1859, $90.43 per year, or $1.74
per week, showing a reduction of supporting each inmate of
$15.66 per year, or 30 cents per week.
The amount expended for temporary relief during the
year ending July 31st, 1858, was $33,260.91 ; for the year
ending July 31, 1859, was $15,821.04. The whole number
temporarily relieved during the year ending July Slst, 1858,
was 32,940 ; for the year ending July 81st, 1859, was 19,972.
Dr. Thomas Turner, Physician of the County Hospital for
the year shows a total under treatment during that vear nf
1,789 ; of these 229 died ; total discharged and died 1 552
remaining July 31st, 1859, 237. Of the 329 deaths' 71 for
nearly one-third) were caused by pulmonary consumption a
disease which has always largely prevailed in the hospital
with unusually fatal results. There were 32 cases of delirium
tremens, 4 of which were fatal.
Edward E. Chapin, M. D, Physician to the Lunatic Asy-
lum, for the year, shows at that date 290 patients and 36 em-
ployes. Of the patients, 122 males and 168 females; whole
number under treatment during the year, 455 ; discharged
recovered,. 86 ; improved, 49 ; unimproved, 10 ; died, 20 ; 213
of these patients were foreigners. The report shows that
although it was found necessary, to occupy the old Asylum,
not only that, but the new one was already too full for com-
fort ; because of the crowded state of both Asylums, it had
been necessary to discharge a large number of the paying
patients to make room for the steadily increasing number of
beneficiaries. The Doctor therefore earnestly urges a larger
extension of the Asylum according to plans which he re-
commends.
The report of the Matron of the Children's Nursery states
that there were in her department on July 31st, 1859, 89 boys
and 77 girls— total, 166. There were also 17 employes. This
report is one of the most satisfactory of any of the reports
presented this year.
December 20th, William Bennet and Henry E.
Ripley, who had been elected Superintendents of the
Poor, took their seats as such.
February 23d, 1860, plans and specifications for the
extension of the Lunatic Asylum were presented.
August 6th, 1861, $15,000 was placed to the credit
of the Superintendents of the Poor.*
August 6th, 1861, annual report, for the year ending July
31st, 1861, shows the total number born and admittedin the
Aims-House 2,896; in the Hospital, 3,232; in the Asylum, 190;
in the Nursery, 558, making a total 5,876. Total number
boarded out, 83 ; the total number temporarily relieved,
21,023 ; the total number relieved and supported wholly or in
part during the year ending July 31st, 1861, 28,082. The
amount of temporary relief granted for the support of the
poor for the year ending July 31st, 1861, was $16,051.69.
Edward R. Chapin, Physician to the Lunatic Asylum for
the year ending July 81st, 1861, reports the number of per-
sons in the Asylum July 31st, 1860, at 190 ; under treatment,
498 ; discharged, 70 ; improved, 41 ; unimproved, 13 ; died,
45 ; whoie number discharged, 168 ; patients remaining in
the Asylum July 3l8t, 1861, 330 ; number of employes, 64 ;
total number of foreigners, 237.
During the last year the Asylum was fully completed
by the addition of the two wings contemplated. As it
is now complete, a brief account of this building seems
proper and necessary. " It stands on a richly culti-
*Prom the time of the organization of the Superintendents of the
Poor in 1827, and the organization of the County Poor Estabilshment,
down to August 5th, 1860, the whole department was In a compara-
tively UDsettled condition; the erection of numerous ediflces, the
changes incident thereto, and to the Institution of new departments,
im provements on the old, etc., rendered the history ot the whole estab-
lishment Interesting, although voluminous. It shows the gradual
growth by which the present admirable Poor Establishment was
reached. After the year 1861 the details will be brief, Incidents less
frequent, and the history will be confined to abstracts from the annual
reports of the various departments.
SUPJERUSfTENPENTS Ot THE POOR.
485«'
ain four miles southeast from the City Hall in
Brooklyn, and one mile east of the Tillage of Flatbush.
The edifice comprises the center building and four
wings, and presents a front oC 450 feet. The wings
are each composed of an extension and transverse por-
tion and transept. The transept is 86 feet deep, and
forms considerable projections in front and rear of the
extensions, which are 38 feet wide. The center build-
ing and the four transepts are five stories; and the
connecting extensions are four stories high, including
the basements. The buildings are constructed of
brick, with brown stone water-tables, window-caps
and sills, and are roofed with tin. A large dome sur-
mounts the center building, and upon each of the four
transepts there is a handsome cupola. A heavy cor-
munificent, enlightened and charitable people have
added to it since that time will be referred to here-
after.
The report of Rachel A. Newton, the new Matron of the
Children's Nursery, for the year ending July 31st, 1861, shows
that the total number remaining at date (July, 1860) was
210— 115 males, 101 females; received up to date of present
report, 558—254 boys, 304 girls. Total remaining at date of
last report, and since received, 774—869 boys, 405 girls ; loft
the nursery, 483 ; died, 65—81 boys, 84 girls ; remaining July
31st, 1861, 226.
Annual report of the Superintendents of the Poor, ending
July 31st, 1862, shows that the number of persons remaining
in the institutions at date of last report (July 3l8t, 1861) was ;
in Alms House, 505; Hospital, 296; Asylum, 336; Nursery,
219—1,356. Total number born and admitted during the year
in the same institutions, 429; total number of foundlings, etc..
LUNATIC ASYLUM.
nice of galvanized iron, ornamented with square dentals
of the same material, painted in imitation of brown
stone, surmounts the entire structure, contributing
much to the architectural effect. The entrance to the
center building is protected and ornamented with an
iron portico. The chapel is 46x24 feet and 25 feet
high, with fixed seats or slips for 140 patients, and also
an elevated gallery containing an organ and seats for
strangers."
The external appearance of this building ip grand
and imposing. Space will not permit us to enter into
any description of its interior ; suffice it to say that in
all respects it compares with the exterior, and in its
arrangement, regulation and detail, reflects the highest
credit upon the County of Kings. We are speaking
0 It, as it was in 1861. The improvements which a
.boarded out, 73 ; total number temporarily relieved, District
No. 1, 10,203 ; soldiers' families, 3,862 ; District No. 2, 6,442 ;
soldiers' families, 3,924 ; District No. 3, 439 ; District No. 4.
111. Total, 24,981. Whole number relieved or supported
wholly or in part during the year ending July 31st, 1862,
30,439. The whole net costs to the Superintendents of the
Poor for supporting the poor of the County for the year end-
ing July 81st, 1802, was $131,078.24.
Dr. Thomas Turner, Physician of the Kings County Hospi-
tal, for the year ending July 31st, 1863, reports remaining in
the Hospital August 1st, 1861, 841 patients. There had been
admitted during the year 1,809—920 males, 881 females.
Total number under treatment, 2,150- malps, 1,092 ; females,
1,058 ; discharged recovered, 1,208 ; improved, 822 ; unim-
proved, 64 ; died, 251—152 males, 99 females ; remaining
July 31st, 1863, 305—140 males, 165 females,
Dr. Edward E. Chapin, Physician to the Lunatic Asylum
for the same year, reports whole number patients in that in-
stitution July 31, 1861, as 330 ; admitted during the year, 204
486»
SI8T0BT OB KINGS COUNTY.
— 91 males, 113 females ; whole number under treatment dur-
ing the year, 534; 238 males, 306 females; recovered, 87 ; im-
proved, 42 ; unimproved, 7 ; died, 82 — 14 males, 18 females ;
whole number discharged, 168 ; remaining July 31st, 1863,
366— males, 143 ; females, 233 ; whole number of employes,
63 ; of the whole number 265 were foreigners.
The contract system, or plan of letting out the labor
of prisoners in the Penitentiary had, at this date, been
in successful operation for several years, and was pro-
ductive of a very remunerative income. For the month
of October, the monies received on account of convict
labor, was $1,307.15 ; the total amount of expenses
incurred during the year was $25,939.74.
The Annual Report of Rachel A. Newton, Matron for the
County Nursery, for the year ending July 31, 1862, shows
that, on the 1st day of August, 1861, there were remaining
223 ; and there have been since admitted 489 ; total remain-
ing and admitted, 712 ; of whom there have left, 405 ; of
whom there have died, 50; total, 455; remaining July 31,
1862, 357..
On February 5, 1863, the salary of James Fitzgerald,
recently elected a Superintendent of the Poor, was
fixed by law at $1,500 per year, and the salaries of the
Superintendents of the 3d and 5th Districts were fixed
at $740.
On the 19th of February, leave was granted the Su-
perintendents to remove the building known as the old
Lunatic Asylum, to the rear of the new Asylum, at an
expense not to exceed $6,500; said amount to include
all expenses for repairs.
On August 4, 1863, Dr. John L. Zabriskie was ap-
pointed Physician to the Penitentiary.
August 5, 1863. Annual Report of the Superintendents
for the year ending July 31, 1863, shows that the whole num-
ber of persons remaining in the institutions on the 1st day
of August, 1862, was : In Aims-House, 351; in Hospital, 255;
in Asylum, 375; in Nursery, 249. Total, 1,230. Total num-
ber admitted into these institutions during the year was
3,679 ; total number of foundlings boarded out, 69 ; total
number temporarily relieved, 16,901; making the whole num-
ber wholly, or in part, supported during the year ending July
31, 1863, 32,879. Total amount disbursed during the year
ending July 31st, 1863, was $158,244.01. Signed,' Ditmas
Jewell, J. C. Day, William E. Muchmore, James Fitzgerald,
William Bennet, Superintendents of the Poor.
Dr. Thomas Turner, Physician to the County Hospital for
the year, reports that there were in the Hospital, August 1,
1863, 305 patients; admitted during the year, 2,023; 985 males,
1,038 females; recovered, 1,094; improved, 297; unimproved,
87 ; died 258 ; 147 males, 101 females ; total discharged and
died, 1,736; remaining, July 31, 1868, 287.
Edward R. Chapiu, M.D., Physician to the Lunatic Asylum,
for the year, reports 366 patients in the Asylum on July 31,
1863 ; males, 144, females, 223 ; admitted during the year,
206 ; 79 males, and 137 females ; whole number under treat-
ment, 573 ; recovered, 76 ; improved, 40 ; unimproved, 11;
died, 49 ; 28 males, 36 females ; whole number discharged,
176; remaining July 31, 1868, 396; 150 males, 346 females; 64
employees.
The Matron to the Kings County Nursery reports for the
year : remaining as per last Annual Report, 333 children, 27
adults ; admitted during the year, 406 children, 59 adults ;
total remaining and admitted, 639 children, 89 adults • of
whom there have left, 394 children, 62 adults ; of whom
there have died, 53 children ; total discharges and deaths
446 children, 63 adults; remaining July 39, 1863, 193 chUdren'
34 adults. '
February 8, 1864. The salaries of John Delaney and Morris
H. Roberts, recently elected for the 1st and 2d Districts were
fixed at $1,500. '
On June 38, 1864, the salary of James Fitzgerald, Superin-
tendent of the Poor for the 3d District, was fixed at the rate
of $3,000 per annum.
Annual Report of the Superintendents for the year ending
July 81, 1864 : Remaining in the Aims-House, on July 31,
1863, 404; Hospital, 387; Nursery, 318; Lunatic Asylum, 460-
total. 1,369; admitted during the year, including all these m-
stitutions, 4,517; discharged and died, 4,290; remaining, July
31, 1864, in Aims-House, 471 ; Hospital, 335; Nursery, 323;
Asylum, 478; total, 1,596. Temporarily relieved, 20,743;
foundlings boarded out, 95 ; institutions, 5,886 ; relieved,
wholly or in part, for the year ending July 31, 1864, 36,724.
Total amount of disbursements for the year, |345,617.54.
Dr. Thomas Turner, resident Physician of County Hos-
pital, for the year ending July 31, 1864, reports as remaining
in the Hospital, August 1, 1863, 387 patients; 114 males, 173
females ; admitted during the year, 3,314 ; 1,068 males, 1,346
females ; whole number under treatment, 3,601 ; recovered,
1,542; improved, 380; unimproved, 58; died, 395; 149 males,
146 females ; total discharged and died, 3,375 ; total remain-
ing, July 31, 1864, 336; 135 males, 191 females.
Dr. Edward R. Chapin, Physician of the Lunatic Asylum
reports : patients in the Asylum, July 31, 1863, 396 ; 151
males, 245 females ; admitted during the year, 209 ; 99
males, 110 females ; whole number under treatment, 605 ;
250 males, 350 females ; recovered, 106; improved, 35; unim-
proved, 12; died, 39; whole number discharged, 191; remain-
ing, July 31, 1867, 414; 168 males, 246 females; 66 employees.
Emily Muckridge, newly appointed Matron of the County
Nursery for the same year, reports : remaining in the Nur-
sery, July 31, 1863, 217 ; 196 children, 24 adults ; admitted
during the year, 587 ; 576 children. It adults ; 767 children,
35 adults ; total, 804 ; of whom there were discharged, 408
children, 6 adults ; total, 414 ; died, 63 children ; discharged
and died, 471 children, 6 adults ; total, 477 ; remainiiig July
30, 1854, 299 children, 39 adults; total, 337.
February 16, 1865. John E. Cammeyer_was elected
one of the Superintendents of the Poor, by the Super-
visors, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of
Superintendent Morris H. Roberts.
Early in March, 1868, an effort was made to remove
the Rev. Mr. McKillup, who had been for some years
Chaplain of the Penitentiary. After a full hearing of
the matter, it was decided that " a change is not de-
sirable or necessary."
The Annual Report of the Superintendents for the
year ending July 31, 1865, begins with a feeling allu-
sion to the death of Dr. Thomas Tuenee, so long
identified with the Poor Establishment of the county,
and, to use the language of the Report, " whose faith-
ful devotion to it cost him his life."
He was widely known, greatly beloved, and deeply
lamented. Dr. Turner's successor was Dr. R. Ceesson
Stiles, a gentleman of high character, thorough medical
education, highly esteemed by his professional brethren,
SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE POOR.
48'7''
and devoted to his profession. Thre department, says
the Report, has been admirably managed by him since
the death of Dr. Turner. The Report also speaks in
highest terms of Dr. Edward R. Chapin, " who mani-
fests a rare combination of qualifications in the con-
tinued success with which the affairs of the institution
have been administered." The Report also announces
a change in the government of the Nursery, in the ap-
pointment of Mr. John Driscoll, " a gentleman of well-
known worth and benevolence," to the control of the
institution, under the title of Keeper ; "his amiable wife
taking the matronly care of the children. A decided
improvement in the management of that charity fully
justifies the new arrangement."
The report further shows that there were remaining in the
institution on the 1st day of August, 1864, 1,586 inmates,
viz,: Aims-House, 474; Hospital, 326; Nursery, 304; Asylum,
483; Total, 1,586.
During the year there were admitted and born, Aims-
House, 2,054; Hospital, 3,117 ; Nursery, 687 ; Asylum, 363 ;
total, 6,131. Discharged and died, Aims-House, 1,930 ; Hos-
pital,'3,073 ; Nursery, 654; Asylum, 245. Remaining, July
31, 1865, Ahns-House, 598 ; Hospital, 370 ; Nursery, 337 ;
Asylum, 500; total, 1,805. Relieved and supported during
theyearending July 31, 1865, 30,098 ; total amount of paid
bills, '|396,540.04; total amount of receipts, $31,565.98.
Balance, being net cost of the department for year
ending July 3l8t, 1865, $374,974.06.
E. Cresson Stiles, M.D. , Physician of the Kings County Hos-
pital, reports as remaining in the institution, July 31, 1864, 326
patients; 3,117 were admitted during the year, making the
whole number under treatment, 3,443, which is 843 more
than were treated in the year previous. Of these, 2,085 were
discharged, recovered ; 540 were discharged, improved of
chronic disorders; 113 were removed or discharged without
improvement; 336 died; there were, at the date of Report, 370.
There were 881 cases of small-pox treated at the Hospital; of
the whole number, 334 recovered, and 47 died; 100 cases were
of infants, or children under twelve years of age ; 69 cases
of pulmonary consumption, and 1 case of hydrophobia was
reported, which proved fatal on the fourth day of the dis-
ease,
From Kings County Lunatic Asylum, Edward R. Chapin,
M. D,, reports: patients in the Asylum, August 1, 1864, 414 ;
admitted during the year, 263 ; whole number under treat-
ment, 677; discharged, recovered, 56 males, 54 females; total,
110; discharged, improved, 24 males, 32 females ; total, 46 ;
discharged, unimproved, 11 males, 3 females ; total, 14 ;
died, 32 males, 48 females ; total, 75 ; whole number dis-
charged, 133 males, 123 females ; total, 345 ; remaining July
31, 1865, 186 males, 246 females ; total, 433 ; number of em-
ployees, 68; number of foreigners admitted during the year,
161; natives, 102.
The Keeper of the Kings County Nursery reports its con-
dition for the year ending July 31, 1865: There were remain-
ing, July 31, 1864, children, 173 males, 103 females ; adults,
Imale, and 36 female ; total, 304; admitted during the year,
children, 333 males, 289 females; adults, fi males, 59 females;
total, 687; making a total of 991 ; there were discharged dur-
ing the year, children, 378 males, 354 females ; adults, 6
males, 56 females; total, 594 ; died, children, 36 males, 23
females; adults, 1 female; total, 60; making a total in all of
654 ; remaining, July 31, 1865, children, 191 males, 114 fe-
males; adults, 4 males, 38 females; total, 337.
The Annual Report of the Keeper of the Kings County
Penitentiary * for the year ending July 31, 1865, shows : the
number of prisoners confined in the Penitentiary on August
1, 1864, was 179; 73 males, 106 females; number of prisoners
committed during the year was 728 ; 333 males, 395 females ;
number discharged, 743 ; 339 males, 414 females ; number of
deaths, 6; number on hand, July 31, 1865, 203; 100 males, 103
females; the average number during the year, 194^; total cost
of food consumed during the year was $18,460.67; the whole
expense of the prison during the year was $35,937.16 ; the
amount received from the labor of convicts was $3,430.70 ;
the increase of expenses over the preceding year was
$9,654.88.
On March 9th, 1866, the initiatory steps were taken
to purchase for the county the two parcels of land ly-
ing, the one on the north and the other on the south
side of the county property, in Flatbush.
Proposed law for abolishing the ofifice of Su-
perintendents of the Poor, and the establish-
ment in its place of a comniission, to be known
as the " Board of Commissioners of Charities."
— For a long time many of the leading citizens of the
county of Kings had believed that the abolishment of
the office of Superintendents of the Poor, and the es-
tablishment of some other mode of conducting the
Poor Establishment of the county, would tend largely
to the advantage and prosperity of all branches of the
establishment ; that the Board of Superintendents was
not only inefficient, but to a certain degree corrupt in
its management ; that it had created a system of fav-
oritism, which should not be permitted ; that it was
more or less governed by rings and cliques. When
the Board of Supervisors and Superintendents of the
Poor learned of the proceeding of the Legislature
touching the abolishment of the office of Superintend-
ents, they drew up a strong remonstrance, in which
the proposed legislation was characterized as " im-
proper and uncalled for." This was adopted by over
a two-thirds vote of the Board of Supervisors ; thus
the matter ended for the present.
April 2d, 1866, th'ere was placed to the credit of the
Superintendents of the Poor the sum of $250,000;
and an order was also made directing that all such
monies as had been, or might be, received during the
year for violations of the Excise law be also placed to
the credit of the Superintendents.
April 12th, the draft of an act to enable the Super-
intendents of the Poor to borrow money for the use of
the poor of the county was forwarded to the Legisla-
ture with a recommendation for its early passage.
The County Treasurer was directed to draw from the
contingent fund to the credit of the Superintendents
the sum of $26,000.
On August 2d, the Board of Superintendents presented
*We have been unable to make any extracts from this officer's re-
port for several years past, as no suob report could be found in the
records.
488*
mSTOR Y OF KINGS CO UJSTTT.
their annual account for the year ending July 31, 1866, by
which it appears that, on January 1st, Dr. E. C. Stiles, who
had served for one year as resident physician of the Alms-
house and its departments with great acceptability, tendered
his resignation, in order to enter on the practice of his pro-
fession in the city; but he did not fail in constant and regu-
lar attendance as one of the staff of consulting physicians.
The warmest thanks of the Board were tendered him by the
Board for his ability as a physician, and his disinterested at-
tention to the medical services of the Hospital. Dr. Teunis
ScHENCK was appointed Resident Physician, as the successor
of Dr. Stiles. The report further shows that at the date of
the last report, August 1st, 1865, there were remaining in the
Almshouse, 598; Hospital, 370; Nursery, 337; Asylum, 500;
total, 1,805. Admitted and born during the year — Alms-
house, 2,617; Hospital, 3,135; Nursery, 699; Asylum, 243.
The whole number remaining in the establishment, July 31,
1865, and the whole number admitted into all its depart-
ments during the year, was 8,499. The whole number dis-
charged and died during the year, in Alms-house, 2,454; Hos-
pital, 3,161; Nursery, 590; Asylum, 205; total, 6,410. Re-
maining in all the departments, July, 1866, 2,089. Tempor-
ary relief granted during the year to 27,758; Foundlings, etc.,
boarded out 120; Institutions, 8,499. Total number relieved
or supported for the year ending July 31, 1866, 36,777. Total
amount of bills paid, $364,472.62. Total amount of receipts,
$27,645.27. Balance of net costs of the whole department
for the year ending July 31, 1866, |336,287.35.
Edwin R. Chapin, M. D. , Resident Physician of the Luna-
tic Asylum for the year ending July 31, 1866, reports that
there were remaining in the Asylum, August 1, 1866, 186
males, 246 females; total, 433. Admitted during the year,
111 males, 132 females; total, 243. Whole number under
treatment during the year, 267 males, 378 females; total, 675;
recovered, 89; improved, 42; unimproved, 9. Died, 32 males,
33 females; total, 65. Whole number discharged during the
year, 205; remaining, July 31, 1866, 198 males, 272 females;
total, 470. Whole number of employees, 73. Of the patients
admitted during the year, 167 were foreigners. There were
married, males, 425; females, 521; total, 946. Single, males,
344; females, 351; total, 795. Unknown males, 23; females,
18; total, 41.
In his report, the Doctor says, " the time for a seri-
ous consideration for enlarging the Lunatic Asylum
ought not to he any longer delayed ; it has again he-
come crowded to ahout the same degree it was when
an extension to the building was proposed seven years
ago. Subsequently the Asylum was enlarged by the
addition of two wings ; it yet lacks a wing at each ex-
tremity to reach the dimensions of the State Lunatic
Asylum of New Jersey, after which design it was
modeled. In the meantime it is absolutely necessary
to make some temporary provision for the incoming
excess of male patients."
Tectnis Schenck, Resident Physician for the Kings County
Hospital, reports as remaining in the Hospital, August 1,
1865, males, 156; females, 214; total, 370. Admitted during
the year— Males, 1,651; females, 1,484; total, 3,135. Total
number iinder treatment during the year, 1,807 males, 1,698
females; total, 3,505. Recovered, 2,319; improved, 399; un-
improved, 77. Died— Males, 197; females, 169; total, 366.
Total discharged and died during the year— 1,647 males, 1,514
females; total, 3,161. Remaining July 31, 1866—160 males,
184 females; total, 344.
Dr. Schenck reports that consumption and diseases of the
kidneys still claim, as they have in former years, the lareest
number of victims. ^
John DriSboU, Esq., Keeper of the Nursery, reports for the
year ending July 31. 1866, as remaining on July 31 1S65_
Children, 305; adults, 330; total, 337. Admitted during the
year-Children, 635; adults, 64; total, 699. Total admlMions
-Children, 942; adults, 96; total of admitted, 1,036 Dis
charged during the year-Children, 495; adults, 57- total
552. Died— Children, 88. Total discharged and died^ChU
dren, 533; adults, 57; total, 590. Remaining July 31 1866-
Children, 407; adults, 39; total, 446. The school for the
children is reported to be one of the most profitable, pleasmg
and satisfactory departments of the establishment. Two
Sunday schools were conducted in this institution, both of
them subjects of congratulation to their conductors, and to
aU concerned in the Nursery.
Officers of the Aims-House this year : John C. Van-
derveer. Warden; Sarah A. Vanderveer, Matron-
Annie L. Hicks, Cutter ; David W. Hoagland, Stew-
ard.
February 11th, 1867, the crowded state of the Luna-
tic Asylum was presented in a report, which attracted
general interest. The report concludes by strongly
urging the immediate enlargement of the Asylum, and
recommends that an act be prepared and forwarded to
the Legislature authorizing the county to borrow on
its bonds a sum not exceeding $30,000, payable in
1883, for the purpose of making additions to the
Lunatic Asylum. The report shows that " the price
of board in the Asylum for patients able to pay was
$5 per week; but $4 was received from those who
were unable to pay more. This entitled the patient to
a die.1i a little superior to the ordinary fare. In no
other respect is there any other distinction between the
boarders and the county patients." The total receipts
for board for the year ending February 18, 1867, was
810,338.16."
A Dime Savings Bank had been estahUshed in the
Lunatic Asylum about the year 1857, which, together
with the Graham legacy, produced quite an income for
minor expenses.
A reported, presented to the Board May 7th, 1867
" It is proposed to devote the proceeds of the income for
the coming year, from the Graham legacy, to the purchase of
reading material for the Asylum and Hospital ; but, inas-
much as some of the standard works, especially the Waverly
Novels, in a lunatic asylum, need renewing, and as they
are highly recommended by the officers of that institution,
your committee thought it better to devote the next year's
income to that purpose, and appropriate the money in the
Dime Savings Bank, $40, to the purchase of books for the
Hospital; for books are the best companions for a class of
insane persons— a class highly intellectual and cultivated—
that they can have.
The required act authorizing the County of Kings to
borrow money to erect an addition to the Lunatic Asy-
lum of the said county, passed the Legislature April
22d, 1867. It permitted the county to borrow for that
SUPERINTERDENTS OF THE POOR.
489»
purpose $35,000, and to issue bonds therefor, with in-
terest payable annually; principal to be paid in 1882.
On the 23d of April, an act passed the Legislature au-
thorizing the county to borrow money for the purpose
of enlarging, or erecting an additional building for the
care and charge of poor children of the county of
Kings, the sum to be borrowed not to exceed $75,000.
July 1st, 1867, the qiiestion of the prodigality of the
Superintendents in disbursing the funds committed to
them for the support of the Poor Establishment, again
came before the public. The Superintendents made
frequent charges that the Supervisors did not raise
sufBcient money to support the poor for the year; and,
as there was a discrepancy of $11,979.12 between the
accounts of the Superintendents of the Poor and the
County Treasurer, and other discrepancies in accounts,
the Supervisors appointed a committee on July 7th to
ascertain the cause of this alleged failure of funds, and
these discrepancies, &c. This committee found, as
they claimed, evidences of " chicanery " and " fraud "
m the purchase of stores, etc. The report closed with
this significant language :
"We have thus endeavored to set forth clearly, and with-
out fear or favor, the cause of the deficiency in the amount
raised for the support of the poor. The money has been
squandered, and there is no money to support the lunatics,
the sick, and the paupers in the Institution; and there is no
surplus in any of the accounts that can be transferred over
to the Superintendents of the Poor. The only recourse is to
authorize the County Treasurer to borrow money, and apply
to the next Legislature to authorize us to levy a tax in 1868
to pay it."
The foregoing report was unanimously adopted by
the Board of Supervisors on July 7th, 1867.
Thus, rapidly, the way was being opened for the
abolition of the office of Superintendents of the Poor
in the county of Kings. It is impossible to determine
the truth of the allegations brought against the Super-
intendents; neither is it our province. That their du-
ties were onerous and difficult, in the highest degree, is
oertaia.
The annual report of the Superintendents of the Poor for
the year ending July 31 st, 1867, shows 'that there were re-
maining at date of last report, July 31st, 1866, in almshouse,
745; hospital, 344; nursery, 446; asylum, 54a; total, 3,077.
Admitted during year— Almshouse, 3,179; hospital, 3,484;
nursery, 548; asylum, 231; total, 5,460. Discharged and died
-Almshouse, 2,422; hospital, 3,529; nursery, 556; asylum,
185; total, 5,692. Remaining July 81, 1867— Almshouse, 520;
aospital, 399; nursery, 438; asylum, 588; total, 1,845. Num-
oer temporarily relieved and supported, either wholly or in
part, for the year ending July 81, 1867, 82,185. Total amount
of paid bills, 1395,659.19; receipts, $28,286.39. Balance,
?367,372.90.
Teunis Sohenck, M. D., physician of the County Hospital,
reports that the proceeds of the Graham fund, which, for a
number of years back, have been devoted to the use of the
sylum and the Almshouse, were this year expended in the
PurchMe of books for the hospital, and that a very hand-
ome hbrary for the institution was being formed, which
promised to be of great value to the patients. The number
of patients remaining in hospital, July 31, 1866— Males, 160;
females, 184; total, 844. Admitted during the year— Males,
1,331 ; females. 1,163; total, 3,484. Total number under treat-
ment—Males, 1,481; females, 1,847; total, 3,838. Discharged
recovered— Males, 918; females, 841; total, 1,753. Discharged
improved— Males, 336; females, 168; total, 404. Discharged
unimproved— Males, 45; females, 39; total, 54. Died— Males,
176; females, 143; total, 818. Total number discharged and
died— Males, 1,349; females, 1,180; total, 3,539. Total re-
maining, July 81, 1867— Males, 133; females, 167; total, 299.
Total number under treatment year ending July 31, 1866,
8,505. Total number under treatment year ending July 81,
1857, 3,858. Decrease, 667.
Dr. Edward R. Chapin, Physician of the Lunatic Asylum
for the same year (the tenth annual report of that institu-
tion), reports : There were patients in the Asylum, August
1, 1866— Males, 197; females, 373; total, 470. Admitted dur-
ing the year— Males, 115; females, 116; total, 381. Whole
numbemnder treatment — Males, 312; females, 389; total,
701. Discharged recovered — Males, 87; females, 47; total, 84.
Discharged improved — Males, 26; females, 14; total, 40. Dis-
charged unimproved — Males, 5: females, 4; total, 9. Died —
Males, 88; females, 19; total, 53. Whole number discharged —
Males, 101; females, 84; total, 185. Remaining July 31, 1867
— Males, 311; females, 305; total, 516. Number of employees,
73.
John Driscoll, Keeper of the County Nursery for the same
year, reports :
Remaining July 81, 1866 — Children, male, 365; female, 143;
Adults, male, 6; female, 33; total, 446. Admitted during the
year— Children, male, 376; female, 228; Adults, male, 8; fe-
males, 41; total, 548. Total remaining and admitted — Chil-
dren, male, 541; female, 870; Adults, male, 9; female, 74j
total, 994. Discharged during the year— Children, male, 254;
female, 330; Adults, male, 3; female, 39; total, 525. Died—
Children, male, 15; females, 15; Adults, male, 1; female, 0;
total, 31. Total discharged and died— Children, male, 369;
female, 345; Adults, male, 8; female, 39, total, 556. Remain-
ing July 31, 1867— Children, male, 373; female, 135; Adults,
male, 6; female, 35; total, 438. The school, together with
the two Sunday schools, continued to be very prosperous.
On January 21st, 1858, a law was drafted by the
Supervisors, authorizing the several courts in Kings
county to send all prisoners, convicted and sentenced
for a term less than five years, to the County Peniten-
tiary. This act was sent to the representative of Kings
county, with instructions to secure its legal enactment
by the Legislature. At this time, and since the erec-
tion of the Penitentiary, the law was such that it could
not receive prisoners sentenced for a term longer than
six months.
On June 8th, 1868, the following resolution was pre-
sented to the Board of Supervisors by Supervisor Still-
well :
Wherms, various charges and insinuations have been
made in this Board against the Superintendents of the Poor,
therefore.
Resolved, that the special committee of this Board be in-
structed to inquire as to whether the Superintendents of the
Poor, or either of them, have been guilty of any misconduct
in office, making them liable to impeachment and removal
from oflSce.
490»
SI8T0RY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Superintendent Howell then offered the following
resolution as an amendment to the foregoing :
Resolved, That this Board do hereby impeach the Superin-
tendents of the Poor, each and every of them, and that
Frederick Scholes, Supervisor of 19th Ward, is hereby ap-
pointed manager of said action, with full power to send for
persons and papers."
This amendment was rejected hy a vote of 12 to 9;
the question recurring on the resolution offered by Su-
pervisor Stillwell was adopted by a vote of 16 to 5.
Thus we see what a bitter and exterminating war
was being waged against the Superintendents of the
Poor. But the latter sustained the contest with a de-
gree of determination, ability and confidence that, up
to this time, rendered them masters of the situation.
Jime 16th, 1868, a lengthy and very able report re-
garding the condition of the Almshouse was presented
by a committee, who had made a very exhaustive ex-
amination of it, and of its inmates, its liabilities and its
management. Several alterations were suggested,
especially as to the matter of convict labor therein.
Finally, the , report recommended " that necessary
steps should be immediately taken for the erection of
workshops in sufficient numbers to employ all paupers
in the Kings County Almshouse having trades; and,
also, for the purchase of a piece of ground in addition
to that already owned by the county for the employ-
ment of unskilled labor; and for the establishment of
a dairy to supply the county buildings with milk — the
same to be managed by pauper labor. This report was
unanimously adopted by the Board. On August 4th,
Dr. John L. Zabriskie, was elected, by acclamation,
Physician for the County Penitentiary for the ensuing
year. A resolution was also adopted that all medicines
used in the Penitentiary ordered by the physician be
paid for by the county. The Physician's salary was
fixed at 11,000 a year.
The annual report of the Superintendents of the Poor for
the year ending July 31st, 1868, shows that the Lunatic Asy-
lum was being enlarged, to meet the rapidly increasing num-
ber of patients demanding admission. The report also con-
tains the following statement:
Remaining at date of last report: Almshouse, 520; Hospi-
tal, 299; Nursery, 438; Asylum, 516; total, 1,773. Admitted
and born during the year: Almshouse, 3,404; Hospital, 2,314;
Nursery, 533; Asylum, 250; total, 5,500. Total: Almshouse,
2,924; Hospital, 2,613; Nursery, 970; Asylum, 766; total,
7,273. Died and discharged during year: Almshouse, 2,253;
Hospital, 2,397; Nursery, 494; Asylum, 234; total, 5,278. Re-
maining July 31st, 1868: Almshouse, 671; Hospital, 316;
Nursery, 476; Asylum, 532; total, 1,995.
Total number relieved and supported, either wholly or in
part for the year ending July 31, 1868, 44,784; total amount
of paid bills, |488,078.53; total amount of receipts, |24,377.93.
Dr. Teunis Schenck, Physician to the County Hospital for
the year ending July 81st, 1868, reported that the new build-
ing erected in the rear of the Hospital building had been
completed, and was fully devoted to the purposes for which
it was intended. It is a two-story brick building 56 x 24,
entirely separated from the main building, and only con-
nected with it by a covered passage. It is supplied with a
complete set of culinary apparatus, with a large range of
most approved pattern, and finally, it was "a perfect and
ample kitchen, with every convenience that could be de-
vised." The report contains the following:
Remaining July 1st, 1867: Males, 132; females, 167; total
299. Admitted during year: Males, 1,208; females, 1,106; to-
tal, 3,314. Total number under treatment; Males, 1,340; fe-
males, 1,273; total, 2,613. Discharged recovered: Males, 766;
females, 778; total, 1,544. Discharged improved: Males, 275-
females, 203; total, 478. Discharged unimproved: Males, 14;
females, 23; total, 37. Died: Males, 146; females, 92; total,
238. Total died and discharged: Males, 1,201; females, 1,096;
total, 3,397. Remaining July 31, 1868: Males, 139; females,
177; total, 316. Total number under treatment July 81,
1866, 3,505; total number under treatment July 31, 1867,
3,828; total number under treatment July 31, 1868, 2,613.
Dr. Edward R. Chapin, physician of the Lunatic Asylum
for the same year, reported the additional wings of the asy-
lum as nearly completed; that they were being constructed,
from architectural necessity, much after the general plan of
the other wings, though they are more extensive, and are
improvements upon the old ones in regard to ventilation, the
arrangement of the dormitories and many other minor de-
tails. The report also shows that several fine conceris have
been given at the asylum with excellent effect; for, says the
report, " music has a most happy effect upon the insane. It
calms the excited, enfivens the oppressed, and soothes all."
Dr. Chapin returns his thanks to the Graham fund for a very
elegant set of the Waverly novels, the set obtained from the
same source nine years previous having become nearly worn
out. The report shows:
Patients in asylum August 1, 1867: Males, 311; females,
305; total, 516. Patients admitted during the year: Males,
113; females, 137; total, 250. Whole number under treat-
ment: Males, 334; females, 442; total, 766. Discharged re-
covered: Males, 35; females, 56; total, 91. Discharged im-
proved: Males, 28; females, 43; total, 71. Discharged unim-
proved: Males, 10; females, 6; total, 16. Died: Males, 33;
females, 23; total, 56. Whole number discharged: Males,
106; females, 138; total, 234. Remaining July 31, 1868: Males,
218; females, 814; total, 533; employees, 74.
John Driscol, keeper of the County Nursery, for the same
year reports the addition to the bmlding as rapidly progress-
ing; that there has been a large increase in the number of
the mmates during the past year. The number of inmates
remaining July 31, 1867, were: Children, 272 males and 125
females; adults, 6 males and 35 females; total, 438. Ad-
mitted during year: Chfidren, 279 male, 191 female; Adults,
12 male, 50 female; total, 533. Total remaining and ad-
mitted: Children, 551 male, 316 female; adults, 18 male, 85
females; total, 970. Discharged during year: Children, 239
male, 155 female; adults, 11 male, 46 female; total, 441.
Died: Children, 36 male, 37 female; total. 53. Total during
year: Children, 355 male, 182 female; adults, 11 male, 46 te-
male; total, 494. Remaining July 31, 1868: Children, 296
m lie, 134 female; adults, 7 male, 39 female; total, 476.
By an act of the Legislature, passed February 25th,
1869, the Superintendents of the Poor, with the Alms-
house Committee, were directed to classify the paupers
of Kings County, putting all who were able to worK
without injury to themselves in the workhouse, retain-
ing only the aged and infirm, and such persons as are
unable to work in the Almshouse of said county; ana
upon the completion of the workhouse, by contract o
SUP^IBINTJEN'DEN'TS OF THE POOR.
491*
otherwise, provide employment for all paupers able to
work.
July 16tli, 1869, the Superintendents and Supervisors
met at ^the Lunatic Asylum, to consider its over-
crowded state; and, after a careful investigation,
unanimously decided that it was absolutely necessary
to enlarge the same at once. The following were the
number of rooms in the old Asylum:
One reoeption room, 2 parlors, 2 offices, 6 sleeping rooms, 2
<Jiniag rooms, 3 storerooms, 1 kitchen, 1 laundry, 1 chapel. In
the wings of the original building there were 193 single dormi-
tories, 30 associated, 16 attendants' rooms, 20 parlors or sitting
looms, 16 dining rooms, 20 bath rooms, 16 clothes rooms; total
number of rooms in old building, 300. In new extension, 113
single dormitories, or strong rooms, for violent patients; 80
single dormitories, 16 double dormitories, 16 parlors or sit-
ting [rooms, 8 attendants' rooms, 8 bath rooms, 8 clothes
rooms, 6 dining rooms, 44 rooms in the basement not quite
ready for occupancy. There were in the new wings 393
rooms, within 10 of the whole number in ^the old building,
which old building cost the county about $350,000, at a time
when material and labor cost about one-fourth of the price
it cost in 1867 and '68.
The extension of the new Nursery at this time was
nearly completed ; spacious playgrounds were set
apart and ornamented for the use of the children, and
«verytHng prepared to make them a comfortable
home.
On the 8th of May, 1869, an act passed the Legisla-
ture of the State authorizing the County Treasurer to
l)orrow, on the credit of the county, the sum of $75,000,
for the purpose of erecting an addition to the Alms-
louse, and for the erection of a workhouse for the
County of Kings.
The annual report of the Superintendents of the Poor for
the year ending July 31st, 1869, shows the [following: Re-
maining at date of last report: Almshouse, [671; Hospital,
316; Nursery, 476; Asylum, 532; total, 1,995. Admitted and
born 'during the year: Almshouse, 2,090; Hospital, (■3, 693;
Nursery, 453; total, 5,521. Total admitted to whole Poor-
establishment, 7,516. Discharged and died during the year:
Ahnshouse, 3,024; Hospital, 3,674; ^Nursery, 527; Asylum,
261; total, 5,485. Remaining^ July 81st, 1869: Almshouse,
W; Hospital, 335; Nursery, 401; Asylum, 557; total, 3,030.
Total number relieved or supported, either wholly or in part,
for the year ending July 31st, 1869, 40,381. Total amount of
paid bills, $477,543.37; total amount of receipts, $33,393.95.
Dr. Tennis Schenck, Physician of the County Hospital,
reports for the same year: Remaining in the' Hospital !"July
3l8t, 1868: Males, 139; females, 177; total,'316. Admitted
during year: Males, 1,464; females, 1,239; total, 2,693. Total
■under treatment: Males, 1,603; females, 1,406; total, 3,009.
Discharged recovered: Males, 963; females, 835; total, 1,797.
Discharged improved: Males, 308; females, 330; total, 533.
;Oischavged unimproved: Males, 36; females, 29; total, 55.
wed; Males, 159; females, 130; total, 289. Total discharged
and died: Males, 1,450; females, 1,224; total, 2,674. Eemain-
ag July 31, 1869: Males, 153; females, 182; total, 335. Total
number under treatment end of year 1866, 3,505; total num-
»er under treatment year ending July 31st, 1867, 3,838; total
umberunder treatment year ending July 31st, 1868, 2,613;
wtal number under treatment year ending July 31st, 1869,
3,009. Theofflcersof the Hospital this year were: Resident
Physician, Tennis Schenck, M. D.; Assistant, P. L. Schenck,
M. D.; Consulting Physicians, John L. Zabriskie, M. D.,
Homer L. Bartlett, M. D., R. Cresson Stiles, M. D.; James
Fitzgerald, Steward; Mrs. Ellen M. Martin, Matron; Mrs. B.
Murphy, Matron, S. P. H.
Dr. Edward R. Chapin, Physician in Chief of the
County Lunatic Asylum for the same year, reported
that " additional wings to the Asylum, which were be-
gun on the first day of May, 1868, and completed on
the first day of July, 1869, gave the whole Asylum a
frontage of 683 feet; lineal measure, 1,005 feet. The
centre building and two wings were commenced during
the fall of 1853, and finished in October, 1855; two
additional wings of the same dimensions were com-
menced on the 18th of July, 1860, and finished in June,
1861. The new wings just completed are considerably
larger than the old, each measuring 442 feet; each of
the old 327 feet around the outer walls. The Asylum
will now accommodate 700 patients. A tower has been
erected adjoining the engine-house for the introduction
of pure air into the buildings; it is of brick, and 50
feet above ground surface, 8 feet below and 10 feet
square. At the base is placed a fan, 10 feet in diame-
ter and V feet in width; from the fan an underground
duct, 7 feet high by 7 feet wide, and 20 feet long, ex-
tends to the air chamber under the centre building; the
main steam and water pipes are laid in this passage.
The air chamber is 12 feet wide by 7 feet wide, and
extends to each end of the building. To prevent the
rise of dust, the bottom of the chamber is covered with
concrete, over which is placed a layer of cement."
The Lunatic Asylum of Kings county, at the time of
which we are writing, was excelled in point of con-
venience, capacity, management and regard for the
comfort and health of the patients, but by a very few
in the State; and we may say, without affectation, by
few in the nation. Its imposing architectural appear-
ance has already been described.
Dr. Chapin appends to his report these statistics:
Patients in Asylum August 1st, 1868, 318 males, 314 females;
total, 533; admitted during the year, 134 males, 153 females;
total, 386; whole number under treatment, 353 males, 466
females; total, 818; discharged — recovered, 51 males, 55
females; total, 106; improved, 44 males, 36 females; total, 80;
unimproved, 11 males, 11 females; total, 23; died, 21 males,
33 females; total, 53; whole number discharged, 137 males,
134 females; total, 361; remaining July Slst, 1869, 335 males;
333 females; total, 557; number of employees, 81.
The annual report for the same year gives as remaining
July 31st, 1868, 430 children, 46 adults; total, 476; admitted
during the year, 406 children, 46 adults; total, 453; total re-
maining and admitted, 836 children, 93 adults; total, 938;
discharged during the year, 452 children, 46 adults; total,
498; died, 29 children; total, 29; total discharged and died,
481 children, 46 adults; total, 527; remaining July 31st, 1869,
355 children, 46 adults; total, 401; decrease during the year,
75. The salary of Francis McNeeley, the Keeper of the Peni-
tentiary, was on August 1st, 1869 increased to the sum of
$4,000 per annum.
492»
HISTOBT OF KINGS COUNTY.
We should have added that on September 23d,
according to an act of the Legislature of 1857, chap.
611, sec. 3, of the session laws of that year, the County
Treasurer was directed to issue certificates of indebted-
ness not exceeding $100,000, and to give his official
bond for the same, payable nine months from date, the
money to be placed to the credit of the Superintendents
of the Poor.
The history of the transactions of the Superintendents
of the Poor, and of the poor establishment of the county,
for the year ending July 31st, 18Y0, and of the year
ending July 31st, 1871, are so unimportant and so few
that we shall not make mention of many of them,
especially as the abstracts from the annual reports of
the different departments which we present give a fair
history of their condition during that time. It is, how-
ever, proper to add that there was a growing determin-
ation on the part of a large class of the community to
have the office of Superintendents of the Poor abolished,
and a Commission of Charities, &c., created in its
place. On May 8th, 1870, $80,000 was placed to the
credit of the Superintendents of the Poor, and on the
3d of May $28,000 was placed to their credit, to be ex-
pended in paying off debts and liabilities incurred on
account of the new Aims-House, in course of erection.
On October 4th, 1870, it was ascertained that $148,-
685 had been expended on the new Aims-House; the
same was placed in the sole charge of the Superintend-
ents by the committee.
The annual report of the Superintendents for the year end-
ing July 3l8t, 1870, shows that there were remaining at date
of last report in Aims-House, 737; Hospital, 835: Nursery,
401; total, 3,030. Admitted and born during the year, Aims-
House, 2,216; Hospital, 3,394; Nursery, 539; Asylum, 314;
total, 6,463. Total Aims-House, 2,953; Hospital, 3,729;
Nnrsery, 940; Asylum, 871; whole total, 8,493. Died and dis-
charged during the year: Aims-House, 2,206; Hospital, 3,354;
Nursery, 512; Asylum, 270; total, 6,342. Remaining July
31st, 1870: Aims-House, 747; Hospital, 375; Nursery, 438;
Asylum, 601; total, 3,151. Total number relieved, either
wholly or in part, during the year ending July 31, 1870,
46,713. ■ Total amount of paid bills, $559,116.16; receipts,
$23,091.35. Signed, Henry Corr, Thomas Foran, Henry
Seller, John J. Scott, Cornelius Ferguson, Superintendents
of Poor of Kings County.
Dr. Teunis Schenck, resident physician to the County Hos-
pital, gives as remaining in Hospital July 31st, 1869, 153
males, 183 females; total, 335; admitted during the year.
1,813 males, 1,581 females; total, 3,394; total number under
treatment, 1,966 males, 1,763 females; total, 8,729; dig.
charged— recoved, 1,293 males, 1,233 females; total, 2525; im-
proved, 307 males, 174 females; total, 481; unimproved 20
males, 23 females; total, 43; died, 188 males, 122 females-
total,' 305; total number discharged and died, 1,803 males,
1,551 females; total, 3,354; remaining July 81st, 1870, IBS
males, 212 females; total, 375.
Dr. Edward R. Chapin, physician of the Lunatic Asylum,
states that there were, on the 1st of August, 1869, in the
Asylum, 224 males, 334 females; total, 558; patients admitted
during the year, 130 males, 184 females; total, 314; whole
number under treatment, 354 males, 518 females; total, 872;
discharged — recovered, 57 males, 73 females; total, 130; im-
proved, 30 males, 43 females; total, 62; unimproved, 10
males, 10 females; total, 20; died, 29 males, 29 females; total,
58; whole number discharged, 116 males, 154 females; total,
270; remaining July 31st, 1870, 238 males, 364 females; total,
602; number of employees, 83.
This was the thirteenth annual report of Dr. Chapin.
John DriscoU, Keeper of the County Nursery, shows there
were remaining July 31st, 1869, 355 children, 46 adults; total,
401; admitted during year, 466 children, 73 adults; total, 539;
total, 831 children, 119 adults; grand total, 940; total dis-
charged during the year, 484; died, 38; discharged and died,
512; remaining July 31st; 1870, 428; showing an iacrease of
37 inmates during the year.
This year there was an annual report of the expenses
of the Penitentiary for the year ending July 31st, 1870,
showing that the total expenses that year were |65,-
898.99. On November 10th, 1870, John Cunningham,
Esq., was appointed Keeper of the Kings County Pen-
itentiary for the term of three years, to date from
November Ist, 1870.
We have now given the history of the Board of
Superintendents of the Poor, from the creation of that
office down to December Slst, 1870, a term of 43 years,
and, we may say, down to April, 1871; for, between
the rendition of the annual reports of the various de-
partments under their charge, on the 14th of April,
1871, there is nothing recorded of sufficient importance
to be inserted in this history.
On the 14th of April, 1871, the office of Superintend-
ents of the Poor in the County of Kings ceased to exut,
by or under that name.
By an act of the Legislature, passed on the 4th ot
April, 1871, the Superintendents of the Poor of Kings
County were to be known and designated as the « Com-
missioners OF Charities of the Coottt of Kings.
THE COMMISSIONERS OF CHARITIES
03? THE
COUNTY OF KINGS, 1871.
The prejudice against the Board of Superintendents
of the Poor on the one hand, and the efforts of the
friends of that body on the other in its favor, was, for
several years, the cause of a contest more or less intense.
At length the act of April 14th, 1871, to which we have
referred, gave a turn to the matter by establishing a
Board known as the Commission of Charities. At first
the advantage gained by the friends of that Commission
was little more than nominal, excepting that it ren-
dered that Board a corporation, the powers and immu-
nities of which were very favorable to the friends of the
Superintendents. The act creating the Board provides :
That tlie County Superintendents should hereafter be known
by the above title, and all laws relating to the electioii and qual-
ification for office of Superintendents of the Poor should be ap-
plicable to the new Commissioners; that the said Commissioners
should each receive an annual salary of $4,000, which should be
a county charge ; that the said Commissioners should be a cor-
poration by the above name, under which they might sue and be
sued, and possess the usual powers of a corporation for public pur-
poses; that they together should constitute a Board for the relief
andsupportof the Poor of the County of Kings, and for the gov-
ernment, management, maintenance and direction of the prem-
ises commonly known as the County Farm, its several institutions
and buildings, property and appurtenances, etc., etc., and for the
eniployment,relief,support and government of the persons placed
thereon, etc., in various official capacities, who should hold their
positions during the pleasure of said Board, etc. ; and that they
should, from time to time, make such rules and by-laws as nec-
essary, etc.; and that they should have power to purchase all
such articles as shall be necessary to be used in and for the relief
and support of the poor of the County of Kings, and should gen-
erally possess every power and authority now possessed by the
Superintendents of the Poor of the County of Kings, etc. The
act further directed the time and manner of advertising for pro-
posals for all such articles as shall be necessary for the support
of the poor; gives the Commissioners power to enlarge, add to,
alter, or repair the buildings or property belonging to or con-
nected -with such institutions, or any of them, etc. ; provides that
the Commissioners shall present to the Board of Supervisors of
Kings County an account of all moneys received and expended
oy them during the year, and an estimate of the amount which
wiU be necessary for their use under this act for the ensuing year;
and further, that no greater amount than $550,000 should be
levied or collected during any one year for the purpose of carry-
ing out the provisions of this act; it also provides that none of
the Commissioners or their subordinates should ever be, direct-
y or mdirectly, interested in any contract or in any purchase
M sale of supplies or articles of any description, nor in any ar-
rnngement by which any pecuniary benefit shall result to him-
^ , directs that every pauper inmate in the institution under
1 aige of said Commissioners, whose age and health will permit,
shall be employed in getting out and breaking stone, or in oul-
ivatmg the grounds, or inrepairing the property in charge of the
said Commissioners, or in manufacturing, or mechanical or other
labor as they can perform ; also, that all buildings, land and
property now under the control of the Superintendents of the
Poor shall be used by said Commissioners for such purposes
connected with their duties as they shall consider necessary or
proper. On the 23d day of May, 187L, the sum of $2,000 was ap-
propriated to the use of the Commissioners for the purpose of
fitting up the Gymnasium building in Brooklyn for offices and
rooms for their use.
Immediately after its passage the Board began its
duties, the Superintendents of the Poor already in office
being members of the Board of Charities. At the
annual election held November, 1871, Henry Wills and
Cornelius Ferguson were elected Commissioners of
Charities for the Third and Fifth Districts, being
the first Commissioners of Charities elected in the
connty.
The first annual report of the Commissioners of
Charities, together with the reports of the heads of the
several departments under their control, was presented
to the Supervisors at their annual meeting August 1st,
1871.
The report begins with an interesting table, showing the net
expenses for the several classes cared for during the six years
preceding the report, together with the average cost and proba-
ble per capita tax on the population of the county:
Total
Average
Per Cap-
Estimated
Net Cost for all
Relieved
Cost for
ita Tax
Year.
Popula-
Purposes.
and Sup-
Each
on Pop-
ported.
Person.
ulation.
1866
312,000
$336,827.25
36,257
$92.80
$1.06
1867
338,000
367,372.90
32,185
114.40
1.08
1868
362,000
463,800.61
44,734
103.40
1.02
1869
381,000
454,149.42
40,381
112.40
1.01
1870
406,000
537,024.81
46,712
114.90
1.03
1871
440,000
490,596.70
44,892
107.57
1.10
So far as the detail of cost is considered, this exhibit
does not show an alarming increase for the support of
the poor in the county from 18C6 to 1871. In a period
of six years the county had only advanced on the per
capita tax four cents, while in 1867 it nearly reached
the figures of 1871, and the cost of temporary relief
during the same period was gradually reduced.
The report says: "We propose, this coming winter, to so
manage as to bring all applicants for relief personally before us;
to this end the city will be divided into eight districts by wards,
a proper person will be selected for each, and no relief will be
given unless reported worthy by the visitor assigned, who will
be compelled every ninety days to re-examine his report."
494ffl
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
The report contains the following table:
o
w
a
<
o
Kemaining at date of last report. .
Admitted and born during the year
2,121
375
3,962
428
577
601
355
2,151
7,015
Died and discharged during the
2,204
3,991
572
315
7,082
Remaining July 31, 1871
664
346
433
641
2,084
Temporary relief : District No. 1, 14,249; No. 2, 12,133; No. 3,
8,220; No. 4, 580; No. 5, 476; number relieved, 35,658; found-
lings, etc., boarded out, 68; institutions, 9,166; total number
relieved, either wholly or in part, during the year ending July
31st, 1871, 44,892; average number in the institutions during
year, 2,456; the highest number in the institutions during the
year was on the 14th of February, 1871, 2,783; the lowest num-
ber on the 19th of July, 1871, 2,133; total amount of paid bills,
$512,128.74; total amount of receipts, $21,532.04.
This report is signed by Henry Oorr, Thos Foran,
Henry Seiler, John Scott and Cornelius Ferguson,
Commissioners.
Dr. Tennis Schenck, physician of the County Hospital, reports
the results of treatment, during the year ending July 31st, 1871,
as follows : Remaining July 31st, 1870, males, 163; females, 212 ;
total, 375; admitted during the year, males, 2,166; females, 1,893;
total, 4,059; total number under treatment, males, 2,329; females,
2,105; total, 4,434; discharged recovered, males, 1,496; females,
1,439; total, 2,935; discharged improved, males, 341; females,
242; total, 583; discharged unimproved, males, 22; females, 19;
total, 41; died, males, 305; females, 224; total, 529; total number
discharged and died, males, 2,164; females, 1,924; total, 4,088;
remaining July 31st, 1871, males, 165; females, 181; total, 346;
total number for the year ending July 31st, 1866, 3,505; for the
year ending July 31st, 1867, 2,808; for the year ending July
31st, 1868, 2,613; for the year ending July Slst, 1869, 3,009;
for the year ending July 31st, 1870, 3,792; for the year ending
July 31st, 1871, 4,434, an increase of 642 over the total number
of last year.
Dr. Edward E. Chapin, physician oi the Lunatic Asylum,
acknowledges his indebtedness to Mr. Gilbert Hicks, custodian
of the Graham Fund, for valuable reading matter presented
to the Asylum during the year, and to the proprietor of the
Brooklyn Eagle for two copies of that paper furnished daily
to the Asylum. He reports, for the year ending July 31st,
1870, patients in Asylum August 1st, 1870, males, 238 ; females,
364 ; total, 602 ; patients admitted during year, males, 152 ;
females, 203 ; total, 355 ; total under treatment, males, 390 ;
females, 567; total, 957; discharged recovered, males, 47; females,
56; total, 103; discharged improved, males, 36; females, 49;
total, 85; discharged unimproved, males, 24; females, 28; total,
52; died, males, 25; females, 50; total, 75; total discharged,
males, 132; females, 183; total, 315; remaining July 31st, 1871,
males, 258; females, 384; total, 642; number of employees,
males, 32; females, 44; total, 76.
John Drisooll, Keeper of the Nursery Department, reported
especially as to the school connected with the Nursery. The
whole number of children who attended this school during the
year was 463, of whom 322 were boys, 141 girls; the average
daily attendance during the year was 275. Of the total number
who attended for any length of time, 84 studied geography,
history and punctuation; 268 studied tables and arithmetic;
187 learned to write with a pen, and 81 to form figures and
letters on slates; 352 studied reading and spelling, and 187
learned the alphabet and how to spell easy words on i
The number of children admitted to the Nursery durme the
year ending July 31, 1871, was:
Chtt.tiben.
Adults.
ToTiL
Male.
Female.
Male.
Female.
Remaining July
31st, 1870
Admitted during
the year
257
308
121
213
11
8
39
48
428
577
Total remaining
and admitted. ..
565
274
29
334
186
22
19
8
87
1,005
Discharged during
the year
Died
53
521
51
Total discharged
and died
303
208
8
53
572
Remaining July
31st, 1871 .'.
262
126
11
34
433
At this time theoflScials under the CommissioDers of
Charities were : Dr. Tennis Schenck, resident physician
of the Kings County Hospital ; Dr. P. L. Schenck,
assistant resident physician j Dr. J. L. Zabriskie, H.
L. Bartlett, M.D., R. C. Stiles, M.D., and John A.
Brady, M. D., consulting physicians; James Fitz-
gerald, steward; Mrs. Elinor Martin, matron. Dr.
Edward E. Chapin, resident physician of the Lunatic
Asylum; Dr. C. F. McDonald, assistant; James F.
Scott, steward, and Mrs. M. E. Scott, matron. John
Driscoll, keeper of the Nursery; Mrs. C. M. Driscoll,
matron; Charles McLaughlin, teacher; C. L. Phelps,
assistant teacher; Aaron J. Michaels, store-keeper;
John A. Murtha, assistant store-keeper. The clergy
of the county, although not oflBcially connected with
its poor establishment, so benevolently tendered their
services that one might have easily supposed they were
conscientiously and devotedly discharging their duties
as official chaplains thereof.
Hostility to the new Board of Commissioners of
Charities soon began to exhibit itself; the enemies
of the old Board of Superintendents insisting that
there were too many elements of the old Board ex-
isting in the new ; and, early in February, 1872,
a bill was introduced into the Legislature provid-
ing for the formation of a Board of Charities and
Corrections. It was suggested in the said bill to placfe
the Kings County Penitentiary under the control and
management of the proposed Board of Commissioners
of Charities and Corrections, and to make other sweep-
ing changes in the management of the Poor establish-
ment of the county. This measure was violently op-
posed; and, on April 39, 1873, a remonstrance was
adopted by the Supervisors and Superintendents
against the intended change. The bill favoring this
reform was, however, ultimately defeated in the Legis-
lature for that time.
THE COMMISSIONERS OF CHARITIES
495a
The annual report of the Commissioners of Chari-
ties for the year ending July 31, 1872, presented
August 6th, congratulates the public that from an
average of the different years from 1865 to 1872, there
has been a reduction on the per capita tax of of 20J
cents, and an advance in the aggregate total in seven
years of only 18,651.97. Taking Into consideration
the increase in the population, it was, indeed, a source
of gratification that the expenses of the department
had been kept within the amount appropriated to the
said Commissioners. They represented that the sum
of $400,000 might answer all the requirements for
the then ensuing year, and earnestly urged the enlarge-
ment of the hospital, by the erection of an additional
wing. The following is the annual tabulated report of
the persons in the Poor establishment for the year
ending July 31, 1872 :
Bemaining at date of last report, almshouse, 664; hospital,
346; nursery, 433; asylum, 642; total, 2,085; admitted and born
during the year, almshouse, 1,768; hospital, 4,198; nursery, 581;
asylum, 367; total, 6,914; died and discharged during year,
almsliouse, 1,869; hospital, 4,131; nursery, 602; asylum, 3;25
total, 6,927; remaining July 31, 1872, almshouse, 563; hospital,
418; nursery, 412; asylum, 684; total, 2,072; temporary relief,
22,807; foundlings, etc., hoarded out, 56; institutions, 8,999;
total number relieved, wholly or in part, during the year end-
ing July 31, 1872; 31,862; average number in the institutions
during the year, 2,413; highest number during year was on
April 3d, 2,821; lowest number during year was on July 3d,
2,026; total amount of paid bills, $400,951.22; total amount of
receipts, $17,325.19.
The Board of Commissioners of Charities this year consisted
of Henry Corr, Thos. Foran, Henry Wills, John J. Scott,
Cornelius Ferguson.
I)r. P. L. Schenck, physician to the County Hospital for the
fiscal year ending July 31, 1872, reports :
Kemaining July 31, 1871, males, 165; females, 181; total, 3,346;
admitted during the year, males, 2,357 ; females, 1,841 ; total,
4,198; total under treatment, males, 2,522 ; females, 2,022 ; total,
4,544; discharged recovered, males, 1,620 ; females, 1,270 ; total,
2,890 ; discharged improved, males, 280 ; females, 180 ; total,
460; discharged unimproved, males, 54, females, 64 ; total, 118;
died, males, 384 ; females, 279 ; total, 653 ; total discharged and
died, males, 2,338 ; females, 1,793 ; total, 4,131 ; remaining July
31, 1872, males, 184; females, 229 : total, 413 ; total under treat-
ment for the year ending July 31, 1872, 4,544 ; total under treat-
ment for the year ending July 31, 1871, 4,434.
It will be seen by the above that there was an increase of 110
over the number treated last year. Of those discharged, 2,890,
or 64 per cent, recovered ; that 460, or 10 per cent., improved;
that 118, or 3 per cent., did not improve ; 663, or 14 per cent.,
died. The Doctor's report states that the small-pox prevailed to
■ a fatal extent in the hospital during most of the year ; that the
total number admitted to the Small-pox Hospital during the year
was 1,691, of whom 110 were mothers, acting as nurses for their
children sick with the disease ; 292 died of the disease ; that of
the 4,544 admitted to the hospital during the year, 3,535 were
foreigners. The number of births in the hospital during the
year was 142. The number of births in the hospital since Aug-
ust 1, 1852, is 2,499, 39 oases oif twin births. Of these 1,533 of
the mothers were from Ireland, 201 from Germany, 26 from
Scotland, 553 from United States, 86 from England, etc. Of
these mothers, 1,227 were married ; 1,003 unmarried ; 13 were
wows. The total number of patients admitted to the hospital
since August 1st, 1851, to July 31st, 1872, was 58,958.
Dr. Edward R. Chapin, physician of the Lunatic Asylum for the
year eding July 31st, 1872, reporled :
Patients in Asylum August 1, 1871, males, 258 ; females, 384;
total, 652 ; patients admitted during the year, males, 168 ;
females, 199 ; total, 367 ; whole number under treatment, males,
426, females, 583 ; total, 1,009 ; discharged recovered, males,
61 ; females, 64 ; total, 125 ; discharged improved, males, 33 ;
females, 37 ; total, 70 ; discharged unimproved, males, 25 ;
females, 31 ; total, 56 ; died, males, 40 ; females, 34 ; total, 74 ;
whole number discharged, male.s, 159 ; females, 166 ; total, 325 ;
remaining July 31st, 1872, males, 267 ; females, 417 ; total, 684 ;
number of employees, males, 33 ; females, 46 ; total, 79.
The Doctor strongly recommended that the basement under
the new wing, occupied by females, which was left unfinished
when the building was enlarged three years before, should be
immediately finished, as the room was very much needed.
The report of Mr. John DriscoU, keeper of the Nursery, for
the year ending July 31, 1872, reported :
Childken.
Adxjlts.
ToTAIi.
M.
F.
M.
F.
Remaining July 31,
1871
262
318
126
196
11
15
34
52
433
Admitted du ri ng
581
Total remaining and
admitted . . .
580
322
26
86
1,014
Discharged d u r ing
year
304
23
174
31
17
53
548
Died during the year ,
54
Total discharged and
.327
205
17
9
53
602
Remaining on July 31,
1872
253
117
33
412
Of this total number in the Nursery during the year,
323 boys and 116 girls were attending the school in the
institution ; 79 studied reading, writing and spelling,
punctuation, history, geography and arithmetic ; 164
studied reading, writing, spelUng and tables; 196
learned the alphabet and how to spell easy words.
During the year there were 185 promotions. The
ladies of the " Helping Hand Society," of Brooklyn,
viz., Mrs. Wilder, Mrs, Pierce, Mrs. Pitts, Mrs. Brown,
Mrs'. Rand, and the Misses Decker, Wilder, Barbor and
Chadwick, were warmly commended in the report for
their kind and generous attention to the pupils; as
were also Mrs. Jojinson and her nieces, the Misses
Johnson, for pleasing, tasteful and appropriate Christ-
mas gifts, story books, confectionery and other articles
highly gratifying to the little ones.
At the annual election held in November, 1872, John
Cunningham and Stephen H. Powell were elected
Commissioners of Charities' for the County of Kings,
and on December 23 their bonds were duly approved.
The history of the transactions of the Board of Com-
missioners of Charities for the year ending July 31,
496a
HISTORF OF KINGS COUNTY.
1873, outside of the annual report of the Board and
of the resident physicians of the hospitals, and the
keeper of the Nursery, is not sufficiently important to
be given here.
The report speaks in the highest terms of the con-
venience and advantage derived from the completion
of the new Almshouse; proposes other changes for
the benefit of that institution ; and complains of the
want of power to detain a person in the Almshouse if
he refuses to work.
They also animadvert strongly against the neglect of
the authorities of Queens and Suffolk Counties to pro-
vide for the claims of their lunatics. " We have," says
the report, " admitted a number of pay patients from
these counties, not as a matter of right, but to meet, as
far as possible, the claims of common humanity, but we
shall soon be compelled to refuse admission to all per-
sons not residents of our county under the full meaning
of the law."
The following table shows the number of persons in
the Poor establishment, the number relieved, &c., &c.,
during the last fiscal year :
Eemaining at date of last report : Almshonse, 565, Hospital,
413 ; Nursey, 412 ; Asylum, 684 ; total, 2,074. Admitted and born
during year : Almshouse, 1,463 ; Hospital, 3,108 ; Nursery, 520 ;
Asylum, 322 ; total, 5,413. Died and discharged : Almshouse,
1,589 ; Hospital, 3,148 ; Nursery, 588 ; Asylum, 288, total, 5,613.
Eemaining July 31, 1873 : Almshouse, 439 ; Hospital, 373, Nur-
sery, 344 ; Asylum, 718 ; total, 1,874 ; Temporary relief, 25,033.
Foundlings, etc., boarded out 64. Institutions, 7,487. Whole
number relieved either wholly or in part during the year ending
July 31, 1873, 32,584. Average number in Institutions during the
year, 2,226.
The highest number in the institutions during the year was
on February 11, 2,593; the lowest, June 1st 1,892; total amount
of paid bills, $405,143.70; total amount of receipts, $19,850.31.
This report was signed by Cornelius Ferguson, John Cunning-
ham, Henry Wills, G. H. Powell, and John J. Scott, as Commis-
sioners of Charities.
Dr. P. L. Sohenok physician of the County Hospital for the
year ending July Slst, 1873, congratulates the Commissioners
and the public upon the improved condition of the hospital.
He says a very large number of the patients in the hospital dur-
ing the year were persons who had worked in the white-lead
manufactories of Brooklyn. The great increase in the number
of these patients oiight to be a proper subject of the health au-
thorities. He also speaks of the great number of surgical opera-
tions in the hospital, and announces in touching language the
death of Dr. E. Ceesson Stiles, a member of the hospital staff,
who died of pneumonia, after an illness of ten days, at the resi-
dence of his mother, at West Chester, Pa., April 17, 1873, in his
43d year. He held successively the position of assistant physi-
cian in 1854-5, resident physician in 1864-5, and upon his res-
ignation as resident physician, received the appointment of con-
sulting physician. As a scientitio physician and microscopist,
few equaled him; as a scholar and polished gentleman he was
not excelled.
He reports as remaining July 31, 1872, males, 184; females,
229; total, 413; admitted during the year, males, 1,660; females,
1,448; total, 3,108; total number under treatment, males, 1,844;
females, 1,677; total, 3,521; discharged recovered, males, 1,160;
females, 1,091; total, 2,251; discharged improved, males, 208;
females, 171; total, 379; discharged unimproved, males, 68; fe-
males, 81; total, 149; died, males, 220; females, 149; total, 369;
total discharged and died, males, 1,656; females, 1,492- total
3,148; remaining July 31st, 1873, males, 188; females, 185; total'
373; total number under treatment for the year ending July Slst'
1872, 4,544; total number for year ending July 31st, 1873 3 521-
decrease, 1,023.
Dr. Edward B. Ohapin, physician of the Lunatic Asylum for
the year ending July 31st, 1873, gives a very brief hut very in-
teresting and instructive showing a very prosperous and'suo-
cestui state of things in that institution.
Patients in Asylum August 1st, 1872, males, 267 ; females
417 ; total, 684 ; patients admitted during the year, males, 157 •
females, 165; total, 322; whole number under treatment, males-
424; females, 582 ; total, 1,006 ; discharged recovered, males
56 ; females, 56 ; total, 112 ; discharged improved, males 25
females, 46 ; total, 71 ; discharged unimproved, males, 23 ■ fe-
males, 16 ; total, 39 ; died, males, 33 ; females, 33 ; total, 66 ;
whole number discharged, males, 137 ; females, 151 ; total, 288 ;
remaining July 31, 1873, males, 287 ; females, 431 ; total, 718 ;
number of employees, males, 32 ; females, 49 ; total, 81.
The annual report of the County Nursery by Mr. Drisooll, the
manager, gives a very encouraging account of that institution.
Among other things it gives an account of the condition of the
large garden attached to the Nursery, the cultivation of which,
for the past year, was committed entirely to the care of the boys
in the Nursery, with the exception of one man to superintend.
The report also shows the following :
ChTTiTIBEN.
Adults.
Total,
Males.
Females.
Males.
Females
Remaining July
31, 1872
Admitted during
253
286
117
175
9
10
33
49
412
520
Total
539
292
19
82
932
Discharged during
320
21
163
21
10
1
52
545
Died during year
43
Total
341
184
11
52
588
Eemaining July
31,1873
Decrease during
vear
198
128
8
8
341
68
By the Act of April 27, 1871, creating the office of
Auditor in the County of Kings, it was made the duty
of said Auditor to examine all bills presented against
the County of Kings for payment, including all bills
incurred by the Commissioners of Charities, and to cer-
tify to the Board of Supervisors the result of his exam-
ination, stating whether there was sufficient money in
the treasury of said county placed to the credit of the
account to which such bills were chargeable. Also,
whether such bills had been incurred under due author-
ity of law, &c. Maurice Fitzgerald was, on May
1st, 1871, duly appointed Auditor of Kings County:
thenceforth the accounts of the Commissioners of Chan-
ties were no longer examined and audited by the Super-
visors, but by the Auditor of the County. The Super-
visors, however, had the right of proving or disap-
proving the acts of the Auditor. There had existed in
the Board of Supervisors, until the passage of this act,
TBE COMMISSIONERS OF CHARITIES.
497a
a committee termed a Committee on Accounts of Com-
missioners of Chanties, to which the latter reported
their accounts. "Under an amendment of the act,
creating the office of County Auditor, the Commission-
ers of Charities were required to make and present to
him a monthly pay-roll for each and every month in
the year. We have already referred to the feeling of
hostihty to the old Board of Superintendents of the
Poor, which increased until that Board was abolished ;
but as the functions of the Commissioners of Charities
were in many respects similar to those of the old Board,
the prejudice against that continued to exist against the
new, until, June 32, 1874, it culminated in the presen-
tation to the GoTernor and the Board of Supervisors
of written charges of serious irregularities in the trans-
action of official business by the Commissioners of
Charities, and the ofEering of a resolution to the Board
of Supervisors directing the Committee on Accounts of
Commissioners of Charities to closely investigate the
management of said Commissioners, covering such
period of time as the committee might deem proper,
with power to send for persons and papers, and to re-
port results to the Board as soon as possible.
Previously to this a resolution had been offered to
the Board of Supervisors directing the Treasurer of the
County to decline payment of all drafts upon him from
the Commissioners of Charities for the present. An-
other resolution was adopted by the Board about this
time,quite annoying to the Commissioners of Charities,
pointing to a colhsion between the two Boards. The
resolution was as follows :
" Resolved, That the Commissioners of Charities be and they
are hereby instructed to purchase no intoxicating liquors, ale
or wines, hereafter, for any of the public institutions, or at .the
public expense, without an order of this Board therefor being
first had and obtained."
By an Act of the Legislature, passed April 3d, 1874,
the act creating the Board of Commissioners of Chari-
ties of Kings County was largely amended, increasing
the powers of the Supervisors over them, and restrict-
ing their own powers. One of these amendments, par-
ticularly obnoxious to the Commissioners, found in
section 3d of the Act of 1874, is as follows :
"All articles found necessary to be used in and for the relief
and support of the poor in the County of Kings, shall be pur-
chased, contracted for or supplied by the Board of Supervisors
of Kings County.
" The section there proceeds to limit the powers of the Com-
missioners, compelling them to make frequent reports to the
Supervisors."
In April, 1874, bills for water furnished the County
Buildings by the Department of Brooklyn City Water
Works amounted to the sum of $11,375.80, which the
Commissioners of Charities had neglected to pay.
This led to an unpleasant discussion, the Commis-
sioners alleging that it was the action of the Board of
Supervisors that caused the delay in the payment of the
said bill.
The difl&culties connected with the Commissioners of
Charites continued until Stephen H. Powell, Henry H.
Wills and Cornelius Ferguson, Commissioners of Chari-
ties in the 3nd, 3rd and 5th Districts, were, on the 1st
of June, 1874, tried, convicted and sentenced for mal-
feasance in office.
On July 1st, 1874, John A. Dix, then Governor of
the State of New York, in pursuance of a statute in
such case made and provided, gave the Board of
Supervisors of Kings County official notice of the va-
cancies in the Board of Commissioners of Charities,
created by the conviction, and sentence, of the said
Powell, Ferguson and Wills of the crime of malfeas-
ance in office and conspiracy. The trial of these men
created great excitement in the County; it took place
before the extniordinary Court of Oyer and Terminer,
held in the City of Brooklyn, on the 9th day of
June, 1874; Hon. Charles Daniels, one of the Justices
of the Supreme Court, presiding; Hon. Barnett John-
son and Hon. Stephen J. Voorhees, associates. After
a somewhat exciting trial, the jury found the said per-
sons guilty of the crime charged in the indictment. A
motion was made for a rest of judgment by the defend-
ants' counsel, and a stay of sentence granted until June
12th, 1874, and the defendants were admitted to bail
in the sum of five thousand dollars each, to appear in
court on the 13th day of June, 1874. On that day the
motion for a rest of judgment was argued and denied,
and the court passed sentence that the defendants
Ferguson, Powell aud Wills each pay a fine of $300, and
that they stand committed until such fine be paid.
By a recent enactment of the Legislature, the Board
of Supervisors were empowered to elect Commissioners
of Charities.in the place of the said Powell, Ferguson and
Wills. The election was held July 5th, 1874, and after
a long and sharp contest, resulted in the electron of
Hassan H. Wheeler, Commissioner of Charities of
Kings County from the 2nd District ; John Raber, as
such Commissioner from the 3rd District, and of Win-
ent B. Bennett from the 5th District.
August 18th, further complaint was made as to the
manner in which the Commissioners of Charities dis-
charged the duties of their office in relation to the
County Lunatic Asylum, Almshouse and other institu-
tions under their charge, and the Board of Supervisors
appointed a committee of six to investigate the truth of
these charges.
November 13th, on the coming in of the report ot
said committee, a resolution was adopted by the Board
of Supervisors authorizing the employment of counsel,
with instructions to commence suit promptly against
the Commissioners of Charities, and their sureties for
the recovery to the county treasury of certain deficien-
cies in their accounts.
At the annual election held in November, 1874, Dr.
Thomas P. Norris was elected Commissioner of Chan-
ties for the 2d District. The annual report of the
498«
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Commissioners for the year ending July 31, 1874,
gives tlie following table:
a p
O
M
u
e
0
a
3
CO
-<
o
Remaining at date of last report.
Admitted during tbe year
439
1,704
373
2,853
344
574
918
545
718
338
1,874
5,469
Total
2,143 3.22fi
1,056
7 343
Died and discharged. . . .
1,522
2,906
305
5,278
Remaining July 31, 1874..
621
320
373
751
2,065
Temporary relief 36,411
Foundlings, &c., boarded out 37
Institutions 7, 343
Total for year ending July 31, 1874 43,791
Average number in the institutions during the year was 2,175;
total amount of bills paid, $445,463.56; total amount of receipts,
$19,577.61.
The Commissioners at the date of said report were
John Cunningham, John J, Scott Hassen, H. Wheeler,.
John Eaber, Winant E. Bennett. The three latter
were appointed in place of Cornelius Ferguson, Henry
Wills and S. H. Powell, removed.
Dr. P. L. Schenck, physician of the County Hospital, for the
year ending July 31, 1874, reports : Among other things, that
a'coholismus (which includes delirium tremens) numbered
(luring the year ending July 31, 1874, 172 cases, showing an
increase over the number of the previous year of 36. Lead
poisoning, which was spoken of in the last report, shows a still
greater increase, the number of cases being 64.
The Doctor's report contains the following: Remaining July
31, 1873, males, 188; females, 185; total, 373; admitted during
the year, males, 1,579 ; females, 1,274 ; total, 2,853; discharged
recovered, males, 1,210; females, 1,008; total, 2,218; discharged
improved, males, 184; females, 144 ; total, 328 ; discharged un-
improved, males, 54; females, 33; total, 87; died, males, 157;
females, 116; total, 273; remaining July 31, 1874, males, 162;
females, 158; total, 320; decrease, 296.
In November, 1873, Dr. Edward E. Chapin, Medical
Superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum, resigned his
office, after a long and faithful service of more than six-
teen years, during which he had won for himself the
esteem of his officers and subordinates, the respect
and love of his patients ; and for the Asylum a char-
acter, a name and fame of which the County of Kings
may justly feel proud. Dr. C. F. MacDoitald was ap-
pointed Medical Superintendent in place of Dr. Chapiu,
and Dr. Archibald Campbell was promoted to the
position of first assistant physician ; these gentlemen
stood high in their profession, and the subsequent
condition of the Asylum under their care bears in
dubitable testimony to their skill and efficiency.
The Doctor complains of the overcrowded state of the Asylum,
and suggests improvements for its relief. His annual report
contains the following : Patients in Asylum August 1, 1873,
males, 287; females, 431; total, 718; patients admitted during
year, males, 177; females, 161; total, 338; discharged recovered,
males, 62; females, 52; total, 114;- discharged improved males
37; females, 41; total, 78; discharged unimproved, males 23'
females, 16; total, 39; died, males, 40; females, 34; total' 74
whole number discharged, males, 162; females, 143;' total' 305
remaining July 31, 1874, males, 302; females, 409^ total^ 751
number of employees, males, 37; females, 51; total, 88.
The report of Mr. John DriscoU, Superintendent 'of the Kings
County Nursery, for the year 1874, shows the continued pros-
perity of this interesting department of the poor establishment,
in all its branches. The report recommends the erection of a
Gymnasium for the boys, the enlargement of the garden for the
occupation of the boys able to work therein.
It shows that calisthenics was introduced during the year
with marked success. It speaks in high terms of the two Sun-
day schools in the Nursery, the Catholic and the Protestant
The report of the Commissioners concludes with the following
resume :
Children.
Adults.
Total
Males.
Females.
Males.
Females.
Remaining July
31, 1873
Admitted during
year
198
320
108
184
8
6
14
30
64
341
574
Total
518
292
94
59
918
Discharged during
year
Died during year.
267
21
170
23
5
501
44
Total
288
193
5
59
545
Remaining July
31, 1874...;....
230
99
9
35
373
Increase of 29 during the year.
At the annual election, November, 1875, Bernard
Bogan was elected a Commissioner of Charities for the
1st District of Kings County.
Prom the annual report of the Commissioners of Charities for
the year ending July 31, 1875, we take the following :
oj 6
a s
3
'Si
to
0
w
S
p
3
Remaining at date of last re-
port
603
1,820
320
3,010
373
728
751
318
2,047
Admitted and born during
the year
5,876
Total
2,423
3,330
1,101
1,069
7,923
Died and discharged during
the year
Whole number relieved
1,796
2,961
640
303
5,700
35,850
7,923
Total number relieved, either wholly or in part, during the
year ending July 31, 1875, 43,773; average number in the insti-
tutions during the year, 2,182; the highest number in the insti-
tutions during the year was on the 2d February, 1875, 2,305; the
lowest number was on the 22d September, 1874, 2,062; total
amount of paid bills, $523,588.68; total amount of receipts,
$20,700.61.
THE COMMISSIONERS OF CHARITIES
499a
The Commissioners of Charities for the year ending July 31,
1875 were John Cunningham, John Eaber, Thos. P. Norris,
Beniard Midas, Harmon V. Storms.
Tlie annual report of Dr. P. L. Sohenck, Medical Superintend-
ent of the Kings County Hospital, shows the statistics of that in-
stitution for the year ending July 31, 1875, as follows :
Remaining July 31st, 1874, males, 162; females, 158; total,
320- admitted during year, males, 1,608; females, 1,402; total,
3 010- total, males, 1,770; females, 1,560; total, 3,330; discharged
recovered, males, 1,206; females, 1,054; total, 2,260; discharged
improved, males, 140; females, 149; total, 289; discharged un-
improved, males, 53; females, 41; total, 94; died, males, 198; fe-
males 120; total, 318; total, males, 1,597; females, 1,364; total,
2 961; remaining July, 1875, males, 173; females, 196 ; total, 369;
total numher under treatment for the year' ending July 31st,
1873 3 521; total number under treatment for the year ending
July 31st, 18W. 3,225; total number under treatment for the j'ear
ending July 31st, 1875, 3,338. ^
The total number of patients admitted shows an increase of
157 over the number of last year. Two thousand three hundred
and thirty-five of the said patients were foreigners, 1,319 of
whom were from Ireland, 901 from Germany, 201 from Sweden,
53 from England, 41 from Scotland, &o. During the year re-
ferred to there was held, in the Hospital, on Friday afternoon of
each week, a surgical clinic, attended by many members of the
outside profession, not only of great advantage to the patients,
hut a source of instruction to the Hospital staff. During the year
an investigating Board of the Supervisors visited the Hospital
several times, unanimously expressing themselves more than sat-
isfied with the manner in which this institution was conducted
in all its parts.
Dr. James H, Blanchard, Medical Superintendent of the
County Lunatic Asylum during the last year, reports as fol-
lows:
Patients in Asylum August 1st, 1874, males, 302; females, 449;
total, 751; patients admitted during the year, males, 149; fe-
males, 169; total, 318; whole number under treatment, males,
451; females, 618, total, 1,069; discharged recovered, males, 49;
females, 60; total, 109; discharged improved, males, 36; fe-
males, 43; total 79; discharged unimpro^ed, males, 16; females,
18; total, 34; died, males, 45; females, 36; total, 81; whole num-
ber discharged, males, 146; females, 157; total, 303; remaining
July 31, 1875, males, 305; females, 461; total, 766; number of
employees, males, 33, females, 48; total, 81.
, During the year one homicide occurred, but no suicides. The
asylum was at the time very much overcrowded.
The annual report of the Superintendent of the Nursery, Mr.
Bernard Began, for the fiscal year ending July 31, 1875, presents
a most encouraging condition of that interesting department of
the poor establishment of the county.
■ An industrial school was organized during the year, in which
tailoring, ehoemaking and printing were taught, with manifest
success. The garden continues not only to be a source of pleas-
ure to the boys who conduct it, but a source of profit to the in-
stitution. The school of the establishment has come to be of
very great importance, an institution of learning for children, of
which the county may well be proud. The school-room is cheer-
ful and comfortable; the children are divided into eight classes,
and many of them in the higher classes show a proficiency in
heir studies creditable to their teachers and any institution of
earnmg. Besides the usual branches taught in schools, singing
y note has been successfully introduced. Calisthenics and
matches formed useful and entertaining exercises. A
KoU of Honor
was mstituted, which greatly stimulated the chil-
to a ^^ 1^°'"^ ^'"'^'^^- During the year there were 503 admitted
e school, 253 promoted during the same time, the average
attendance being 267.
The following shows the number admitted during the year :
July
during
Childeen.
Adults,
Total.
Males.
Females.
Males.
Females.
Remaining
31, 1874.
Admitted
year
230
364
594
99
265
9
24
35
75
373
728
Total.
364
3J
110
64
1,101
Discharged
Died
297
32
215
13
19
595
45
July
Total
329
228
19
14
64
46
640
Remaining
31, 1875.
265
136
461
By an act of Legislature, May 15th, 1876, the Board
of Supervisors were permitted to raise a sum, not ex-
ceeding $16,000, to meet the deficiency in tlie salary
account of the Cummissioners of Charities. Previous
to the passage of this act, and on April 19th, 1876, the
following preamble and resolution was introduced and
adopted by the Board of Supervisors:
"Whereas, The appropriation for supplies for this year was
$160,000, and the amount expended for only eight months was
$133,000; and unless a reduction of expenses be made immedi-
ately, the whole appropriation will be exhausted long before the
expiration of the fiscal year; therefore be it
Resolved, That it is the duty of the Commissioners of Charities
to discontinue all supplies of dry-goods, milk, eggs, butter,
sugar and any other articles not of absolute necessity, except in
the cases of infants and invalids; and that in all such cases the
supplies of such articles be furnished only on requisition of the
physician-in-chief, naming the persons for whom the same are
required, and the quality of the article mentioned, and that all
such requisitions be numbered in regular order, dated, and en-
tered in a book to be provided for that purpose."
It having come to the knowledge of the Board of
Supervisors that there was a deficiency of $18,577.15
in the accounts of the Commissioners of Charities,
making their pay-roll for the year ending July 31st,
1876, $103,577.15, and there being raised and appro-
priated for that purpose by the Supervisors, only
$85,000, on June 7th, 1876, a committee, appointed by
the Supervisors to examine into this matter, made a
report, which was duly accepted:
" That there is no authority in the law for the Commissioners
exceeding the amount of said api^ropriation, and that an examin-
ation of their pay-rolls shows that, had they desired to, they
could easily have kept within that amount; that it is impossible
to quietly permit such action on the part of the Commissioners
of Charities; that it would be no more than just retribution to
hold the said Commissioners responsible personally for this
deficiency.''
The practice of receiving pauper lunatics indiscrimi-
nately into the County Asylum had overcrowded that
institution to such an extent that Section 6, Article
1st, Chapter 446 of the Laws of 1874, which provided
500fl!
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
"that no persons should be admitted to the Asylum
unless committed thereto by the County Judge or Sur-
rogate," was now rigidly enforced; therefore the Com-
missioners of Charities took immediate steps to dis-
charge from the County Asylum, as fast as due regard for
humanity and the proprieties of the case would admit,
all persons, not paupers, not lawfully entitled to remain
in said Asylum ; and that after the 2d day of August,
1876, no person, not a pauper, could be received into
said Asylum unless by competent judicial authority.
This, of course, excluded all non-resident lunatics
from the Asylum.
In their annual report for the year ending July 31, 1876, the
Commissioners say that the new Hospital for Incurables is now
nearly completed, and will accommodate a large number of that
class of patients. That there were remaining in the poor estab-
lishment at the date of their last report: Almshouse, 640; hos-
pital, 369; asylum, 766; total, 1,775; admitted and born during
year, almshouse, 2,165; hospital, 3,901; asylum, 314; total, 6,380;
died and discharged, almshouse, 2,044; hospital, 3,959; asylum,
270; total, 6,273; remaining July 31, 1876, almshouse, 761; hos-
pital, 311; asylum, 810; total, 1,882; number relieved, 44,208;
foundlings, etc., boarded out, 50; cared for in the institutions,
8,155; total number relieved wholly or in part, 52,413; average
number in the institutions, 2,135; the highest number in during
year was on August 3, 1875, 2,317; the lowest number was July
11, 1876, 1,944.
Total amount' of department bills, $388,692.90; total amount
of receipts, $21,221.98.
The Commissioners of Charities for this year were Thomas P.
Norris, Bernard Bogan, John Kaber, Bernhart Midas, Harmon
V. Strong. At the annual election in November, 1876, Bernhart
Midas was elected Commissioner of Charities for the 1st Dis-
trict for the ensuing year.
Dr. James A. Blanchard, Medical Superintendent of the Luna-
tic Asylum for the year ending July 31, 1876, reports that such
was the increase of patients in the Asylum (there being at one
time 816) it seemed almost impossible to find accommodations
for them ; that frequently newly arrived patients were obliged to
wait two or three days, or until a vacancy occurred, before they
could be admitted. That in a population of 500,000 people,
there is an average number of 800 persons classed as insane. In
other words, 16 in every 10,000 of the population of the county
were under treatment for lunacy; that there was no doubt that
within the next decade not less than 1,200 of these unfortunates
would be consigned to the care of the county authorities. The
necessity of constructing another asylum was earnestly set forth.
The report further shows that a very large increase of the general
library has been made, for which the Asylum was largely under
obligations to Gilbert Hicks, Esq.,of Flatbush, the custodian of the
" Graham Fund." The report also pleasantly refers to the visit
of a committee from the State Board of Public Charities and to
their donations. It also speaks highly of the weekly surgical
clinic in the Asylum for the past year. The Doctor recommended
that action be taken to restrict, in a measure, and regulate the
visiting of the Asylum, which had become a positive detriment
to the patients. "Large numbers of people," he says, "come
here out of morbid curiosity, as to a menagerie, and the result
cannot but be, and is, injurious to the inmates. The day after
visiting day the excited condition of the patients is apparent to
the most casual observer." This report gives the following sta-
tistical account of the Asylum for the year ending July 31, 1876:
Patients in Asylum August 1, 1875, males, 305; females, 461;
total, 766; patients admitted during the year, males, 154; fe-
males, 160; total, 314; whole number under treatment, males,
459; females, 621; total, 1,080; discharged recovered, males, 66;
females, 49; total, 115; discharged improved, males
34; total, 62; discharged unimproved, males, 15;' females 16
total, 31; died, males, 27; females, 35; total, 62 ; whole number
discharged, males, 136; females, 134; total, 270; remaininf? T„I,
31, 1876, males, 323; females, 487; total, 810; whole number If
employees, male, 32; female, 48; total, 80.
Dr. P. L. Schenck, Medical Superintendent of the Kings
County Hospital, for the year ending July 31, 1876, gives the fol-
lowing as to the number of persons, etc., in the Hospital durins
the year: °
Kemaining July 31, 1875, males, 173; females, 196; total, 369.
admitted during the year, males, 2,203; females, 1,698; total'
3,901; total number under treatment, males,, 2,376; females'
1,894; total, 4,270; discharged recovered, males, 1,667; females'
1,331; total, 2, 908 ;, discharged improved, males, 204; females!
194; total, 400; discharged unimproved, males, 26; females, 21-
total, 47; died, males, 320; females, 194; total, 514; total 'dis-
charged, males, 2,218; females, 1,741; total, 3,959; 'remaining
July 31, 1876, mal*, 158; females, 153; total, 311; total num-
ber under treatment for the year ending July 31, 1874 3 225'
total number under treatment for the year ending July 31, 1875
3,338; total number under treatment for the year ending July
31, 1876, 4,270.
This report shows an increase of 2.6 per cent, in the death
rate of the institution. There were 92 deaths from small-pox;
76 patients were removed to the Lunatic Asylum. The
total number of patients admitted during the year shows an in-
crease of 891 over the last year. That of the 4,270 patients
treated, all were foreigners excepting 909. There were 141 chil-
dren born ; of the mothers, 71 were married and 67 single ; of
the 71 married mothers all were Americans.
There is no report this year of the Nursery, changes
having taken place which virtually abolished thatinsti-
tution. One of the principal causes for these results
was the completion of the Brooklyn Industrial School
Associalion and Home for Destitute Children, in Butler
Street, near Flatbush Avenue. On September 2,
1875, Dr. Norris, President of the Commission of Chari-
ties, received notice from Mrs. Jessie C. Smith, first
Directress of the above association, that this Home was
ready to receive as many children from the Kings
County Nursery as the Commissioners of Charities
might think proper to send them at 14 each per month,
subject to the rules for the government of the Home,
In accordance with this, most of the children were re-
moved ; and, under the importunate demands of the
medical superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum for in-
creased accommodation for that institution, the Nur-
sery building was altered into a Hospital for Incurables,
ae well as for defective children, &c., who could not be
cured.
Notwithstanding the rules a,dopted against the ad-
mission of non-residents of Kings County iuto the
Poor establishment, the practice existed to a large ex-
tent ; whereupon, in November, 1876, the following
resolution was adopted by the Supervisors :
"Resolved, That the Commissioners of Charities be and they
are hereby directed to fuxnish promptly io this Board iUnuniier
and names of inmates of the Almshouse, Lunatic Asylum, Hos-
pital and Nursery, at Platbush, who have no legal residence in
Kings County, and the date of their admission into the several
institutions."
This very important resolution was unanimously
THE COMMISSIONERS OF CHARITIES.
501a
adopted. The reader will soon learn to what extent it
was obeyed.
We hare already referred to the regulation requiring
the physicians in charge of the Lunatic Asylum to dis-
charge therefrom all non-residents, whicli was one of
the results of this resolution.
Early in January, 1877, the following resolution was
adopted :
"JJesotoed, That the Commissioner of Charities for the 1st
district be, and he hereby is, respectfully requested to com-
mence the distribution of coal to the poor of said district at the
earliest possible moment."
This resolution, authorized by law, was passed at a
time which will be remembered by many as a period of
great suffering among the poor of that district. The
resolution was some days afterwards so amended as to
embrace the other districts.
April 4th, 1877, a very important matter was brought
before the Supervisors and the Commissioners of Chari-
ties, the result of the action of certain shrewd politi-
cians—employees of the Board of Charities — in bringing
inmates of the almshouse to take part in certain poli-
tical meetings in Grayesend, with a view to influence
and control their action, showing how difficult it is to
divorce politics from such institutions. The prompt
action of the Supervisors touching the matter, denounc-
ing the practice " as entirely unwarranted by law, or by
a proper regard for decency," was warmly commended
by the citizens of the county.
June 38th, 1877. The Commissioners of Charities
having failed to send in, according to law, any estimate
of the amount required for salaries, or for improve-
ments, or for alterations to the buildings and grounds
of the Poor establishments, though it was well known
such improvements were contemplated, the Supervisors
passed a resolution reprimanding the neglect of the
Commissioners in the discharge of their duties. The
frepent collision between the Supervisors and the
Board of Charities was fast leading to that radical
change in the Poor establishment of the county which
led to the present system, under which it is conducted
at this writing.
The annual report of the Commissioners for the year
ending July 31st, 1877, is a paper of considerable
length and ability : " It behooves," says this report,
"those in authority, as well as all other citizens, to as-
sist in solving the question : 'How shall this depart-
ment of public charities be managed so as to do the
greatest good to the unfortunate and indigent among
us, and at the same time avoid imposing onerous bur-
dens on the taxpayers?' " We cannot refrain from in-
serting here the ingenious, apparently mild, but pal-
pable hit which the Commissioners give the Board of
Mpervisors and others in interfering with their man-
agement of the poor establishment of the county,
■'^iter pleasantly stating that those who were charged
with the management of charity affairs are better able
to Judge of the manner in which they should discharge
their duties than any other persons, and that they
should, therefore, be invested with full power to deal
with the matter, and all questions which arise in doing
so, they say: "Public officials who have charge of
charity affairs always find it difficult to do justice to
themselves or their public trusts while acting with
shackled hands." This is the only allusion in the report
to some unpleasant matters whichhad occurred thus far
during the year. The report continues as follows :
Remaining at the date of last report, Alms-house, 811; Hospi-
tal, 271; Asylum, 810; total, 1,892; admitted and born during the
year, Alms-house, 2,301; Hospttal, 3,244; Asylum, 318; Homefor
Incurables, 313; total, 6,176; died and discharged during the
year, Alms-house, 2,294; Hospital, 3,184; Asylum, 496; Home
for Incurables, 24; total, 5,998; remaining July 31, 1817, Alms-
house, 818; Hospital, 331; Asylum, 632; Home for Incurables,
289; total, 2,070; employees. Alms-house, 8; Hospital, 46; Asy-
lum, 85; Home for Incurables, 21; total, 160; number tempor-
arily relieved, 46,330; cared for in the institutions, 8,068; total
number relieved wholly or in part during year ending July 31,
1877, 54,398; average number in institutions, 2,226; highest num-
ber during year was on January 16, 1877, 2,406; lowest number
August 15, 1876, 1,988; total amount of bills paid and due,
$440,025.52; receipts, §17,679.97.
The Commissioners of Charities this year were Thomas P. Nor-
ris, Bernard Bogan, John Kaber, Bernard Midas, H. V. Storm.
The annual report of Dr. P. L. Schenck, Medical Superinten-
dent of Kings County Hospital, is, as usual, able and succinct.
There were :
Remaining in Hospital, July 31, 1876, males, 158 ; females,
153 ; total, 311 ; admitted during the year, males, 1,855 ; females,
1,389 ; total, 3,244; total number under treatment, males, 2,013 ;
females, 1,542 ; total, 3,555 ; discharged recovered, males, 1,419 ;
females, 1,065 ; total, 2,484 ; discharged improved, males, 180 ;
females, 166 ; total, 346 ; discharged unimproved, males, 23 ; fe-
males, 20 ; total, 43 ; died, males, 190 ; females, 121 ; total, 311 ;
total discharged and died, males, 1,812 ; females, 1,372 ; total,
3,184.
It will be seen from the above report that there was a decrease
of 603 in the total number of patients admitted during the year.
There were 145 children born in the institutions during the year.
Of all the number of patients, 3,555, admitted into the Hospital
during the year, all excepting 810 were foreigners ; of these 1,392
were from Ireland, 722 from Germany, 240 from Sweden, 66 from
France, 62 from England, 59 from Switzerland, 47 from Soot-
land, 50 from Norway, 39 from Denmark, 25 from Italy, 18 from
Poland, 2 from Eussia, 8 from Belgium, 1 from Portugal, 1 from
Cuba, 1 from China, and 2 from Spain.
Dr. James Blanchard, Medical Superintendent of the Lunatic
Asylum, reports, among other things, that in the preceding Jan-
uary the JEfoapitalfor Inmrables was completed, officered and fur-
nished, and in the February following some of the patients— 260
in all- were transferred to that institution. These consisted of
epileptics, idiots, imbeciles, and demented patients, all quiet and
orderly. At one period there were 827 patients under treatment
in the Asylum, which had a capacity for containing only 600,
leading to a very unsatisfactory condition of things. Notwith-
standing this. Dr. Blanchard alleges that during the past year the
management of this institution was the subject of much unfair
and unjust criticism, when whatever fault there was in the con-
duct of the establishment could not be justly charged against the
managing officers of the Institution. The report concludes
with the following table :
Patients in Asylum,AuguRtl,1876, males,323; females,487; total,
810 ; admitted during year, males, 150; females, 168; total, 318;
502a
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
recovered, males, 48 ; females, 58 ; total, 106 ; improved, males,
20 ; females, 22 ; total, 42 ; unimproved, males, 11 ; females, 9 ;
total, 20; removed to Hospital for Incurables, males, 128; females,
139 ; total, 267 ; died, males, 27 ; females, 34 ; total, 61 ; -wliole
number discharged, males, 334 ; females, 262 ; total, 496 ; re-
maining July 31, 1877, males, 239 ; females, 393 ; total, 632 ;
employees, males, 34 ; females, 51 ; total, 85.
Since the change in the Nursery department, and other
changes in the Poor establishment, a brief allusion to the report
of the Superintendent of the Almshouse is necessary and in-
structive. From the report it is seen among other things that
during the year the capacity of this department was tested to
its utmost. During the entire winter season it became necessary
to place beds upon the floors of all the different dormitories in
the department ; that even the reading-room was converted
into a dormitory.
The report recommends the erection of a " workhouse," so
that the inmates of the Almshouse be classified, making a dis-
crimination between unfortunate persons driven to seek shelter
there for a time, and the degraded "rounder" and "revolver,"
who looks forward with pleasure to a life at the public expense.
The small department assigned under the new regulation to
the children, for a nursery, is reported to be in an overcrowded
condition. These reports were given at the close of the fiscal
year, the 31st of July, 1877.
We now come to the brief consideration of a sub-
ject which created intense feeling throughout the
county; this is the report of the Investigating Com-
mittee appointed to examine the whole condition of the
Poor establishment under the official management of
the Board of Commissioners of Charities. This report
was submitted to the Board of Supervisors at the close
of the year 1877, and was most searching, exhibiting a
condition of things somewhat startling in their nature.
We have already referred to a resolution requiring the
Commissioners to report, etc. How well they reported
will be seen in the report of the Investigating Commit-
tee, of which we can only give a brief history. The re-
port alleges that the Charity Department of the county
had been for years in bad repute with the people; its
management had given rise to great complaint; some
of its members had been found guilty of corrupt prac-
tices, punished and removed from oflBce; that the aid of
legislative enactment had been invoked, but in vain,
and the cure did not come ; the evil was political, and
it was politics that attempted the cure ; instead of im-
provement, matters grew and are still growing worse :
extravagance and waste prevailed ; the employees were
inefiicient ; duties were neglected ; lunatics were robbed
and beaten; that even death had been hastened by
cruelty and abuse; the poor were ill-treated, and con-
tractors favored; large sums of money were appro-
priated every year, and yet heavy deficiencies con-
tinued to be the rule; that the Commissioners wrong-
fully increased their pay-rolls ; men were receiving
wages who did little or no work, while everything about
the establishment was neglected.
To such an alarming extent had these things come
that a public meeting, irrespective of party, was held at
the Academy of Music in Brooklyn, composed of the
best citizens of the city and county. At this meeting
a resolution was unanimously adopted condemning the
management of the Commissioners, and measures pro-
posed for relieving the Poor establishment of these great
evils. The measure of relief proposed was the aholish-
ment of the present Board of Charities and the estab-
lishment of a ne(v Board, to be called a "Board of
Commissioners of Charities and Corrections."
"But," says the report, " the will of the people was thwarted
at Albany, and the cure came not. Politics again showed its
venomous fangs, and the mongrel bill denominated a cnre was
justly throttled by the Governor, and thus the old system was
continued in all its evils. It was then thought best that a full
and fair investigation of the whole matter should he made. We
supposed that the Commissioners would second our efforts, but
after making some progress we were met with open hostility to
our labors by the Commissioners." Notwithstanding this, the
committee searchingly continued their investigations, and the
result revealed a most terrible and revolting state of affaire.
Among other things, the buildings were infested hy rats, the
wood-work gnawed in almost every room, creating great destruc-
tion. In one instance an old closet was opened, and was found
to contain the bodies of nearly two barrels of dead rats in a state
of decomposition. In one of the upper stories a dining-room
used for women was in part used for water-closets, being parti-
tioned off by low board partitions, from which there came most
offensive odors. The place where the provisions were kept and
served was dark, dirty, filled with fleas and other filth. The
grounds were out of order; holes had been cut in the board
fences, through which intoxicating liquors had been passed in to
the inmates.
Even clothing, shoes and other articles had been given by the
inmates in exchange for liquor. Some of the employees had
kept, and still kept, a place near by for the sale of liquor. The
inmates of the establishment often got drunk and fight. There
was due and owing the county for board of patients $15,000 or
$20,000. People from other counties, and even from other
States, were boarders at the expense of this county. Notwith-
standing this large arrearages for their hoard, they had every
delicacy, all indulgencies equally, if not better, than patients
more worthy. This condition of affairs had existed for years.
Finally, after enumerating many other gross evils, the report
concludes -as follows: "Enough has already been shown to
justify the preparation of charges against the Commissioners for
neglect of duty, for malfeasance in oface, and to demand their
removal."
This report, with several resolutions as to the mode
of procedure against the Commissioners, was unani-
mously adopted by the Board of Sujjervisors December
26, 1877.
We have given large quotations from this report, be-
cause it was strongly influential in revolutionizing the
administration of the whole Poor establishment of the
county. The action of the Supervisors was very
prompt and decisive ; but, instead of resulting in a pros-
ecution of the Commissioners for gross violation of
duty and malfeasance in office, it took, as we shall see
a little further on, another turn, quite unsatisfactory to
the Board of Supervisors.
The pay-roll of the Commissioners of Charities for
the month ending March 7, 1878, is very important,
in that it shows what salaries the employees were
receiving at that time. We give only a few of its
items :
THE COMMISSIONERS OF CHARITIES
503a
The Medical Superintendent of the Hospital received
$2 000 per annum; clerk, $1,500; steward, $1,000;
Superintendent of Almstiouse, $1,500; steward,
$1200 ; matron, $400 ; cutter of clothing, $500 ; baker,
1660; Medical Attendant of the Asylum, $3,500; as-
sistant physician, $1,200; do. do., $600; steward,
$1 000 ; matron, $500 ; clerk and bookkeeper of the
board, $2,500; secretary to the board, $1,500 ; treas-
urer, clerk and collector, $1,500; general inspector,
$2,000; counsel, $,1500 ; Medical Superintendent of
Hospital for Incurables, $3,000; steward, $],000;
matron, $400. The salaries of the other employees of
the Poor establishment ranged from $12 to $20 per
month.
The report to which we have alluded, made in Decem-
ber, 1877, was not acted upon officially in the direction
of the impeachment or removal of the Commissioners;
but was continually used in an effort to abolish the
office of Commissioners of Charities — with what effect
we shall see hereafter. But, on May 23d, 1878, a long
preamble setting forth the general bad management of
the charitable department, which had called forth the
condemnation of the entire press of the county, was
followed by the following resolution :
" Mesohed, That the Board of Supervisors most respectfully re-
quest his Excellency the GoTernor to remove from office the
Commissioners of Charities, and appoint, to serve out the time
between their removal and the next general election, four disin-
terested citizens of this county."
As this resolution was not accompanied with charges
and specifications, the chair ruled the resolution to be
" not in order," whic-h ruling was, on appeal, sus-
tained.
At the annual election in November, 1878^ Andrew
Zizer, Ohaiies J. Henry, and Wm. M. Shipman were
elected Commissioners of Charities, Mr. SShipman in
the place of Dr. Norris, and Mr. Zizer in place of Mr.
Began. The annual report of the Commissioners of
Charities for the year ending July 31, 1878, was much
briefer than usual.
" We have," said the Commissioners, " endeavored
to the best of our ability to discharge the duties im-
posed upon us, with an honest desire so to conduct the
affairs of the department that no injuries may be done
to the public bounty, and at the same time no encour-
agement given to those committed to our care to re-
main a charge upon the county longer than was really
It is proper to add that a very respectable portion of
the community believed that the charges made against
the Commissioners of Charities, and the public clamor
raised against them, was the' result of political warfare,
kept alive and intensified by swarms of hungry appli-
cants for the very remunerative places which the Com-
missioners had to bestow. In other words, it was the
common growl of the " outs " against the " ins "—the
asual contest of politicians.
This report shows.that the average cost for each person sup-
ported for the year 1878 was $106.09, or $2.04 per week ; the
average cost for each person supported for the year 1877 was
$121.83, or $2.34 per week; the average difference in cost in,
favor of the year 1878, for each person, was $15.74, or 30 cents
per week for each person. The net expenses for the department
for 1877 were $422,345.55; for the year 1878, $312,524.93; dififer-
ence in favor of 1878, with an increased averaged number of in-
mates of 157 persons, was $110,280.62. This large decrease, with
other reductions in regard to the poor departments, were re-
garded as indubitable evidence of the wisdom and success of the
Board of Charties, and a triumphant vindication against the
aspersions made against them. The report continues as follows:
There were remaining in the institutions at the date of last re-
port: Almshouse, 826; Hospital, 377; Asylum, 717; Hospital
for Incurables, 310; total, 2,230; admitted into all these depart-
ments during the year, 5,976; the whole total was 8,206; died
and discharged during the year, 5,722; remaining July 31, 1878,
2,448, The number temporarily relieved was 46,093; oared for in
the institutions, 8,206; total number relieved, either wholly or
in part, during the year, 54,299.
The annual report of the Superintendent of the Almshouse for
the year 1878 shows the unusually crowded condition of that de-
partment, but a very satisfactory state of things in regard to the
general management.
The report of Dr. P. L. Schenok, Medical Superintendent of
the County Hospital, shows that there were remaining in that
department July 31, 1879: Males, 201; females, 170; total, 371;
admitted during year, males, 1,661; females, 1,196; total, 2,857;
total number under treatment, males, 1,862; females, 1,366; total,
3,328; recovered, males, 1,250; females, 926; total, 2,176; im-
proved, males, 188; females, 100; total, 288; unimproved, males,
42; females, 46; total, 88; died, males, 166; females, 90; total,
256; of these 3,328 patients, 1,259 were Irish, 750 were Germans,
710 native, 190 Swedes, 60 French, 52 Swiss, 59 Scotch, 32 Nor-
way, 43 English, 30 Danes, 20 Italians, 12 Poles, 2 Eussians, 6
Belgians, 2 Cubans, 1 Chinese. There were during the year 166
children born in the Hospital; the nativity of the mothers was as
follows; United States, 83; Ireland, 53; Germany, 14; England,
8; Sweden, 2 ; Scotland, 1; Switzerland, 1; Nova Scotia, 1; 95
were married and 68 unmarried.
In the Hospital for Incurables there were on August 1, 1877,
288 patients; there were admitted during the year 89; the whole
number treated was 377; the number discharged during the year
ending July 31, 1878, was 29; number of deaths, 34; remaining
in the institution July 31, 1878, 307.
The report of the Medical Superintendent of the Lunatic
Asylum, Dr. R. L. Parsons, for the year ending July 31, 1878,
shows that a large room, 60x90 feet in area, was much needed
for the general assemblage of the patients for lectures, readings,
concerts, dramatic entertainments, dancing, etc.; the room
would also be adapted to the use of the female patients as a gym-
nasium or exercise room. The report also strongly advocates
the erection of u new cookhouse, and that an omnibus and
team of stout druft horses should be at the service of the patients
for driving about the country, in conformity to a similar luxury
at the New York City Asylum, where, it was alleged, the most
excitable and violent patients were, with good effect, taken out on
excursions.
The report also shows that there were remaining in the Hospi-
tal, August 1, 1877, males, 239 ; females, 393 ; total, 632 ; ad-
mitted during the year 1877, males, 173 ; females, 187 ; total,
360 ; recovered, males, 47 ; females, 61 ; total, 108 ; improved,
males, 19; females, 24; total, 43; unimproved, males, 43;
females, 26 ; total,' 69 ; died, males, 25 ; females, 33 ; total, 58 ;
total died and discharged, males, 134 ; females, 144 ; total, 278 ;
on pass, males, 12 ; females, 10 ; total, 22 ; total number of pa-
tients remaining, August 1, 1878, males, 266 ; females, 426 ; total,
692. Th« Doctor gives a table stating the habits of the patients
504a
HISTORF OF KINGS COUNTY.
during the year, as follows : temperate, males, 54 ; females, 128 ;
intemperate, males, 68 ; females, 36 ; unknown, males, 51 ; fe-
males, 23 ; total, males, 173 ; females, 187.
The opposition to the Commissioners of Charities
continued until, on October 30, 1879, a resolution was
introduced to the Board of Supervisors directing the
president pro tern, to appoint a special committee of
five to consult with the Commissioners of Charities in
regard to drafting an act whereby further and larger
powers of correction and control, in regard to the De-
partment of Charities, should be conferred upon the
Commissioners, and whereby the dual government then
existing might, with proper restrictions reserved to the
Supervisors, be done away with.
There appears to have been no further action taken
during the year under this resolution. The records of
the Commissioners of Charities for the year 1879 ex-
hibit little else than their annual report, and the an-
nual reports of the Lunatic Asylum and the Hospital,
and a brief report from the Keeper of the Almshouse.
The Commissioners of Charities for this year were Charles J.
Henry, "William M. Shipman, Andrew Zeiser, Bernhard Midas,
and Harmon V. Storm. Their annual report for the year end-
ing July 31, 1879, differed largely in form from those given here-
tofore, excepting the following table : The number of patients
remaining at date of last report — Almshouse, 887 ; Hospital,
363 ; Asylum, 790 ; Hospital for Incurables, 329 ; admitted during
year, Almshouse, 2,090 ; Hospital, 2,069 ; Asylum, 340 ; Hospital
for Incurables, 42 ; discharged and died. Almshouse, 3,106 ; Hos-
pital, 2,747 ; Asylum, 333 ; Hospital for Incurables, 51 ; total, 6,-
237 ; remaining July 31, 1879, Almshouse, 771 ; Hospital, 306 ;
Asylum, 797; Hospital for Incurables, 320; total, 2,194; oared for
in the institutions, 8,431; average number in institutions during
year, 2,398; highest number in institutions, February 18, 1879,
2,611; lowest number in institutions, June 24, 1879, 2,181 ; aver-
age cost for each person supported for the year, $104.88 ; average
cost for each person per week, $2.01 ; total amount of bills paid
and due, $266,935.78 ; total amount cash receipts, $15,420.28 ;
balance, $251,515.50.
The Superintendent of the Almshouse, in his report, states
that during the winter months every foot of space in that large
building, with the exception of two sitting-rooms— even the halls
and landings of the stairs — were turned into dormitories. The
report also shows that the "rounders" or "repeaters," who
formerly made this place their temporary home, no longer appear
there. That under the new law touching what was called "State
paupers," the Kings County Almshouse was the only one this
side of Albany where a large increase of such paupers could be
expected during the coming year; that under this act hundreds
of people are forwarded to their homes and friends, and to the
States where they belong, who would otherwise settle down a
permanent burden upon this and other counties within the State
of New York. The report strongly commends this act, as likely
to relieve the crowded state of the Almshouse. It further shows
that the number of inmates remaining July 31, 1878, was 887.
There were received during the year, 1,714; there were 8 vagrant
commitments ; 387 State pauper commitments, and 881 from
other institutions, making 2,990; total, 3,877; discharged, 2,423;
transferred to other institutions, 547; absconded, 7; died, 129;
number remaining July 31, 1879, 771.
Dr. P. H. Schenok, Medical Superintendent of the County Hos-
pital, reports patients in that department for the year ending
July 31, 1879, to. be as follows :
Eemaining July 31, 1878, males, 218 ; females, 145 ; total,
363; admitted during the year, males, 1,588; females, 1,102;
total, 2,690 ; discharged recovered, males, 1,170 ; females 799 •
total, 1,969; discharged improved, males, 247; females, 170' total'
417 ; discharged unimproved, males, 22 ; females, 14 ; total 36 •
died, males, 204; females, 121; total, 325 ; total discharged and
died, males, 1,643; females, 1,104; total, 2,747; remaming July
31, 1879, males, 163; females, 143; total, 306.
The total number of patients admitted shows a decrease of 167
There were 167 children born during the year in the Hospital.
89 of the mothers were married, 75 single.
The nativity of those treated in the Hospital was as follows
Ireland, 1,411; United States, 1,013; Germany, 367; England
138; Sweden, 29; France, 19; Scotland, 18; Canada, 13; Den-
mark, 9; Italy, 7; Norway, 6; Wales, 5; W. Indies, 3; Poland,
3; Austria, 2; Switzerland, 2; Russia, 1; Portugal, 1; China, 1-
Australia, 1; Hungary, 1; Chili, 1; Nova Scotia, 1.
The report of the Superintendent of the Hospital for Incur-
ables, for the year ending July 31, 1879, shows there were re-
maining August 1, 1878, males, 144; females, 162; total, 306;
number admitted, males, 25; females, 17; total, 42; whole num-
ber treated, males, 169; females, 179; total, 348; number dis-
charged, males, 20; females, 7; total, 27; died, males, 13; females,
11; total, 24; whole total, males, 33; females, 18; total, 51; re-
maining July 31, 1879, males, 136; females, 161; total, 297.
The annual report of Dr. John C. Shaw, Medical Superintend-
ent of the County Lunatic Asylum, for the year ending July 31,
1879:
In Asylum, August 1, 1878, males, 266; females, 426; total,692;
out on pass on August 1, 17; admissions during year, males,
180; females, 160; total, 340 ; recovered, males, 78; females, 47;
total, 120; improved, males, 58; females, 48; total, 106; unim-
proved, males, 27; fema'es, 11; total, 38; not insane, males,!;
females, ], total, 2; died, males, 26; females, 41; total, 67; re-
maining in Asylum, August 1, 1879, males, 270; females, 446;
total, 716.
The insanity of 50 of these patients was caused
by the use of intoxicating liquors ; 20 from rehgions
excitement; 163 were married, 150 single ; 12 widows
9 widowers.
So successful was the movement for abolishing the
Board of Commissioners of Charities in the county, and
for the establishment of a new Board, to be called the
"Board of Commissioners of Charities and Correc-
tions" that early in March, isSO, a bill was introduced
into the Legislature of the State providing for the or-
ganization of the last-named Board. This bill created
much excitement in the county, and the opposition to
it took a form that is still fresh in the memory of many
citizens. The Board of Supervisors were singularly
hostile to the new act, notwithstanding the long-con-
tinued difficulties of their predecessors with the Com-
missioners of Charities, which was often demonstrated
by acts of positive hostility, as we have seen.
Notwithstanding the resolutions of remonstrance and
the efforts of committees appointed by the Supervisors,
fierce opposition to the proposed measure, and the use
of every conceivable means for its defeat, it was success-
ful, and on the 13th day of May, 1880, the act to pro-
vide for the creation of "A Board of Chanties and
Corrections in the County of Kings," and for the ap-
pointment of the Commissioners thereof, and their su-
bordinates, passed both branches of the Legislatr- "
the State and became a law.
The importance of this act, and the sweeping
ture
of
THE COMMISSIONERS OP CHARITIES.
505a
which it produced in the management of the Poor es-
tablishment of the county, may be seen from the fol-
lowing synopsis of its several sections :
This act (sec. 1) designates the new Commissioners
as " The Commissioners of Charities and Corrections
of the County of Kings," provides that they be ap-
pointed by the Su'pervisor-at-Large, or by the Presi-
dent j)ro tem. ot the county; also (sec. 2) provides that
no snccessors shall either be elected or appointed for
the two Commissioners whose term of office shall ex-
pire first after the passage of this act ; but that as the
terms of the said Commissioners shall respectively ex-
pire, the number composing the Board constituted by
this act shall be correspondingly reduced, so that the
Board shall ultimately be composed of three Commis-
sioners; the successors of the two Commissioners
elected in 1878 to be appointed by the President pro
tempore on or before October 1, 1881 ; the successor of
the Commissioner elected in 1879 to be appointed dur-
ing the month of September, 1882, by the Supervisor-
at-Large, and these three Commissioners and their
three successors to hold office for four years, and until
their successors shall have been appointed ; vacancies
in the office during the years 1880 or 1881 shall
be filled by the President pro tempore of the Super-
visors, and after that vacancies shall be filled by the
Supervisor-at-Large ; and the successors of the Com-
missioners appointed under sees. 3 and 3 of this act
shall be appointed on or before the 15th day of October
preceding the expiration of the term of the respective
Commissioners ; the salary of those hereafter appointed
shall be $3,000 per annum. The act (sec. 4) establishes
the name, nature, power and functions, both of supply,
purchase and government, of the new Board ; includ-
ing, also, under their powers of appointment, the
storekeepers ; and, after the expiration of the term of
the present Keeper of the Penitentiary and of the
Morgue of the county, giving to the Board the appoint-
ment and control of their successors, and of the persons
confined in said institutions; provides (sec. 5) that the
new Board shall have exclusive power to fix the salaries
of all its officers and subordinates; and that (sec. 6) it
shall have power to indenture and bind out within the
State, as apprentices, during their minority, any minor
children over fourteen years of age who may be under
their care and control, &c., &c.
The Board of Superintendents of the Poor and that
of the Commissioners of Charities of the county were
now things of the past, and a new body, possessing far
greaterpowers than either of their predecessors (and, so
far as the Poor establishment of the county is con-
cerned, equal to that once possessed by the Board of
Supervisors), was thus created in their place.
This new Board entered at once on the duties of
their office, and, July 31, 1880, their first annual re-
port for the preceding year was published.
. Ihis report shows the number of persons supported
during the year ending July 31, 1880, to liave been
1,595. It was signed by Moses Kessel, James Ryan,
H. V. Storm, who (elected in the order of their terms),
being in office when the new Board was constituted,
became Commissioners of Charities and Corrections
until the expiration of their office.
Eemaining in the Almshouse, at date of the last report, 755;
Hospital, 275; Asylum, 721; Hospital for Incurables, 324; total,
2,075: admitted during the year, Almshouse, 1,863; Hospital,
2,396; Asylum, 437; Hospital for Incurables, 65; total, 4,761;
whole total in Almshouse, 2,618; Hospital, 2,671; Asylum,
1,158; Hospital for Incurables, 389; total, 6,836. Died and
discharged during year. Almshouse, 1,931; Hospital, 2,386;
Asylum, 354; Hospital for Incurables, 88; total, 4,759; remain-
ing July 31, 1880, Almshouse, 687; Hospital, 285; Asylum, 804;
Hospital for Incurables, 301; total, 2,077; eared for by the in-
stitutions, 6,836; average number in the institutions during ttie
year, 1,873; average cost of each person during the year 1880,
$118.76; average cost of each person per week, 1880, $2.28; total
amount of bills paid and due, $239,316.53; total cash receipts,
$17,464.30.
The Superintendent of the Almshouse, Martin V. Burroughs,
reported no further improvements needed to the buildings;
the renewal of an old rule (now several years in abeyance),
that all men applicants for lodgings should break two
bushels of stone before receiving their supper, or a place to
sleep, had greatly lessened the number of tramps applying for
lodging; an effectual separation of the sexes had been effected
excej)t in the chapel; that the female department was in urgent
need of a change of management, and especially in improving
its means of heating; that the farm had been enlarged by the
addition of sixteen acres of leased ground. The officers
under Mr. Burroughs were William Carrigan, clerk and
steward; Miss Maria J. Trumble, matron; Mrs. B. L. Bowen,
matron of Nursery.
Dr. P. L. Schenck, of the County Hospital, reported as re-
maining in the Hospital July 31, 1879, 163 males, 143 females;
total, 306; admitted during the year, 1,544 males, 995 females;
total, 2,539; total in Hospital, 1,707 males, 1,138 females; total,
2,845; discharged recovered, 1,097 males, 630 females, total,
1,727; improved, 246 males, 181 females; total, 427; unim-
proved, 39 males, 32 females; total, 71; died, 158 males, 142
females; total, 300; total number discharged and died, 1,540,
males, 985 females; total, 2,525; remaining July 31, 1880, 167
males, 153 females; total, 320; total, 1,707 males, 1,138 females;
total, 2,845; admitted during the year ending July 31, 1879,
2,690; during the year ending July 31, 1880, 2,539, showing a
decrease of 151. The results of treatment were as follows: 1,727,
or 68.40 per cent., recovered; 427, or 16.91 per cent, improved;
71, or 2.81 percent., unimproved; 300, or 11.88 per cent., died.
The number of births in this institution during the year was
130. The Doctor acknowledges his obligations to the ladies
of the Flower and Fruit Charity for their supply of the Hospital
patients with fruits and flowers, and to the clergy of Brooklyn
for their devotion to the spiritual wants of the patients.
Dr. Guy Daly, of the Hospital for Incurables, reports as re-
maining in that institution July 31, 1879, 136 males, 161 females;
admitted during the year, 42 males, 21 females; whole number
treated, 178 males, 182 females; discharged during the year, 14
males, 10 females; died, 20 males, 12 females; remaining July
31, 1880, 144 males, 160 females.
The report of JohnO. Shaw, M.D., Medical Superintendent of
Lunatic Asylum, for the year ending July 31, 1880, shows that
the number of patients in the asylum July 31, 1879, was 270
males, 447 females; total, 717; admitted during year, 205 males,
213 females; total, 418; discharged or removed, 141 males, 134
females; total, 275; recovered, 47 males, 41 females; total, 88;
506fl!
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
improved, 49 males, 57 females, total, 106; unimproved, 44
males, 34 females; total, 78; not insane, 1 male, 2 females; total,
3; died, 33 males, 31 females; total, 64; remaining in Asylum
August 1, 1880, 301 males, 495 females; total, 796. Of 418
admitted into the Asylum, all but 154 were foreigners.
The medical staff of the Oonnty Institutions, when
the Board of Commissioners and Corrections went into
operation, consisted of : P. L. Schenclj, M. D.,
Superintendent of the County Hospital, with E. P.
Collins, M.D., H. D. Nevin, M.D., H. L. Cochran,
M.D., G. M. Ferris, M.D., as assistant physicians; J.
L. Zabriskie, M.D., Tennis Schenck, M.D., consulting
physicians ; Homer L. Bartlett, M. D., Joseph C. Hutch-
inson, M.D., consulting surgeons. The County Luna-
tic Asylum, John C. Shaw, medical superintendent;
John A. Arnold, M.D., John S. Woodside, M.D., John
Frank, M.D., assistant physicians ; George H. Codding,
clinical assistant. The County Morgue and County
Penitentiary had also been placed under the control
and management of the new Board.
The first difficulty which the new Board encountered
was, whether they were required by law to submit the
bills for supplies purchased by them for the Poor es-
tablishment of the county to the Board of Supervisors
for their approval, in order to enable the County
Treasurer to pay the same. While some took the view
that the act constituting the new Board vested in them
all the powers of purchase and supply, and authority,
&c., &c., previously possessed by the Commissioners of
Charities and the Board of Supervisors of the County,
others contended that the power to purchase supplies
only was conferred on the new Board by the act ; that the
power of approval possessed by the Supervisors over the
purchases and bills of the Commissioners of Charities
had never been taken from them and still existed ;
that though the absolute power conferred upon the new
Board to purchase, includes the power to agree upon
the price, and any price agreed upon by the Board of
Commissioners of Charities and Corrections was bind-
ing upon the Board of Supervisors, yet there were other
matters, or might be, touching the said bill to be deter-
mined by the Supervisors, which would serve as salu-
tary checks for the public interest. In January, 1881,
this question was fully submitted to Mr. Winchester
Britton, one of the oldest members of the. Kings
County Bar, for his opinion and decision, which was
rendered February .19, 1881, and which coincided
substantially with the latter view of the question.
February 24, 1881, Mr. W. M. Shipman, President
of the Board of Charities and Corrections, presented a
petition to the Supervisors, representing that the Luna- .
tic Asylum and Hospital for Incurables were entirely
inadequate for the rapidly increasing need of the in-
mates and the community; that that portion of the
Lunatic Asylum called the " Lodge" was actually un-
safe ; the Asylum building was so overcrowded that, in
a measure, the efforts and skill of the physicians were
baffled ; that the Hospital for Incurables was over-
crowded to a large extent ; the female ward of the
Almshouse was also in great need of alterations and
enlargement ; that these alterations would demand the
erection of a dwelling and office for the warden, and
also a store-room ; that a comfortable brick structure
should take the place of the old frame building occupied
as a ward for the colored patients. To meet these re-
quirements an appropriation of $90,000 would be re-
quired. The alterations and improvements on the
Hospital for Incurables would require $60,000, and
those on the Almshouse $30,000.
At the annual meeting of the Supervisors in August,
1881, the Commissioners of Charities and Corrections
called the attention of the former Board to the stern
necessity of erecting a hospital at Flatbush for a Small-
pox Hospital, denouncing a resolution of a former
Board adverse to building such a building.
On October 1st, 1881, Brewster Kissam and A. H.
W. Van Sicklen were, by the Act of May 13, 1880, ap-
pointed Commissioners of Charities and Corrections in
place of Charles J. Henry and Wm. Shipman, whose
term of office had expired. By the expiration of
official terms only one member of the old Board, James
Eyan, continued in office on January 1, 1883.
The annual report of the Board for the year ending July 31st,
1881, shows as remaining in the Poor estahlishment of the
county, July 31, 1880, 68 in the almshouse, 320 in the hospital,
304 in Hospital for Incurables, 796 in asylum, 600 in the Peniten-
tiary, total, 2,708 ; admitted during the year, 2,567 to the alma-
house, 3,300 to the hospital, 44 to the Hospital for Incurables, 428
in the Lunatic Asylum, 753 to the penitentiary; total, 7,092; totals,
in almshouse, 3,255; hospital, 3,620; Hospital for Incurables, 340;
asylum, 1224; Penitentiary, 1,353; total, 9,800; died and dis-
charged during the year, almshouse, 2,582; hospital, 3,239; Hos-
pital for Incurables, 40; asylum, 356 ; Penitentiary, 700; total,
6,897 ; remaining July 31, 1881, almshouse, 673; hospital, 381;
Hospital for Incurables, 308; asylum, 368; Penitentiary, 653; total,
2,883; cared for in the institutions, 800; average number in insti-
tutions during the year, 2,939; average cost of each inmate per
year, $97.77; average cost of each inmate per week, $1.88; total
amount of bills paid and due, $294,470.23; total amount of cash
receipts, $67,545.02.
The report of Mr. Wm. Murray shows the increased necessity
for the enlargement of that department, although the building
occupied by the male inmates is in a good sanitary condition,
with some few exceptions. It also shows that a baby ward was
nearly completed, and well adapted for the purpose for which it
was constructed; that 1,442 persons received into the almshouse
during the year ending July 31, 1880, were committed by order
of the Commissioners, 495 were committed as State paupers, 630
were from other institutions. This added to 688-the whole
number of inmates July 31, 1880— presents the total of 3,255 re-
ceived into the institution during the year, and from whence
they came. Of these there were discharged during the year
l,957;transferredtootherinstitutions,460;absoonded, 26; died,
139; number remaining July 31, 1881, 673; males, 247; females,
426; natives, 270; foreigners, 403; children, 53; adults, 620.
Dr. P. L. Schenck, Medical Superintendent of the Kmgs
County Hospital, for the vear'ending July 31, 1881, reports as in
the Hospital July 31, 1880, 320-167 males, 153 females ; admit-
ted during the year, 3,300-2,005 males, 1,295 females ; total m
Hospital, 3,620-2,172 males, 1,448 females. There were dis-
charged recovered, 2,293-1,413 males, 880 females ; improved,
400—254 males, 146 females ; unimproved, 97-58 males, 39 fe-
THE COMMISSIONERS OF CHARITIES
507a
males ■ died, 4^9 — 250 males, 199 females ; total number died
and discharged, 3,239—1,975 males, 1,264 females ; remaining
r , 3j 1881^ 381 — 197 males, 184 females ; increase of patients
over last year, 775. Of the 3,300_inmates, 2,117 were foreigners.
Dr. Schenck's resignation was tendered on the lltli
of July, and accepted by the Board with many regrets.
Dr. John Shaw, Medical Superintendent of the Kings County
Insane Asylum, speaks in high terms of the measures taken for
the erection of two wooden cottages, near the Asylum, to hold
from 80 to 100 patients. The erection of six more had been
strongly recommended, but the Doctor insisted, to use his own
language, "that it will not do to put up six wooden cottages
now, and think that all is done which is required. Temporis-
ing is foolish ; arrangements ' should be made for obtaining a
large tract of land to have room for the great increase of patients,
for this large number will have to be cared for, and we should
bepreparingforlt."
There were remaining in the A^sylum August 1, 1880, 790 pa-
tients—301 males, 495 females ; admitted during the year, 420—
218 males, 210 females ; total during year, 1,224—519 males, 705
females ; discharged, 269—148 males, 121 females ; died, 87—42
males, 45 females ; whole total, 356—190 males, 166 females ; re-
maining in Asylum August 1, 1881, 868—329 males, 539 females ;
recovered, 72—34 males, 38 females ; improved, 121—62 males,
59 females ; unimproved, 75—52 males, 23 females ; not insane,
1 female ; total, 269—148 males, 121 females.
John Arnold, M.D., Superintendent of the Hospital for In-
curables, for the year, reports the number of patients remaining
August 1, 1880, 143 males, 161 females ; admitted during the
year, 29 males, 15 females ; whole number treated, 172 males,
176 females; discharged during the year, 13 males, 6 females ;
died during the year, 15 males, 6 females ; remaining July 31,
1881, 144 males, 164 females.
The first annual report of the Kings County Penitentiary, by
Mr. John Green, Warden for the fiscal year of 1881, shows that
Ms appointment dated from the 1st of January, 1881, and the re-
port of the condition of the institution can be given only from
the accounts kept by his predecessor. The state of affairs which
existed at the time Mr. Greer: took charge of the Penitentiary
was, to say the least, discreditable. There were no records of
the reception or discharge of prisoners ; no regular books to be
found that would indicate the manner of conducting, or the
amount of business yearly transacted. One thing was plainly
manifested, however : the expenses for the five months preceding
the 1st of January exceeded the receipts by $5,736.93, when with
proper management the balance would have been the other way,
because the receipts for seven months since the 1st of January,
1881, have exceeded the expenditures by $7,677.20, which is suffi-
cient to pay the said deficiency, and leave $1,940.27 to the credit
of the institution for the fiscal year, the first since its completion
that it has been either self-sustaining or yielding a revenue to
the county ; notwithstanding the receipts for the years 1875 6-
V-8-9, from convict labor, board of United States prisoners,
appropriations and other sources, amounted to $92,521 annually,
while less than $70,000 per year would easily have paid the
running expenses of the Penitentiary. The actual number of
convicts on hand was fraudulently increased, with a view to re-
ducing the high rate per capita resulting from charging the county
tor enormous quantities of supplies that were never received at
the Penitentiary. Prisoners were often discharged several days
lu advance of the expiration of their term of sentence; the dis-
cipline, such as existed, was maintained by a frequent and mer-
ciless use of the lash, and prisoners were worked in the shoe-
shops on Sunday, while there were numbers of favored prisoners
in the institution who were mildly dealt with under all circum-
The average number of prisoners in the Penitentiary for the
seven months preceding July 31, 1881, was 618; their earnings
were $42,369.27; their expenses were $34,692.07; the profit was
$7,677.20. Male prisoners sentenced for one year or more, 312 ;
females, 30 ; total, 342 ; male prisoners less than one year, 232 ;
females, 26 ; total, 258 ; grand total, 600.
Of the prisoners in the Penitentiary on the 1st of January,
1881, 8 were sentenced for life; the whole number of "long
term " prisoners was 342 ; of those sentenced from 6 to 10
months, 98 ; for less than 6 months, 160.
The average earnings per capita of the convicts per
diem for the seven months preceding the 1st of Janu-
ary, 1881, was 32Jij3_ cents; the expenses per capita
per diem was 26^4^- cents. Salaries of the principal
officers of the Penitentiary were : Warden, $2,700; en-
gineer, $1,200; roundsman, $1,000; hall-keeper,
11,000; assistiint hall-keeper, $1,000; clerk, $900;
door-keeper, $900; shop-keeper, $900,and thirteen other
shop-keepers receiving each $900 per year; two matrons
received each $480 per annum ; two assistant matrons,
$360 each per annum.
The County Morgue.— By the act creating the
Board of Commissioners of Charities and Corrections,
the control, management and custody of the County
Morgue was given to that Board. Previous to July
16th, 1869, there existed for a time a place for the
reception of those found dead, called the " County
Dead House," a cheap, inconvenient affair, more of a
nuisance than anything else. On July 2, 1869, a
written complaint against this building from Drs. Jones
and Whitehill, Coroners of the county, was presented
to the Board of Supervisors, earnestly asking that some
action might be taken in regard to the matter. On
the 16th of the same month, plans were presented to
the Board for the erection of a morgue for the count}',
which were favorably received, and soon thereafter the
same was in process of erection near the County Jail
in Brooklyn, and in due time was completed. It con-
tained office, post-morfem room, exhibition room, retir-
ing room, inquisition room, jury room, each of which
were appropriately and handsomely furnished. On Jan-
uary 11th, 1870, Mr. John Leary was appointed Keeper
of the Morgue, and March 14th, 1870, rules and regula-
tions for the government of the Morgue were adopted,
providing, among other things, that it should be open at
all hours of the day and night for the reception of dead
bodies ; that the exhibition room should be kept open
daily to the public from sunrise to sunset. Bodies were
to remain in the exhibition hall if not recognized, at
the discretio.n of the coronor. When identified, bodies
were to be immediately withdrawn to a private room.
A book was to be kept in which citizens could record
the names of missing friends, describing their persons,
clothing and address of relatives. There should be an
alphabetical list of all identified persons ; the clothes
of unrecognized bodies should be washed and preserved
for six months. The attendants at the Morgue shall
under no circumstances ask from relatives or friends of
deceased persons, under any pretext, fees for services
rendered.
508a
HISTOllT OF KINGS COUNTY.
On July 15th, 1880, the Supervisors decided to re-
move the Morgue to the northeast corner of the jail
yard. December 24th, 1880, contract for the removal
and repairs was duly entered into, and the new Morgue
was again ready for occupancy about the middle of
May, 1881.
On the 6th of October, 1881, the Morgue was, by a
resolution of the Board of Supervisors, duly transferred
to the charge of the Commissioners of Charities and
Corrections, and Mr. Patrick Maguire was appointed
keeper. His first annual report for the seven months
preceding July 3Lst, 1881, is meagre, but shows that
during that time twenty-three bodies had been brought
to the Moi'gne; all of them except two were recog-
nized.
Present Officers of the Charities Depart-
ment.— As we have now presented the history of the
creation and organization of the Board of Commis-
sioners of Charities and Corrections, and a history of
their first seven months of their administration, it is
proper to give the names of the oflBcers at the head of
the departments under the Commissioners: D. C.
Toal, chief clerk; T. H. Glass, assistant clerk;
Wm. Sullivan, counsel; Joseph Short, jr., district
office cleric; T. J. Donovan and Francis Doyle, dis-
trict office assistant clerks; J. S. "Young, M.D.,
Joseph Cramer, M.D., C. B. Demund, M.D., Matthew
Smith, M.D., district office physicians-
Hospital: P. L. Schenck, medical superintendent;
H. Plymton, M.D., J. L. Eoseboom, M.D., 0. P. New-
man, M.D., P. Little, M.D., G. H. Codding, M.D.,
assistant physicians ; John L. Zabriskie, M.D., and
Tennis Schenck, M.D., consulting physicians; Homer
L. Bartlett, M.D., and Joseph Hutchinson, M.D.,
consulting surgeons.
Hospital for Incuralles : John A. Arnold, M.D.,
medical superintendent.
Insane Asylum: John 0. Shaw, M. D., medical
superintendent: John L. Woodside, M.D., George Con-
very, M.D., assistant physicians.
The officers in the department of the Penitentiary
have been previously given.
About the 15th of January, 1882, the two cottages
to be erected on the Poor House (Incurable Hospital)
grounds at Flatbush were completed, and on the 18th
of that month the Board of Supervisors were formally
notified that the same had been accepted by the Board
of Commissioners of Charities and Corrections.
On the morning of the 21st of February, 1882, a dis-
astrous fire occurred at the Lunatic Asylum, partially
destroying one wing of the building, and suddenly de-
priving one hundred and seventy-five patients of their
accommodations at a time when the weather was in-
tensely cold.* On February 23, 1882, Hon. A. H. W.
* The flre occurred on the male side, at six o'clock A. M , destroying two
wards, "witli other serious damages to the building, and was the immediate
cause of the death of three patients, two of whom were burned to death and
one died of cardiac syncope, caused by fright. The fire was caused by one
Van Siclen, President of the Board of Commissioners
of Charities and Corrections, in a very able and succinct
communication addressed to the Board of Supervisors
set forth the situation of the Asylum after the flre and
called their attention to the general condition of that
institution. " The Lunatic Asylum," he said, " was
entirely inadequate to accommodate, with any degree
of comfort, the large number of inmates confined in it
— a number which was being added to, almost daily.
Such accommodations have been furnished for relieving
this great overcrowding by the erection of two cottages
on the ground of the Asylum for Incurables ; but this
is mere temporary relief. Even now the pressure for
more room is nearly as great as it was before they were
erected. The same state of affairs exists at the Hospi-
tal for Incurables. Ifc is impossible to care for the
number of inmates which a population of over half a
million makes necessary in buildings constructed to
meet the wants often, fifteen and twenty-five years ago.
It is evident that our county has not kept pace in its
public institutions with the rapidly increasing yearly
demand made upon them."
President Van Siclen continues: " The female de-
partment of the Almshouse is in a worse condition
than any other institution under this Board. At the
present writing there are over 400 inmates in the build-
ing, many of them old and feeble women, some of them
so advanced in years that they are unable to leave the
room in which they sleep, and were they able to do so.
there would be no place for them to go, all available
space being occupied for sleeping accommodations. In
a sanitary point of view, this is certainly reprehensible,
as during cold and stormy weather it is impossible to
ventilate their apartments."
He then calls attention to the old, damaged, steep
and narrow stairways connecting the diSerent floors of
the building, and points out the frightful consequences
that would follow the breaking out of a fire in the
building, and recommends some appliances for aiding
the escape of the inmates from the institutions on the
County Farm in case of fire. He concludes by asking
the Supervisors for an appropriation of 130,000 for
improvements and repairs on the Asylum, exclusive of
the amount necessary to repair the Asylum m its
damage by fire. The Board of Supervisors responded
promptly and favorably to all of this communication.
September 14, 1882, A. H. W. Van Siclen, President
of the Board of Charities and Corrections, presented
to the Board of Supervisors a very exhaustive report
on the subject of an adequate provision against fire at
the Poor Establishment of the County at Flatbush,
which was very favorably received by the Board. In
of the patients, with some soiled clothing on his back, ^''^^^ '°°^ J^'
without his knowledge from a gas jet under which he passed. The elo<" B
with the fire smouldering in it was thrown into a closet where *!"»""»
straw bed ; five minutes afterwards smoke was seen Issuing from the cio ^
burst out in such Tolumes as to baffle aU at^
to the gan.nt efforts of tl'e ^ire M- m»'
Upon opening the doors flames burst out in such Tolumes as to baffle aU at-
to the gallant ^ ndini!
that the county is indebted for the safety of the.ramainder of the Bulla 8-
tempts at suppression. It was
THE COMMISSIONERS OF CHARITIES.
509a
September Joseph Eeere was appointed Commissioner
of Charities and Corrections, in place of James Ryan,
whose official term was to expire December 31, 1883.
The animal report of the Commissioners of Charities and
Corrections for the year ending July 31, 1882, with the reports of
the heads of the different departments of the Poor Establish-
ment, shows that there were remaining in all the departments
on July 31, 1881, 673 in Almshouse; 381 in Hospital; 308 in
Hospital for Incurables; 868 in Asylum; 653 in Penitentiary;
totali 2,883; admitted and born during the year, 2,558 in Alms-
house- 3,970 in Hospital; 110 in Hospital for Incurables ; 353 in
Asylum; 1,000 in Penitentiary; 7,991 total; totals, in Almshouse,
3 231 ■ Hospital, 4,551; Hospital for Incurables, 418; Asylum,
1,221; Penitentiary, 1,653; total, 10,874; died and discharged
during the year. Almshouse, 2,442; Hospital, 4,013; Hospital
for Incurables, 42; Asylum, 438; Penitentiary, 1,077; total, 8,012;
remaining July 31, 1882, Almshouse, 789; Hospital, 338; Hos-
pital for Incurables, 376; Asylum, 783; Penitentiary, |576; total,
2,862; cared for in the institutions, 10,874; average number in
institutions during the year, 2,979; average cost of each person
supported during the year, $89.95; per week, $1.73; total amount
of bills paid and due, $366,612.63; total amount of cash receipts,
$98,645.33. This report was signed by A. H. W. Van Siolen,
President; Brewster Kissam and James Kyan, Commissioners.
The Superintendent of the Almshouse reports 673 inmates re-
maining in it on July 31, 1881; received during the year upon
Commissioners' orders, 1,798; received on vagrant commitments,
20; from other institutions, 740; total, 2,558; which, with the
673 in the institution July 31, 1881, makes 3,231; discharged
during the year, 1,750; transferred to other institutions, 610
absconded, 7; died, 75; number remaining July 31, 1882, 789
County paupers, 76; males, 306; females, 483; children, 73
adults, 716; natives, 285; foreigners, 501.
The report of Dr. John A. Arnold, Medical Superintendent of
the Kings County Hospital, for the year, shows that there were
remaining there on July 31, 1881, 197 males, 184 females; total,
381; admitted during the year, 2,372 males, 1,979 females; total,
4,351; recovered, males, 1,448; females, 1,228; total, 2,676; im-
proved, males, 409; females, 272; total, 681; unimproved, males,
62;females,53;total,115;died, males, 304;females, 237;total, 541;
total number discharged and died, males, 2,223; females, 1,790;
total, 4,013; remaining July 31, 1882, males, 149; females, 189;
total, 338; totals, males, 2,372; females, 1,979; total, 4,351.
The total number of patients shows an increase of
670, and an increase of 1,431 over the year ending July
31, 1880. The total number of patients treated,
known as "out-door patients," for the year ending July
31, 1882, was 1,521; these are not included in the fore-
going. There were 134 children born in the Hospital
during the year; of the mothers 58 were married, and
63 single.
^ During the year Dr. H. Plimpton resigued the posi-
tion of Acting Medical Superintendent, to accept a
position on the Asylum staff. Drs. Talmage, Brewster,
Little and Newman also resigned, and the consulting
staff was increased to its original number, by the ap-
pointment of Dr. P. L. Schenck as surgeon, and Dr. J.
S.Prout as physician. The ladies of the " Fruit and
FlowerMission," Madame Rosalie, Commissioner Ropes,
of the State Board of Charities, and the ladies of the
Local Visiting Committee, continued their yisits and
errands of mercy to the inmates.
Dr. John c. Shaw, Medical Superintendent of the Insane
%lum, for the year ending July 31, 1882, recommended venti-
lating turrets to back of the wings, for the purpose of keeping
the wards free from disagreeable odor; also changes in the heat-
ing apparatus, so the sleeping rooms in certain wards could be
warmed. At that time, there was not a sleeping room in the
Asylum that could be warmed, which was a source of great anxiety
to the medical staff and danger to the patients. He also recom-
mended an addition of lands to the Asylum grounds, providing
more accommodation, and a better diet, namely: milk, eggs,
fruit, vegetables, &o., for the patients, and the erection of a
special building, for the proper accommodation of the 100
patients paying board in the institution, as advantageous both
to these boarders and to the county, and as increasing the in-
come of the county; the erection of a (frame) amusement hall,
at a cost of not more than from $1,500 to $3,000.
A strong effort was made during the year to find occupation
for as many of the patients as was possible, and in this way a
large quantity of valuable and much needed articles of apparel,
underwear, bedding, towels, table spreads, embroidery, knitting
and other fancy work was made by them .
The report shows that there were remaining in the Asylum on
the 31st of July, 1881, males, 329; females, 539; total, 868; ad-
mitted during the year, males, 180; females, 173; total, 353; total
treated during the year, males, 509; females, 712; total, 1221; total
number discharged, males, 153; females, 194; total, 347; died,
males, 52; females, 39;' total 91; total died and discharged,
males, 205; females, 233; total, 438; remaining August 1, 1882,
males, 304; females, 479; total, 783; on probation, males, 6;
females, 8; total, 14; recovered, males, 30; females, 34; total, 64;
improved, males, 37; females, 48; total, 85; unimproved, males,
84; females, 108; total, 192; impropersubjects, males, 2; females,
4; total, 6; totals, males, 153; females, 194; whole total, 347.
There were 44 State paupers admitted into the Asylum and dis-
charged therefrom during the year.
The report of the Warden of the Penitentiary for the same
year shows that while it was more than self-sustaining during the
year, the earnings for convicts' labor were not as large as those
of the previous year, notwithstanding the system of furnishing
runners or shop waiters, that had been adopted by the Commis-
sioners, added at least S2,000 per annum to the receipts of the
institution, from the fact that the daily average number of con-
victs on the shoe contract was considerably less than the last
year. This was due to the practice of sentencing prisoners to the
Jail instead of to the Penitentiary, where they would have to
work, thereby relieving the county from their support.'
The bill that passed the Legislature the previous winter,
mainly through the efforts of the Commissioners of Charities,
&o., exempting the Kings County Penitentiary from the opera-
tion of the Penal Code, which the Governor failed to sign, was a
serious injury to that institution, as it causes the withdrawal of
long term prisoners from the Penitentiary, that will have the
effect of again making that institution a burden upon the tax-
payers of the county.
The daily average number of convicts during the year was
563, a decrease of 55, as compared with the seven months com-
prising the last year's report. The whole number received was
1,000 ; the whole number discharged was 1,073. The prisoners
were kept constantly employed, unless in the judgment of the
physicians they were mentally or physically incapacitated for
work. The increase in per capita cost over the previous year
was owing to the lesser number of prisoners and a higher cost of
provisions.
Dr. Homer L. Bartlett, physician in charge of the Peniten-
tiary Hospital, reports briefly, but ably, the sanitary condition
of the Penitentiary, and calls attention to the law regulating
punishment of prisoners to confinement in dark cells, as the
only punishment inflicted in the Kings County Penitentiary.
He had visited all prisoners in such confinement three times in
each week, ordering their release when he deemed it necessary.
The highest number of prisoners in the institution was on the
510a
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
12th day of August, 1881, when there were 658. The lowest num-
ber during the same period was on the 3d day of May, 1882,
when there were 506. The amount of stock on hand Aug. 1,
1881, was valued at $1,362.98 ; there were expended for supplies
during the year $38,134.65 ; stock on hand July 31, 1882, was
valued at $1,601.92 ; supplies consumed during the year
amounted to $37,895.91.
John S. Woodside, M.D., Medical Superintendent of the
Hospital for Incurables, reports the main building of that insti-
tution as much overcrowded ; that the cubic space per patient in
the sleeping rooms being but 350 cubic feet, when it should be in
the neighborhood of 1,000 cubic feet ; another defect was a want
of proper accommodations for sick, violent or filthy patients ;
there were no single rooms ; the smallest number sleeping to-
gether in one room was ten or twelve ; the health of the pa-
tients during the year had been unusually good, though several
cases of small-pox had occurred during the winter ; that the pa-
tients, both men and women, had been generally employed.
The hospital had received close attention from the Ladies of
the State Charities Aid Association, with very favorable results.
The "fruit and Flower Mission," of Brooklyn, had exhibited
their usual beneficenos- in bestowing fruits, flowers and other
delicacies upon the patients. The death rate had been very low
— about 4J per cent., not a single death having occurred during
the last four months of the fiscal year. The number of patients
remaining in the Hospital July 31, 1881, was 144 males, 164
females ; total 308 ; admitted during the year, 36 males, 74
females ; total, 110 ; totals, 180 males, 238 females ; total, 418 ;
discharged during the year, 18 males, 7 females ; total, 25 ; died
during the year, 12 males, 5 females ; total, 17 ; total number
remaining July 31, 1882, was 150 males, 226 females ; total, 376.
The report of the Keeper of the Morgue, from the 15th of
October, 1881, ending on the 31st July, 1882, shows that dnr-
ing the months of August and September, 1881, the building
was undergoing repairs, and that no bodies Were received. The
total number of bodies for the ten months was 114, of which 66
were identified, and 48 not identified. Of the 66'identified 21
were interred by the county, making the total number interred
by the county 69, 45 being interred by their friends; 25 of these
were drowned, 13 were foundlings. Of the whole number
brought to the Morgue, 23 were women, 24 still-born infants,
and 6 unknown children.
Thus closes the history of the Superintendent of the
Poor, the subsequent Commissioners of Charities, and
the later Commissioners of Charities and Corrections
for the County of Kings.
It is to be regretted that the records and reports of
the Commissioners for the year 1883 are not so far
completed, at this writing, as to permit of our availing
ourselves of them for the conclusion of this chapter.
It is proper, also, to say, in taking leave of the history
of the Poor Establishment of Kings County, that the
present Board of Commissioners of Charities and Cor-
rections, although less than three years in ofBce, has
already inspired the public with confidence in its ability
and in the humane manner in which it wields the im-
portant administrative duties committed to it.
ALBERT AMMERMAN
THE subject of this sketch was born in Monmouth County,
New Jersey, in the year 1838, and received a common
school education in that vicinity. Very early in life he
entered actively into business in Squan village, but soon
found his way to the nearest commercial centre, the city of New
Brunswick, where he remained until the outbreak of the Civil
War. While a resident of New Brunswick he took an active
part in the politics of that most exciting period, and was a
leading spirit among the ' ■ Wide-Awakes" and the "Minute
Men" of the city in the memorable Presidential campaign that
preceded the secession of the Southern States. He cast his first
ballot for the local Republican candidates in 1859, and in 1860
his first Presidential vote was polled for Abraham Lincoln. From
that day forward Mr. Ammerman has been a staunch and de-
voted adherent of the Republican party. When the call to arms
was sounded in the North the young and enthusiastic Republi-
can went to the front with the Seventh Regiment of New York
Volunteers, which afterwards furnished so many eflacient officers
to the Union arms.
On his return from the war Mr. Ammerman settled in Brook-
lyn, where he embarked extensively in the lumber and timber
business, on Gowanus Canal. In 1865, in the City of Churches,
he married Miss Louise B. Day, of Westfield, Mass., a lady who
had recently graduated from Brooklyn Heights Seminary, under
Professor West, and who was rich in every endowment that
makes a refined and happy home. In a few years he became the
head of a model household ; indeed, his home on South EDiot
place was as well ordered and as happy as any in the city, whose
peculiar boast is the domestic refinement of her people. While
yet a young man Mr. Ammerman was selected by the chief magis-
trate of Brooklyn to serve on the Board of Education, and he
held a seat in that body for nine years. In that time he left
the impress of an active mind and of keen practical judgment
on the public schools of the city of his adoption; hut particu-
larly on those which came under his immediate supervision as a
member of Local School Committees. In this sphere he was
known as the ardent advocate of broad, liberal education, not
only in the elementary branches and commercial studies, but
in the gentler arts, like music and drawing, which give the
humblest life an unspeakable charm, and whose refining in-
fluence is afterwards felt in the home. One of the results of
Mr. Ammerman's course in the Board of Education was that be
achieved a large personal popularity through the city, which
stood. him in good stead when his party named him for the
discharge of still more important official functions in the civic
government.
In the fall of the year 1878, many of the leading Kepublieans
of Brooklyn urged Mr. Ammerman to allow his name to be used
in the City Convention of the party, in connection with the
nomination to the City Auditorship. Yielding to their solioitar
tions and to the argument that his candidature would help the
whole ticket, he consented, and became the unanimous
nominee of his party for this important office. It was one of the
most stirring campaigns in the history of Brooklyn. To the great
delight of his friends, and the profound satisfaction of leading
Republicans of the city, he was elected by a handsome majority.
His elevation t„ the City Auditorship necessitated,. under the
terms of an unwritten law, his resignation from the Board ot
ALBERT AMMERMAl^.
blU
Education, and he reluctantly severed his connection with a
department to which he had become endeared by long and
pleasant associations, and in which he had found a most con-
genial sphere for his activities. After the election of 1878,
and while Mr. Ammerman was still City Auditor of Brooklyn,
the Legislature of the State passed a measure remodeling the
entire civic government, and throwing on his shoulders, in
conjunction with the Mayor and Comptroller, enormous respon-
sibility in the selection of heads of municipal departments. In
the discharge of the new and difficult duties which fell upon
him through the action of the State Legislature, he displayed
sagacity, ripe judgment and keen, knowledge of men, which
won him the golden opinions of friends and challenged the
admiration of political opponents. During his term of of&ce a
persistent and powerfully organized attempt was made to change
the management of the great bridge over the East Eiver, includ-
ing the chief engineer, Colonel Washington A. Eoebling, and
his corps of able assistants. As an official, in whose hands the
power of appointing trustees of the bridge was vested, Mr.
Ammerman set his face against this attempt to turn out men
who had been connected with the prodigious enterprise from
inception, and just as they were about to reap the well-merited
rewards of their long waiting and their unswerving fidelity to
the work, through fair weather and foul. Through the City
Auditor's vote, the bridge management remained practically
unchanged to the end ; and the result amply vindicated his
judgment. At the close of his term as City Auditor, Mr. Am-
merman abandoned the turmoil of politics, and became a mem-
ber of the great furniture house of Cowperthwait Company. His
official career covered one of the most critical epochs in the
history of the municipal government of Brooklyn. He was a
leading actor in the stormiest episodes of a changeful period.
He came out of the ordeal triumphantly, and with the plaudits
of friends and opponents.
As we have stated, he was married in 1865 ; there were four
interesting children born of this marriage, one son and three
daughters, all of whom are living. In March, 1878, his devoted
and accomplished wife, to whom he was most tenderly attached,
was taken from him by death. Though the blow was at first
almost insupportable, the consciousness of the duty he owed to
his children, and his strong native character, enabled him to
endure it, and to discharge his domestic and business duties in
a successful manner; his children are being educated and reared
under those fortunate circumstances that give undoubted as-
surance of their future welfare and happiness.
512fl
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
EDMUND DRIGGS.
THE biography of tte venerable President of the WitUains-
burg City Fire Insurance Company is replete with valu-
able instruction. Young men, particularly, will iind in it
incentives to persevering industry, integrity, and the cultiva-
tion of that benevolence, manifested in all the relations of life,
which is at once the strength and crowning grace of character.
In a ripe and vigorous old age, with competence and honor, the
•head of a family circle in which love reigns, Mr. Driggs is an
example to all disposed to follow the same simple rules of life, by
persistency in which he has achieved his position among the
most respected and beloved of American citizens.
Edmund Driggs was born in Columbia County, New York
State, on the twenty-fifth of February, 1809. His parents were
Connecticut people, his father being a native of Middletown,
and his mother, whose maiden name was Eva Smith, a native
of the same State. They removed into New York State at an
early period in their married life, and cultivated a farm, in the
homestead of which Edmund first saw the light. He attended
the district school and acquired a good elementary education.
At the age of fifteen he left home to learn the freighting busi-
ness from a half brother, the only son by his father's first mar-
riage. This half brother was the master of a vessel belonging
to a line of thirty sloops running between New York City and
Troy. At that time the whole of the freighting business on the
Hudson Kiver was done by sloops. Mr. Driggs remembers the
first tow-boat which carried freight on the river. She was towed
by the steamer New London, commanded by Captain Fitch,
and her first trip was made in 1825. The increasing use of
steam drove sailing vessels out of the freighting business.
When Mr. Driggs found his occupation gone, in the year 1826,
he went to New York City, and appropriated a part of his sav-
ings in attendance at a public school for about a year. When
eighteen years old he opened a store for the sale of groceries on
West street, and realized good profits, supplying stores to the
boats on the Hudson Kiver. He continued in this business a
few years, and then engaged himself with Henry H. Panton, a
wholesale grocer well known in those days, whose place of
business was at No. 57 Front street. Having spent two years
there, Mr. Driggs became a general outside shipping and receiv-
ing clerk for Messrs. Brigham &. Fay, two young merchants from
Boston, who had established themselves in trade a few doors
distant from Mr. Panton's. The great fire of December, 1835,
swept away the whole of the stores owned by Mr. Drigg's em-
ployers, and of course threw him out of employment.
Shortly after the historic calamity to which reference is made,
the Legislature passed a law authorizing the Governor to appoint
weighing masters, whose duties should be to weigh merchandise
in the City of New York. Mr. Driggs applied for and received
an appointment under this law, and found profitable work
weighing the wire, steel and other metal collected from the
ruins left by the fire. He pursued this occupation until ap-
pointed by Jesse Hoyt, Collector of the Port of New York, to the
position of inspector of the customs, in which he remained until
1840. By that year he had built up a good business as a family
grocer at the corner of Broadway and Twelfth street, a very
eligible place; and upon the appointment of Collector Curtis to
succeed Jesse Hoyt, resigned his position as inspector, with the
intention of giving an undivided attention to his store. In
1843 the Governor of the State appointed a friend of Mr. Driggs,
one Mr. Stevens, inspector of potash and pearlash for the Em-
pire City, and this gentleman engaged Mr. Driggs to act as
deputy inspector. He thereupon disposed of his grocery busi-
ness, and began the performance of new duties, in which he
continued until the expiration of Mr. Stevens' term of ofSce.
He was then appointed by Governor Silas Wright to the general
inspectorship. This appointment he held until the law had been
passed which abolished the compulsory inspection of merchan-
dise of all kinds throughout the State. He was thus the last in-
spector of potash and pearlash appointed by the Governor of New
York. Mr. Driggs now converted a part of the premises he had
used for the purpose of inspection into a storage warehouse, in
which he stored largely for the Government of the United States.
When, in 1846, Congress passed the General Warehousing Law,
his store was bonded under its provisions, the first bond filed in
Washington under the new law.
He continued in the bonded warehouse business until 1849,
one year after his removal to Williamsburg, now Brooklyn,
E.D., which then contained about sixty thousand inhabitants. In
1850 he was elected the first president of that village by the vote
of its inhabitants. Previously to this date its head official had
been appointed by the Williamsburg Board of Trustees. About
two years afterwards Williamsburg was incorporated as a city.
On its being consolidated with Brooklyn, Mr. Driggs was elected
an alderman of the First Ward. At an election held in 1859, he
was made collector of taxes for the city of Brooklyn, re-elected
to the same office in 1862, and served to the end of his second
term.
The year 1853 was one of the most active in Mr. Driggs's career.
He was at that time conspicuously identified with the origina-
tion of three successful institutions, virtually the work of the
same men. The Williamsburg City Bank, now the First National,
was one of these, active connection with which Mr. Driggs had
subsequently to abandon on account of imperative and heavy
demands upon his time and energy in other directions. Another
was that useful institution, the Williamsburg Savings Bank, the
fourth or fifth institution of its kind in magnitude in the State
of New York, and in which the sum of about twenty-two million
dollars is now on deposit. Mr. Driggs is a trustee of this bank
and a member of its funding committee. The Williamsburg City
Fire Insurance Company, the third of the institutions to -which
reference is made, was organized in March, 1853. Mr. Driggs
was its first president, and so continued for several years, when
he resigned in order to give greater attention to his other busi-
ness; but he still continued a member of its board of directors.
When his last term of office as collector of taxes had ended, in
July, 1865, be was re-elected president, and has continued ever
since and is now at the head of that distinguished corp'oration.
His eminent qualifications for the office appear in the remarkable
success of the company, which has survived the two great fires
of Chicago and Boston. In consequence of the last-named calam-
ity, the company paid in claims more than its entire capital.
To-day, there is but one other fire insurance company than the
Williamsburg City, having an office in the City of New York, and
doing business under the laws of the State, the stock of which is
quoted higher in the market. At the last sale the stock of the
Williamsburg City was quoted at 250.
In politics Mr. Driggs has been always an earnest Democrat.
He was a member of the conventions which nominated to the
Governorship of New York, William L. Maroy (his last term),
William 0. Bouck, Horatio Seymour and Silas Wright; of the
national convention at Baltimore which nominated Lewis Cass
to the Presidency, and of the memorable Charleston Convention
of 1860. . ,.
Mr. Driggs was' married in his nineteenth year to Miss De i
Ann Marshall, of Stamford, Connecticut, sister of the Bev. Josep
D. Marshall, a Methodist Episcopal minister and member ot t
New York East Conference until his death. Ten chUdren hav
been born to the couple, an equal number of sons and daughters,
%-^%
■^nf ^iyAS-R^cc'--'^
8ETH LOW.
513(1!
of whom three sons suryiTe. These are engaged in tlie bonded
warehouse business, and two of tliem are at the head of prosper-
ous firms of New York City. Mr. Driggs has been a member of
the Methodist Episcopal body since the year 1826, when he joined
the Duane Street Church, New York, worshiping in an edifice
long since taken down, and which was situated between Hudson
and Greenwich streets. He was made a class-leader when about
twenty-one years of age, and has held oface as a trustee, presi-
dent of the board of trustees, steward, superintendent of the
Sunday school, president of the Juvenile Missionary Society of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, member of the Foreign Mission
Board, and, in short, almost, if not quite, as many offices as a
layman can hold. He is known throughout the United States as
an earnest Methodist, and receiyes innumerable calls from strug-
gling churches. Mr. Driggs, whose most active years of church
work were during his membership in the South Second Street
Church, Brooklyn, E. D., attends now the Summerfield Church,
Brooklyn, as a private member, leaving to younger men the dis-
charge of official duty.
Of Mr. Driggs's quiet and graceful acts of charity, many have
had occasion to speak with gratitude, and his liberality enlarges
with his years. The large-heartedness of the man appears not
less in his business than in his gifts to philanthropic organiza-
tions, and to such objects of his bounty as he encounters by
personal observation. He is emphatically a good man, and
" that which should accompany old age, as honor, love, obedi-
ence, troops of friends," are his in abundance. In his seventy-
fourth year, he is still active in business, giving regular atten-
tion to the diversified interests which claim his attention six
days in every week.
SETH LOYsf.
AMONG the useful and honored citizens of
Brooklyn, none have left a better record than
he whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He
was born at Gloucester, Cape Ann, in the county of
Essex, Mass., on the 29th of March, 1782. He was fitted
for college hy the late Rev. Dr. Abiel Abbott, of Bev-
erly, in the same county and State. This begat a warm
friendship between the teacher and pupil, which con-
tinued through Dr. Abbott's life, and led to the baptis-
mal name given to the eldest son of Mr. Low, the
present A. A. Low, of Brooklyn.
Mr. Low entered Harvard University at the com-
mencement of the college term of the year 1800, and
under the pleasantest auspices. He found himself
associated, in his class, with young men of congenial
spirit, several of whom subsequently became famous in
their professions, and all of whom held pleasant places
in his memory. Merchants like the late Benjamin
Welles, Samuel Swett and William E. Gray, of Boston,
■were among the former; while the Bar welcomed to its
rolls the late able and learned Chief Justice Shaw, and
Leonard Jarvis, a distinguished member of Congress
from Massachusetts ; the Pulpit, the eloquent Joseph
Stevens Buckminster, Dr. Charles Lowell, father
of our present Minister at the Court of St. James, both
of Boston, and President Bates, of Middleborough Col-
lege, Vt.; Art gave one of her highest seats to Washing-
ton AUston, and Engineering Science to Loammi Bald-
win. It was a great disappointment to Mr. Low to
part company with young men of such promise, but
after faithfully prosecuting his' studies through the
freshman and sophomore years, he was compelled in the
junior, or third year, by a severe attack of ophthalmia, to
sacrifice the advantages of a complete university course
andleave college. It was to him a great sacrifice. He was
ambitious to excel. He had hoped, indeed longed, to
make the Christian Ministry, toward which his devout
temper, his desire for usefulness, and his high estimate
of the> profession, as a means for that, naturally led
him; but the same cause forbade him to cherish the hope
and longing, and he yielded. A business life offered
itself. He entered the store of a prominent druggist in
Salem, Mass., as a clerk. After coming of age, he fol-
lowed the business for some twenty years, when misfort-
une overtook him, and he failed. This drew forth the
universal sympathy, nevertheless, of the community, in
which, by his whole deportment and true nobility of
character, he had won, and still held, undiminished
confidence and respect. In 1807 he had married
Miss Mary Porter, daughter of Thomas Porter, of the
neighboring town of Topsfield. She was a woman of
marked and superior qualities of mind and heart, who
in no change of fortune could fail to show how admir-
able they were; in prosperity or adversity alike sharing,
with her whole warm and strong, yet well-disciplined
nature, her husband's lot. She was the true, helpful
and devoted wife, the loving, wise and faithful mother.
The heart of her husband safely trusted in her; and to
this hour her surviving children " rise up and call her
blessed."
Such was the partner of his life whom Mr. Low
brought with him on his removal from Salem to Brook-
lyn, in the year 1828. With the experience he had
gained in the former place, he at once began in New
York at wholesale, the same business in which at retail
he had been unfortunate. For a time he was again to
encounter reverse and disappointment, but was never
daunted or discouraged. He met difficulty with a
high-souled courage, which never flinched— a brave,
yet serene temper— an integrity above stain or even
suspicipn- a calm, resolute, unfaltering faith in a
kind and overruling Providence. And when the
change came, and the light grew brighter, and hap-
pier days broke upon his path, he was the same man m
all essential respects as before-honest, upright, high-
principled, generous, honorable, and devout. He had
become a prosperous and honored merchant m the great
mercantile metropolis of the nation; and a citizen of
514a
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Brooklyn, thaa whom none was more beloved and
respected ; in every private, domestic, social relation
— husband, father, friend, neighbor, member of so-
ciety, citizen — most faithful ; and highly esteemed
and trusted by men of every sect and party he
died, universally lamented, in June, 1853, in the
seventy-first year of his age.
Mr. Low had lived in Brooklyn, and in the public
eye, long enough to enable his fellow citizens to under-
stand and rightly estimate his character. At the time
of his removal to that city, and, indeed, for years after,
so sharply drawn were the lines of the different orthodox
sects, and so bitter their common animosity towards
those of a more liberal faith, that one of the prominent
Presbyterian churches refused him participation in the
Lord's Supper because of his Unitarianism. That day
has passed, we trust, forever. A better and more Christ-
like spirit pervades the churches. The Christian walk
of such a man would in our day ensure him fellowship,
except among the most narrow-minded and bigoted. If
ever there was a man in whom, in the words of
his Pastor in a sermon preached the Sunday following
his burial," the largest and noblest traits of human nature
were developed and moulded by the benign and potent
influences of a Christianity enthroned in the heart, as
the fountain whence all that was good flowed, as the
grand central principle which guided, inspired, and con-
trolled the entire character, and were everywhere con-
spicuous in the life " — that man was Seth Low.
Mr. Low was one of the leading spirits in originat-
ing, in 1843, the Brooklyn Association for Improving
the Condition of the Poor— its first president, and for
several successive years holding the same ofiice— an in-
stitution which has from year to year illustrated the
wisdom and benevolence of its founders, and steadily
gained on the affections and patronage of the com-
munity. How would his heart have rejoiced to see the
handsome and commodious building designed for its
permanent home, just erected and opened for a charity
in which he was so deeply interested, and which his
children and grand-children have joined their fellow
citizens to secure ! He was not only a sincere and earn-
est Christian, of the largest and most catholic spirit,
wisely and generously benevolent and beneficent toward
the poor, but deeply engaged in promoting popular ed-
ucation in every form. He was a member of the Board
of Education, and prominent in sustaining and im-
proving the public schools. Public-spirited, and ever
ready to serve the public welfare, he was elected for
successive terms alderman of the Fourth Ward in
Brooklyn, and one of the supervisors of Kings County;
into both of which offices he carried the same high and
pure principles which characterized his private life,
and from which he brought the reputation of having
had a single eye to the conscientious performance of
duty, and the just demands and expectations of his
constituency.
HENRY SHELDON
THIS gentleman is one of the best known of Brook-
lyn's resident New York business men, and a
leading importer and jobber of tea and coffee, his oiiice
being located at 109 Front street.
It is now (1883) forty-five years since Mr. Sheldon
established himself in New York, and he is one of the
oldest merchants in his section of the city.
He was born in Charleston, Montgomery County,
New York, in 1821. His father. Judge Alexander
Sheldon, was a well-known physician who had come
into that section of New York State from Connecticut,
as early as 1790. He was a graduate of Yale College,
a man of much force of character, was first judge ; in
association with De Witt Clinton, he was appointed
one of the Regents of the University of the State; was a
member of the Convention which formed the State
Constitution of 1821, and chairman of the committee
with respect to the executive department. He took an
active part in politics, being a member of the Legisla-
ture for about eight years. Upon taking his seat the
first time, in 1804, he was chosen Speaker of the House,
a position he occupied with but a brief intermission
during the succeeding eight years; and it is worthy of
note that he was the last of the speakers who, when
presiding, wore the chapeau or cocked hat which, with
the accompanying coat, was the insignia of the office.
His term of service as a legislator was during the ex-
citing political contests in which Burr, Hamilton, Clin-
ton, Livingston, Lewis and Tompkins bore a con-
spicuous part.
Mr. Heney Sheldon has been a resident of Brook-
lyn since 1849, and has been long and prominently
identified with many of its important interests in the
departments of Christianity, Literature and Art He
was an early friend of the Brooklyn Library and the
Long Island Historical Society, and one of the first
directors in each of those institutions, as also a trustee
in the Brooklyn Art Association.
To the financial success of these institutions and to
the benevolent objects of the City of Brooklyn, he has
been a friend and a liberal contributor.
Mr. Sheldon's standing in mercantile and commer-
cial circles is high; and, besides attending to the duties
devolving upon him from day to day in the manage-
^>4^V ^3£i^^,^
A8AHEL WILLARD HUMPHREYS.
515a
ment of his extensive business interests, he finds time
to devote to the affairs of such well-known institutions
as the Merchants' National Bank of New York, and
the Standard Fire Insurance Company of New York,
in both of which he is a Director, and from time to
time he has been more or less prominently identified
with other well-known institutions of a similar char-
acter. Mr. Sheldon married Miss Ceha E. Parrington,
daughter of Dr. S. H. Farrington, of Ashtabula, Ohio^
by whom he has had five sons and two daughters.
ASAHEL WILLARD HUMPHREYS.
ASAHEL WILLAED HUMPHEEYS was born in
Winchester, New Hampshire, October 30th, 1838,
a son of Asahel Jewell and Mary Hinds Humph-
reys. His grandfather was one of the early settlers of
that town, to which he came from Dorchester, Mass. ,
and of which the family were prominent and honored
citizens from its formation.
Mr, Humphreys was educated primarily at the pub-
lic schools of Winchester, New Hampshire, and subse-
quently at Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., and at
Kimball Union, Meriden, New Hampshire. After
leaying school, he entered the counting room of Little,
Brown & Co., the well-known publishers of Boston,
Tvhere he remained until 1861, when he was made as-
sistant cashier of the Ocean Bank of New York. The
latter position he resigned to connect himself with the
iron interests, entering the service of the Sterling Iron
and Eailway Company, of which he soon became the
treasurer and subsequently the president. In 1864
this company acquired the ownership of the twenty -five
thousand acres of land, with all the mines and furnaces
upon it, which constituted the Sterling estate in Orange
and Rockland Counties, New York, and on which
were erected almost the earliest iron works in this
State; where Peter Townsend made the first cast steel
in this country, the great chain put across the Hudson
river to prevent the ascent of the British during the
Revolntion,_ all of the anchors for the first navy of the
New American Government, and for a long term of
years the charcoal iron which was required in the con-
struction of the steam engines of the United States
Government. The Sterling Iron and Eailway Com-
pany, with Mr. Humphreys as its principal business
official, largely extended the operations carried on at
Sterling, by developing new mines, building railways,
and making other important improvements ; and so
well known did Mr. Humphreys become in connection
with the iron interests, that he was urgently requested
by the late Hon. Horace Greeley, then an active mem-
ber of the American Institute, to prepare an address on
iron and its manufacture, which he dehvered at the
American Institute, in October, 1870, and which was
published in full in the Daily Tribune, covering a page
of that paper, and reprinted in all the journals and peri-
odicals devoted to metallurgy and engineering in this
country and Europe.
Mr. Humphreys was for several years one of the
Board of Managers of the American Iron and Steel As-
sociation, and was the third member in the United
States of the Iron and Steel Institute of Great Britain.
The degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him
by the faculty of Williams College, in 1872, and he is
a director of several corporations and railways. He
came to Brooklyn to live in 1867, and later, became in-
terested in its social and benevolent institutions and
enterprises. He was chosen chairman of the member's
committee of the Long Island Historical Society, and
subsequently became the treasurer and a director of
that institution. He was also chosen a member of the
Board of Managers of -the Brooklyn Association for
Improving the Condition of the Poor, and a director of
the Union for Christian Work. In 1879, he was ap-
pointed one of the trustees of the New York and
Brooklyn Bridge.
Always a thorough -going Eepublican, Mr. Hum-
phreys has never had any liking for politics, and con-
sequently has not been active as a politician. He is a
member of the Union League Club of New York, and
of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science. In 1863 he married Miss Mary L. Cunning-
ham, of Boston, and has one son, named Willard Cun-
ningham Humphreys.
ANNALS
OF THE-
Consolidated City of Brooklyn,
1855-1883.
UNDER THE CHARTER granted by the Leg-
islature, on the I7th of April, 1854, providing
for the consolidation of the cities of Brook-
lyn and Williamsburgh and the township of
Bushwick, Brooklyn (1855, January 1st) entered upon
a new phase of its civic existence. By a singular co-
incidence, Geobge Hall, who had been the first Mayor
of the original city of Brooklyn, was the first Mayor of
the consolidated city. From his inaugural address to
the common council of the new municipality, we
extract the following succinct comparison between its
past and ^resew< .•
"It is now twenty-one years," says Mr. Hall, "since I was
called by the common council to preside over the affairs of
the late city of Brooklyn, then first ushered into existence.
The population of the city, at that time, consisted of about
30,000 persons, residing for the most part within the dis-
tance of about three-quarters of a mile from Fulton Ferry.
Beyond this limit, no streets of any consequence were laid
out, and the ground was chiefly occupied for agricultural
purposes. The shores, throughout nearly their whole ex-
tent, were in their natural condition, washed by the East
River and the bay. There were two ferries, by which com-
munication was had with the city of New York, ceasing at
twelve o'clock at night. There were, within the city, two
banks, two insurance companies, one savings bank, fifteen
churches, three public schools and two weekly newspapers.
Of commerce and manufactures it can scarcely be said to have
had any, its business consisting chiefly of that which was
requisite for supplying the wants of its inhabitants. Sixteen
of its streets were lighted with public lamps, of which num-
ber thirteen had been supplied within the then previous
year. The assessed value of the taxable property was
$7,839,684, of which $6,457,084 consisted of real estate and
11,372,600 of personal property.
" "Williamsburgh was incorporated as a village in 1827.
Its growth was comparatively slow until after the year 1840.
At the taking of the census in that year, it was found to
contain 5,094 iuhabitants, and since that time it has ad-
vanced with almost unparalleled rapidity, having attained a
population of 30,780 in 1850. It was chartered as a city in
1851.
"Within the comparatively short period of twenty -one
years, what vast changes have taken place. Bushwick, from
a thinly-settled township, has advanced with rapid strides,
and yesterday contained within its limits two large villages,
together numbering a population of about 7,000 persons.
Williamsburgh, from a hamlet, became a city, with about
50,000 inhabitants. Brooklyn, judging from its past in-
crease, yesterday contained a population of about 145,000
persons, and on this day the three places consolidated into
one municipal corporation, takes its stand as the fhird, city
in the Empire State, with an aggregate population of about
200,000 inhabitants.
" The superficial extent of area included within the city
limits is about 16,000 acres (or 25 square miles). The extent
in length of the city along the water front is 'SJ miles, along
the inland bounds, 13J miles, and between the two most dis-
tant points in a straight line, 7f miles, and its greatest width
5 miles. Within these limits 516 streets have been opened
for public use. * * * Thirty miles of railroad tracks, ex-
clusive of those of the Long Island railroad companies, have
been laid, and are in use upon the streets of the city ; be-
sides twelve lines of stages or omnibuses. The city, to a
great extent, is lighted by gas, supplied by the Brooklyn and
Williamsburgh Gas-Light Company, using 95 miles of pipes
along the streets. The streets are lighted with public lamps,
numbering in the aggregate 3,766, of which 3,609 are gas
lamps. Thirteen sewers have been constructed, extending
in length five miles. There are 157 public cisterns and 547
wells and pumps. There are two public parks, one of which
will rival in magnificence, as respects its natural position
and commanding prospect, that of any other city in the
Union." Reference was also made to Greenwood and Ever-
green cemeteries; to 113 churches within the city; to 27 pub-
lic schools, containing 317 teachers and about 30,500
scholars; to the Packer Collegiate Institute, the numerous
private schools, the Brooklyn City Hospital, the Orphan
Asylums, the Old Ladies' Home, Industrial schools, dispen-
saries, etc.; also, to nine banks, four savings institutions,
eight insurance companies, five daily and two weekly pa-
pers, etc. The assessed value of taxable property during the
previous year was estimated : In BrooUyn-ot real estate,
$64,665,117; of personal propeity, |8,184,881;WHtams6ur0^
of real estate, $11,242,664; of personal property, lll.ei*-";";
Bushmek-oi real estate, $3,106,864; of personal prop-
erty, $109,000; making the aggregate in the whole ciiy,
$88,933,085. . ^„„
Thirteen ferries, keeping up a constant communicabon
with the city of New York, and the almost continuous Ime
CONSOLIDATED HISTORY OF BROOKLYN, 1856-'57.
485
of wharves between Greenpoint and Eed-Hook, as well as
the commercial facilities furnished by the Atlantic docks,
and the expensive ship-building at Greenpoint, were also
alluded to. The police of the new city, under Chief John S.
Folk, comprised seven districts, with an aggregate of 374
men; the 8th, 9th and 18th Wards not being included, they
having a special police at their own expense. The fire de-
partment was also on a good footing, the western district
having 20 engines, 7 hose-carts and 4 hook and ladder com-
panies; the eastern having 10 engines, 4 hose-carts, 3 hook
and ladder, and 1 bucket companies.
The new city was divided into eighteen wards, to
which a nineteenth was soon after added.
Yet, although Brooklyn had thus, at a single bound,
jumped from the seventh to the third position among
the cities of the American Union, it could by no means
claim the same relative position in point of wealth,
business or commercial importance ; being outranked,
in these respects, by several cities of less population.
Nor had it risen to its eminence by virtue of its own
inherent vigor and enterprise. Candor certainly com-
pels the acknowledgment that it was chiefly attribut-
able to the overflowing prosperity and greatness of its
giant neighbor. New York. Many thousands of its
counted population were scarcely more than semi-deni-
zens. They were the merchant princes, and master
artisans doing business in the metropolis, employing
other thousands as clerks, accountants, journeymen
and apprentices, in numerous and varied capacities,
and who resided here. Thus, Brooklyn held the ano-
malous position of out-numbering, at night, its day
population by tens of thousands. Brooklyn's position,
however, as regards business, commerce and influence,
has so rapidly increased since then, and is developing
with such wonderful promise, that the burden of re-
proach that she is only a sleeping apartment for New
York, is undeniably passing away.
Mayor Hall had been elected mainly on a temper-
ance and sabbath observance platform, and, on the
Uth, his proclamation in regard to the closing of
stores, etc., on the sabbath, went into effect, and was
very generally observed. On the 31st, the new build-
ing of the Brooklyn City Hospital was first opened to
the inspection of the public.
Feb. 21st. The first meeting of the new Board of
Education of the consolidated city was held, and offi-
cers elected.
March 28th. Tlie Fire Department of the City of
Brooklyn was incorporated by act of legislature.
April 12th. The Nassau Water Coinpany was in-
corporated by legislative enactment; was at once or-
ganized, and promptly petitioned the Common Council
to authorize a subscription to its capital stock, to the
amount allowed by its act of incorporation.
On the same date an act was passed defining the
limits of the fire district of the Western District.
July. The Brooklyn Central Dispensary was insti-
tuted ; the Hunt Horticultural and Botanical Garden
incorporated, and the Brooklyn Sunday School Union
reorganized.
Nov. loth. The Common Council passed a resolu-
tion, by 2Y to V votes, authorizing a subscription of
$1,000,000 to the stock of the Nassau Water Com-
pany, on condition of the two million capital stock
being paid up. In June, they voted to increase the
amount to $1,300,000.
1856. Mayor Hall's address to the common council,
in January, stated that during the year 1855 there had
been 1,034 new buildings erected, and 618 then in
course of erection ; about fourteen miles of new streets
opened, and nine miles graded and paved; 426 new
gas lamps and posts set, 16 public cisterns, etc., etc.
July 31st. Operations upon the Nassau Water
Works were formally commenced by the breaking of
the ground for a reservoir on what is now known as
Reservoir Hill, on Flatbush Avenue, and within the
present Prospect Park. On a commanding point of
this eminence, and around a platform covered with an
awning of American flags, assembled the Common
Council of the city, the Water Company, and a number
of prominent citizens, in all some 1,000 persons, who
had been brought to the spot, from the City Hall, in a
long procession of omnibuses and carriages. The
exercises were opened with prayer by the Rev. Dr.
Kennedy, after which Mr. John H. Prentice, President
of the Board of Directors, gave a brief history of the
inception and progress of the Nassau Water Company's
operations in securing a supply of water for Brooklyn ;
and concluded by introducing the Hon. George Hall,
Mayor of the city, who, after a few pertinent remarks,
proceeded to break ground by digging a spadeful of
earth, amid the cheers of the multitude. The Rev. Dr.
Kennedy, the Hon. N. B. Morse and the Rev. Dr.
Bethune, then delivered speeches replete with elo-
quence, cordiality and humor.
This year was signalized by the appearance of yellow
fever, on Long Island. {See chapter on Medical Pro-
fession of Kings County).
1857. With this year commenced the mayoralty of
Mr. Samuel S. Powell.
Samuel S. Powell, a descendant from some of the earli-
est settlers of Long Island, was born in the city of New York,
on the 16th day of February, 1815. He enjoyed the usual
advantages of school education until the age of thirteen,
when family reverses rendered it necessary for him to seek
his own livelihood. After serving in a store in New York for
some time, he came to Brooklyn in 1838, and engaged with
S. B. Stilwell, at that time the leading tailor and clothier of
the then village, and, after four years, commenced a busi-
ness on his own account. Having always taken a lively in-
terest in poUtics, he was elected in 1845, by the Democracy
of the Second ward, as their representative in the Common
Council, where he served one term, declining a renomination.
Tradition says that he first made himself known by a clever
speech at a Sunday-school celebration, and was suggested as a
good man for Alderman. He held no other oflSce until 1857,
when he was chosen Mayor ; and at the expiration of his
486
SISTORT OF KIRGS GOXTNTY.
first term was re-elected. It is said that he was the first
Democratic Mayor who was not under obligations to the
political firm of Lott, Murphy & Vanderbilt ; in fact, suc-
ceeded through a revolt against it.
After Mayor Kalbfleisch's three terms of office, the politi-
cal managers resolved to displace him. Ex-Mayor Powell
was remembered as a "candidate who had never been de-
feated," and they elected him. He never resorted to " work-
ing" for his election. He was a strong party man; well-read
and cultured, full of anecdote and information ; regular in
habits, hours for sleep, exercise and reading.
Mr. Powell was a man who never accumulated much
money ; nor did he ever make a dollar in any public office
which he held, beyond the salary attached to it. He was
unswerving in fidelity to his party, and hence was popular.
He was charitable, dignified though easily accessible, and
gentlemanly in his manners.
He was a favorite with the Methodist church, though not
a member, as his wife was. "I guess," he said, "it is be-
cause I look like a Methodist." He received the richest and
poorest alike, courteously. He was a helpful neighbor, a
tried and upright official. It is doubtful if he ever made an
enemy, uttered a sentence, or did an act that would justify
personal resentment.
During his administration, the much debated question as
to the advisability of running the street railroad cars on the
sabbath, was settled affirmatively, after a fierce contest. The
measure was recommended in an official message from Mr.
Powell to the Common Council. When the war of secession
commenced. Mayor Powell actively sustained the govern-
ment in all measures for the suppression of the rebellion ;
and, although a Democrat, and in .no way identified with
the dominant party, he aided to the full extent of his powers,
the enlistment of men, and by open speech justified all meas-
ures necessary to destroy the power of rebellion and to re-
store the Union.
In 1871, he was again elected (his third term) to the mayor-
alty. In 1874, he was nominated for Comptroller, against
F. A. Schroeder, and was elected. His administration of
finances was intelligent and successful. The credit of the
city was improved, and its bonds sold at a premium, which
had not before occurred. In 1877, he was appointed a Park
Commissioner, which office he held up to the time of his
death, devoting to it the same care and attention which al-
ways characterized him. He was next elected County
Treasurer, his term beginning August, 1878, but the disease
of which he ultimately died (cancer in the face), had then
made such progress that he could not often attend at the
office, although he kept himself well posted as to what took
place there. He died February 6, 1879.
Quiet and unobtrusive in his manner and habits, there was
no citizen of Brooklyn who possessed a more intelligent
knowledge of the city's history, growth, and people. He was
a director in the Central Bank, the Brooklyn Life Insurance
Company, the Citizens' Gas Light Company, and an original
director of the Nassau and Lafayette Insurance Companies.
February 11th. A Board of Water Commissioners
was appointed ; and on April 15, the Board was also
constituted, by legislative enactment, a Board of
Sewer Com,missioners.
February 11 th. By the legislative " act for the bet-
ter regulation of the firemen of the city of Brooklyn,"
passed on this date, was created the Board of Com-
missioners of the Fire Department of the Western Dis
trict of the city of Brooldyn ; and April 7th, by a
similar act, the legally organized firemen of the Eastern
District were constituted a body corporate, to be known
as The Brooklyn Eastern District Fire Department •
and on the 1 7th, by act of legislature, the fire limits of
the Eastern District were established.
April 23d. The Metropolitan Police law went into
operation, by which the counties of New York, Kings
"Westchester and Richmond, and the towns of New-
town, Flushing and Jamaica, in the county of Queens
were constituted and territorially united for the pur-
poses of police government and police discipline, to be
governed by a board of commissioners, of which the
Mayors of the cities of New York and Brooklyn were
members ex officio. The original commissioners were
James W. Nye, James Bowen, J. S. T. Stranahan (of
Brooklyn), Simeon Draper and Jacob Cholwell, to-
gether with Fernando Wood, Mayor of New York and
S. S. Powell, Mayor of Brooklyn.
December. The Mercantile Library Association of
Brooklyn was organized.
1858. The two marked events of the year were the
introduction of the Ridgewood water into the city (it
being first let into the mains, on December 4th, and
first used in extinguishing a fire on the 17th of the same
month) ; and the inception of measures which resulted
in the establishment of the Academy of Music, both of
which events reached their culmination of success dur-
ing the next year.
1859. March 19th. The Brooklyn Academy of
MusicwsiS incorporated, with a capital of $150,000, with
power to increase it to $200,000. Land in Montague
street was purchased for $41,000, plans agreed upon and
work commenced.
April 5th. Samuel S. Powell was re-elected to the
mayoralty, by a majority of 3,265 (out of a poll of 21,-
203) votes over John A. Cross.
April 18th. By enactment of the legislature, Messrs.
John Greenwood, J. Carson Brevoort, William Wall,
James Humphry, John A. Cross, Nathaniel Briggs,
Abraham J. Berry, Samuel S. Powell, Thomas H. Rod-
man, Nathan B. Morse, Thomas G. Talmadge, Jesse C.
Smith, Daniel Maujer, Wm. H. Peck and Luther B.
Wyman, were appointed commissioners to select and
locate grounds in the city of Brooklyn, and adjacent
thereto, for parks and public parade ground.
During the month of November, 1858, the first
water had been introduced in the city through the pipes,
and so highly gratified were the people, especially after
its efficient aid in extinguishing one or two fires, that a
general demand arose for a grand public demonstration.
The Common Council arranged for such a celebration on
the 27th of April, 1859, and on that day, and the next,
it came off. Such a demonstration had never before
been witnessed in the city of Brooklyn ; and as a
pageant it has rarely been equalled even in the Metro-
polis. Its main features were a grand civic and mih-
tary procession, with some 16,000 persons and 3,000
CONSOLIDATED HISTORY OF BROOKLYN-, 1860~'61.
487
horses in line ; speeches in the Common Council cham-
ber by Governor Morgan and Peter Cooper and others;
also a chaste and elegant oration by Richard C.
Underbill, Esq. The city was profusely and beauti-
fnlly decorated ; and a splendid illumination of public
and private buildings in the evening, with a grand dis-
play of fireworks, closed this most eventful day.
During this winter (1859-60) the collegiate depart-
ment of the Long Island College Hospital was organ-
ized and the announcement of its first course of lec-
tures made.
1860. This summer, forty-six cases of yellow fever
were reported to the health department. [See chapter
on Medical Profession in Kings County.) Thirty-four
cases occurred in the block commencing at the corner
of Columbia Street, running thence westerly to the
water along Congress street, on both sides of the street.
It was supposed to have originated from some lighter-
men who resided in this neighborhood and were en-
gaged on lighters at quarantine.
1861. — April 5th. The charter election resulted in
the choice of Martin Kalbfleisch (democrat), as mayor,
by a majority of 5,136 (in a poll of 28,280) votes, over
his republican competitor, Frederick Scholes.
April 15th.* The dispatch from the Secretary of
War, announcing the surrender of Fort Sumter, and the
President's proclamation, calling for 75,000 volunteers,
electrified the citizens of Brooklyn, as well as those of
every portion of the northern states. The excitement
was intense, business was virtually suspended, men
could hardly realize that war was begun ; but the mo-
mentary paralysis of surprise was quickly followed by
a rebound of loyalty, as universal as it was magnifi-
cent. The Stars and Stripes were flung to the breeze
upon all public places, from almost every store and
from hundreds of private dwellings ; so intense, indeed,
was the public feeling that the absence of the national
flag in certain quarters invited a suspicion of disloyalty.
On the 17th, a mob visited the Eagle, News, Standard
and iStor newspaper offices, compelling their proprietors
to show their colors ; and on the street and all public
places, incautious sympathizers with the South were ad-
monished by arguments more striking than pleasant, of
the propriety of keeping their thoughts and words to
themselves. The young men of the Seventh, Ninth and
Nineteenth wards, commenced to form a volunteer com-
pany. By the 19th the news of the dastardly attack on
the Massachusetts Sixth, aroused the excitement to
white heat, and the excess of loyalty seemed to threaten
an outbreak of mob violence. An amusing instance of
this occurred at the Packer Collegiate Institute, where
the exhibition of a palmetto badge by some of the south-
• Brooklyn's share, in the war for the suppression of the civil rebel-
llon-the narration of which comprises the greater portion of Brooklyn
History for the four years'aucceeding this date— can only be given im,
ovtUne. Under the head of Military, in our concluding chapter, the
reader will find brief notices of the various regiments from this city,
'ngsgedlnthewar.
ern young lady pupils, provoked a sudden outburst of
red, white and blue badges among the northern girls ;
and finally the principal. Prof. Chittenden, deemed it
best to order the total suppression of all badges. This
sensible proceeding (sailed forth the ire of several hun-
dred young men around town, who proceeded to the
Institute and called for the exhibition of the Stars and
Stripes, which were, of course, forthcoming; and the
police dispersed the over-zealous crowd, in view of
which Mayor Powell issued a proclamation counseling
moderation and peace. The four militia regiments,
comprising the Fifth Brigade, viz., 13th, 14th, 70th
and 28th (previous to this the ranks of these regiments
had been poorly filled, viz., the 13th having about 250 ;
the 14th, about 150; the 70th, about 350; and the 28th,
about 400 men), began to make ready for the fray, re-
cruiting ofiices were opened, and their ranks were
largely swelled by accessions of patriotic young men.
Capt. Wm. H. Hogan, the former gallant commandant
of the Napper Tandy Light Artillery, commenced
among his countrymen the organization of an artillery
company, which eventually did good service in the Irish
Brigade. The Common Council appropriated (19th)
$75,000 for the relief of families of those who should
volunteer. On the 20th, Gen Duryea received orders
to send forward two of the Brooklyn regiments, and
selected the 13th (Col. Abel Smith), and 28th (Col.
Mich. Bennett). Major Anderson, the hero of Fort
Sumter, also this day quietly visited the city, and was
warmly greeted by the comparatively few citizens who
knew of his coming.
April 21st. (Sabbath). The recruiting offices were
kept open, and the work of enrollment went bravely
on. In Plymouth Church the sum of $1,000, and in the
Pierrepont Street Baptist Church, $1,077 was contribu-
ted towards the equipment of the 13th and 14th, and
this without previous notice being given. A. A. Low
contributed $300 for the 13th.
April 22d. Messrs. Whitehouse and Pierce, 188 Pul-
ton street, furnished equipments for those of their em-
ployes who volunteered, and guaranteed their situations
to them upon their return, as well as the payment of
their salaries to their families during their absence.
The city was alive ; companies parading the streets,
preparatory to being formed into regiments ; every-
thing betokened preparation ; the Zouaves were active-
ly drilling ; nothing but the war was thought of or
talked about ; business was at a stand-still. In the
evening, an enthusiastic meeting was held at Music
Hall to organize a home-guard, and 200 signed the roll
of members. The Common Council this evening also
authorized the effecting of a loan of $100,000 for the
equipment of Brooklyn volunteers, and the support of
their families. Father Rafina, priest of the Montrose
Avenue Catholic Church, with his own hands, raised an
American flag upon the top of his church, in the pre-
sence of over 2,000 people, whom he addressed with a
488
mSTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
few appropriate remarks, and whose plaudits were
enthusiastic. The captain (a southerner) of the United
States Survey vessel, the Varina, very quietly attempt-
ed to move his craft out of the Brooklyn ISTavy Yard, and
down the river in the night, with a view, it is supposed,
of taking her to Dixie. The crew, however, suspecting
his design, managed to communicate with the command-
ant of the receiving-ship, North Carolina ; a line was
thrown across the stream, the Varina was stopped, and
her crew removed to the guard, and she left empty in the
stream ; much to the joy of the loyal tars, who cheered for
the Union and hooted at treason, while they were leav-
ing the vessel.
About this time, also, occurred what was, at the
time, characterized by some of the daily papers, " the
Navy Tard scare ; " but which, in fact, possessed a far
greater importance than many supposed. One day,
about 2 P.M., Mayor Powell was waited upon by Capt.
(afterward Commodore) Foote (then in command of
the United States Navy Yard here, in the absence of
Commodore Bell), who stated to him that he had rea-
son to believe that an attempt would be made that
night to burn the Navy Yard, and that he had but
eighty men (all told) capable of bearing arms in the
defense of the government property. He requested
aid from the city authorities ; and in response to his
demand, active measures were at once put forth by
Mayor Powell to meet the difficulty before sun-down.
It was understood that the proposed attack upon the
yard was to be made by a force of rebel sympathizers,
crossing from New York in small numbers at the dif-
ferent ferries, and rendezvousing in or near the City
Park, under the Navy Yard walls, from which point,
after dark, they could easily have possessed themselves
of the place ; and, after a liberal use of fire-balls and
other combustibles among the inflammable contents of
the yard, could have escaped before a general alarm
had been communicated to the city. Placing himself
in communication with the headquarters of the Metro-
politan Police, a heavy force (some 1,000 in all) of po-
lice were distributed near the yard, the ferries, etc.,
while the river in its front was patrolled by the police-
boat and numerous well-manned row-boats. Col. Gra-
ham's artillery regiment, the Seventieth, took posses-
sion of the Arsenal, on Portland avenue, and the
Thirteenth (Col. Smith) were under arms at the Arm-
ory on Cranberry street; and the militia generally, un-
der direction of General Duryea, were in readiness for
instant service. So promptly was all this eifected, that
no attempt was made, and hence the cry of scare ; but
facts which subsequently came to light, prove that the
attempt would certainly have been made, but for the
activity and vigilance of the city authorities.
The Union Ferry Company guaranteed to those of
their employes who should volunteer, a continuance of
salary to their families, and their places again upon
their return. Forty Brooklj^n ladies volunteered as
nurses ; and quantities of lint, etc., were offered. The
Washington Division, No. 4, of the Sons of Temper-
ance, voted the appropriation of $3 per week.to the
family of any member who should volunteer; and, in
case of his death, $20 in addition to the $30 given as a
funeral benefit, and also pledged themselves to provide
for the widow and orphans. This day was held an
immense war meeting on Fort Greene, at which it was
estimated that 50,000 people were present. There
were three stands for speakers, music, etc. Mayor
Powell presided, and a salute of 34 guns was fired. At
3 P.M. of the same day the 13th Regiment left for the
seat of war, 450 strong; 200 being left behind owing to
a lack of equipments. The National Home Guard was
also organized; and the citizens of the 9th Ward orga-
nized a Home Relief Association, of which Mr. J. Car-
son Brevoort was chosen president, and $1,950 was
subscribed on the spot for the purposes of the society
and for aiding the families of volunteers from that
ward.
April 24th. The members of the Kings County
Medical Society resolved to render gratuitous profes-
sional services to the families of volunteers, during
their absence.
April 25th. The Mechanics' Bank took $25,000 of
the city loan of $100,000.
April 26th. A JLadies' Lint Society was in opera-
tion in Monroe Place and vicinity, and another among
the young ladies of Brooklyn Heights Seminary. The
mayor sent a communication to the Common Council
proposing the organization of a force of 2,000 men, in
companies of 100 each, properly officered, for the pro-
tection of the city and its surroundings. The Brook-
lyn Yacht Club tendered to the United States Govern-
ment the use of their vessels, for any service for which
they might be required in the shallow water along our
coast, including the maintenance of a small armed
screw-propeller, as a coast-guard from Barnegat to
Fire Island.
April 28th. (Sabbath.) Impressive religious services
were held at the arsenal, where the 28th Regiment was
quartered, preparing to leave. During the preceding
week this regiment had received 1,590 yards of band-
aging prepared by the ladies of Clinton Avenue Con-
gregational Church. On this day, also, Major Oatman
raised the American flag on the old " 1699," or Veohte
Cortelyou house.
April 29th. At a meeting of the Association for the
Relief of Volunteers' Families, between two and three
thousand dollars were raised.
April 30th. The 28th Regiment left for the front,
and were escorted to the dock by the Lancer Troop
and howitzer battery of the TOth Regiment. The
Common Council appointed committees for relief to
volunteers' families, each committee consisting of three
from each ward.
April. During this and the succeeding month, Col. ,
G0N80LIDATEB HISTORY OF BROOKLYN, 1861-'6Z.
489
Pratt and others, mostly of Brooklyn, organized in
]^ew York city, the Thirty-first Regiment of New York
Volunteers.
Mav 2d. Tne Home Trust of Volunteers of Brook-
lyn organized, with A. A. Low as President ; Messrs.
Geo. HaU, Luther B. Wyman and Hosea Webster as
Vice-Presidents, J. H. Frothingham, Treasurer ; W. S.
ariffith, Secretary ; and R. R. Raymond, Correspond-
ing Secretary. The Board of County Supervisors appro-
priated $50,000 for the relief of families of volunteers,
and pledged themselves to continue the salaries of em-
ployes who might volunteer. The ladies of the 8th
Ward organized a Patriotic-Relief Association for pro-
vision of hospital stores, etc., fori sick and wounded
May 6th. The new mayor, Martin Kalbfleisch, en-
tered upon his official duties.
May 9th. The reserves of the 13th Regiment (425),
left for the seat of war to join that regiment. The
Hunter's Point route of the Long Island Railroad was
opened.
May 20th. The 14th, under Col. Alfred M. Wood,
left for the seat of war. Their departure was a scene
of enthusiasm which evinced how firm a hold this regi-
ment had upon the affections of Brooklyn citizens.
June. Early in this month |50,000 was appropri-
ated by the Board of Supervisors, exclusively for the
relief of volunteers' families.
June 26th. The corner-stone of a Home for Desti-
tute Children was laid, under the auspices of the
Brooklyn Industrial Association.
July 1st. The Common Council appropriated $2,500
towards the equipment of the 14th Regiment, on the
application of Lieut. -Col. Fowler.
During this and succeeding months, the " Continental
Guard," afterwards the Forty-eighth New York Vol-
unteers, was recruited under the command of Col.
Perry, formerly pastor of the M. E. church.
August. During this and the following month, the
Nm York Fifth Independent Battery was organized
at Brooklyn ; and the Ninetieth New York Volunteer
Regiment, at East New York.
August 6th. The Board of Supervisors appropriated
$10,000 to the relief of volunteers' families.
August 22d. The First Long Island (Brooklyn
Phalanx) Regiment, recruited in Brooklyn, by Col.
Nelson A. Cross, departed for the seat of war.
Dec. 5th. The Supervisors appropriated $35,000 to
the support of volunteers' families.
1862. January. On the 30th of this month, the iron
MomioT was launched at Greenpoint ; was placed in
commission on the 25th of February ; and eleven days
after (March 8th) had her celebrated encounter with
the rebel ram Merrimac, in Hampton Roads.
February 4th. The Capitoline Club was organized.
The small-pox was very prevalent in the city.
March 3d. A grand publip receptipn was given to
Col. A. M. Wood, of the 14th Regiment, on his return
from captivity in Richmond, by the authorities, mili-
tary, fire department, and citizens generally.
March 27th. Brooklyn received a new charter, by
an act of the Legislature, amendatory of the consolida-
tion act of 1854.
May. A new regiment (the 56th) of State Militia
was organized at Brooklyn.
May 17th. A large and enthusiastic public meeting
of the citizens of the 17th Ward (Greenpoint), held
early in this year, organized an association for the re-
lief of the families of soldiers enlisted in the army and
navy. Messrs. Jabez Williams, A. K. Meserole, Wm.
M. Meserole, James Ross, Jonathan Moore, James Val-
entine, Th. Hutchinson, T. P. Rowland, Wm. Foulks,
J. N. Stearns, Geo. W. Bell, John MoDiarmid, C. V.
Rivenburg, John B. Downing, Geo. W. Kelsey, Ab'm
Meserole and Rev. Peter Boyce, were appointed an ex-
ecutive committee, of which Mr. Boyce was President ;
A. J. Provost, Timothy Perry, Adrian Meserole, Vice-
Presidents ; Ab'm Meserole, and afterwards J. N.
Stearns, Secretary, and Mr. E. F. Williams, Treasurer.
A subscription was started, and the large sum sub-
scribed on the spot was subsequently increased to over
$10,000. The executive committee met every week-
day night, for' months ; visited soldiers' families, and
furnished regular relief to over 100 families, contain-
ing about 140 children, besides occasional relief to
other families. Nearly 500 men enlisted from this
ward.*
May 20th. The corner-stone of the new County
Court-house, at junction of Fulton and Joralemon
streets, was laid on this day, by the Grand Lodge of
Free and Accepted Masons, of New York.
June. The Coney Island Railroad, from Fulton
Ferry to Coney Island, was completed. It was eleven
miles in length, being the longest road in the city.
August 15th. A great Union meeting was held on
Fort Greene, in view of the draft ordered (Aug. 4th)
by the Government, for 300,000 men for nine months'
service ; the proportion of Kings County being placed
at 4,294. On the 16th, the Board of Supervisors appro-
priated the sum of $240,000, to be borrowed on the
credit of the county, for ($50) bounties, for volunteers
before the first of September following.
Brooklyn had, as we have seen, responded nobly to
the first call of the government upon the loyal popula-
tion of the north. Some 10,000 of her bravest citizens
had testified their devotion to the old flag, upon every
battle-field from Bull Run to Malvern Hill. To the
second appeal she sent forth her 13th and 14th Militia
Regiments ; but the third call for men, seemed, from
some unaccountable reason, to be coldly received ; and,
*Keport of 17th Ward Soldiers' Aid Association, Marcli 17, 1863,
states tliat during the winter of 1863-'3, reilef was extended to 86 fami-
lies containing 125 clilldren ($2 to aduit, .50 cents to child, per weeli).
Whole amount received by treasurer, up to March 10, 17,510.06, of
which $3,810 was paid out, tor bounties, and $3,a'39.30 for relief .
490
HISTORY 01 KINGS COUNTY.
while all other communities bestirred themselves hold-
ing meetings, arousing popular enthusiasm, and rais-
ing money to pay bounties to volunteers, she remained
inactive. But, with the impulse given by this great
popular demonstration, Brooklyn quickly placed her-
self right before the world, promptly resolving to do
her own duty, and to furnish her quota of volunteers
without recourse to the draft.
The city was all alive. Recruiting officers were
seen everywhere. The recruiting tents in the City
Hall Park inci-eased in number, and the drums, in front
of each, kept up their music from morning to night.
Tents were also pitched in Washington Park, the City
Park, at the Navy Yard, and other eligible points.
The whole city, in fact, wore a military aspect. The
wealthy men came forward with their contributions,
and as a consequence, men of the right stamp were en-
listed in squads. Mayor Kalbfleisch, on his own re-
sponsibility, ordered 168 A tents and fourteen wall
tents for the officers and men of the 1st Regiment of
the Empire Brigade. Recruits came flocking in so
fast that they could not be all attended to. The
Mechanics' Bank in one day, cashed 175 checks for
bounties to recruits ; and the day previous, 93, amount-
ing to a total of $7,600. Mr. Charles Christmas con-
tributed $200 to aid in recruiting and rendering a draft
in Brooklyn unnecessary, to be paid as special bounties
to the first forty volunteers, who signed the rolls be-
tween nine and ten, on Wednesday morning. Capt. J.
Davenport was at this time raising in Brooklyn a com-
pany of "Monitors." The smith's department in the
Navy Yard, formed a Relief Association. The Hon.
William Wall, representative in Congress, from the
Fifth District, contributed $1,000 to aid in recruiting
($10 each), the first 100 volunteers in the 1st Long
Island, and the 14th Regiments.
The Eastern District was also aroused — meetings
were held nightly in almost every election district, and
liberal contributions were received.
September. At Greenpoint, Capt. Albert Stearns
recruited a company (C) for the 3l8t New York Volun-
teer Regiment, then forming in New York city. The
quota of Kings County at this time, was 8,632, of
which 4,000 had been raised, leaving 4,632 still due.
November 24th. The Woman's Relief Society was
formed.
December 2d. The 42d Massachusetts Volunteers
left camp at Union Course, L. I., this day, and being
delayed by not finding the transport vessel ready for
their reception, spent the night in Brooklyn, at the ar-
mory, where they were provided with a good hot sup-
per by the 13th New York State National Guard. A
member of the 42d writing to the Barre (Mass.) Ga-
zette, thus describes the hospitalities received by him-
self and comrades from the Brooklynites. " Mr. Geo.
B. Lincoln, city postmaster, gave supper to ten of our
company ; gave them a good bed, set a table in the
morning for sixty, but breakfasted about f&rty, that
being all that he could find. Wm. Gilmore, 277 Hicks
Street, gave about 250 meals ; a stanch old Democrat
said he could not go to the war, but want&i to
feed the boys. One other man, on Atlantic Street
dealt out coffee for two hours, while we were waiting
for the boat ; and distributed cigars. One widow lady
name unknown, invited to supper about fifteen, gave
them lodging, and gave breakfast to about twenty.
There were other hospitalities, but I am unable to state
42d say, ^with a will, 'Bully for
them. The
Brooklyn ! ' "
During this year the Eleventh Brigade, New York
State National Guard, was formed.
1863. January 16th. The 176th New York Volun-
teer Regiment left New York city for the front.
Three companies (B, I. and K,) had been recruited in
Brooklyn during the previous fall.
February. The long Island Historical Society was
organized.
June. For the third time since the commencement
of the war, the Brooklyn militia was called into active
service, and over 2,000 men fully armed and equipped,
were ready for departure within twenty-four hours
after the call of the governor was reoevied, viz. : the
13th, Col. Woodward ; 28th, Col. Bennett ; 23d, Col.
Everdell ; 47th, Col. Meserole ; 52d, Col. Cole ; 56tL,
Col. J. Q. Adams. Col. Michael Murphy, under au-
thorization of the State government, commenced the
raising of a new regiment, called the Kings County
Volunteers.
June 17th. The Brooklyn Ihenty-thirdleit en route
for Harrisburg, Pa., to meet, with other New York
regiments, the rebel invasion of Pennsylvania. Its
campaign was fortunately a bloodless one.
July 13th. The great "draft riots" broke out in New
York city, where, for three days, an infuriated mob
literally held the city at its mercy, defying the consti-
tuted authorities, reckless of life and property, raging
like a conflagration, unchecked and irresponsible, strik-
ing terror to the souls of peaceable citizens, suspending
all business and travel, burning and plundering as they
went. All this was incited by the enforcement of the
draft by the United States authorities. The Navy
Yard, Arsenal, Armory, etc., were all placed in readi-
ness for any attack ; a large meeting of the reserves of
all the regiments then at the seat of war was held at
the armory, and another of the 70th Regiment, at the
arsenal, at both of which gatherings, arrangements
were made to furnish volunteers for the emergency,
whenever required. A regiment of exempts organized
under Col. A. M. Wood ; and (14th), Capt. Geo. Chap-
pel's company (Co. C), 1st Battalion of New York
Artillery, went over to New York, by order, to do duty at
the Thirty-fifth street arsenal. A large body of police
was kept in reserve at the City Hall, the mayor and
other officials remained on duty during the night, and
QONSOLtBATED HIST OUT OF BROOKLYN, ISeS-'Gl
491
every preoautiou taken to guard against any outbreak
of mob violence, and to keep the people from undue
excitement. Considerable apprehension was felt less
the numerous artisans and workmen employed at Green-
point, and in the manufactories along the East river
shore should become uneasy, and participate in the
riotous demonstrations which were being made by
many of the laboring classes in New York ; but the
law-abiding disposition of the citizens of Brooklyn was
shown in the universal observance of the peace through-
out the city. A few trifling manifestations of ill-will
to the negro were exhibited, but the ordinary police
force was sufficient to overawe what malcontents there
were. On Wednesday night (15th), an alarming act
of incendiarism showed that a danger really did exist,
and that there were some reckless and desperate char-
acters in the city ripe for mischief. Two grain eleva-
tors in the Atlantic Basin were fired by a mob num-
hering about 200 persons ; both elevators were de-
stroyed, one a costly structure, worth about $80,000,
and the other (floating) about $25,000. The firemen
did their duty nobly, although attacked and obstructed
by the mob, who were finally dispersed by the police
after a short but fierce encounter.
Sheriff A. F. Campbell, on the 15th, issued a proc-
lamation to the citizens, recommending them to organs
m && z, posse comitatus, for the securing of the peace
of the city ; and the mayor, after the fire at the Atlan-
tic Basin, issued an address congratulating his fellow
citizens on the exemption which Brooklyn had enjoyed
from disturbance, etc., and offering a suggestion simi-
lar to that of the sheriff's, relative to volunteer police
service.
During the night of the excitement in New York a
party of volunteers from Brooklyn reported individually
at the State Arsenal in New York, where they did eflicient
service in guarding the building against the rioters.
We regret that we have not the names of these
Brooklyn volunteers. By the 18th, however, the riot
was suppressed, and the community once more breathed
free ; although during the month of August, the entire
Eleventh Brigade and the two remaining regiments
(13th and 28th) of the Fifth Brigade did guard duty in
Brooklyn at an expense of three to four thousand dol-
lars per day.
September. The draft was enforced in this county,
comprising the Second and Third Districts. The Sec-
ond District (the 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th,
IVth, and 18th Wards, together with New Lots, Flat-
lands, Platbush, New Utrecht and Gravesend), was
called on for a quota of 3,075, including the fifty per
cent, in addition required by law to supply the place of
exempts from physical disability. The grand total of
persons of the first class, liable to conscription, in the
district, was 21,553, the draft requiring one in every
seven of those enrolled. The quota of the Third Dis-
trict (Ist, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, nh, 11th, 13th, 15th, 19th
and 20th Wards), was 4,054, including the fifty per
cent, additional, as above stated.
The Common Council voted to raise $500,000, to apply
to the exemption of exempt and active firemen (includ-
ing the members of the department prior to July 1st);
all members of State militia belonging to the Second
Division, N. G. S. N. Y., enrolled prior to July 1st ;
$300 to the family, as a commutation fee, or for substi-
tute for any drafted man dependent on his daily labor
for support ; and if he went himself to service, four
dollars per week would be given to the wife, and one
dollar to every child under fourteen years of age.
Afterwards, however, in consequence of the difficulty
experienced in raising the money, the authorities were
obliged to omit firemen and militiamen from the bene-
fits of their substitute fund.
October. A new call for 300,000 men. Mr. S. B.
Chittenden offered the sum of $10,000 for 200 volun-
teers, under this call, for the 14th Regiment. The
Second District quota was 3,034 and that of the Third
District, 2,343.
November 2d. The charter election resulted in the
choice of Alfred M. Wood, by 13,123 votes, out of a
poll of 28,797; his competitors being Messrs. Prince and
Kalbfieisch.
November 11th. At a special meeting of the Board
of Supervisors of Kings County, in consequence of a
new call for troops, it was resolved to borrow the sum
of $250,000, for the purpose of paying a $300 bounty
to each substitute enlisting in the county, before the
5th of January, 1864, or before another draft should
be ordered. This county bounty was paid directly
to the recruit himself, a measure for which the com-
mittee, as a matter of course, was severely denounced
by bounty brokers and others interested; but in which
they were upheld by many prominent citizens and by
general public sentiment.
December 23d and 24th. The Ladies Loyal League
of South Lroohlyn held a fair at the Athenaeum, for
the benefit of sick and wounded soldiers, through the
United States Sanitary Commission.
1864. January 1st. The new mayor, Col. A. M.
Wood, assumed the duties of his office.
Colonel Alfred M. Wood was a native of Hempstead,
L. I., where he was born on the 19th of April, 1828 ; removed
to Brooklyn at an early age ; and was for some time a clerk
in the store of the late Elijah Lewis, with whom he after-
ward formed a partnership. Afterwards he engaged in busi-
ness on his own account, but commercial reverses compelled
him to resume the position of clerk.
Colonel "Wood entered political life in 1853, as the demo-
cratic candidate for collector of taxes. Although his party
was defeated, such was Colonel Wood's position in the good
opinion of his fellow citizens, that he was elected by six hun-
dred majority. He served the public faithfully during a
term of three years, at the end of which he was re-elected by
an increased majority. In 1861 he was selected as the repre-
sentative of the First Ward in the Board of Aldermen, of
which he was chosen the presiding ofiacer.
492
MiSTOJiY OF KINGS OOtJNTT.
When the Southern Rebellion culminated in armed resist-
ance to the authority of the government, and the war began,
among the military organizations that hastened to offer their
services for the defense of the country, and for maintaining
the honor of the flag, was the 14th Regiment, New York
State Militia. Of this regiment, organized in 1848, Col. Wood
was at this time the commandant.
He resigned his position as President of the Board of Alder-
men, and was indefatigable in his efforts to prepare the regi-
ment for service, and to obtain from the government its
immediate acceptance. Although other local regiments were
accepted for the term of three months, the war department
declined to receive the Fourteenth, except for three years, or
the war. This condition was acceded to, and on the 19th of
May, 1861, the regiment marched through the streets, lined
with thousands, who cheered it God speed on its errand of
honor, and went to the front.
In the memorable first battle of Bull Run, the 21st of July,
the regiment, with the brigade to which it was attached in
the division of General Hunter, reached the field about eleven
o'clock, and going at once into action, remained under fire
six hours. The men behaved with great coolness and
gallantry, and the Colonel was conspicuous for bravery.
Four times did they charge the enemy up a hill, in the face
of a terrific fire of artillery and musketry, Colonel Wood
leading them. The loss of the regiment at this point was
very severe, 143 being killed, wounded or reported missing.
The Colonel was severely wounded just at the time that the
fearful panic began, which ended in a disastrous route.
He was carried some distance on a litter and afterwards
placed in an ambulance, the driver of which, as the retreat-
ing flood swept onward, cut the traces and fled for his life.
With the assistance of some members of his regiment, the
colonel succeeded in reaching the woods, where they re-
mained four days, living on blackberries, when they fell into
the hands of the Eighteenth Virginia Regiment. The colonel
was removed to Charlottesville, where he remained some
months, and partially recovered. He was taken to Rich-
mond, and shared the imprisonment of Gen. Corcoran and
other brave Union soldiers.
Great anxiety was felt in Brooklyn as to his fate. It was
reported at one time that he was killed at Bull Run ; again,
that he had been taken prisoner, and suffered amputation of
the leg. When it was ascertained ttiat neither of these
reports was true, the public was startled by another, to the
effect that he and others were held as hostages, to be ex-
ecuted in retaliation for the execution of the Rebel pirates.
This last report was well founded. How determined Col.
Wood was to meet boldly any fate in store for him, and to
give his life cheerfully to his country, if it was demanded, is
shown by his speech to his regiment on rejoining them at
Upton hill, after his release from captivity. He then said :
"This, soldiers of the old Fourteenth, is one of two event-
ful moments of my life, which I shall ever look back upon
with the happiest reflectiong. The first was that upon the
occasion when I was taken from Henrico County jail, at
Richmond, and in company with Col. Corcoran, was taken
before the military authorities, to meet the issue presented in
the question of retaliation, which at that time was under
consideration with the rebel authorities, and which involved
the execution of myself and others. The honor I considered
as having fallen to my lot was one which every true Ameri-
can should be proud of— the chosen sacrifice of a country
and a cause like our own."
At length a change was effected, and Colonel Wood was
released from rebel imprisonment in the latter part of
February, 1862.
The citizens of Brooklyn were of course anxious to give
public expression to their appreciation of the gallantry with
which Colonel Wood had represented them on the field of
battle and the manner in which he had sustained the patriotic
character of the city, during his long captivity. Appropriate
resolutions were passed by the Board of Aldermen, and it was
determined that a committee of the board should proceed to
Philadelphia to meet their absent president, whose place had
been so long and honorably vacant. A meeting of citizens
was also held, and a committee appointed to co-operate with
the city authorities. This reception, which occurred March
3, 1862, was one of the most impressive and memorable
demonstrations ever made in this city. All classes of people
united to do honor to a distinguished citizen whose name
was inseparably connected with some of the most important
and stirring events in the history of the country. Nor were
the demonstrations confined to Brooklyn. The people of
Brushville, where the colonel joined his estimable lady, were
alive with enthusiasm, and a reception was given him such
as the quiet towns of Long Island rarely witness.
It was his intention to rejoin his regiment at the earliest
possible moment, but impaired health and consequent physi-
cal disability compelled him to abandon his purpose. Some
time afterwards he was appointed by the President, Collector
of Internal Revenue for the Second District. On the 20th of
October, 1863, he was nominated for the mayoralty by the
Union city convention ; and, at the polls, the people elected
him to that position. In a poll of 28,812 he received 12,672,
being 1,728 over Benjamin Prince, and 7,976 over Martin
Kalbfleisch, an honor the more marked and gratifying to the
recipient of it because it was unsought. Opposed to him in
the canvass was a gentleman who had the support of a
powerful party, having a majority in the city ; but the con-
test was a fair one, and Colonel Wood owed his success to
the use of no means on his part except those entirely con-
sistent with the rules of honorable political warfare.
1864. January. Mr. S. B. Chittenden placed in the
hands of the special committee of the Board of Super-
visors on substitute bounty fund, the sum of ten thous-
and dollars, to be disbursed in sums of $50, to recruits
who should enlist in the Broohlyn Fourteenth, all of
which was so disbursed, to the entire satisfaction of
the generous donor.
January 2d. The special committee on substitute
bounty fund were authorized to pay $15 premium for
each recruit enlisted, and credited to the quota of
Kings County ; said sum being paid to the party pre-
senting the recruit. This premium, however, was not
paid to recruits for veteran regiments.
January 6th. The First Long Island Regiment
(Brooklyn Phalanx), Col. Nelson Cross, returned on a
short furlough, after an absence of nearly two years
and a half, during which they had participated in four-
teen battles; 234 men alone returned, out of the 1,000
who went forth to the war, and they had all re-enlisted
for the war. They met with a cordial welcome home,
were escorted by the 28th New York State National
Guard to the City Hall, where they were addressed by
the Mayor and Common Council, and partook of a col-
lation prepared for them.
February 2d and 4th. Two amateur dramatic enter-
tainments at the Athenaeum, in aid of the United States
Sanitary Commission, produced the sum of $1,000.
CON'S OLID ATEt) JEtlSTORY OF BROOKLYN, 1861
463
February 22d. A national and state flag, both of
silk with rosewood staffs and silver mountings, with
the inscriptions, were this day presented to the 28d
Regiment, New York State National Guard, by the
ladies of Brooklyn. The presentation took place in
front of Mr. S. B. Chittenden's residence, in Pierre-
pont Street, addresses being made by that gentleman,
the Rev. Francis Vinton, D.D., and Brig. Gen. Pratt,
the colonel commanding the regiment. This day, also,
was signalized by the opening of the great
Brooklyn and Long Island Fair — an event
which is not only memorable in the civic annals as a
magnificent exhibition of patriotism, but as being, in
fact, the initial point of a new civic life and progress
—previously undreamed of. This Fair resulted from
the joint efforts of the War Fund Committee of Brook-
lyn and County of Kings (acting through its sanitary
committee) and of the Woman^s Relief Association of
the City of Brooklyn, recognized as the Brooklyn
Auxiliary of the United States Sanitary Commission,
and to which the sanitary committee of the War Fund
was advisory. An appeal made, in May, 1863, by the
War Fund Sanitary Committee to the churches of
Brooklyn, asking cash contributions for the purchase
of materials for hospital clothing, to be made up by
the families of our soldiers in the field, through the
agency of the Female Em,ployment Society (created
long before the war, for the object which its name in-
dicates), placed about $6,000 in the hands of the com-
mittee, which proved an ample provision for the sum-
mer. In the following autumn it was found that the
Woman's Relief Association, during its first year, had
turned into the depot of the Sanitary Commission,
hospital clothing, etc., to the value of nearly $50,000.
It became a serious question with the committe whether
fresh appeals should be made to the churches, or
whether some new plans could be devised by which
the citizens of Brooklyn could be brought into active
and efficient sympathy with the work of the Woman's
Relief Association for the winter of 1863-4. Early in
October, the plan of a great fair for the city was sug-
gested by Mr. James H. Frothingham, one of the War
Fund committee. After conference with Dr. Bellows,
president of the United States Sanitary Commission,
and others, the Sanitary Committee broached the sub-
ject (November 6th) to the Woman's Relief Associa-
tion, in the form of a general plan for a great city fair,
which it was thought might realize the sum of $75,000
to $80,000 for the United States Sanitary Commission.
But it was feared that the local charities, whose an-
nual fairs were already being prepared for, might suf-
fer too seriously by such an undertaking, and the mat-
ter, for the present, was laid over. Meanwhile, on the
14th of the same month, the ladies of New York, un-
der the auspices of the United States Sanitary Com-
mission, announced by a circular the project of a great
Metropolitan Pair, to begin in that city on the 22d of
February, 1864; and the cooperation of the Brooklyn
ladies was invited, a department of the fair being as-
signed to this city. On the 20th of November, the
Woman's Relief Association decided to unite in the
work, as the Brooklyn Division of the Metropolitan
Fair; leaving open, however, the question as to which
city the said Brooklyn Division would carry on their
work in. At a special meeting of the Woman's Relief
Association on the 24th, it was determined, in antici-
pation of the great fair, to increase the representation
from the respective churches; and, on the 4th of De-
cember, a large meeting of the association was held at
the chapel of the Packer Institute, Mrs. J. S. T.
Stranahan presiding, and the project of an independent
fair was developed by the secretary of the sanitary
committee of the War Fund, who said that Brooklyn,
as a city of three hundred thousand inhabitants, should
make itself felt and appreciated, and accomplish as
much relatively as the city of New York. Measures
for the enlargement of membership of the executive
board of the Woman's Relief Association and for the
cooperation of the War Fund committee were adopted,
and enthusiastic speeches were delivered by Rev. Drs.
Buddington, Farley and Spear, the latter of whom
ventured a prediction (which many then deemed a lit-
tle "wild") that the fair would realize as high as
$150,000. On the evening of the 5th, a meeting of the
War Fund committee was held at their rooms, which
was attended by about a hundred persons of recog-
nized influence in the community ; and it was resolved
that a committee of sixty gentlemen be appointed as a
general committee, with power to add to their number,
for the purpose of cooperating with the Woman's Re-
lief Association in arranging for and conducting the
Brooklyn Division of the Great Metropolitan Fair.
This committee organized the same evening, with Mr.
A. A. Low as president, and went vigorously to work.
At a meeting of the Woman's Relief Association on
December 18th, the spirit was found to be rising, and
under the inspiration of the glowing remarks of Henry
Ward Beecher and others, it soon ran up to fever heat.
Notices were sent to the sewing societies of the various
churches and to the towns and villages of Long Island,
asking their cooperation in the Brooklyn Division of
the great fair, and the response, from every quarter,
was prompt and cordial.
On the evening of December 19th, a meeting of the
War Fund Committee was held at the Chapel of the
Polytechnic Institute, Mr. A. A. Low presiding, and
Ex-Mayor Lambert acting as secretary. An advisory
board of twenty-nine gentlemen was appointed, of
which Dwight Johnson was chairman, who were em-
powered to cooperate with the Woman's Relief Asso-
ciation in the conduct of the Brooklyn Division of the
Metropolitan Fair; Rev. Dr. Farley made a report of
his recent visit to the Boston Fair, then in progress,
and earnest speeches were made by Dwight Johnson,
494
mSTOttT Ot" KINGS GOU^TT.
Esq., Rev. T. L. Cuyler, A. A. Low and Walter S.
Griffith, Esqrs. Mr. John D. McKenzie then made an
effective speech, and the enthusiasm which he elicited
was brought to a climax when he subscribed $1,000 to
the objects of the fair. Amid the tumultuous applause
which ensued, Mr. A. A. Low followed with his sub-
scription of $2,500; and then, in rapid succession, the
$1,000 and $500 subscriptions flowed in until $25,500
had been pledged, and Mr. S. B. Chittenden, in addi-
tion to his $1,000 contribution, offered a pair of Devon
steers from his farm in Connecticut, which he promised
to "make as fat' as possible on Yankee corn," before
the fair opened. This great meeting " drove the nail
and clinched it." On the following day, the list of
contributions was swelled to $29,750, and before the
end of December the subscription had reached a point
of over $50,000 through the activity of the chairmen
of the several special committees. By this time, the
managers of the New York side of the Metropolitan
Fair had felt obliged to postpone its opening from
February 22d to the 28th of March; but the Brooklyn-
ites felt that it would be bad policy for them to accede
to any postponement. The enthusiasm was at its
height; the 22d of February was hallowed and heart-
stirring in its associations, and these could not be
ignored or lost; accordingly, at the regular weekly
meeting of the Woman'# Relief Association, December
30th, it was resolved that Brooklyn should proceed
without regard to the arrangements of ISTew York, and
that the Fair should open on February 22d. Brooklyn,
having thus fearlessly cut loose from leading strings,
found that a new impulse was given to the work. The
Academy of Music was engaged; arrangements rapidly
matured for other buildings, as the case might require,
and the city became, throughout all classes of the peo-
ple, intent, energetic and enthusiastic to the highest
degree, in preparation for the noble undertaking which
they had assumed. A public meeting at the Academy
of Music on the 2d of January, 1864, was held; the
managers of the Fair received from the municipal
authorities permission to erect the necessary temporary
buildings, and on the 19th the committee on internal
arrangements and reception of goods announced that
they were ready to receive donations of goods, pro-
duce, etc., etc. On the same evening, Greenpoint was
stirred to its core by a rousing public meeting on be-
half of the Fair; on the 21st the town of Flatbush had
an earnest public meeting, and the good people of the
Island were not behind hand in their preparation for
the coming event; public meetings being held in most
of the towns, efficient committees appointed, and every
energy used to bring out a handsome representation
for the Island on the occasion.
In addition to the Academy of Music, two tempo-
rary structures were erected for the fair, one on a lot
(the use of which was loaned by Mr. A. A. Low), ad-
joining the Academy on the west, to be 68 by 100 feet
and two stories high; the other on a lot opposite the
Academy (loaned for the purpose by Mrs. Packer), to
be 100 feet square and one story high. The first of
these buildings was to be occupied by the restaurant
and was called Knickerbocker HaM, and the latter
(which communicated with the Academy by a covered
bridge thrown across Montague street, at a sufficient
height not to interfere with public travel), was called
the Hall of Manufactures and the N'ew England
Kitchen. The large building on the north-east corner
of Montague and Clinton streets, known as the Taylor
mansion, was also engaged for the Fair ; and in it was
located the Museum of Arts, Relics and Curiosities,
and the editorial rooms of the Drum-Beat, the news-
paper issued during the Fair. The Academy was
opened for the reception of goods from February 15th
to 18th inclusive, and the vast influx of donations as-
tonished even those who were best informed of the
progress of the work.
At three p. m. of Feb. 22d (Washington's birthday),
the Fair was inaugurated by a grand parade of the en-
tire military force of the city, including veterans and
soldiers of volunteer regiments at home on furlough,
together with the United States marines from the Navy
Yard. At seven o'clock p. m., the Fair was first opened
to the public. The Great Central Bazaar, for the
sale of articles for the Fair, was held in the Academy
building, the grand floor of which was boarded over,
level with the stage, making a magnificent hall, with
an area of 10,570 square feet, and with the second floor
and lobbies, a total area of 20,300 square feet. The
decorations of the Academy were very beautiful, and
their patriotic nature was in fine keeping with the
character of the great enterprise. From the centre of
the auditorium ceiling was suspended, by invisible wires,
an American eagle, which seemed to hover in mid-air
over the majestic scene below. From the apex of the
column of drapery sprang radiating bands of red,
white and blue bunting, which, stretching in graceful
curves until they touched the pillars of the amphi-
theatre, were thence twined, and drooped, and festooned
around the whole circle of the building. Above the
arch of the stage, in letters formed of tiny jets of gas,
blazed the inscription "In Union is Strength." The
back wall of the stage was completely screened by a
mammoth painting of afield hospital tent of the United
States Sanitary Commission, with nurses, wounded
soldiers, etc. The rough wood work above the side
scenes was skillfully concealed by draperies of white
and colored muslin, and flags were everywhere dis-
played in profusion. The huge crimson drop-curtain
was caught up and stretched along the ceiling of the
stage, thus hiding its rude surface, and giving at the
same time a brilliant effect. Many elegant paintings
were also displayed in the auditorium, while the superb
afghans, and many colored quilts, with which the vast
building was fairly tapestried, added their vivid splendor
CONSOLIDATED HISTORY OF BROOKLYN, 1864.
495
to the effect of the tout ensemble. When the magnifi-
cent building was flooded at night with the splendor of
a thousand gas jets, it presented a spectacle which was
nothing less than enchanting. The stalls of the ground
floor were arranged in concentric arcs of circles, leav-
ing a laro'e space in the centre of the building for the
accommodation of the crowd. The goods, as far as
practicable, were admirably separated into classes, and
an effective system of ushers was adopted, which pre-
vented confusion at the entrances. In the family circle,
Dodworth's band or the Navy yard band furnished ex-
qaisite music every night, so long as the Fair lasted.
In the Assembly room of the Academy was located
the art gallery, where were contained, in the opinion of
connoisseurs, more works of real merit than any which
had been offered to the public for many years. One
hundred and seventy-four paintings and sketches and
several statues were exhibited under the management
of the artists of Brooklyn and Long Island.
In Knickerbocker hall, one of the temporary struc-
tures before mentioned, was a huge salle a manger, a
triumph of decorative art, supplied with all the ap-
pliances of a first class restaurant, where the thousands
of visitors were constantly fed, by a systematic arrange-
ment of donations of eatables, etc., from the churches
of Brooklyn, and from the towns of Long Island, which
provided seven-eighths of the daily demands of the
establishment. Five hundred persons could be com-
fortably accommodated at one time in this great res-
taurant, which netted the Fair the splendid sum of
nearly $24,000.
In the other temporary structure, before mentioned,
as on the opposite side of Montague street (present site
of the Mercantile Library) was the fitnni/ feature of the
Fair, The New England Kitchen — reproducing, in all
its detail, the Yankee farm-house life of the last cen-
tury. In this large room (40x76) all the furniture and
appointments were, as nearly as it was possible to have
them, veritable antiques. In one corner were several
ancient spinning wheels, kept constantly in vigorous
motion by venerable matrons, with their starched caps
and snowy kerchiefs crossed over the bosoms of their
stuff gowns ; then there was the dresser with its rows
of shining pewter; the ever ready churn; the tall clock
sedately ticking in the comer; the ridge poles strung
with dried apples; pumpkins, glittering red peppers,
seed bags, anji yarbs of healing virtues — and, above all,
the huge open fire-place with its mighty logs, and the
traditional trammel, from which swung a gigantic pot,
in which, from time to time, were cooked great messes
of unctuous chowder, or mush; while, from the ovens
at the side, emerged spicy Indian puddings, smoking
loaves of Boston brown bread, and huge delicious dishes
of pork and beans. On the long tables were bountiful
supplies of old fashioned victuals, with cider, pumpkin,
lunce and apple pies, doughnuts, etc. ; while the guests
were waited upon by pretty damsels with curious names
and quaint attire. During the continuance of the Fair,
the New England Kitchen was the scene of a series of
novel entertainments, reproducing some of the peculiar
social customs of our ancestors, such as the old folks'
concert, the donation visit, the quilting party, the apple
bee, and the wedding, all of which were admirably
planned and carried out. The kitchen was constantly
tilled by an amused and delighted crowd.
Under the same roof with the kitchen was the Hall
of Manufactures, in the centre of which hung a mam-
moth broom, forwarded from Cincinnati to the Fair,
with the following challenge to Brooklyn : " Sent by
the managers of the Cincinnati Fair, Greeting: We
have swept up $240,000; Brooklyn, beat this if you can."
To this, as soon as the magnificent result of our Fair be-
gan to loom up so that an approximate estimate could
be made, some sporting member of the committee
on manufactures appended the , following addenda :
" Brooklyn sees the $240,000, and goes $150,000 better.'''
In the Taylor Mansion was improvised a collection
of relics, curiosities, etc., such as would have delighted
the heart of Scott's Antiquary, or excited the envy of a
Barnum. In the same building was a gallery of en-
gravings, the largest and finest collection ever brought
together in this country ; a splendid collection of Japa-
nese, Chinese and Eastern curiosities; a room devoted
to the sale of photographs, and another to that of au-
tographs. In the upper story of the building was the
editorial room of the Drum-Beat, issued daily (com-
mencing Feb. 22d), under the editorship of Rev. Dr.
Storrs, and his associate, Mr. Francis Williams, of the
New York Evening Post. Each number contained
twenty-four wide columns, of elegant typographical
appearance, and the first page bore an approprite title-
vignette. The last regular number appeared March
5th, and a supplementary number was issued on the
11th. A small but choice Cattle Show completed the
department of the Fair, at which the Chittenden steers
were sold at auction for $295 ; and a splendid Durham
bull, presented by Elias Howe, Jr., was sold by shares
for $500.
The Fair was closed by a grand Calico Ball, the
11th of March, the proceeds of which ($2,000), were
appropriated to the Brooklyn Female Employment
Society.
It was justly said that "there probably never was an
enterprise of the vast proportions of this Fair, which
was so admirably systematized, considering the brief
time that was permitted to perfect and carry the sys-
tem of organization into execution. From the opening
of the Fair to its close, not the slightest indication of
confusion in the working of the machinery was visible
to the observer, although no one but those who had the
complicated ariangements in charge can estimate or
appreciate the amount of thought, energy and labor
which were required to keep everything moving on
with such delightful harmony and precision. But this
496
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
was all below the surface. To the public, everything
proceeded from day to-day, with as much order and
regularity as if the Fair had been a vast business es-
tablishment wherein years of experience had been de-
voted to systematizing its operations."
Very much of this remarkable freedom from all fric-
tion and distracting influences, and of that earnestness
of patriotic feeling, was undoubtedly due to the extra-
ordinary tact and executive ability of Mrs. Marianne
Fitch Stranahan, the head of the Woman's Relief
Association. As the wife of Hon. J. S. T. Stranahan,
she occupied a high social position ; and, ever active
in every good work in the city of her adoption, she
was admirably fitted by hei- natural abilities, as well
as by the experience gained in eight years' service
as first directress of the Graham Institute for the
Relief of Aged and Indigent Females, for the duties
devolved upon her in connection with the Sanitary
Pair. " She was the right woman in the right place.
She gave her time to the work with a zeal and per-
severance that never faltered, and with a hopefulness
for her country, which yielded to no discouragement
or despondency. As a presiding officer, she discharged
her duties with a self-possession, courtesy, skill and
method, that commanded universal admiration. No
woman ever labored in a sphere more honorable, and
but few women could have filled her place." She
died on the 30th of August, 1866, her health having,
no doubt, been seriously impaired by the severe physi-
cal and mental strain placed upon her, by her duties
in that connection with the Woman's Relief Associa-
tion, and the Sanitary Fair, which originated there-
from.
The fair closed on the 8th of March; its actual net
result being $402,943. 74; of which the sum of $300,000
was paid directly into the treasury of the United
States Sanitary Commission; and the balance, at the
suggestion of the Rev. Dr. Bellows, President of that
Commission, was expended in the shape of supplies, to
be furnished according to the exigencies of the service,
through the agency of the Womaii's Relief Associa-
tion of Brooklyn. This magnificent gift also called
forth the following encomium from Dr. Bellows, who
wrote to the president of the Brooklyn and Long
Island fair: "As this is by far the largest amount ever
put into our treasury at one time hy any community,
I feel that it deserves the most marked expression
of our gratitude and wonder * * * Brooklyn,
by the only thoroughly approvable kind of secession,
has henceforth declared her independence of New
York. She has indicated her right and power to lead,
and we shall no longer hear her spoken of as an appen-
dix to the metropolis. She is, at least, entitled to be
the second volume of that great work, the Commercial
Capital, of which New York is the first."
It was, indeed, true that the Brooklyn and Long
Island Pair, was " the first great act of self-assertion
ever made hy the City of Brooklyn.-" Previous to that
we had contented ourselves as a community with be-
lieving, that for beauty of local position, Brooklyn was
unsurpassed; a claim generally admitted. She had,
also, with remarkable unanimity, been allowed the so-
briquet of the " city of churches," although never ex-
ceeding the proportion of one church to two thousand
persons. The census was an indisputable witness to
the fact of the wondrous ratio in which her population
had increased, till she was equally, beyond denial, the
third city in that respect, in the Union. Among the
merchants in New York, most prominent for intelli-
gence, wealth, and consequent influence, were found
many who resided within the walls of Brooklyn; while
the crowds crossing her ferries to and from the great
metropolis, at morning and evening, showed how
largely the entire business and labor of the latter were
performed by our citizens.
"Nevertheless, Brooklyn was but a suburb, over-
shadowed by her mighty neighbor. Travelers, foreign
and native, in vast numbers, visited the chief com-
mercial city of our country, on errands of business or
pleasure; but, if not called to Brooklyn through per-
sonal claims of kindred or friendship, rarely sought it
except to visit the great Navy Yard of the nation, or
the most beautiful cemetery in the world; severally so
placed on what was once her northern, and what is
still her southern boundary, that either could be reached
while the city itself was practically ignored. The visi-
tor came and went, having seen little or nothing of it,
except its unattractive outskirts, and with no longing
awakened to see more. Meanwhile, she had gathered
to herself public schools, which had grown to rank
among the best of the kind in the land; private or cor-
porate institutions of education for either sex, which in
their entire equipment, management and efiiciency,
would do honor to any community; a body of clergy,
as a whole, and for their numbers not surpassed in
character and gifts by those of any of our citizens; great
institutions of charity, too largely dependent, however,
on annual contributions rather than permanent endow-
ments ; courses of lectures delivered by the ablest men
of the country, or by savants from abroad, traveling or
resident in America; a well appointed Philharmonic
Society, amply patronized and appreciated; an Acade-
my of Music, the beauty and value of which the Fair
served to make more widely and palpably known; a
Mercantile Library, which, for many years, has met an
inevitable want of every progressive community; and a
Historical Society, recently formed from the city and
island, which had started in its course with remarkable
vigor. And yet, withal, Brooklyn, till the Fair, had no
status before the country beyond that of a remarkably
quiet suburban town, where, after a hard day's labor,
weary men found lodging places till the next days
work began."
But, in and by the Fair, Brooklyn « stood forth for
CON'S OLIBATED HISTORY OF BROOKLYN', 186^.
497
once, apart from Kew York;" and, summoning Long
Island to her side, put forth her powers to help, to the
utmost of her means, the noblest charity of the world,
and proved herself alive to her proud position, her
abundant wealth, her great privileges and opportuni-
ties. And, since that time, whatever Brooklyn has
wanted, she has sought for with her own powers, and
has obtained it;/c»' liberality and self-power increase
ly the using.
1864. February. For the purpose of stimulating en-
listments to the credit of Kings county, members of the
Substitute Bounty Fund committee of the Board of
Supervisors, visited the Army of the Potomac, as well
as Port Royal, where Kings county regiments were
stationed, for the purpose of inducing them to reenlist
to the credit of Kings county, which efforts were emi-
nently sueoessf 111.
March 6th. Two hundred and fifty reenlisted men
of the 48th New York Volunteers left Brooklyn to re-
join their regiment, then in Florida.
March 11th. The great Calico Ball was held at the
Academy of Music, in aid of the Sanitary Commission.
March 14th. Appeared the President's call for 200,-
000 men, additional to the 500,000 already called for.
March 10th and 15th. Meetings were held at the
Reformed Dutch Church, on the Heights, for the pur-
pose of organizing in Brooklyn, a branch of the
United States Christian Commission. A com-
mittee of prominent citizens of all denominations, pre-
viously appointed, reported an informal plan of organ-
ization, and the following gentlemen, with such others
connected with the churches of Long Island, as they
should hereafter associate with them, were constituted
a Christian Commission for Brooklyn and Long Is-
land, to act in concert with the United States Christian
Commission, in supplying Christian teachers and reli-
gious and moral literature to the army and navy, etc.,
etc: Revs. James Eells, D.D. ; R. S. Storrs, Jr., D.D.;
John H. Raymond, D.D.; W. L Budington, D.D.; J.
B. Waterbury, D. D.; J. E. Rockwell, D.D.; Elbert S.
Porter, D.D. ; E. H. Canfield, D.D.; Samuel T. Spear,
D.D.; Chas. S. Robertson ; L. H. Mills ; C. D. Foss ; R.
M. Hatfield ; Theodore L. Cuyler ; Wilbur F. Watkins ;
Wm. S. Karr ; E. Mills ; Robert Lowery ; Samuel B.
Caldwell ; Thos. H. Messenger ; Livingston K. Miller ;
S. B. Chittenden ; Reuben W. Rogers ; Henry Shel-
don; Edward Cary ; Wm. J. Coffin ; Edward A. Lam-
bert; Wm. W. Armfield ; James C. Southworth ; John
D. McKenzie ; David Wesson ; Lewis Morris ; A. D.
Matthews ; R. L. Wyckoff ; John G. Fay ; Richard H.
Cornwall ; Benson Van Vleet ; Dwight Johnson ; Wal-
ter S. Griffith.
The above named committee organized March 23d,
under the title of the Brooklyn and Long Island
(yhristian Commission, and elected the following of-
ficers ; President, Walter S. Griffith ; 'Vice-President,
Rev, James Eells, D.D.; Corresponding Secretary, Rev.
J. B. Waterbury, D.D.; Recording Secretay, Wm. J.
Coffin ; Treasurer, Samuel B. Caldwell. Previously,
the patriotic and Christian people of Brooklyn and
Long Island had given their donations through the
New York branch of the United States Christian Com-
mission, which had a special portion of the field assigned
to it. Great interest was manifested by the public ;
office rooms were secured in the Hamilton building,
corner of Court and Joralemon streets ; and funds were
liberally, and almost spontaneously, provided by the
churches and by individual contributions. The public
meetings held for the purpose of interesting the com-
munity and obtaining funds were most enthusiastic in
character and fruitful in results, abounding in scenes of
the intensest interest and the most touching incidents.
The funds placed by this Brooklyn and Long Island
Commission, at the disposal of the central commission
of Philadelphia, at different times, amounted in the ag-
gregate to nearly $9,000.
The number of books, periodicals, newspapers, etc.,
distributed by this commission to the army and navy
cannot be accurately stated ; yet we learn from their
report, that from March, 1864, to April, 1865, they sent
out bibles and portions of the scriptures, 1,210 ; psalm
and hymn books, 4,033 ; small books for knapsack, 52,-
079 : books for libraries, 5,641 ; magazines and pamph-
lets, 50,544 ; newspapers, religious and others, 177,520 ;
pages of tracts, 787,226, being a total of 1,078,304.
These were all carefully selected from our best families,
or from the lists of the best publishing houses, and were
of the highest character as to interest and morality.
With these were sent also in the course of a single
year, between three and four thousand comfort-bags
and housewives, the productions of sewing circles, young
ladies' schools, Sunday schools, etc., etc., and which
were comforts indeed to the brave soldiers and seamen,
not less from their intrinsic adaptability to camp needs,
than from the evidence they bore with them of the
thoughtful remembrance of the patriotic women and
girls who made them. Out of two hundred chapel tents
furnished by the Central United States Christian Com-
mission to the soldiers of the army of the Potomac, for
their accommodation in the matter of religious meetings
in camp, ten were furnished by the Brooklyn and Long
Island Christian Commission, at an expense of $5,000.
Each of these large tents bore, on its canvass roof, the
name of the Brooklyn and Long Island Christian Com-
mission, and to each was furnished a library, comprising
in all about 1,350 volumes. One thousand and thirty
volumes were contributed by James H. Prentice, of
Brooklyn, and several other excellent libraries were also
sent from here to the hospitals at Hampton, Va., Fred-
ericksburg, Md., and others. Five hundred dollars was
also contributed by the Brooklyn and Long Island
Christian Commission to the permanent chapel erected
at the Hampton Hospital. In addition to this, and in
prompt response to an appeal to the churches of Brook-
498
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
lyn, one hundred and sixty-seven delegates, represent-
ino- nearly all the evangelical denominations, were sent
to the front for humane and religious labor in the field,
camp and hospital, and on board vessels of the navy.
They were sent in companies of from two to ten or
twelve, and usually spent six weeks in the work.
March 17th. The Union of this date says :
"Though Brooklyn has had to bear its fuU share of the
responsibilities and burdens of the war, its natural advan-
tages, and the enterprise of its people, have proved equal to
any exigency ; and the course of our city has been as pros-
perous and as progressive as in more auspicious times. A
satisfactory attestation of this fact may be had by a walk
through the outskirts of the city, where costly structures rear
their lofty heads, and the busy hum of industry may con-
stantly be heard. Tlie large manufacturing interests of our
city — which exist to an extent that but few of our citizens
have any conception of -are all highly prosperous, and are
employed to their fullest capacity.
"But, it is in that portion of our city known as Greenpoint,
where the greatest evidences of progress and prosperity are
to be seen. Within the past year, a dozen or more streets in
the Seventeenth ward, which promise to become the most
frequented and important thoroughfares, have been opened,
graded and paved, thus enormously enhancing the value of
the property in that district. In the same ward there has
been erected within the past eight months, not less than one
hundred first class dwelling houses and stores, and yet the
demand is greatly in advance of the supply. Besides these
buildings, there have been erected in the same locality, docks,
ferry houses, and factories, which have largely increased the
traffic and importance of the neighborhood.
" But, perhaps, the most encouraging feature of Brooklyn
enterprise is to be found in the unabated prosperity of the
ship building interest. The estimated value of the vessels
now building at Greenpoint, including those for the govern-
ment, is upwards of ten millions of dollars, and the number
of persons employed thereon, is between two and three
thousand.
The first iron vessel built on the plan of Gapt. Ericsson,
was constructed at the works of A. J. Rowland, Greenpoint,
which establishment must ever be famous, while we con-
tinue to remember the battle of the Monitor and the Merri-
mac. Since that memorable event, Mr. Rowland has con-
structed seven vessels of a similar character, and of the aver-
age value of 1500,000 each.
"The same firm have two iron monitors under way. One,
the Puritan, a sea-going vessel (length, 340 feet ; breadth of
beam, 50 feet ; depth, 23 feet), is the largest of the monitors
yet built, and is justly regarded as a perfect marvel of naval
architecture and strength. She is so nearly iinished that she
will be ready for launching early in May. The other iron
vessel under way at this yard, is the Cohoes, a light draft
monitor for coast service. She is 300 feet long, 42 feet wide,
28 feet depth of hold, and 2,800 tons burden. The number
of hands employed at this yard, will average about five
hundred.
" The Dry Dock Iron Works is a young rival of Mr. Row-
land's establishment, and was opened last fall by Mr. J. S.
Underbill. At this establishment is being constructed a
light draft monitor, to be called the Modoc, and in all
respects similar to the Cohoes, building in Mr. Rowland's
yard.
" Mr. Henry Steers, at his yai-d, is building for the govern-
ment, the sloop Idaho, a vessel of 3,000 tons, 300 feet long,
44 feet wide, and 27 feet depth of hold. The Idaho will be
launched within a month from this time. She is built with
an express view to speed, wiU be furnished with two
propellers, and contain engines of 3,000 horse power,
and wiU prove a splendid addition to the United States
navy."
A large number of ocean and sound steamers (both side
wheel and propellers), ferry boats, and wooden vessels, were
also being constructed in the various yards.
March 23. The board of supervisors resolved "to pay
such sums not exceeding the amount heretofore paid
to volunteers for the army, if they find it will be ad-
vantageous to the county, to recruits in the naval ser-
vice, provided that this county be credited on the
quota therefor." Finding, on inquiry, that credit
would be given Kings county for sailors enhstingto
her credit (three years' service being required to obtain
credit for one man), naval recruits were paid the fol-
lowing bounties : for one year, $100 ; for two and
three years, $200 ; for Marine corps (term of service
being four years), $300.
March 25th. A grand entertainment was given at
the Academy, by the Musceola Association, for the
benefit of the families of the members of the 14th, 48th,
and 67th Regiments.
May 15th. A call from the Brooklyn and Long
Island Christian Commission, for one hundred minute
men, to go to the battlefield and hospital, at the front,
for the succor and spiritual comfort of the wounded
soldiers, was this day promulgated from all the pulpits
of Brooklyn.
May 18th. Appeared the 5o^t<s proclamation of the
President, calling for an additional draft of 400,000
men, and appointing a day of national humiliation and
prayer. This document emanated from two Brooklyn
newspaper men.
There being a slight deficiency in the full quota of
the county, a draft was ordered to fill the same ; and,
on the I7th, the board of supervisors directed their
bounty committee to pay out of the funds remaining
in the county treasurer's hands, $300 to each and every
man held, or that may be held, to service, under this or
any subsequent draft made, in the second and third
Congressional districts of the State, etc., who may pro-
cure an acceptable substitute.
The bounty fund committee of the board of super-
visors, were empowered and directed to pay the bounty
to all men drafted, and who should enter the army.
But few cases, however, occurred under this resolu-
tion.
July 9th. At a meeting of the field and staff officers
of the 1st Long Island Regiment, held at Delmonico's
Hotel, in the city of New York, The Association of
Officers of the First Long Island Volunteer Regiment
of 1861, was formed, "to keep perpetually green the
valor, merits and virtues of our brothers in arms, who
have fallen by our side, fighting for God and country,"
and " to preserve as a living coal, the goodly fellow-
ship and brotherly regard felt each for the other, by
GOirSOLIDATED SISTOBT OF BROOKLYN, 1861
499
those who survive." Officers : Col. Nelson Cross, Pres-
i^nt ■ Lieut. Col. Henry L. Van Ness, Vice-President;
Adj't Geo. B. Lincoln, Jr., Secretary.
July 13tli. The board of supervisors directed its
bounty committee " to pay to any person furnishing an
accepted volunteer, or recruit for three years' United
States service, the sum not exceeding $300, the same as
paid to any drafted man furnishing a substitute, and
to be paid upon the like certificate of the United States
officer and without regard to the person furnishing such
recruit being liable to be drafted into the United States
service etc." It having become necessary to keep
pace with New York city, in the payment of hand
money, as well as bounty, the committee determined to
pay a premium of $20 for one year men, and $35 for
two and three years' men.
July 14th. The corner stone of the new Armory in
the Eastern District, was laid.
July 18th. A further call for 500,000 one year men
was made by the general government ; and, under
resolution of the board of supervisors, passed August
16th, the committee commenced to pay one year re-
cruits and volunteers the sum of $175, and $100 hand
money to any person bringing a recruit. In case the
recruit.presented himself at the office, he received both
bounty and hand money. This hand money was made
to apply, however, only to one year recruits.
July 31st. The 151stNew York Volunteers (or First
Metropolitan Regiment), was, together with the 46th
and 51st, newly arrived from the front, honored with a
magnificent reception by the authorities of the city of
New York. The 151st was one of the four Metropoli-
tan Regiments, raised under the auspices of the Metro-
politan Police, and to its ranks the 45th precinct, of
Brooklyn, contributed one entire company, of which
Sergt. Daniel Jacobs was appointed captain. The 46th
precinct, also of Brooklyn, furnished a company to the
regiment, under the captaincy of Mr. George Rudyard,
and the organization was largely indebted to the labors
of Police Captains Woglom and Mullen. The 51st
Regiment was, also, to a still greater extent, a Brook-
lyn organization, full one-half of its members having
heen recruited iu this city. Of the 46th Regiment, two
entire companies were raised in Brooklyn.
Among those who took part in the reception was a
portion of the 13th Regiment, New York State National
Guard, of this city, and the police to the number of
about one thousand, which included the ofE platoons of
the Brooklyn force.
August 5th. Companies B and C (90 men), 28th
New York State National Guards, left for Elmira, on
one hundred days' tour of service.
August lih. The 90th New York Volunteers came
Dome on veteran furlough, and returned to the field on
September 2d.
September 10th. "Next to the news of th© fall of
Atlanta," says a Brooklyn paper, " the most cheering
announcement of the week, is that Kings County is out
of the draft. The mass of the people rejoice greatly
that the city has, for the present, at least, avoided the
hardships of conscription. The navy has taken us
out of the draft. The efforts of the committee of Al-
dermen and Supervisors to have previous naval enlist-
ments credited were successful; General Hays has issued
a certificate, by which it appears that on the 1st August,
the deficiency under all calls was, in the 2d District,
3,494, and in the 3d District, 2,481, making a total of
5,975. The two districts are credited, on account of
nava,l enlistments prior to February 24, 1864, with
6,046, leaving as working capital for any future call, a
surplus of 71."
September 12th. The draft found the- Seventeenth
ward (Greenpoint) with its quota (one hundred and
seventy-one men) unfilled. Meetings were at once
called, money raised, a committee appointed, and in
about two weeks' time, the ward was out of the draft,
and with quite a surplus to its credit. Over $20,000
was raised for this purpose in a short time.
September 19th and 23d. Meetings of a number of
our best citizens, at No. 9 Court street, resulted on the
30th, in the formation of a Soldiers' Home Association,
having for its object the provision of relief for sick, or
disabled, soldiers and sailors, and their families. The
trustees named in its incorporation were George Hall,
John Greenwood, Moses F. Odell, Jonathan S. Burr,
Seymour L. Husted, Geo. B. Lincoln, James M. Sea-
bury, L. S. Burnham, Wm. H. Jenkins, James Murphy,
Luther B. Wyman, Wm. H. Johnson and Charles J.
Lowrey.
September 21. The 48th New York Volunteers re-
turned home to Brooklyn.
December 13th. The Female Employment Society
acknowledged the receipt of one hundred dollars for the
widows and orphans of deceased soldiers, being the pro-
ceeds of a fair held by the "little girls of South
Brooklyn."
December i7th. Mrs. Stranahan, president of the
Woman's Relief Association, acknowledged the receipt
from six little girls, of one hundred and fifty dollars,
being a portion of a'sum of two hundred and seventy-
five dollars, realized from a children's fair, held at No.
84 Joralemon street, on the 2d of the same month, for
the benefit of the soldiers. The balance was reserved
for the purchase of materials for the making up, by the
juvenile donors, of such garments as the society should
indicate as most requisite for soldiers' use.
December I7th. A patriotic subscription ball, for
the benefit of the destitute families of the soldiers of
Brooklyn, held this evening at the Academy of Music,
netted the sum of $6,036.26, which was handed over to
the Female Employment Society of Brooklyn for dis-
bursement.
December 22d. A meeting of the people of Brook-
lyn was held at the Academy, for the purpose of listen-
500
SISTOBY OF KIITGS GOUNTT.
ing to an address on the history, patriotism, and suffer-
ings of East Tennessee, and to express the sympathy
felt with the heroic and unfortunate people of that loyal
stronghold. Owing to the inclemency of the weather,
the audience was not as large as the object deserved.
Mr. A. A. Low presided, and over two thousand dollars
was raised for the aid of the suffering Tennessean
patriots.
December 2 8th. The treasurer of the Liberty Soldiers'
Aid Society, acknowledges the receipt of $26.57, being
the proceeds of a fair held by five little girls.
1865. January 5th. The lV3d New York Volunteers
(Fourth Metropolitan) from Brooklyn, in camp at Win-
chester, Va., received a splendid State flag, with two
guidons, donated by citizens of Brooklyn, the War
Fund Committee, etc.
March 24th. The Brooklyn Club was organized, and,
on the 24th of April following, filed its certificate of in-
corporation.
April 10th. The steamer OceawMS, with one hundred
and eighty passengers, of both sexes, set sail, under a
general permit from the War Department, for a trip to
Charleston Harbor, Hilton Head, Fort Fisher, Fortress
Monroe, Norfolk, City Point and Richmond. It was a
very select and recherche affair, originally conceived by
Messrs. Stephen M. G-riswold and Edwin A. Studwell,
of Brooklyn. At Charleston, the party first heard of
Lee's surrender; and, on the 14th of April, they were
present at the impressive scene of restoring to its place
on Fort Sumter, the stars and stripes. On this occasion
the Rev. Dr. R. S. Storrs and the Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher assisted, the latter delivering one of his im-
passioned and thrilling addresses. On the return, near
Fortress Monroe, the party first heard of the assassina-
tion of President Lincoln. Before leaving the steamer,
the members of this pleasant party formed themselves
into a permanent organization, known as the Sumter
Club.
News of Gen. Lee's surrender was received, and the
city, as indeed the whole country, was overflowed with
joy.
April 15th. The announcement of the assassination
and death of President Lincoln, plunged the whole
community in mourning. All party rancor, all political
bitterness was forgotten in sorrow. The thousands of
flags which the day before floated joyfully upon the
breeze, were silently taken down, or put at half-mast,
or draped in funeral serge. Alderman D. D. Whitney,
as acting mayor, issued a proclamation directing the
public ofiices to be closed, the flags to be displayed at
half-mast, and the bells to be tolled from twelve to one
o'clock p. M., etc., etc. Courts, theatres and places of
public amusements were closed; and everywhere a deep
pall of sorrow seemed to have fallen upon the whole
community. On the evening of the 17th, an immense
gathering of citizens took place at the Academy of
Music, under the auspices of the War Fund committee;
and was one of the most solemn and impressive de-
monstrations that had ever taken place in Brooklyn
The interior of the beautiful edifice was draped in
mourning, while the vast audience, filling every avail-
able spot, exhibited feelings in perfect consonance with
the jnournful occasion which had brought them to-
gether. Speeches were delivered by Hon. James
Humphrey, Judge Birdseye, Rev. Dr. Thomas Vinton,
S. B. Chittenden, and Rev. Dr. Wilhts. Numerous
other meetings also held in other parts of the city testi-
fied to the general sorrow.
The municipal and county authorities, public bodies
military, loyal leagues and citizens generally of Brook-
lyn, joined in the great procession by which the city of
New York, on the 26th, celebrated the obsequies of the
martyred president.
September 6th. The ladies of the Seventeenth ward
gave a splendid entertainment and supper to the returned
Greenpoint soldiers at the M. E. Tabernacle, on Union,
near Noble street. Greenpoint contributed largely to
the make up of the 131st, 158th, l70th, 127th, 159th,
132d, 62d, 51st and other regiments, besides many men
contributed to the navy.
1866. With the Ist of January, Samuel Booth en-
tered upon the duties of the mayoralty.
Samuel Booth, elected in the fall of 1865, as the six-
teenth mayor of the city of Brooklyn, was born in England
upon the 4th day of July, 1818 ; and, with his pai'ents,
Thomas Booth and Rebecca, came to this country while yet
an infant of only three weeks of age. He spent the first ten
years of his childhood in the city of New York, since which
time he has been a constant resident of Brooklyn. His first
residence in this city was in Tillary street, where his father
erected a small house upon land which at that time formed
a part of a large and almost unbroken farm, called the John-
son farm.
Mr. Booth's early training was such only as could be ac-
quired at the best of the common and select schools of that
day. Up to the time of his leaving New York city, he was
under the able instruction of Professor Grisoom, then in
charge of the high school in that city. After leaving there
he pursued his studies, until fourteen years of age, in Brook-
lyn, at the school of the late Adrian Hegeman, afterward
the clerk of Kings county. Immediately after leaving
this school he became a clerk in the wholesale grocery busi-
ness, in the establishment of the late Thomas M. McLean,
in Maiden lane. New York. Here Mr. Booth acquired the
basis of sound business habits, which has only become
strengthened "since, throughout his exceedingly busy and not
altogether uneventful life.
At the age of sixteen he concluded, however, to abandon
the chances of success in that direction, and apprenticed
himself to Elias Combs, to learn the trade of carpenter and
builder, which he accomplished, and in the pursuit of which,
he has been successfully engaged in Brooklyn up to the pres-
ent time. As an index to the character of his mind, it is
stated that while most of his associates were engaged durmg
their otherwise unoccupied evenings in the pursuit of such
unprofitable recreation and amusement as oflEered themselves,
Mr. Booth applied himself constantly to his books, and sought
to make amends in this way for his early lack of more com-
plete educational advantages. At the age of twenty-five Mr.
CONSOLIDATED HIBTORT OF BROOKLYN, 1866.
601
Booth started business for himself ; and, since that time, his
liigtory has been, to a great extent, identified with the pros-
perity and advancement of tlie city of Brooklyn,
la the year 1851, the various wards of the city were repre-
nted by two aldermen instead of one, as at present, one of
which, designated by lot, officiated also in the capacity of
Bupervisor in the county board. Mr. Booth having been in
that year elected alderman of the Fourth ward, it fell to him
to occupy both positions; and, from that time to the present,
he has been almost constantly engaged, in one way or an-
other in the public service. His first election was character-
ized by his receiving, with one exception, a larger majority
ot the suffrages of his fellow-citizens than any other candi-
date for ofilcial honors has received in that ward, either be-
fore or since that time. He served as alderman for four
years, during which time the fine building known as the
Kings County Penitentary was built, the entire charge of
which for the most part, was placed under the control of
Mr. Booth. After four years, declining a re-election as al-
derman, he received an unsolicited appointment as a mem-
ber of the Board of Education. He filled this position two
In the year 1857, the office of alderman and supervisor hav-
ing been separated by an act of the legislature, Mr. Booth
again consented to become a candidate for office, and was
elected supervisor of the Fourth ward, which position he oc-
cupied with the almost unanimous approbation of his con-
stituency, up to the time of his election to the chief executive
office of the city, in the fall of 1865.
During his last term as supervisor the splendid building
known as the New County Court House was erected. His fel-
low members lost no opportunity in taking advantage of his
practical knowledge in such matters, and he was made chair-
man of the committee upon its erection. As a proof of his
fidelity to the interests of the county, it remains only to be
said that this fine building, with all its appurtenances, the fin-
est of its kind in the country, cost the sum of only $550,000.
But perhaps the inost important of the duties which de-
volved upon Mr. Booth during his term as supervisor, were
those which arose from his connection with the Bounty Com-
mittee, during the progress of the late war. For the most
part, with the exception of one year, the chairman of this
committee, its most arduous duties devolved upon him; and
in this, as in aU other positions in which it has been his for-
tune to be placed, he was always found at his post and never
failed to meet its most urgent responsibilities. In looking
after the raising of troops to meet the various calls for them
by the government during the war, his watchfulness never
ceased regarding the heavy burden which of necessity fell
upon Brooklyn, and he never deemed his work accomplished
_ so long as any opportunity remained whereby that burden
might be lightened. Nearly all of the money expended by
the county in the payment of bounties to volunteers, amount-
ing to the large sum of $3,800,000, passed through his hands;
and none of the Boys in Blue who represented Brooklyn in
the war, or of the widows and orphans left by its casualties
to seek themselves for justice at the hands of the Bounty
Committee, has ever questioned the honesty of purpose
which actuated it under the chairmanship of Mr. Booth.
As mayor of Brooklyn, Mr. Booth, at the commencement
of his term, found that the pohtical party, to the suffrages of
which he was indebted for his election, was in a minority in
the board of aldermen. He felt, therefore, that he must de-
pend, to a great extent, upon political opponents for the
carrying out of any policy which might occur to him as be-
ing for the best interests of the city. His honesty of pur-
pose, however, and his direct and unequivocal bearing to-
ward all questions relating to city affairs, soon won for him
the confidence of all parties, and during his administration
almost all recommendations made by him were favorably
considered, and acted upon by the common council. He
brought with him to the position the experience of a life-
time, almost, in city and county matters, and dishonesty
and corruption met in him a formidable antagonist at the
outset. His judgment upon all questions was unaffected by
political or personal friendship or dislike; and at the close of
his administration all parties joined in the almost univer-
sal expression of the able and impartial manner in which he
had fulfilled its duties. To his credit, and that of the board
of aldermen, it is said that no veto which he ever sent to
that body was overruled.
No one, unless intimately acquainted with the every day
surroundings of the office of mayor, can appreciate the de-
mands for assistance and pecuniary aid, in all manner of dis-
tress, which are constantly made upon it. To all of these ap-
peals Mr. Booth lent an attentive ear, and he was ever ready,
with his purse and by his own personal efforts, in some way
to aid every unfortunate, who came to the office with any
just claim for relief.
In April, 1869, Mr. Booth received the appointment of Post
master of the city of Brooklyn.
February 14th. A splendid reception was given to
the 90th New York Volunteers.
February 26th. The legislature passed an act, cre-
ating a Metropolitan Sanitary District and Board of
Health therein, for the preservation of life and health,
and to prevent the spread of disease. The Sanitary Dis-
trict thus created was the same as that already known
as the Metropolitan Police District ; and the Board of
Health was composed of the commissioners of said Met-
ropolitan police, and of four Sanitary commissioners
(appointed by the governor) and the Health Officer of
the port of New York. This board (wherein Brooklyn
was represented by James Crane, M. D., as sanitary
commissioner, and Thos. G. Bergen, police commission-
er) organized on the 5th of March; and, on the 10th,
Dr. John T. Conkling was elected Assistant Sanitary
Superintendent, and Dr. R. Cresson Stiles as Deputy
Registrar of vital statistics, and detailed for duty to the
city of Brooklyn; and to the same city, also, were as-
signed six sanitary inspectors.
The prevalence of cholera in various parts of Europe,
and the almost absolute certainty of its appearance in
this country during the year, stimulated the new
Board of Health, immediately upon its organization,
to prepare the metropolitan district for the arrival
of the epidemic. On the 18th of April, the steamer
Virginia, from Liverpool, arrived at quarantine,
with the cholera on board, it having appeared
among the steerage passengers on the 12th of that
month. On the 1st of May, the first case occurred in New
York city, and the epidemic continued to prevail to a
very moderate extent during the month of June, in-
creasing during July; and, from the 15th of August,
decreasing until October 15th.
In Brooklyn the first case occurred on the 8th of
July, and its increase then was not rapid, and wag
502
HISTORY 01 KINGS COUNTY.
mostly confined to localities in different sections of the
city where there was the greatest anaount of filth ; espe-
cially in the Twelfth ward, in which occurred 288 of
the total 816 cases in Brooklyn. A hospital was opened
at the corner of Hamilton avenue and Van Brunt street,
on the 22d of July, in charge of Dr. Wm. H. Thayer,
and was closed on the 6th of September. A new hos-
pital was built in the City Park, opened on the 15th of
August, under Dr. W. F. Swalm, and closed October
1st, at which time the cholera had disappeared from the
city. The entire mortality from cholera, in Brooklyn,
was 573; to which might undoubtedly be added, if all
the facts were known, many of the 142 cases of cholera
morbus which proved fatal. The full details and sta-
tistics of this epidemic may be found, at length, in the
report of the Metropolitan Board of Health for 1866.
June 13. Hon. Moses F. Odbll, naval ofiicer of the
port of New York, four years a member of Congress,
and twenty-one years superintendent of the Sabbath-
school of the Sands street Methodist church, died, aged
48 years.
October 13th. Celebration of the completion of the
Erie Basin Dry Dock.
October 25th. Was rendered memorable by the
presentation of medals, prepared by order of the Com-
mon Council, to every Brooklyn soldier who had re-
turned alive, and with an honorable record, from the
many battle-fields of the South. The event was made
the occasion of a fine military
display, and was graced by the
presence of the Governor of
the State, Reuben E. Fenton,
Admiral Farragut and other
eminent citizens. The proces-
sion moved to Fort Greene,
where the medals were pre-
sented by Mayor Booth, with
an appropriate speech.
The organizations of veter-
ans that appeared in column,
were the following :
" Col. E. Schnapf, of the 20th
New York, commanding, as-
sisted by Capt. F. W. Ober-
meyer, 46th New York, and
Capt. Henry Wills, 133d New
York, and comprising YOO men
and 50 officers of the following named organizations:
United States Navy ; the 1st, 2d, 3d, 5th, Vth, 20th,
46th, 52d, 54th, 58th, 99th, 103d, 133d, and 173d regi-
ments of New York Volunteer Infantry.
" The 158th New York Volunteer Infantry, l70men,
10 officers, Major Wm. M. Bennett, commanding ; the
5th New York Artillery, 115 men, 13 oflicers, Col.
Samuel Graham commanding; Taft's 5th New York
Independent Battery, 32 men, 3 officers, Capt. E. D.
Taft, commanding; Ist Long Island, 145 men, 3 oflScers,
SOLDIER'S MEDAL.
Brevet Col. G. W. Stillwell, commanding; Company
F, 10th Regiment National Zouaves, 40 men- 48th
New York Volunteer Infantry, 209 men; Col. W. B
Barton, commanding; 87th Regiment, Brooklyn Rifles
EEVEBSE OF SOLDIER'f
MEDAL.
RBVBaSEIOP SAILOR'S
MEDAL.
51 men, 6 officers, Col. R. A. Bachia, commanding;
159th New York, 68 men, 7 officers; 174th New York,
60 men, 7 officers; 98th New York Infantry, 70 men, 15
officers, 51st New York, 40 men; the 14th of Brooklyn
also paraded with this regiment, 100 uniformed men.
" There were, also, about 300 men and 20 officers,
not represented by any organization, but sons of
Brooklyn, who had belonged to other organizations
throughout the state and the union. These were or-
ganized by Brevet Lieut. Col. William Hemstreet, 18th
Missouri Infantry, and placed under command of Col.
Olmstead, 139th New York. All of the above, ex-
clusive of the 14th Brooklyn, consisted of uniformed
veterans and numbered in the aggregate, 2,049 men,
and 148 officers. In addition to these, were probably
as large, or a larger number, within the uniformed
militia organizations.
"The disabled heroes, who were seated in carriages,
were the objects of much care and attention from
officers, soldiery, and citizens. On arriving at the
staging, they were seized by brigadier generals, cmc
officials, citizens, and militia, and lifted over the heads
of the crowd, and seated on the platform; and at the
termination of the ceremonies were driven to their
homes, in, to them, unprecedented style."
CON'S OLID ATEB HISTORY OF BUOOKLYN, 1867.
603
The Wae FrND Committee grew, in part, out of
the appointment, in the summer of 1862, by the State
Executive of New York, of two committees in the Sec-
ond and Third Senatorial Districts, for the purpose of
raising each a regiment of volunteers, to serve for three
years or during the war. The Board of Supervisors
of this county appointed, almost simultaneously, a large
committee to aid in all measures for the increase of the
Army and the Navy. These several committees appear
to have united in the conviction that a large Central
Committee was indispensable to the work devolved on
them- and, at their suggestion and request, the "War
Fund Committee " was organized September 11, 1862,
to take such measures as they should deem expedient
for developing and concentrating the means and ener-
gies of the people in behalf of the national cause. A
meeting was held at the office of Hon. Henry C. Mur-
phy, at 13 Court street, and the following-named gen-
tlemen appointed to serve as said War Fund Commit-
tee, viz.: J. S. T. Stranahan, A. A. Low, Hon. John A.
Lett, H. E. Pierrepont, I. H. Frothingham, Cyrus P.
Smith, William Marshall, J. D. Sparkman, Nathaniel
Briggs, Martin Kalbfleisch, John A. Cross, Walter S.
Griffith, Conkhn Brush, Seymour L. Husted, Abram B.
Baylis, S. B. Chittenden, John H. Prentice and Alex-
ander MoCue. These gentlemen were afterwards con-
firmed in office at an immense public meeting of the
citizens. The following extracts from the Committee's
resolutions define the "conditions and principles on
which they consent to act, and by which they pledge
themselves to the public to be governed, in the dis-
charge of the highly responsible duties thus devolved
upon them " :
" Whereas, it seems requisite that a responsible central or-
ganization shall exist, through which the patriotism and re-
sources of the citizens shaU be called out systematically and
applied wisely to the great object to be accomplished; there-
fore,
"Besolved, That we hereby consent to act for the purpose
specified, under the name of the War Fund Committee of
Brooklyn and Kings County ; that we will receive all such
funds as may be contributed to our treasury by citizens, in-
stitutions or public authorities, and hold ourselves responsi-
ble to disburse the same, for aU purposes cojonected with the
creation and support of a suflacient force to put down the re-
bellion, and restore peace to our bleeding country.
"Resolved, That aU appropriations of money shall be made
by vote of the Committee at regular meetings; and that this
Committee wUl gladly co-operate with all county, Senatorial
or Ward committees, and all public bodies, military or naval
ofScers or private persons, in promoting enlistments or im-
parting eflaoiency to any properly authorized efforts to
strengthen the military or naval power of our nation."
The plan was approved by the committees of the
Second and Third Senatorial Districts. J. S. T. Stran-
ahan was chosen President of the War Fund Commit-
tee, Walter S. Griffith Secretary, and Isaac H. Froth-
ingham Treasurer. This committee rendered most effi-
cient service through the war. It assisted in raising
several regiments, in paying bounties and furnishing
supplies, in sending forward nurses and comforts for
the wounded, in providing for the families of soldiers,
establishing postal communication between the troops
at the front and their friends at home, in helping wid-
ows and orphans to obtain pensions and back pay, and
in whatever way patriotic hearts could devise to help
in their country's need.
For some three years after the close of the war, the
War Fund Committee continued to assist soldiers to
obtain their pensions, &o., keeping open an office for
that purpose at the Home Insurance Company's place,
in Brooklyn.
The Great Sanitary Fair, in 1864, was originated
and carried through, in great measure, by the War
Fund Committee; and its work was fitly closed by
donating to the city the bronze statue of Abraham Lin-
coln, which adorns the plaza before Prospect Park. The
committee deserves the everlasting gratitude of our
people for its arduous labors, performed entirely with-
out pay, and oftentimes at a serious sacrifice of time
and private interests. Where all were so earnest, it is
difficult to divide the honors; but, besides the officers,
Messrs. Walter S. Griffith, S. B. Chittenden, A. A. Low
and James P. Wallace were especially active. It was
at the meeting of this committee that the project of
starting the Brooklyn Union was mooted and per-
fected. At the close of the war, many of the gentle-
men who had been so long and pleasantly associated
desired to continue their social relations, by instituting
an association similar to the Union League Club, of
New York (which sprang from a similar committee
organization); but the matter finally took shape as the
Brooklyn Club.
1867. January 23d. The East river between Brooklyn
and New York was bridged over by ice so firmly that
people crossed it, to the number, as was estimated, of
five thousand.
This was the third time within fifteen years that the
East river had been similarly bridged. The previous
occasions were January 19th, 1852, and February 9th,
1856. It is said never to happen except when a thaw
occurring causes the North river to send down fields of
heavy ice; followed by a south-west wind, which blows
these heavy cakes into the East river, where they oscil-
late from Governor's to Blackwell's island and block
up navigation. A cold spell succeeding this makes the
ice sufficiently firm to bear up the weight of those who
choose to cross.
April 8th. By the efforts, mainly, of A. E. Mudie,
a Brooklyn Branch of the American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was organized.
May 9th. By act of the legislature, the Inebriates
Home for Kings County was duly incorporated.
May 10th. The legislature passed an act, providing
for the improvement, by dredging and docking, of the
Oowanus Canal, and placing the control of said work in
504
BISTORT OF KIKGS COXTNTT.
the hands of a commission; and May 11th, another
commission was appointed for the so-called Wallabout
Improvement, at the foot of Washington avenue.
August. A few cases of yellow fever occurred in
Brooklyn, further mention of which will be found in
the Chapter on the Medical Profession of Kings County
in another portion of this work.
1868. January 1st. The duties of the mayoralty
were this day assumed, for the second time, by Martin
Kalhfleisch, who had been elected in the fall of the
preceding year.
Martin Kalbfleisoh, born in Flushing, Netherlands, on
the 8th of February, 1804, received a thorough education at
the excellent schools of his native town. That place, how-
ever, offering but little opportunity for advancement or suc-
cess in commercial or other pursuits, he determined to seek
his fortunes elsewhere ; and, with that view, took passage,
in 1823, for Padang, on the coast of Sumatra, in an American
vessel, the Ellen Douglass, of Salem, Mass. On arriving at
Padang, he found the Asiatic cholera raging fearfully, and
therefore re-embarked for Antwerp, where the vessel was
sold ; and, at the request of the Captain, an American, ac-
companied him to France, where they were engaged in com-
mercial operations together, for four years. During this
period, his inclinations led him to look upon the United
States as his future home ; and, accordingly, in 1826, he
carried that project into execution. With few acquaintances
or friends, and but little means, upon his arrival, he found
himself obliged to accept of any employment that offered ;
until, in 1835, when he had accumulated suiHcient means,
he was enabled to establish a color manufactory at Harlem,
on New York Island, where he then resided. The high
prices at that time paid for property, induced him to sell his
place and locate in Connecticut. This move, however,
proving unsuccessful, he was induced to return to the en-
virons of New York, and finally determined to locate at
Greenpoint, as offering the best facilities for the prosecution
of his business, and there he settled, in 1842. His family
being somewhat numerous, he found the want of a school-
house to be a serious drawback, and immediately applied
himself to remedying the want. He organized the district
(comprising all of Greenpoint up to line of Remsen street) ;
got the use of the dilapidated old school-house near the
Bushwick church, repaired it, and obtained the services of a
teacher, Mr. Norman Andrews, still living. By perseverance
he soon had the satisfaction of seeing a new school-house
erected at Greenpoint ; and this has been followed up until
that section of our city, at this day, has no less than four
large and admirably equipped edifices devoted to the in-
struction of its youth. As Mr. Kalbfleisch's business ex-
panded, the want of room compelled him, about twenty
years since, to remove his factory to its present location, be-
tween Metropolitan and Grand avenues. For many years he
made the manufacture of acids a specialty, and continually
increased the extent of his works until they now embrace
several acres, and are the most extensive in the country.
The business (conducted for some years under the firm style
of M. Kalbfleisch & Sons), afterward passed into the hands
of the latter (under the firm style of M. Kalbfieisch's Sons),
M. Kalbfleisch having amassed suflScient means to enable
him to retire.
Mr. Kalbfleisch always took a lively interest in politics ;
and, although for many years a hard worker in the demo-
cratic ranks, did not aspire to office. Circumstances, how-
ever, made him, in 1851, a candidate for supervisorship of
the old town of Bushwick, to which office he was elected
and which he held until the town was consolidated with the
cities of Brooklyn and Williamsburgh. In 1853, he was ap-
pointed one of the commissioners to draw up a charter, for
the proposed consolidation of the cities of Brooklyn and
Williamsburgh, and acted as president of the board.
Hon. martin kalbfleisoh.
In 1854 he became the democratic candidate for mayor of
the consolidated city, but was defeated by George Hall. In
1855, he was elected Alderman of the 18th Ward, and served
in that capacity until May, 1861, when he became mayor of
the city. He served three years as President of the Board of
Aldermen, and, the last time he was elected jAlderman, re-
ceived all the votes but one cast in his ward for that ofifioe.
In 1862, he was elected a representative to Congress from
his district, and, in 1867, re-elected mayor of the city.
Mayor Kalbfleisch was a director in two banks, insurance
companies, the Trust company, etc., and president of the
Prospect Park Fair Ground Association. He was an excel-
lent linguist, speaking four languages fluently ; had a ripe
experience in public matters ; managed his official trusts
with prudence, energy and business tact ; thought for him-
self ; had clear ideas upon all matters submitted to his judg-
ment or approval ; and was never afraid to use his veto pre-
rogative.
April 16th. A Board of Estimate and Disburse-
ments of the tire department was appointed hy legisla-
tive enactment.
May 6th. A Department for the iSurveyr and Inspec-
tion of Buildings, in the Western District of the city,
was appointed by act of legislature.
May 31st. Sabbath. The graves of soldiers,' at Cy-
press hills, were this day strewn with wreaths and
flowers by the ladies, citizens, and their surviving com-
rades in arms. Addresses were delivered by several
of the clergy, and appropriate music was performed.
The whole affair was under the auspices of the veterans;
and "Decoration Day" has since become one of the
recognized National holidays.
June 21st. The corner-stone of the great Boman
Catholic Cathedral was laid, with much ceremony.
This edifice, however, is still unfinished.
OOJsrSOLtDATEb mSTOEY OF BROOKLYN, 1868.
60S
July 8th. The old Howard estate, at East New
York was this day sold at auction. The historic tavern
known as Howard's, or the Half-way House, on the
East New York and Jamaica road, the Broadway plank
road and Howard Place, together with about four
acres of land, was sold for $21,000 to Mr. Henry R.
Pierson, president of the Brooklyn City Railroad Com-
pany.
\ November 12th. The Brooklyn Academy of De-
sign had its first opening on the evening of this day.
November 14th. A terrible collision occurred on the
New York side of the Fulton ferry, between two of
the Union Ferry Company's boats, in which twenty
persons were injured, one of whom, a boy named
George Brewer, was instantly killed ; while others re-
ceived serious fractures, contusions, etc. The accident
had no inconsiderable effect in forming the public mind
towards the building of a bridge across the East river.
December 1st. Fort Lafayette, opposite Fort Ham-
ilton, destroyed by fire.
December 21st. The Common Council, by a vote of
15 to 4, authorized a loan of 13,000,000 to the New
York Bridge Company's proposed East River Bridge,
on condition that the sum of $2,000,000 be first sub-
scribed to the capital stock by other parties ; and that
the company's charter be so amended, that the city's
interests be represented in the board of directors by
three city officers comprising the commissioners of the
Sinking Fund of the city of Brooklyn for the time
being.
Some idea of the wonderful growth of Brooklyn
during this year (1868), may be gained from the fol-
lowing abstract of an article in the BrooMyn Eagle of
February 16, 1869:
" Later residents can hardly conceive the rapid growth of
Brooklyn during the past quarter of a century. Twenty-five
years ago corn grew on Montague street— Court street had
no existence, and the fashionable locality of South Brooklyn
was but a dreary sand-hill. Twenty-five years ago the aris-
tocracy gathered in the neighborhood of the Navy Yard, for
the gold lace and gilt buttons had much the same attraction
then as now. Later, the principal business portion of the
city was in the neighborhood of Fulton ferry. All the banks,
insurance companies, and newspaper otHces were gathered
m the immediate neighborhood, the lawyers congregated
about the corner of Front and Fulton streets ; and, in fact,
the first block of Fulton street was the exchange of Brook-
lyn, where the prominent men of the city were most apt to
be found during business hours. The building of the City
Hall altered this, for all the lawyers and most of the incor-
porated institutions moved to that place, and it became the
business centre. However, there is another change, and the
lower part of Fulton street is resuming its former bustle and
activity, and, as a business centre, is rivaling the Hall. The
business is hardly the same, for there is an infusion of the
wholesale trade, and many large manufactories are within
easy distance of the street, so that the moneyed institutions
lave found that they did wisely in remaining in their old
rooklyu is no longer a vUlage, but supports several
business centres ; and, as it spreads farther towards what is
now its outskirts, other centres will spring up without inter-
fering with the old ones. During the past twenty-five
years, the increase of population and of buildings has been
enormous. Forty thousand was about the population twenty-
five years ago, and to-day it is nearly three hundred thous-
and. Buildings and dwellings have sprung up as if by
magic. Long rows of brown stone and brick buildings have
risen, seemingly, in the space of a single night. The past
year has seen no diminution, and, in fact, ttie new buildings
of 186S exceed in value those of any previous year. More
elegant and costly public buildings have been erected since
the 1st of January, 1868, than in any one previous year, and,
although the number of buildings is not as large as in 1867,
yet, as was stated above, the value far exceeds it. In 1867,
3,539 buildings were erected, and, in 1868, but 8,807 were put
up. Of these, 875 were brown-stone fronts ; 775, brick ; and
1,915, frame dwellings ; 8 stone, 7 brick, and 9 frame church
edifices ; 1 brick school-house ; 41 brick and 34 frame build-
ings for manufacturing purposes ; 7 brick, 10 frame stores,
and 140 buildings of a miscellaneous character. The greatest
number of these buildings were erected in the 7th, 9th, 10th,
17th, 18th, 21st and 22d Wards, the 31st taking the lead,
principally, however, in the frame structures.
This only includes those buildings which were completed
within the year, and not those which were commenced.
The increase in value, however, is not as great in the dwell-
ings as in the public buildings, which are to become an orna-
ment to tlie city. Notwithstanding the great number of
dwelling houses that have been erected, the demand has
been greater than the supply. Even at this time of the year
vacant houses upon the Heights, that portion of the city
called the Hill, and that portion of South Brooklyn, lying in
the neighborhood of Carroll Park, are eagerly snapped up,
and it is very rarely the case that a house in any of these
neighborhoods lies vacant or unengaged for the space of a
week. It is a singular fact that almost, without exception,
the great number of dwelling-houses have been erected by
builders who have amassed a sufficient sum and embarkeu it
all in this enterprise ; in short, the vast improvement in the
real estate of Brooklyn has been due more to the enterprise
of the builders and speculators than to the capitalists and
large landholders.
Among the public buildings completed and commenced
during the year 1868, may be especially mentioned the iron
structure of the Long Island Safe Deposit Company, on the
corner of Front and Fulton streets, costing |150,000 ; the
large building of the Union Association, on the opposite
corner, costing $38,000; Burnham's Gymnasia, corner of
Smith and Schermerhorn streets, costing $90,000; the elegant
Mercantile Library building, in Montague street, costing,
with the two adjoining buildings, $181,000 ; the new St.
Ann's Protestant Episcopal church, on corner of Clinton and
Livingston, costing about $'^00,000 ; Rev. Dr. Duryea's new
church in Classen avenue, costing about $100,000; the
Skating Rink, costing $80,000 ; a riding school in Pacific
street, between Nevins and Powers, cost $12,000 ; two large
buildings on corner of Court and Livingston streets, in the
French style of architecture, costing $60,000; Messrs. Horton,
Son & Co.'s splendid store on Fulton avenue, above Gallatin
place, costing $45,000; Armstrong & Blacklin's, 213 Fulton ;
the Adelphi Academy, on Lafayette avenue, $18,800; the
church of the North Reformed congregation in Twelfth street,
costing nearly $60,000 ; that of the Carlton avenue Methodist
Episcopal church, corner of Clermont and Willoughby
avenues, $75,000; the Roman Catholic Church of our Lady of
Mercy, in Debevoise street, $70,000 ; the new church edifice of
606
MiSTOMY OFKIJSTGS COUm'Y.
St. Charles Borromeo (Roman Catholic), costing, with land,
$75,000 ; frame churches for St. James' and for St. Stephen's
congregations ; several large warehouses : and the superb
building of the Kings County Savings Bank, corner of
Fourth street and Broadway, E. D., costing |195,000.
In State, Pacific and Dean streets, and in Fourth avenue, a
large number of houses of brown-stone, brick and mastic
fronts are going up. In fact, this is heard from all parts of
the city. In the 20th and 7th Wards, many are going up in
long rows, and the same may be said of the 6th, 8th, 9th,
10th, 21st and 33d Wards. In the 9th and 31st Wards, out-
side of the fire limits, it is estimated in round numbers, that
there are over two hundred frame buildings, in course of
erection, which will be held at $8,500. A greater number of
better stores have been erected during the past year, to be
rented, than in any previous year, a hopeful sign for the
business interests of Brooklyn. Upon Fulton, Myrtle and
Atlantic avenues, a number of fine stores have been, and
now are, in course of erection.
From the foregoing, it may be seen that the increase in the
value of real estate to the city must be very considerable.
In the year 1864, the value of new buildings added to the
city was $1,631,250 ; in 1865, $1,838,500 ; in 1806, $2,531,000 ;
and in 1867, $3,562,600. It has been impossible for us at this
time of the year to get at the exact number of buildings
that have been erected in 1868, or their exact value. In fact,
we have but a very small portion, yet we are enabled to
figure a value nearly as much as in any previous year —
$3,315,200.
In Williamsburgh, the valUe of property has increased at
an astonishing rate, owing no doubt to the widening of South
Sixth and South Seventh streets. Many of the property
holders along the line of the streets named were against the
improvement. Since then these very men have been made
rich by the movement. It appeared that the widening of the
streets cost $400,000, while real estate has increased in value
0,000. The Williamsburgh Savings Bank has just pur-
chased a piece of property on the corner of Broadway and
Fifth street, 112 feet front on Broadway by 100 feet on Fifth
street, for $110,000, on which to erect a banking-house. This
is said to be the largest sum ever paid for building-lots in the
Eastern District. The property could have been bought
prior to the widening of the street for $30,000, and the
houses gave the value to the estate. Now the property is
sold for $110,000, and the houses are torn down as worthless.
The number of houses built during the year 1868, is, how-
ever, only one of the evidences that may be adduced of the
rapid growth of Brooklyn. During the year an enormous
and unprecedented amount of street improvement was
effected, in the matter of grading, paving, and laying down
water and sewer pipes. Twenty-three miles of improved
streets were added to the city, rendering about seven or
eight thousand city lots available for building purposes,
which previously were not so available. It will be seen,
therefore, that, great as the increase of buildings, the Street
Department doubly kept pace with the progress of house-
building, and furnished twice as much new street frontage
as the 3,200 newly erected buildings occupied. After all the
thousands of new houses Brooklyn built in 186S, she offered,
to the builder, at the close of the year, street approaches
to three or four thousand more lots than were approachable
for building at the beginning.
While the Street Department thus furnished means of get-
ting access to unoccupied lots, the Water and Sewerage De-
partment was not idle in rendering house property more
valuable, by adding to the first necessity of streets, the
scarcely less necessary elements of a water supply and
drainage. In the year 1867, sixteen miles of water pipes
were laid, and fourteen miles of sewers. At the commence-
ment of 1868, therefore, there existed in the city 210 mUesof
water-pipe, and 134 miles of sewers. The total street length
of Brooklyn is about 500 miles. Of this only about one-half
is at all occupied as yet' by houses and population. Much of
it exists in the form of water and swamp lots, which will
probably for many years yet remam unbuilt upon. In 1868,
there were fourteen miles of water-pipe laid and sixteen of
sewers— a reversal of the figures of the former year. On the
1st of January, 1869, there were 150 miles of sewer and 324
of water-pipes lying beneath the street surface of Brooklyn.
Especially in the 16th Ward has the sewerage been largely
and efficiently prosecuted."
1869 — January 4. Mayor Kalbfleisch's message re-
ports a total of 8,807 buildings erected in 1868 ; the
amount of city bonds outstanding, $18,559,250. The
Street Commissioner's report shows that, in 1868, four-
teen miles of water pipe were laid, and sixteen of sew-
ers; twenty-three miles of streets were added to pre-
vious improvements. The police records show that
21,272 arrests were made during the year.
January 18. New building of the Mercantile
Library, on Montague street, opened.
May 22. Final meeting of the Board of Estimate of
the Volunteer Fire Department, and organization of
the new Board of the Paid Fire Department.
July 9. Superintendent Bulkley reports the value
of the school-house sites in the city at $276,386; of the
buildings, $709,727. The whole number of pupils at-
tending public day schools, 70,000 ; night schools, 10,-
000; number in private schools, 22,142.
July 22. Death of John Augustus Roeblikg, the
eminent engineer, aged 63 years, resulting from an in-
jury received June 28, at Fulton Ferry. See page 448.
August 7. Assessed valuation of real and personal
property in Kings county, $199,840,551.
August 26. Bridge surveys finished and approaches
located.
September 21. The Wallahout Improvement com-
pleted and opened for public use.
October 21. The War Fund Committee's statue of
Abraham Lincoln was unveiled on the plaza of Pros-
pect Park. {See Biography of James P. Wallace,
following).
James P. Wallaob is the eldest son of the late Isaac and
Fanny Phillips Wallace, of Lansingburgh, N. Y. He was
born AprU 3d, 1816, and reared on a farm fronting the east
shore of the Hudson River, eleven miles north of Albany.
While the Wallace family owned that place, they called it
"Grove Hill."
His mother died when he was a child, but he remembers her
love for him, and her prayers, and excellent advice, which he
has always cherished. His father did not marry again, and
father and son were constant companions during aU the years
of boyhood. The cardinal doctrines of the Christian reU-
gion, the value of a virtuous, useful life, the road to honor-
able success, and kindred themes, were often subjects of
conversation as they worked together in the fields, or sat in
the shade of the great trees which surrounded the homestead,
or during the long winter evenings by the cheerful fireside.
/•
t^
CONSOLIDATED HISTORY 01 BROOKLYN, 1869.
501
His father was well educated for his day, and a Christian,
a was an inspiration to his son in all his studies, and in
the formation of his character.
He was educated, in part, at the Lansinburgh Academy,
which was two and a half miles from his home. He often
cairied one arm full of books, and with the other, rolled a
hoop all the way. By this means, and by plenty of work on
the farm when not in school, he grew up strong and healthy,
which had a powerful influence for good in the success of
hia after life.
Subsequently, he entered the Bensselaer Polytechnic In-
stitute at Troy, N. Y., where he graduated as Civil Engineer
in 1837.
In 1841, which was as soon as he considered himself estab-
lished in business, he married Juliet, only daughter of Uriah
and Julia Wright Wallace, of Troy. He has always given
credit to his wife for a large share of whatever success and
usefulness he has been able to attain, because of her economy
when that was most needed, her faithful and loving devotion
to him, and her good management, and sound practical
advice in all things.
They had but two children— one died in infancy— the other,
Emma Francis, died, unmarried, in 1883, leaving them child-
less. Verily, the souls of those parents were " knit with the
soul" of that daughter, and their constant thought is, that
they shall soon meet her in heaven. She was a life-long
Christian worker in the church, in the" cause of missions,
and in the Sunday-School. Eev. Dr. Stores, her pastor, in
his funeral address, said of her : " There is every thing for
her now to look back upon with joy and delight, with grati-
tude to God for the privilege of such a life as she has had.
It has been full of the best enjoyments; of pleasure at home,
in the love which was its atmosphere; of pleasure in friend-
ship, and in society, in books and arts, and in the enjoyment
of foreign lands; and yet f uUer— far fuller than these— -of her
enjoyment of the love of Christ; of the serene and steadfast
hope, which now has been transfigured and crowned in her
beatific and immortal vision."
In 1867, Mr. Wallace's maternal uncle, Gilbert D. Phillips,
and wife, celebrated their golden wedding. Mr. Wallace
was requested to respond to the toast of "Nephews and
He commenced as follows :
" My dear uncle and aubt — In speaking for the descend-
ants of yoirr brothers and sisters, I represent, living and
departed, about one hundred and fifty souls. It is cause
for devout gratitude to God, and for which I congratu-
late you, that I have not been able to discover one
black sheep in the flock. In our country's late struggle,
we were all found on the side of our flag and the
Union. Your nephews were represented on the bloody
field, and your nieces, God bless them, did good service in aid
of the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, and as daugh-
ters, wives and mothers, have ever been most exemplary.
Not one of our number ever favored the rebellion, not one
was ever charged with crime, none have disgraced tliem-
selves or their friends by drunkenness, or by a low or vicious
life, but every one is worthy the respect, and countenance
of all the others."
Mr. Wallace has often said that a similar statement, in re-
spect to his father's family, and the family of his wife, would
be true, except that he could not count them in so large
numbers.
Mr. Wallace fully intended to follow the profession of
civil engineer, for which he had been educated; but, not find-
ing ready employment in that line, he accepted, as he sup-
posed temporarily, a clerkship in the wholesale grocery and
produce store of Hiram Slocum, in Troy. He remained in
that position one year, and then, for one year, he kept a
country store in St. Lawrence county, N. Y. , on his own ac-
count. In 1839, he removed to New York and formed the
firm of Tallmadge & Wallace, with Mr. Slocum as special
partner, for thetransactioa of the Produce Commission busi-
ness. Neither member of the firm had served a clerkship in
New York. They had but a very small capital, and scarcely
any city acquaintance.
They relied for success on the confldenoe of friends in the
country, who had promised to consign to them produce, to
be sold on commission; and on their determination to de-
serve that confidence. They paid what seemed to them, at
the time, a large price for experience on the first sale they
made, by receiving a counterfeit twenty-dollar bill in pay-
ment ; but it was a cheap purchase after all, for they were
never again victimized by a confidence man, nor by another
counterfeit.
In 1843, the firm was changed to Wallace & Wickes, which
continued twenty-five years, and both partners acquired a
handsome competence. During part of that time, they had
James McNaughton for a partner, who died suddenly in
1856. They have had the satisfaction to see several of their
former clerks become successful and honorable merchants,
two of whom are their successors in business.
Mr. Wallace was President of a convention of merchants,
held in Albany, in 1867, to secure the repeal of the much
abused contract system for repairing the canals of the State,
and to obtain a more eflicient service of the canals. He was
also chairman of a standing committee for that object.
Much hard work was done, and though the Legislature did
not grant all that was asked, great improvement was ac-
complished.
He was of the original New York Produce Exchange, and
has been its president. He was chairman of its committee
on Charter, and By-Laws, On occasion of laying the corner
stone of the new Produce Exchange, June 6th, 1883, the presi-
dent, Mr. Forrest H. Parker, delivered an address, in course of
which he said :
" In 1863, the Legislature was asked for, and a charter
granted, so comprehensive and far-seeing in its character that,
although twenty years have elapsed, no material amendment
to it has been found necessary. * * * And now, while we refer
with much satisfaction to our material importance, and lay
a corner stone of granite, let us not overlook the nobler
corner stone of our Institution, namely, our charter, which
reads thus : ' The purposes of said corporation shall be to in-
culcate just and equitable principles in trade * * * and to
adjust controversies and misunderstandings between per-
sons engaged in business.' These are the words that should
be engraven in letters of gold upon the walls of our E-t-
change— who can estimate the influence that these two mam
principles of our charter have exercised. Many Exchanges,
organized since it was granted, have adopted them; and
from foreign countries, we have received requests for a copy
of our Charter, By-Laws and Trade Rules, for their guidance.
As the advantages of arbitration are realized, we find them
permeating the whole business community. The committee,
who had charge of formulating and procuring, ml863, of our
most admirable charter, consisted of Messrs. James P. Wal-
lace, Isaac H. Reed, and George B. Powell. The original
draft was made by Mr. Wallace."
He is President of the New Yorlc Guaranty and Indemnity
Company, which was organized in 1865, by forty prominent
and wealthy men, with a paid-up capital of two million dol-
lars, as a Banking and Commission house, and did a large
and' profitable business for ten years. In 1875, the Court of
Appeals rendered a decision, adverse to a feature of the char-
ter, which was deemed important; and the Board of Directors
decided to retire from business, and, within thirty days, all
deposits and indebtedness were paid.
A circular to stockholders of February 30th, 1883, says of
its President ; "It was his lot to receive the capital of this
companv, at the commencement of business in 1865, and it
508
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
has been his privilege to pay it back to stockholders with
large interest. His relations to the Board of Directors and
stockholders have ever been harmonious and pleasant, and
during the past eight years, he has given his best attention
to the interests of the company without compensation.'' A
small capital has been retained out of surplus earnings, and
the organization of the company has been preserved, but not
for active business.
He is President of the New York Warehousing Company,
which owns stores and docks in South Brooklyn, and tran-
sacts a large business in the storage of cotton.
He was one of the original subscribers for the organization
of the New York Life Insurance Company, in 1845. His pol-
icy in that company is No. 15, and the lowest number but
one still in force.
He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of New York ;
Trustee of the Central Trust Company of New York ; of the
South Brooklyn Savings Institution ; of the Brooklyn Chil-
dren's Aid Society ; and of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Insti-
tute, where he was educated ; Director of the Hanover Fire
Insurance Company ; and connected with a number of other
institutions.
He was for many years a director of the Hanover National
Bank in New York, and President of the Georgia Southern
Railroad Company. He has been executor and trustee of
several estates, and occupied other positions of trust, which
have been faithfully administered.
He came to Brooklyn to live in 1843, and has been a resi-
dent of the First Ward for forty years. He has done consid-
erable building, has been connected with many of Brooklyn's
institutions, and always a liberal, public-spirited citizen.
He has been identified with the Republican party, but never
held office, except that he served two terms as Alderman
during the war for the Union.
LINCOLN MONUMENT— PKOSPECT PAKK.
On the assassination of President Lincoln, the War Fund
Committee, of which Mr. Wallace was a member, appointed
him Chairman of a sub-committee, under a resolution that
reads: "* * * to open a subscription for the erection of
some suitable and permanent memorial in the city, of him
for whom the nation is in mourning ; no contribution of
more than one dollar to be received from any one person
that all may have equal opportunity to take part in this work
of public gratitude." The success of that effort is shown bv
the beautiful statue of Lincoln, by the distinguished souln-
tor, Henry K. Brown, which stands in the plaza of Prospect
Park.
Many similar subscriptions were commenced about the
same time in other cities, but this monument was the first
that was completed. The amount collected was |13,000
which was invested in United States bonds until needed'
The interest and profit on the bonds increased the sum to
$15,000, which was the cost of the statue. The Park Com-
missioners provided the pedestal.
On the occasion of the unveiling and presentation of this
monument to the city, October 21st, 1869, Mr. A. Abbott
Low presided, Mr. James P. Wallace delivered the presenta-
tion address, Hon. J. S. T. Stranahan accepted the monu-
ment on behalf of the Park Commissioners for the city, and
Rev. R. S. Storrs, D. D., delivered the oration. There were
present many invited guests, the Twenty-third Regiment of
the New York State National Guard, the Navy Yard Band
and an immense multitude of interested spectators. The
band played national airs, and a salvo of one hundred guns
was fired from a hill in the park.
Mr. Wallace, in commencing his address, said:
" I have the honor, on this occasion, to represent about
thirteen thousand citizens of Brooklyn, without distinction
of creed or political faith — men, women and children— who,
for the love they bore to a great and good man, made up a
contribution to honor his memory. From the laborer on the
highway, from the workshop, from the counting-room, and
store, from the stately mansion of the wealthy, and from the
scanty apartments of the industrious poor, wherever love
and reverence for Abraham Lincoln thrilled the heart, or
wherever was detestation and horror at the dreadful deed
which so suddenly terminated his useful life, thence came
the little drops into the treasury — a name with every dollar,
and a dollar for every name. Noble men ! Noble women !
Names fragrant to the memory, worthy to be preserved, as
they have been preserved, in the archives of the Historical
Society, that all who come after may know to whom belongs
the honor of building up this monument to Abraham Lin-
coln."
Mr. Wallace was one of the originators of the Brooklyn
Library, and is a member of its Board of Trustees. In 1857,
the Athenaeum, corner of Atlantic and Clinton streets, con-
tained the principal library of Brooklyn, about five thousand
volumes. Mr. Wallace conceived the idea that, if the library
could be turned over to the management of young men, they
would increase its growth and make it more useful. After
many interviews with stockholders and trustees of the
Athenaeum, he succeeded in securing their approval, pro-
vided an organization of young men could be formed strong
enough to give assurance of success.
He then began to labor with the young men. Many pri-
vate conversations and a few small meetings were held. In-
terest in the project rapidly increased among the young
men, until a meeting was held, at which about six hundred
were present. Mr. Wallace presided. A resolution was
adopted to organize after the model of the Mercantile Li-
brary Association of New York ; a subscription was com-
menced, amounting that evening to about fifteen hundred
dollars; a committee was appointed to prepare a constitu-
tion ; and, before adjournment, the Chairman pronounced
the new library association to be an assured fact. In recog-
nition of the value of Mr. Wallace's services in this matter,
the Board of Managers, by a special subscription for that
purpose, placed his portrait on its walls. The Brooklyn Li-
brary, in all its goodly proportions, is the outgrowth of those
efforts.
CONSOLIDATED HISTORY OF BROOKLYN, 1860-'71.
509
He became a member of the Presbyterian Church in Lan-
singburgh, at the age of twenty. On coming to Brooklyn, he
united with the Second Presbyterian Church, and assisted to
build its present edifice, on the corner of Remsen and Clinton
streets. Subsequently, he became a member of the Church
of the Pilgrims, Rev. R. S. Storrs, D. D., pastor, where he
coutiaueS' In both those churches he has been a Trustee
and an oflloer, and interested in all the work and charities of
the church. He has been a Sunday-school worker from his
youth.
Mr. Wallace has trayeled much, both in this country and
in Europe, when he could spare time from his active life, and
has written many desGriptive letters for the newspapers at
home, which have always been gladly welcomed by the press,
and by his friends.
November 2. Hon. Martin Kaibplbisch re-elected
Mayor over Wm. Mayo Little by a vote of 2Y,993 to
18,160.
1870.— Jan. 1. Mayor Kalbfleisch's message reports
new buildings erected during the past year, as follows :
2 749 dwellings, with accommodations for 20,000 peo-
ple; 30 churches, 25 schoolhouses, over 100 storehouses
and manufactories; also 11 miles of new streets graded
and paved, Washington avenue extended, 22 miles of
sewers and 22 miles of water-pipes laid; also, that the
improvements of Wallahout Canal, Kent avenue and
Gowanus Canal added largely to the water-front ;
16,500,000 were borrowed by the city, making the ag-
gregate of the city debt over $23,000,000, of which
$8,000,000 is for Prospect Park and $8,000,000 for the
water-works. The Board of Health reports the deaths
for 1869 at 8,759, as against 8,750 for 1868. The num-
ber of patrolmen in the city was 466, who made 18,730
arrests.
The Union Ferry Company carried 42, '720,000 pas-
sengers; the Roosevelt, Grand and James Slip, 7,028,-
000; the Greenpoint, 1,622,250 ; the Thirty-fourth
Street, 2,250,550.
Jan. 3. Work on the Broolclyn Bridge was com-
menced by clearing ground for the reception of the cais-
son, which was then building in Williamsburg.
Jan. 7. A public meeting was held and a bill
drafted providing for the re-organization of the City
Gourt.
Jan, 11. Brooklyn Dental Infirmary inaugurated at
260 Washington street.
Feb. 4. The Paid Fire Department makes its first
annual report, showing 13 engines and 6 trucks in con-
dition for use, and asking $290,000 for its maintenance
during the coming year. Prince Arthur, of England,
entertained by the BrooUyn Club.
Feb. 7. Hon. Samuel E. Johnson buried. He had
been Master in Chancery, County Judge, Corporation
Counselor, and member of the Legislature. He planned
the first City Hall building.
Feb. 25. Improved code of fire signals introduced.
Feb. 26. General McClellan presided at a meeting
oi consulting engineers to consider the best means of
traveling through, under, or over Brooklyn streets by
steam power.
March 28. The Twenty-eighth Regiment Armory
inaugurated.
March 30. The Legislature passed the bill giving the
control of the Brooklyn police force to the Mayor and
two Commissioners.
May 4. The caisson for the Brooklyn Bridge tower
was placed in position.
May 25. Governor Hoffman appoints J. F. Barnard
to be Presiding Judge, and J. W. Gilbert and A. B.
Tappan, Associate Justices, of the Supreme Court for
the Second District.
May 28. The terms of the new lease to the Union
Ferry Company include one cent ferriage between five
and half -past seven, night and morning.
June 26. Hamilton Market fell, crushing two chil-
dren in the ruins.
Aug. 3. The Central Bank suspended payment.
Aug. 14. Hon. Gebnville T. Jbnks died.
Sept. 30. The Brooklyn City Railroad Company re-
duced its fares to five cents.
Oct. 1. Funeral of Admiral Farragut.
Nov. 1. Stoves introduced into street cars.
1871. — Jan. 3. Mayor Kalbfleisch's message gives
the population of Brooklyn in 1870 at 400,000; the
taxes levied in the year $8,000,000 ; city debt, $36,-
000,000.
Jan. 16. The demolition of St. John's P. E. Church,
corner of Johnson and Washington streets, was com-
menced, to make way for the new Brooklyn Theatre.
Jan. 28. The Brooklyn City Gas Works' reservoir
collapsed, and killed the engineer.
Feb. 13. An ice-bridge formed in the East River, over
which thousands of people passed. This occurrence
was repeated on the 14th.
March 30. The new wing of the Long Island Col-
lege Hospital completed.
May 2. The Park and Vanderbilt line of street-cars
opened for travel.
May 3. Bedford avenue opened south from Fulton
street.
May 9. The New York caisson of the bridge suc-
cessfully sunk.
June 3. The Board of Charities and Corrections
took the place of the Superintendents of the Poor.
June 12. The Brooklyn Steam Transit Company
projects an elevated railroad from the bridge to Flat-
bush.
Streets were renumbered this year.
June 21. Laying of the corner-stone of the Church
Charity Foundation edifice at Albany and Herkimer
avenues.
July 1. A Bust of Washington Irving ■wa.BimyeWe^
at Prospect Park.
July 12. Several Brooklynites killed in the Orange
riot in New York.
510
SISTOBT OF KINGS COUNTY.
July 30. The Staten Island ferry boat Westfield ex-
ploded, killing and wounding a number of Brooklyn
people.
Aug. 15. The Board of City Assessors reports the
number of new buildings erected, during the year end-
ing June 30, at 2,214, at an assessed value of $4,930,900,
affording accommodations for 18,000 people.
Oct. 2. The new BrooKlyn Iheatre was opened with
the play of "Money."
Oct. 10. Brooklyn's gift to burned Chicago, 8100,-
000, the first sent from the East.
Nov. 28. The Grand Duke Alexis given a reception
at the Navy Yard.
Dec. 15. Small-pox declared epidemic.
1872. — Jan. 8. Mayor Powell's message gives the
number of men on the police force as 450, supported at
an annual expense of $500,000; the total liabilities of
the city at $30,669,768.50; the total county debt $3,-
733,712; twenty-one miles of streets were graded and
paved in 1871, 1,944 gas lamps set, and 2,596 buildings
of all kinds erected.
April 5. The American District Telegraph Company
in Montague street commenced operations.
June 1. The Mechanics' Savings BanTc opened at
Fulton and Main streets.
July 6. Piers and warehouses for first line of Eu-
ropean steamers from Brooklyn, to Havre and Baltic
Sea, building at Martin's stores.
July 16. East New York voted, by 3 to 1, for an-
nexation with Brooklyn.
July 31. The burning of the /Sifawc^arc? Oil TForfe at
Hunter's Point, destroyed 25,000 bbls. of oil, and some
shipping at the wharves. Estimated Loss, $300,000 to
$500,000.
August 12. The Commissioner of Police authorized to
add 50 men to the force of patrolmen.
September 3. Justice Barnard grants an injunction
against laying car-tracks on Lee avenue.
1873. — January 7. Mayor Powell's message reports
the "Water Department as more than self sustaining; the
total length of streets, 646 miles, of which 283 are paved,
20 during 1872; the county debt, $3,654,712; the city's
obligations, $32,012,884.
January 18. The Committee of One Hundred report
a nev3 charter for Brooklyn.
January 23. "Work commenced on the Brooklyn
Anchorage of the Bridge.
Feb. 13. Death of Ex-Mayor Maetin Kalbpleisch.
March 6. The building corner of Montague and Clinton
streets, fitted for the use of United States authorities.
April 18. Mass meeting to favor the establishment
of High Schools.
April 27. A Board of United States engineers recom-
mended extending the pier line from Fulton Ferry to
Atlantic Docks.
May 8. New State Line of steamers inaugurated be-
tween Brooklyn, Belfast and Glasgo .
May 12. Postal cards introduced into general use
May 16. Brooklyn's new city charter passed by the
Assembly, by which the Mayor, Auditor and Controller
are elective, the mayor and Aldermen appoint the heads
of departments, the Excise and Police are consolidated
and the departments stands as follows: Finance Audit
Treasury; Collection, Arrears, Law, Assessment, Police
and Excise, Health, Fire and Buildings, City Works
Parks, Public Instruction.
May 21. Bill passed to issue bonds of $150,000 for
building Thirteenth Regiment Armory.
June 2. East River Bridge Company reorganized
under a modified charter.
June 18. Telegraphic communication established
with Flatbush.
June 19. The remains of the Revolutionary martyrs
in the British Prison Ships were removed to the Mauso-
leum on Fort Greene.
July 20. Brooklyn Trust Company suspended
payment; resumed operations Aug. 11th.
July 26. .The Mercantile Idbrary''s new building was
opened to the public.
August 9. The Police force was reorganized.
September 17. The taxable property of Brooklyn,
as given by the Board of Assessors, is $216,073,170; of
the entire county, $227,699,043.
September 27. A Bust of John Sowar d Payne '^m
unveiled in Prospect Park.
October 1. Charles C. Talbot becomes Postmaster;
the offices are consolidated; the main office being in
"Washington street, with branches in "Williamsburg,
Greenpoint, and on Marcy avenue, near Fulton street.
November 4. John W. Hunter (Dem.), elected
Mayor by a vote of 32,115 over D wight Johnson (Rep,),
whose vote was 24,311.
John W. Hunter, Mayor of the city of Brooklyn, was
born 1807, in the then village of Bedford, a locality now
covered by the streets of the city. His father, an industrious
farmer, had removed hither from Monmouth county, New
Jersey, a few years prior to the birth of the subject of our
sketch. On his mother's side Mr. Hunter claims descent
from some of the earliest Holland families of Long Island.
His early education was obtained at the neighboring schools,
and as soon as his age permitted, he entered the employ of
a wholesale grocery house of New York city, where, with
several promotions, he remained many years, laying the
foundation of that character and integrity, which so highly
distinguishes him. Meanwhile his home was in Brooklyn;
and, as early as 1835, he began to interest himself in improv-
ing the school system of his native city. In 1838 he was as-
sociated with Mr. Seth Low (the grandfather of our present
mayor) as trustee of the public school now known as No. 1,
and he was largely instrumental in securing the erection of
the present edifice on the comer of Adams and Concord
streets, having to overcome the very strenuous opposition to
educational progress, which existed in that early time, as
well as at present. He has been an active member of the
Board of Education for many years, during which time he has
largely contributed to the excellent system of education
which Brooklyn now possesses. Mr. Hunter filled the im-
OONSOLIBATUD HIS TOBY OF BEOOKLYN, 187 1
511
Bortant oflB.ce of Auditor in the New York Custom- House for
many years. In 1864, and during the administration of this
oflce, the curious charge was brought against him by John
J, Cisco (the Sub-Treasurer of New York), of forging his own
signature. Mr. Cisco, having paid certain drafts upon him,
bearing Mr. Hunter's forged signature, which he was responsi-
ble for, took this course of saving himself. The case was at
once prosecuted before Hon. Kenneth G. White, the United
States Commissioner, the record of which fills a pamphlet of
364 pages. Hon. Edwards Pierrepont was one of Mr. Hun-
ter's counsel. The result was a unanimous acquittal of Mr.
Hunter, which distinctly asserted his unimpeachable integ-
rity, Mr. Cisco was compelled to add his own conviction of
Mr. Hunter's innocence, as well as to pay the cost of the de-
fence.
Hon. JOHN W. HCTNTBR.
Immediately following this vindication came the nomina-
tion of Mr. Hunter by his fellow-citizens of the Third Con-
gressional District, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death
of Hon. James Humphrey. This nomination was entirely
unsought for; but, under the circumstances, was veiy grati-
fying, as showing that the charges which had been brought
against him, had in no way aflfected his standing with his
friends and neighbors in Brooklyn. The Third District was
Republican, though Mr. Hunter, a Democrat, was elected by
a handsome majority over his popular opponent, Hon. S. B.
Chittenden. Upon the expiration of his Congressional term,
in 1867, he was nominated to represent the Fifth Assembly
District in the State Legislature; but was defeated, by only
ninety votes. Subsequently, he declined the office of Collec-
tor of Internal Revenue, tendered him by President Johnson,
and which was personally urged upon him by the Secretary
of the Treasury, Mr. McCuUoch, who believed his selection
would best serve the needs of the department. The record
of his administration as Mayor (1874, 1875) was marked by a
strenuous opposition on his part to the system of State com-
missions for the government of the city, to the further in-
crease of public debt, and to "Eing" power in municipal
affairs. His voice was ever for retrenchment, and for rigid
economy, and a responsible local government. The amended
charter of 1873, which provided for the abolition of all com-
missions, and for the restoration of home rule, largely owed
Its existence to Mayor Hunter's ardent personal influence.
In 1876 he was again tendered the nomination for Congress
ftom the Third District; and, with his splendid previous rec-
ord, both as legislator and as Mayor, would undoubtedly
flave carried an election. Owing, however, to the recent
strain upon him, as well as to the business engagements then
devolving upon him, he felt constrained to decline the
proffered honor.
Mayor Hunter is a director in the Nassau Fire Insurance
Co.; the Manhattan Life Insurance Co ; and the Mercantile
Trust Co. , of New York city.
Since 1860, Mr. Hunter has been identified, as Trustee, Sec-
retary and Treasurer, with the Dime Savings Banh, and to his
financial skill, and his reputation for unswerving integrity,
much of the success of the bank as a Brooklyn institution is
due.
Mr. Hunter resides in the same house, on Clinton avenue,
in which he has lived since 1840. His third son, Lieut. Henry
C. Hunter, of the United States ship Alert, died at sea in June,
1881. His career had already been fuU of brilliant promise
for the future. An elegant stained-glass window in the
chapel of the Brooklyn Homeopathic Hospital, also commem-
orates the memory of Mr. Hunter's daughter, Emily, a lady
whose name is associated with many deeds of mercy and
charity in this city.
1874. — January 5. Mayor Hunter's message states
the total city debt to be $37,431,944.
February 20. Large meeting of the Municipal Union
Society to favor the union of Brooklyn and New York
under one governuient.
March 11. BrooMyn Guaranty and Trust Company
incorporated.
May 22. Ladies' Fruit and IHower Mission incor-
porated.
May 26. Incorporation of the BrooJclyn Elevated
Bailroad Company, to connect Brooklyn and Wood-
haven.
July 23. Corner Stone of Thirteenth Begiment Ar-
mory laid, at Hanson Place and Flatbush avenue.
July 25. The number of houses erected in Brooklyn
from June 1, 1873, to June 1, 1874, given by the Board
of Assessors as 1786; their assessed value, without site,
$4,251,700. The number of buildings from 1864 to
1874, inclusive, is 19,660; their assessed value, $44,027,-
800.
August 6. It was voted by the Common Councils
of New York and Brooklyn to complete the Bridge
as a Municipal undertaking.
Aug. 22. Theodore Tilton commences an action
against Rev. Henry Ward Beecher for crim. con.
Aug. 25. Grand Street Ferry closed.
Sept. 9. New Ferry-House at Catherine Ferry opened.
Sept. 28. International Rifle Contest at Creedmoor.
Public Reception at the Academy of Music to Rt. Hon.
Maurice Brooks, Lord Mayor of Dublin.
Oct. 8. The private stockholders of the East Biver
Bridge Company assent to the terms of the Act of
April 16th, by which the cities of Brooklyn and New
York assume the completion of the structure.
Dec. 15. Douglass and Mosher, the (supposed) ab-
ductors of Charlie Ross, killed while committing a
burglary at Bay Ridge.
Dec. 29. Collision between two ferry boats caus-
ing a loss of several lives.
612
SIS TORT OF KIJSTGS GOtTJSTTT.
18V5. — Jan. 5. Mayor Hunter's message gives the
total indebtedness of Brooklyn as $35,048,621; number
of children attending the public schools over 80,000;
taught by 995 teachers; value of school property
$3,810,000. Beginning of the Tilton-Beecher trial in
the City Court before Judge Neilson.
Jan. 23. Ice jam in the East River, stopping ferry-
boats.
Feb. 13. East and North Rivers covered with ice;
travel suspended.
Mar. 15. Total number of deaths in 18Y4 was 11,011.
June 22. Dedication of the Saptist Some.
July 2. The jury in the Tilton-Beecher case dis-
charged, being unable to agree.
July 14. The census gives the population of Brook-
lyn at 483,252; of Kings County 494,570.
Aug. 4. Death of Isaac Van Anden, founder of the
Brooklyn Eagle.
Aug. 9. The number of buildings erected in Brook-
lyn from May 31, 1874, to May 31, 1875, is 1,470; of an
assessed value of $3,617,300.
Aug. 20. Part of Atlantic Avenue fenced in by the
heirs of Cowenhoven estate.
Nov. 2. Frederick A. Schroeder elected Mayor of
Brooklyn by a vote of 35,026, over Edward Rowe, whose
vote was 33,375.
Feedeeick a. Schkoeder was born in the city of Trier,
PruBsia, March 10th, 1838. His father was a Surveyor of
Hon. FREDERICK A. SCHROEDER.
Taxes in the service of the Prussian Government when
the Revolution of 1848 occurred, and for political reasons,
determined to emigrate to the United States. His son
had received the thorough education which the schools of
that country afford; and, on his arrival here, with character-
istic German independence, determined to earn his own living.
He commenced the business of cigar-making, at the age of
sixteen, starting without a doUar of his own. Before attain-
ing his majority he had accumulated a comparative independ-
ence, and owned a manufactory, in which he employed a
dozen men. In the course of time his industry and in-
tegrity brought their reward, and he was enabled to enjoy an
ample fortune, while he continued in business as the head of
the firm of Schroeder & Bon, dealers in leaf tobacco. In 1867
he founded the G«rmania Savings Bank, in order to afford
his countrymen in Brooklyn the advantages which native-
born citizens derived from similar institutions. Mr. Schroeder
has been its President from the first, and the success of the
corporation has vindicated his judgment in establishing it.
In 1871, the Republican party sought him as a candidate for
the office of City Comptroller, to which he was elected by a
flattering majority. Brooklyn is indebted to him for an
improved method of book-keeping in the Comptroller's De-
partment, and for an honest, vigilant administration, as
even his political opponents were constrained to admit.
During his term as Mayor, and with his active co-operation,
important strides were taken towards reform in municipal
government. After retiring from office, he continued to
labor as a private citizen for the overthrow of the various
rings which infested the city government. His record as a
thorough-going reformer secured his election to the State
Senate, in 1879, from the Third Senatorial District. His course
tn the Legislature was entirely satisfactory to his constit-
uents, as he was the active champion of the Reform Charter
for Brooklyn, by which the many-headed commissions of the
old system are replaced by those who are directly responsible
for the proper discharge of their duties. So earnest was he
in urging the passage of the various reform bflls and the
new charter, that he has been called the father of Brooklyn's
present excellent charter. Since the expiration of his term
in the Senate he has spent much time in European travel.
Dec. 31. In 1875 there were 383 fires in the city,
with an aggregate loss of $799,398.
1876. — Jan. 3. Mayor Schroeder's message states the
total liabilities of the city to be $38,770,463.
Jan. 1. Rear Admiral Silas H. Steingham died,
aged 78 years.
Feb. 3. Patrick Campbell, Superintendent of Police,
reports the total number of arrests in 1875 at 24,700.
Mar. 7. Burning of the Brooklyn Some for the
Aged, with the loss of 18 lives.
Mar. 16. Ordinance passed to permit the use of
steam cars on Atlantic avenue, from East New York
to Flatbush avenue.
Mar. 25. Robbery of $25,000 from the Fulton
Bank.
Apr. 19. Formal transfer of the Thirteenth Eegi-
ment Armory, by the Board of Supervisors, to the
Regiment.
May 24. Work commenced on the East New York
end of the Brooklyn Elevated Railway.
June 21. Ground broken for the new
Building.
July 18. The Broadway, Tompkins Avenue and
Sarrison Avenue Mailway line completed.
Aug. 10. The Registrar of the Board of Health re-
ports the number of deaths in the city for the first six
months of 1876 at 5,843.
Aug. 14. First wire stretched from the Brooklyn
tower to the New York tower of the Bridge.
Aug. 19. Opening of the Coney Island branch of
the New York, Bay Ridge and Jamaica Railroad.
Sept. 24. Blowing up of Hallett's Point at Hell
CONBOLIDATEi) HISTORY 01 BROOKLYN, 1876-'77.
513
gate East River, after six years' spent in submarine
tunneling.
Oct. 6. Death of Neziah Bliss, the " Patriarch of
Greenpoint."
Oct. 16. First " cradle " cable of the bridge stretched
from shore to shore.
Nov. 18. Ocean Park Roadway opened for travel.
Dec. 4. Unveiling of Horace Greeley^s monument
in Greenwood.
Deo. 5. Burning of the Brooklyn Theater; 295 lives
lost. (See chapter on Music, Drama and Art.)
Dec. 9. Public funeral at Greenwood of one hundred
unclaimed bodies of victims of the theater fire.
1877.— Jan. 8. The City's total obligations as given
by Mayor Schroeder's message are $39,578,100. Presi-
dent F. S. Massey of the Fire Department reports the
number of men employed as 264; the number of steam
fire engines 22, and 5 hook and ladder companies. The
losses by fire in 1876 aggregated $525,860.
Feb. 13. Death of Hon. Cyeus P. Smith, aged 77
years, the fourth Mayor of Brooklyn, appointed in 1839
and elected again.
Feb 17. The Brooklyn ^rf/t^s consolidated with the
March 23. The Brooklyn Bank plundered of $160,000
by the head book-keeper; his arrest and the recovery
of most of the money.
April 15. The steam railroad track between Plat-
bush and Classon avenues laid at night, to avoid an
injunction.
April 25. The Cowenhoven heirs awarded $60,000
for then- strip of land in the center of Atlantic avenue.
May 12. The contest between Abraham H. Daily
and Walter H. Livingston for the office of Surrogate
decided in favor of the former.
May 31. During the past twelve months 1,270 new
buildings erected in this city, assessed at $3,349,200.
June 1. Beginning of the work of running the wires
for the great bridge cables across the river.
June 16. Gov. Robinson signs the bill for the re-
duction of salaries of the Brooklyn officials, by which
the highest salaries are reduced from $10,000 to $6,000.
June 23. Laying of comer-stone of St. John''s Hos-
June 26. Passenger travel by steam, on Atlantic
avenue, began.
July 18. The Manhattan Beach Railroad and
hotel opened to the public; also opening of the New
7orh and Sea Beach Road.
July 23. The Twenty-third Regiment ordered to
Hornellsville to quell the railroad riot.
July 30. Mozart Garden opened at the corner of
Fulton and Smith streets.
Aug. 13. Rapid Transit trains run to East New
York, at frequent intervals, at five cents fare.
Aug. 23. The line of "Annex" ferry-boats estab-
lished from Jewell's Wharf to Jersey City.
Sept. 14. The Long Island Savings Bank closed.
Sept. 15. The American team victorious in the In-
ternational Rifle Match at Creedmoor. Sir Henry
Halford entertained in Brooklyn.
Nov. 6. James Howell, Jr., elected mayor over
John F. Henry, by a vote of 36,343 to 33,538;
James Howell.— Nineteenth on the roll of distinguished
citizens whom Brooklyn has honored with the mayoralty,
stands the name of James Howell. He comes of excellent
ancestry ; his parents, though not wealthy, were highly re-
spected. They were residents of Bradford, Wiltshire, in
England, at the time of his birth, October 16, 1839, but re-
moved to America, with their children, when James was but
six years old ; therefore, he may be claimed as a thorough
American, and a good example of the product of American
institutions. His father, James Howell, made a home for
himself and family on a farm near New Lisbon, Ohio. Here
the young James grew up, assisting in the farm-work, when
necessary, and attending the common schools until 1845,
when he removed with his parents to Brooklyn. Here he
served a clerkship of a year in a grocery-store, but the work
was uncongenial. Naturally endowed with a talent for con-
struction, he had a taste for mechanism, which bent he
finally determined to gratify. Accordingly, he served a
thorough apprenticeship of four years in iron-working, and
was then promoted to be foreman in charge of a foundry.
He showed such energy, aptness, good sense and power to
command men, as to win the perfect trust and confidence of
his employers. His success in managing for others excited
his ambition to do for himself. Conscious of his powers, he
felt that he could conduct his own business as well as
another's ; that he could direct as well as execute. Accord-
ingly, in 1855, he opened a small establishment on a capital
of $225, saved from his earnings. His venture was crowned
with success. He was able to extend his business gradually,
until his works covered a large area, and gave employment
to some three hundred men, with an annual production
valued at many thousand dollars.
His reputation and his fortune kept pace with the growth
of his business; and, at the present time, the house of Howell
& Saxtan is among the heaviest in the iron trade.
Mr. Howell's practical abilities, his knowledge of men,
his faculty for leadership, and his personal popularity and
probity e4rly commended him to his fellow citizens for
political honors. He was elected Supervisor of the Eleventh
Ward in 1864, on the Democratic ticket. His course gave
such satisfaction that he was elected for three consecutive
terms ; also for one term as Supervisor and Alderman, and
afterwards for one term as Supervisor-at-Large. In these
various offices he showed positive ability, fondness for public
business, and the faculty of accomplishing results in a
marked degree; while his name was synonomous with
economy and reform. His personal populai-ity invariably
carried the Eleventh Ward, though it was otherwise strongly
Republican. These years of pohtical service had brought
Mr. Howell additional capacity and experience, and made
him favorably known to the citizens of Brooklyn. Accord-
ingly, in 1876, he was selected by the Democracy as their
strongest candidate for the Mayoralty, and was elected by
a flattering majority.
On his accession to the office, he found a deficit in the
city's finances, and a constantly increasing debt ; he there-
fore immediately set about retrenching. He was instru-
mental in securiag the passage of the two-third act ; also in
other legislation inuring to the city's benefit. At the close
514
MiSTOitT OF KtN^GS COUNTY.
of his first term, he was triumphantly re-elected by over ten
thousand majority.
In a communication to the Common Council, near the close
of his term, he was able to say:
" It appears that the reduction in expenditures, under the
estimates of the Board of Estimates, from 1878 to 1881, in-
clusive, have averaged nearly twenty-five per cent, on the
annual expenditures for the three years immediately pre-
ceding my administration; while in the matter of local taxa-
tion, the burdens have been materially lessened, notwith-
standing an increase in population, in the past four years, of
over seventy thousand."
This excellent showing, coupled with his honest and fear-
less vetoes of "jobs,'' and his administration, excellent in
other respects, were so satisfactory to the people, that he
received the unanimous nomination for the third time, in
1880.
Could his name have been presented to the voters without
side issues of party management and the popular cry, "no
third term," he would have been sustained by an overwhelm-
ing majority ; but no man could carry the party load, for
which he was in no way responsible.
It is the verdict of history that he made an excellent
Mayor, enforcing economy and reform in Brooklyn's govern-
ment, opposing dishonesty, enhancing the city's prosperity,
and winning public respect and confidence.
During his term of ofiice as Mayor, he took an important
part in the affairs qf the Brooklyn Bridge, watched its pro-
gress with interest, and made his influence felt beueficially
in many practical ways. After the death of Senator Murphy,
Mr. Howell was appointed in February, 1883, to be Bridge
Trustee, in his place.
In private life Mayor Howell is much liked, because of his
kind and genial manners, social qualities and strong friend-
ships; while he is universally esteemed for his sterling worth,
integrity and manhood.
His wife was Miss Anna Tunstall, whom he married in
1851; their family consists of a son and two daughters. Their
church connections are with the Methodist Episcopal de-
nomination. Mr. Howell is a member of the Masonic order,
having taken some of the higher degrees, and held important
offices in the fraternity.
Mr. Howell's success is attributable to his doing with his
might what his hand found to do. His entire energies have
ever been devoted to his business, to his official duties, and
the occupations of a public spirited citizen.
Dec. 14. Col. James McLeer appointed Postmaster
of Brooklyn.
Dec. 31. 29,500 arrests made in 1877, as against
26,669 in 1876.
1878. — Jan 7. Mayor Howell's message gives the
city's permanent debt at $27,283,932, the temporary
debt, $10,293,900, tax certificates.
March 15. The annual report of the Police De-
partment gives the number of men on duty at 628,
being one to 816 of the population; 26,857 arrests
were made; property reported stolen, was $230,475, of
which $191,803 was recovered.
April 9. Manhattan Beach Railroad Company ran
their first train over the route from Bay Ridge to Coney
Island, thence to Greenpoint.
May 12. Sudden death of Major General Thomas
S. Dakin.
June 1. Ground broken for the Brooklyn Steam
Transit Road.
June 14. A strand of the Brooklyn bridge cable
broke loose from the New York anchorage; several
workmen killed.
Opening of the Old Men's Some at 84 State street.
June 24. Explosion of gas in the basement of the
Municipal Building, with the loss of one life and serious
injury of others.
July 1. The Brooklyn, Flatbush and Coney Island
Railroad finished from the Park to Coney Island. The
Brighton Beach Hotel completed.
July 17. Yellow fever breaks out at the Navy Yard.
July 20. Death of Hon. John A. Lott, aged 74.
Aug. 6. Union of the Long Island Raiboad with
the Brooklyn, Flatbush and Coney Island road.
Oct. 5. The great cables of the bridge completed.
Oct. 24. Ground broken for the Long Island His-
torical Society''s new building, on Pierrepont street,
corner of Clinton.
Nov. 25. Thomas M. Riley declared to be elected
Sheriff, by 71 majority, by the Board of Canvassers.
Nov. 27. Brooklyn Board of Charities organized.
Dec. 4. Pacific Mills in South Brooklyn burned;
loss $200,000.
Dec. 14. The Electric Bight introduced into
Brooklyn, by F. Loeser, at his store on Fulton street.
1879. — Jan. 6. Mayor Howell's annual message
states the net obligations of the city to be $37,475,318.
Feb. 5. Death of Dr. Gboegb Gilfillan, the
oldest physician in Brooklyn.
Feb. 6. Death of ex-mayor Samuel S. Powell.
HON. Samuel s. powbll.
March 1. Fire Marshall A. B. Thorn reports 449
fires in the city during 1878, causing a loss of $391,-
917, on which the insurance was $1,654,900.
March 10. The Police Department reports 25,373
arrests in 1878.
April 3. "Work commenced on a new theatre on the
site of the Brooklyn Theatre, burned in 1877.
CONSOLIDATED HISTORY OF BROOKLYN, 1880.
515
May 10. The Atlantic Insurance Company winds
up its affairs.
May 23. Semi-Centennial celebration of the Brook-
lyn Sunday-School Union.
May 24. Burning of the Nassau Mills on Furman
street with a loss of $275,000, and a part of Watson's
Btores ; loss half a million.
May 28. A bust of Thomas Moore was unveiled at
Prospect Park.
June 30. The resolution passed- by the Board of
Aldermen to allow the Kings County Elevated Rail-
way Company to build tracks through certain streets,
including Fulton, having been vetoed by Mayor
Howell, was passed over the veto by 17 Aldermen.
July 7. According to the decision to make the
bridge superstructure of steel, the contract was awarded
to the Edgemoor L-on Company.
August 15. The Registrar of the Board of Health
reports the deaths for 1878 to number 11,075, being at
tte rate of 2.04 in the hundred.
August 24. Death of Hon. Johx Dikeman, ex-Judge
of the County Court, aged 84 years.
Sept. 11. General Jourdan re-appointed President
of the Board of Police and Excise.
Oct. 12. The corner-stone of St. Mary^s IIospitalla,id.
Nov. 29. Death of Rev. Dr. W. I. Buddington,
aged 64 years.
1880. — Jan. 5. Mayor Howell's annual message
states that the assessed valuation of the taxable prop-
erty of the city in 1879 was $232,925,699, an increase
of nearly $3,000,000 over the previous year, which
represents the value of the 1,125 new buildings erected
daring the year. The total debt of the city is $37,-
665,370.
Jan. 26. The shoe shop in the County Penitentiary
fired by a convict and totally consumed.
Feb. 6. Sudden death of ex-Sheriff A. G. Wil-
liams.
April 15. Farewell services in old St. Ann^s C/mrch,
at Washington and Prospect streets, preparatory to its
demolition for the bridge approach.
April 21. The annual report for 1879 of the Police
Department states that the force comprises 635 men ;
that 25,706 arrests were made, being in the proportion
of one to every twenty of the population ; that 448
fires occurred, in which the loss was $698,909.
April 29. Three-score of gentlemen, who have been
residents of Brooklyn for fifty years, met to organize
the "Society of Old Brooklijnites."
May 1. The new wing of the Raymond street jail
completed.
May 15. Governor Cornell signed the bill which re-
organizes the Charities Department of the city, giving
Its control to a commission of three, who are also to
we supervision over the penitentiary.
% 26. The « One Head " bill passed by the Legis-
lature, by the terms of which the triple heads of de-
partments are abolished, and the control given to a
single ofiicial, with power to appoint his subordinates;
a long step in the direction of good municipal govern-
ment.
May 29. Passage of the bill to reorganize the Board
of Elections and make it non-partisan, by securing
members from all political parties.
June 2. Mayor Howell appointed Messrs. J. C.
Perry, H. W. Hunt, W. J. Osborne, D. T. Walden and
A. Treadwell to be Rapid Iransit Commissioners, to
investigate the various schemes proposed for rapid
transit.
June 11. Corner-stone of the new E. D. Hospital
and Dispensary laid.
June 20. Census returns give the population of the
city's twenty-five wards as 554,465.
June 29. The steamer Seawanhaka burned in the
East River, with the loss of a number of lives, among
them Rev. Dr. Dillee, one of the oldest and most be-
loved of the Episcopal clergymen in this city. He was
in his seventieth year; noted for his loving spirit and
his work among the poor. His daughter, who was with
him, was so badly burned that she died a few days
after.
July 2. Opening of the Oxford Club, at 109 Lafay-
ette avenue; A. C. Barnes, President.
August 6. Veto by Mayor Howell of the Elevated
Railroad project from South Ferry to the southern part
of the city.
August 8. Destructive fire on Bushwick Creek, at
Pratt's 0)1 Works, which spread to lumber yards on
Newtown Creek; loss about $300,000.
August 26. Railroad opened between Brooklyn and
Rockaway Beach.
September 21. A decision of the Court of Appeals
ends the "Bond" or Kings County Elevated Road ;
given on the ground that the requisite consent of
property holders was not obtained.
October 4. The assessed valuation of the property
in the city is given as $234,836,491; of the city and
county, $247,021,160.
October 8. Arrangements made to organize a chorus
for the Philharmonic Society.
October 27. Total destruction by fire of the Ansonia
Clock Factory; loss $1,000,000.
November 2. The now building of the Long Island
Historical Society opened for inspection.
November 29. A controlling interest of the Long
Island Railroad sold to Austin Corbin and a syndicate
of Boston capitalists.
December 10. Surf Avenue, at Coney Island, opened
through from Brighton Beach to West Brighton.
December 14. Organization of the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
December 21. First annual dinner of the Neio Eng-
land Society of Brooklyn, at the Assembly Rooms of
the Academy of Music.
516
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
December 26. Great storm, obstructing travel; the
surf doing great damage at Coney Island.
1881 — January 1. The new Charities' Commission
of three members entered upon its office ; the three
being Messrs. Shipman, Henry and Ryan.
Mayor Howell's annual message reports the total city
debt to be $37,602,111; 1,650 new buildings were
erected in 1880.
January 12. Formal presentation, to the trustees, of
the Long Island Historical Society's new building on
Pierrepont and Clinton streets.
February 4. The Police Department reports 26,785
arrests during 1880.
February 18. Work commenced on the superstruc-
ture of the Brooklyn Bridge.
February 23. Mr. George I. Seney donates $200,000,
and sixteen lots of land on Seventh avenue, for a
Brooklyn Hospital.
March 28. The four rapid transit projects on foot
are: 1st, the "BrufI" elevated road, partially con-
structed, but in the hands of a receiver; 2d, that de-
vised by the second commission, with a route through
Adams, Fulton and Myrtle avenues; 3d, the elevated
road from South Ferry, through Atlantic and Fourth
avenues; 4th, an underground railway parallel to Fulton
street.
April 16. Organization of the East River Bridge
and Coney Island Steam Transit Company, to build
an elevated road from the Bridge, through Washing-
ton, Pearl, Willoughby and DeKalb, to Flatbush ave-
nue and the Long Island Railroad depot, thence to
Twentieth street and Culver's depot, with a branch
from Willoughby street to the Bruff road on Park ave.
April 21. The Union Ferry Company secured from
New York city a new lease, paying twelve and a half
per cent, of the gross receipts.
April 24, Death of Hon. Tunis G. Beegen.
May 4. Coffer-dam sunk as a beginning of work on
the projected chain suspension bridge from Seventy-
first street. New York, to Ravenswood.
June 9. The records of the Board of Education
stolen from a safe.
June 12. Destructive fire at the Atlantic Dock
Basin, followed three days later by a disastrous fire at
Pierrepont stores, with loss of life.
June 21. Twenty-third annual convention of the
New York Sportsmen's Association, held at Coney
Island for a week, beginning at this date.
June 30. Death of E. J. Whitlock, President of
the Board of Education.
July 5. The Common Council met and passed reso-
lutions of sympathy with President Garfield in his
struggle to recover from the assassin's bullet.
Aug. 3. Death of Alden J. Spoonee, at Hemp-
stead, L. I.
Aug. 6. George A. Stuart, Secretary of the Board
of Education, arrested, charged with taking $10,000 of
the funds of the Board of Education. Examined and
discharged Aug. 24. Re-arrested Aug. 31 on new-
charge of greater embezzlement.
Sept. 3. New steam road opened from city line to
Middle Village, connecting lines of cars on Bushwick
Myrtle, Greene and Gates avenues, and Halsey street.
Sept. 8. Set apart by Mayor Howell as a day of
special fasting and prayer for the President's recovery.
Sept 12. The flight of ex-Secretary Stuart, of the
Board of Education, reported to the police; and arrest
of his brother-in-law, Alderman Harry 0. Jones, on
complaint of having aided and abetted Stuart in em-
bezzling $15,000.
Sept 20. Entire city in mourning over the death of
President Garfield. No public business transacted.
Many buildings draped in mourning.
Oct. 31. German I/utheran -fibspz to? opened on New
York avenue.
Nov. 8. Seth Lovt elected Mayor of Brooklyn
by a vote of 45,434, over James Howell, who received
40,937 ballots.
Hon, seth LOW.
Mayor Low bears the name of his paternal grand-
father, in his day one of the most honored, public-
spirited and useful citizens of Brooklyn and the County
of Kings, in both of which he held office most accept-
ably. He was universally respected in his public and
private life by men of all parties, and of every phase
of opinion, as a man of sterling Christian principle,
and of the purest and noblest character. The father
of the Mayor is widely and honorably known, as one of
the prominent merchants of New York, the founder and
head of the house of A. A. Low & Brothers, the lead-
ing American house in the China trade, and himself
justly esteemed as a man of large and generous liberality.
Of him, the late Moses Grinnell — another of the mer-
chant princes of our great metropolis — said to the writer
of this article, more than thirty years ago, that he was
even then regarded by his elders in the same trade as
taking the foremost position among them, through
his remarkable foresight, excellent judgment, great
executive ability and spotless integrity — a reputation
which, unchallenged, he has maintained to this hour,
" Our young Mayor "—as it has been the fashion to
call him, from the fact that he was only in his thirty-
second year when first elected to the office in Novem-
ber, 1881— comes, then, of honorable and honored de-
scent. He was born at 165 (now 189) Washington
street, in this city, on the 18th of January, 1860. His
mother, one of the loveliest of her sex in person and
life, a woman of sweetest disposition, winning manners,
large benevolence and Christian faith, survived his
birth but a few days. With her hands devoutly laid
upon his head, she, in almost her last breath, com-
mended him to the blessing of God, and died serenely
on the 25th of the same month.
^
uK iZyW^
GOJSTSOLIBATED HISTORY OF BROOKLYN, 1881.
517
Mr. Low had all the advantages of a good education,
winning in the Juvenile High School, then in Wash-
ington street in charge of Misses Dobbin and Rogers;
thence, in his twelfth year, at the Brooklyn Collegiate
and Polytechnic Institute; entering Columbia College
in the autumn of 1866, and graduating at its commence-
ment in 1870. In every stage of his educational course
lie was signally faithful and industrious. Ambitious to
excel he gained and held the confidence, esteem and
love of his instructors and fellow scholars, and secured
the highest honors of the several institutions in which
he was successively a student, graduating at the head
of his college class.
After graduating, Mr. Low went abroad for a short
trip, and, on his return, entered the mercantile house
of his father as clerk, and, in 1875, became a partner.
Just as faithful, observant and intelligently devoted to
husiness — his training school for active life — as to his
previous studies, he, nevertheless, was early and greatly
interested in whatever bore upon and could promote
the good repute and the truest prosperity of his native
■city. The mal-administration and abuse of the city and
«ounty charities attracted his attention; and he reso-
lutely set himself against that whole system of out-door
relief, which, in the hands of the then Commissioners of
■Charities, had become a sink of corruption. He was
specially active in the inception and establishment of
the Association — now, and more and more favorably
Ttnown, as its efficient and beneficent action is better
understood — the Bureau of Charities. In its plan
and organization Mr. Low, and his friend, Mr. Alfred
T. White, took the leading part. The former was
•chosen its first president, and the latter its first sec-
retary and its second president, when Mr. Low was
elected to the mayoralty. This bureau, it will be
wmembered, has for its object the co-operation of
the various church and private charities in the city;
sustaining a central office, with a salaried superintend-
«nt, to whom reports from all such benevolent bodies
are intended to be made, and a registry kept of all per-
sons or families relieved, at what time, by agents of
which society, in what manner, and to what extent. All
this with the view of confronting and breaking up that
habit of repeating, by which whole families among the
'pauper classes live in idleness and ease, and consequent
vice, on the bounty thus obtained. In the very midst of
Ins energetic efforts in this behalf, and encouraged by
theinterest which the churches and the charitably dis-
posed of all parties and denominations were beginning to
show in the purpose and work of the bureau ; actively en-
gaged, at the same time, in the business of his firm; a
member of the New York Chamber oJf Commerce, serv-
ing the Chamber on important committees, as well as
other associations to which he belonged, Mr. Low was
lominated for the mayoralty. He then avowed, dis-
tinfetly and unequivocally, that, if elected, he should
*arry into the office the determination to administer it
on those " business principles " with which he and his
constituents must be supposed alike familiar, and, as a
non-partisan work. Keeping in view the real needs of
the municipality alone, apart from all State and Na-
tional issues; aiming at civic economy and retrench-
ment; the lessening of taxation; the prompt collection
of the annual levy, in order to prevent, as far as possi-
ble, the accumulation of arrears; and the support and
advance of popular education; he should take to him-
self in good faith the new and greater authority with
which the recent amendments of the City Charter
clothed the office, and hold the single and respective
heads of the several departments of the work of the city
individually responsible — not only for the general ad-
ministration of their department affairs, but for the
character, fitness, good conduct and efficiency of the
subordinates whom they should appoint. How wisely,
judiciously, faithfully and successfully Mr. Low met and
fulfilled the requirements of his high office, its new and
weighty responsibilities, and the pledges he had given,
the record of his first term abundantly shows.
The approval, also, of his administration by a de-
cisive majority of his fellow-citizens and his consequent
re-election in November, 1883, shows conspicuously the
same thing. And this, when no string possible for his
defeat was left unpulled by the party and friends of
the opposing candidate. Doubtless, Mr. Low had found
on first entering on the Mayoralty, in the amendments
of the City Charter already referred to, his great op-
portunity; but, as surely, the fresh, untried, greater
responsibilities of the office. P'or the discharge of
these, he was now to be called publicly to account be-
fore a popular tribunal — the court of his constituency.
He did not for a moment shrink. With prompt re-
sponse to the summons, with striking manliness and
honesty of bearing — a marked and evident character-
istic— with force and directness of speech, obvious to
all, he presented himself at its bar. The trial became,
in its progress, unwontedly heated and exciting. In it,
largely as his own counsel, he took an active, personal,
persistent j)art and in every section of the city, at con-
stantly-recurring public meetings, two or three or more
on the same evening, he showed remarkable tact and
ever-increasing ability for popular address. Not, how-
ever, by any lowering of his personal and becoming
dignity, or sacrifice of self-respect; not by catering to
the tastes of the vulgar; not by playing the role of the
demagogue or the partisan; not by allowing himself
for a moment to turn from the main issue of Municipal
reform, which, throughout his first term of office he
had kept steadily in view, to any outside issues of State
or National policy. But by plain, cogent, logical, ear-
nest, yet unimpassioned argument, on the basis of
clearly marshalled and unquestionable facts; by ap-
peals, not to the fancies or prejudices or weaknesses of
the masses; but to the sober common sense of the people
at large, and their obvious capacity to comprehend the
518
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
direction in which lay their true and common interests
as fellow- citizens — members of one great community —
and the consequent welfare, prosperity and honor of
that community itself; by no assumed, but only natural
courtesy and dignity of manner and speech; holding
fast, and determined, as he declared, still to act upon
the same principles which had governed his administra-
tion in the past as his only promise and pledge for the
future. Thus it was that his various campaign ad-
dresses compelled the close attention and enthusiastic
applause of the crowded audiences he everywhere
drew. The decision was made and the verdict given
at the polls; and Mr. Low has entered on his second
term of office, with the happiest auguries for the great
city which he so honestly and ably serves.
Nov. 18. Sale of East Side Park lands, 294 lots, at
an average of $2,000.
Dec. 6. The Board of Aldermen granted the Bruff
Elevated Railway Company the right to build a road
on Fulton street and Myrtle avenue, which received the
Mayor's veto Dec. IV.
Dec. 16. 14,527 deaths reported during the year to
Nov. 1.
1882. — Jan. 2. Mayor Low's message gives the net
city debt at $38,174,421; the number of new buildings
erected in 1881 to Dec. 1st is 1,887, of the value of
$9,185,000.
Jan. 9. Havemeyer «fe Elder's sugar refinery in First
street, E. D., totally destroyed by fire; loss, $1,500,000;
1,000 men thrown out of employment.
Jan. 10. The report of the Brooklyn Post Office for
1881 shows that the number of pieces handled was as
follows: 9,755,305 letters, 4,610,316 cards and 4,587,-
950 newspapers; the cash receipts of the office were
$751,879.
Jan. 12. Fire Commissioner Worth reports 531 fires
and alarms in 1881, with a loss of $859,284.
Jan. 14. The fifteen Aldermen who voted to over-
ride the Mayor's veto, notwithstanding the injunction,
were fined $250 each, and from ten to thirty days in
jail.
Jan. 23. Death of Major General Silas Casey,
U. S. A., aged 75 years.
Feb. 6. Great fall of snow, impeding all travel; 600
people snowbound and forced to remain all night in the
street cars. Special contract made to clear Fulton
street and Myrtle avenue for $2,050.
Feb. 16. Boiler explosion at Brooklyn Flour Mills,
near Fulton Ferry, with loss of life and severe injuries
to persons and property.
Feb. 21. Fire in the Insane Asylum at Flatbush;
several inmates burned.
March 20. Trial of Alderman Harry O. Jones com-
menced on indictment of fraudulent use of money be-
longing to the Board of Education. His acquittal fol-
lowed May 1.
May 16. Th€ Garfield Home for ConsumptiveB.
opened at 219 Raymond street.
May 18. Death of John Zundel (for many years-
organist in Plymouth Church) in Germany.
May 26. Death of Johk D. Cocks, the founder of
several charitable institutions in the city. Rails laid
on the Seventh Avenue line of railroad.
June 23. The Hamilton Club, an outgrowth of the-
" Hamilton Literary Society," has taken the house, No.
97 Joralemon street.
July 3. The total number of deaths since July 1,.
1881, is 14,538; of births, 10,893; the annual death rat&
was 24.83 per thousand.
July 12. Death of Daniel Maujee, aged 75 years.
Aug. 1. Death of Dr. Albert E. Sumnek, of 130-
Clinton street, a prominent homoeopathic physician.
Sept. 19. Death of Chaeles G. Betts, ex-President
of the Brooklyn City Railroad Co., at the age'of 74.
Sept. 21. Corner-stone of the new Seney Hospital
iaid at Sixth street and Seventh avenue.
Oct. 5. Total valuation of real and personal prop-
erty in Kings county, estimated by clerk of the Board
of Supervisors at $296,312,573, of which $283,738,317
is in Brooklyn, and $12,674,256 in the country towns..
Oct. 11. The number of scholars reported in the
public schools is 64,633.
Oct. 16. The German Evangelical Aid Society laid
the corner-stone of a Home for the Aged on Bushwick
avenue and Fairfax street.
Oct. 23. Home for the Aged die.d.\(iaXeA,zX%ixiemith.
street and Fourth avenue, in charge of the Little Sisters
of the Poor.
Nov. 14. The new building of the Industrial School
for Destitute Children, on Sterling Place, opened for
public inspection.
Nov. 20. The Brooklyn Oil Refinery, at the head
of Manhattan avenue, Greenpoint, burned, with thfr
explosion of two tanks, the destruction of the wharf
and a ship, and the loss of life.
Dec. 1. Death of Hon. Henry C. Muephy, Presi-
dent of the Board of Bridge Trustees, and connected
with many public institutions. (See page 360.)
Dec. 9. Ex-Mayor James Howell appointed Bridge-
Trustee in place of the late Henry C. Murphy.
Dec. 11. 76,064,152 passengers carried by the two-
street railroad companies during the last year.
Dec. 12. The Supreme Court, General Term, de-
cides adversely to the application of the East Biver
Bridge and Coney Island Steam Transit Company,.
which is a serious blow to rapid transit in the city.
Dec. 13. Police Commissioner Jourdanrecommenda
an increase in the force, now comprising 650 men, and
reports 27,858 arrests made during the year to Novem-
ber 30.
Dec. 14. Destructive fire at Bay Ridge, burning
rolling stock and depot of the Manhattan Beach Rail-
road.
FRANCIS B. FISHEE.
OONSOJLlDATED MISTORY OF BROOKLYN, 188S.
5l9'
Dec. 18. New E. D. Dispensary on South Third
street opened.
Dec. 27. The number of buildings erected to Dec.
1st was 1,841, valued at over $8,000,000. The Tree
Planting and Fountain Society organized.
Dec. 28. 16,092 deaths reported for the year, to
Nov. 4, being at the rate of 24.97 in a thousand.
Dec. 29. The Board of Education has expended
$1 184,172, and the cost of educating each pupil is $20.
1883. — Jan. 8. Mayor Low's annual message re-
ports the net debt of the city, Dec. 31, 1882, to be
$37 493,723; 2,376 new buildings were erected in the
city in 1882; twelve million gallons of water were
added to the daily water supply.
Jan. 16. The fourteen street-car lines of Brooklyn
carried 87,714,834 passengers in 1882, an increase of
7,000,000 over 1881.
Jan. 23. Death of Alomzo Crittenden, LL.D.,
President of the Faculty of Packer Collegiate Insti-
tute.
The letter carriers delivered 32,670,001 pieces of
mail matter last year, against 28,551,438 in the year
preceding.
Jan. 29. The Fire Commissioner's report shows
that 531 fires occurred in the city during 1882, involv-
ing a loss of $1,300,000. The Police Commissioner's
report shows a total of 646 officers, or 1 to every 930
of the population. Death of Daniel Chauncey,
President of the Mechanics' Bank; also of Police Jus-
tice Fkanois B. Fisher.
Francis Barton Fisher, late Justice of the Second Dis-
trict Court, Brooklyn. — Mr. Fisher was born in Bolton, Mass.,
August 7, 1832. When he was about two years of age, his
parents removed to Norwich, Chenango county, New York.
There he received a good academical education, and later,
being apprenticed to the printers' trade, he improved his
leisure hours by diligent study. At the age of twenty he
formed a partnership with Col. Thomas L. James (since
Postmaster of New York and Postmaster-General) in the
publication of the Madison County Journal, at Hamilton,
N. Y. Two years later, he was editing the Chenango Tele-
graph, then the leading paper in the county. A year or two
after, he removed to Greene, in the same county, and estab-
lished the Chenango American, which he edited for some
years. In 1861 and 1863, he represented the Second Chenango
District in the Assembly, and won a high reputation there,
as a ready debater, a skillful manager, and an able, upright
legislator. He returned, at the end of the session of 1862, to
his paper; but his Albany experience had made him desirous
of a wider field of action ; and, after a brief residence at
Albany, he came to New York city, in 1865, and established
a printing office there. In 1866, he removed, with his family,
to Brooklyn, and speedily identified himself with its in-
terests, political, financial, and social. In every great
measure for the benefit and improvement of the city, he was
actively, and generally successfully, engaged; but amid all
these struggles, partisan, political, or municipal, he always
kept his hands pure. Yet he possessed extraordinary in-
fluence, both in his party and out of it, in the city and in the
Legislature. There was something so magnetic and winning
in his address and manner, that men yielded to him who had
stoutly resisted all the arguments and persuasions of others.
But this power he would only use in a cause which he be-
lieved to be right. He kept himself free from all the con-
flicts of warring factions, and sought only to elevate his
party (the Republican) to a position of liigh moral principle.
In 1870, he was nominated for the Assembly, but was de-
feated, though leading his ticket, the district being, at that
time, very strongly Democratic.
He was elected Alderman of his Ward (the Twenty-third)
in 1872, and re-elected in 1874 and 1876. During his last
term, he was President of the Board of Aldermen, and for
several months was Acting Mayor. He was an excellent
presiding ofiicer, his rulings being so impartial and clear as
to win the approval of all parties. He was very popular in
his Ward, and accomplished more for the benefit of its in-
habitants than any other Alderman had ever done. The
poor knew him as their fast friend ; and, in time of need,
were sure, not only of his influence and sympathy, but of
his material aid; and every citizen of the Ward was certain
that Alderman Fisher would obtain for them any favor
which it was right for them to receive. During these six
years he was carrying on his own private business, and was
constantly overwhelmed with official labors. Yet he found
time to organize a grand system of i-elief for the families of
the victims of the Brooklyn Theatre fire ; to plan and aid
efficiently several beneficent institutions for the sick and
suffering poor; to plan and superintend the erection of the
Municipal Building, and to write its history.
But, though possessing a powerful infiuence in his party
and in the city, political life had lost its charm for him, and
at the close of his third term as Alderman, he declined a re-
election, and withdrew from active politics.
His health, at this time, was not sound, but with his ab-
stemious habits and his systematic employment of his time,
he managed to accomplish a large amount of hard work.
Though well informed on legal matters generally, he had
never pursued a regular course of legal study with a view
of admission to the bar; but, at this time, he entered zeal-
ously upon the study of law, which he did not abandon,
when he was appointed a Justice of the Police Court, to fill
the unexpired term of Justice Eiley, who had been elected
Sheriff. He held the office for one year, and was nominated
by the Republicans for the next term in that Court, but was
defeated by Justice Courtney. He had, for years, opposed the
elective system, as applied to the lower courts, on the ground
of its tendency to judicial corruption ; the Judges being, in
many cases, elected by the votes of the very men who would
afterwards come before them for trial.
He now drafted a bill for the Legislature of 1880, abolish-
ing an elective city judiciary, and dividing the city into six
districts for judicial purposes, enlarging the jurisdiction of
these district courts somewhat, and providing that the new
justices should be appointed by the Mayor, Comptroller, and
Auditor, when the terms of the sitting justices should ex-
pire. The bill was passed, and one of the justiceships, that
of the Second District Court, was awarded to him. He
entered upon his office in May, 1881. His duties were ad-
mirably performed, and, while he was firm in punishing
crime, his heart went out to those, who, from youth or ig-
norance, had been led into evil deeds, and he zealously advo-
cated and aided the efforts for the establishment of a
reformatory for these classes. That he might promote these
objects more eif ectually, and be better qualified for the exer-
cise of his judicial functions, he continued his legal studies,
even with failing health, and was finally admitted to the bar
in December, 1882.
Soon after his appointment as Justice, he became con-
520
HISTORY OP KINGS COtTJSTTT.
scious of waning physical powers ; but it was not until the
summer of 1883, that he was convinced that albuminuria —
that formidable and fatal disease of our time — had made
such inroads upon his constitution as to preclude all hope of
recovery. He struggled on bravely, however, taking his
place regularly, at Court, till December, although undei the
pressure of severe pain, and with fast failing vision.
His death occurred January 88, 1883, after weeks of great
suffering, borne with Christian fortitude and resignation.
In all the relations of life, whether political, social, or do-
mestic. Judge Fisher was eminently a man of strict integrity,
of great purity of character, and genial, tender and loving
in his nature. A born leader, he wielded a wider influence
than most men in much higher positions, and it was, in all
cases, a beneficent influence. His hands were unstained by
bribes, and his life unmarred by treachery or devices of low
cunning. He was a manly man, and, though decided in his
party views and action, he won the hearty esteem and re-
spect of those who were politically opposed to him.
Feb. 9. Frederick S. Massey appointed Police Jus-
tice in place of Judge Fisher, deceased.
Feb. 15. The total number of steamers and other
vessels at Brooklyn wharves during the year 1882, esti-
mated at 7,379, showing a considerable falling off from
previous years.
March 21. The annual report of the Greenioood
Cemetery Association, shows the total number of lots
sold to be 24,114 ; of interments to date, 216,799 ; the
general fund for improvement is $841,704.
March 28. The Brooklyn City Railroad Company
bought, for $90,000, the plot of ground, covered by
four stores, on the northeast corner of Sands and Ful-
ton streets, for the purpose of a stand for their cars
at the bridge terminus.
April 4. The Xew York and Sea Beach Railroad
sold for $275,000 to J. J. Carrolan and Frederick K
Witt. The Board of Elections provides for 203 elec-
tion districts, being 1 to each 500 voters. A proposi-
tion made to extend Flatbush avenue in a straight line
to the Bridge, which was approved by Mayor Low, on
condition that security should be given to reimburse
property owners for damages, and that a yearly rental
of at least $120,000 should be paid to the city.
April 9. Death of Rev. A. H. Paeteidgb, aged
75, for over 30 years rector of Christ's Church.
27,610 arrests made last year.
April 17. Schedule of tolls on the Brooklyn Bridge
fixed at the following rates: One horse and man, 5
cents ; horse and vehicle, 10 cents ; two horses and
vehicle, except trucks, 20 cents; trucks and horses, 30
cents ; neat cattle, 5 cents ; sheep and hogs, 2 cents ;
foot passengers, free; passengers in cars, 5 cents.
May 15. Total cost of the East River Bridge re-
ported to the Board of Trustees to be $14,627,379.69.
The trustees decide to change the schedule of fares
over the Bridge, by charging 1 cent each for foot pas-
sengers and 20 cents for two horses, and vehicles of all
kinds.
May 21. The Sprague National Bank organized.
May 24. Opening of the East River Bridge. Public
exercises in the building at the Brooklyn terminus.
Presentation by Hon. William C. Kingsley of the
Board of Trustees. Acceptance by Mayor Edson for
New York, and by Mayor Low for Brooklyn. Orations
by Abram S. Hewitt and Rev. Dr. Storrs.
May 28. Amendment of the city charter, by which
Aldermen serve without pay.
May 30. Memorial Day observed. Panic on the
Brooklyn Bridge, by which twelve lives were lost and
thirty persons injured.
June 11. Sudden death of Lieut.-Colonel Charles
ScHUEiG, Deputy Collector of Internal Revenues.
Austin Corbin asked permission of the Board of Alder-
men for leave to construct an elevated railroad, from
Flatbush avenue to the Bridge.
June 15. Lain^s Brooklyn Directory for 1883-'4
contains 152,280 names, an increase of 9,959.
June 25. Public meeting in the Academy of Music
in honor of the seventieth birthday of Henry Ward
Beecher.
July 19. Destructive fire at Harbeck's stores; loss,
$300,000; two workmen drowned and a number of fire-
men injured.
July 26. The Internal Revenue receipts from the
Brooklyn district amounted to $2,802,941.
August 28. The South Brooklyn Oil Company's
works burned; loss $100,000; four men injured.
Sept. 5. First experimental journey with the Bridge
cars; time, 13 minutes for the round trip.
Sept. 12. The Grocers' Retail Protective Associa-
tion confer with the city authorities concerning a
Public Market at the Wallabout.
Sept. 24. Death of C. C. Mudge, aged 77 years,
well known for his long and arduous labors in the
Bible and Tract cause in Brooklyn. The Bridge cars
first run for the use of the public.
Oct. 11. The corner stone of the J^lth Regiment
Armory laid, in Marcy avenue, between Lynch and
Hayward Streets.
Nov. 6. Mayor Seth Low re-elected by a vote of
49,554, over Joseph C. Hendrix, 48,006.
Dec. 25. Snow fell to a depth of 18 inches.
A special meeting of the Common Council was held
to-day, for the purpose of taking action on the report
of the Railroad Committee in regard to the granting
of a franchise to the Kings County Elevated Railroad
Company. By the resolutions adopted, Washington
street, between Fulton and Sands streets, were ex-
cluded. The work must be begun by September 1,
1884, and be in operation two years thereafter. The
company is to pay 2 per cent, of its gross receipts to
the city after the road has been in operation five years;
and, to protect the city from any damage that may
arise, it is to deposit $1,000,000 worth of its first mort-
gage bonds in some Brooklyn or New York trust com-
pany.
/^^^^^^^^^^^
MOGRAPRlt OF JAMES TANN'ER.
521
Mb. James Tanner, widely known as"" Corporal" Tanner,
was born at Eichmondville, Schoharie county, N. Y., April
4th 1844. His early life was spent on a farm, and his edu-
cational privileges were those of the district school. While a
mere boy he taught in an adjoining district, manifesting the
thoroughness and force of will that have since characterized
him and proving to anxious friends that he was fully com-
petent for the work. After a few months' experience as
teacher, at the outbreak of the war, although not yet eighteen,
he enlisted as private in Company 0, 87th New York Volun-
teers. He was soon made corporal, with assurance of further
promotion, had not a terrible disaster befallen him. His
regiment was hurried to the front, and, with Kearney's Di-
vision, participated in the Peninsular campaign, and the
battles of WiUiamsburg, Fair Oaks, the siege of Yorktown,
the seven days' fight before Eichmond, and at Malvern
HiU.
After leaving the Peninsula, the 87th fought at Warren-
town, Bristow Station, and Manassas Junction.
Corporal Tanner served with his regiment through all the
engagements, until wounded at the second battle of Bull
Run. There the 87th held the extreme right of our line,
with Stonewall Jackson's corps in front. During a terrific
shelling from the enemy, the men were lying down, when a
fragment from a bursting shell completely severed the cor-
poral's right leg at the ankle, and shattered the left so badly
as to make amputation necessary.
Carried from the field, he lost consciousness, and on re-
covering, found that the surgeons had amputated both legs,
four inches below the knee. Meanwhile the Union lines had
been broken and the army was in full retreat. The cor-
poral's comrades were forced to leave him at a farm house,
where the rebel army, in close pursuit, soon made him prisoner
with the other wounded. Paroled after ten days, he was
taken to Fairfax Seminary Hospital; then commenced his long
struggle for life, with all the odds against him — but a good
constitution and a determination to live, brought him through
the doubtful days. Through all his suffering his courage
never left him, and when he began to improve, his first
thought was, "what can I do, thus crippled, to hold my
place among men?" His manhood and ambition could not
brook the thought that he must take an inferior place because
of his misfortune. After treatment in the hospital, and re-
cuperation at his old home in Schoharie county, he was able
to walk about on artificial limbs. He was appointed deputy-
doorkeeper in the Assembly, and subsequently held various
positions under the Legislature, which he filled with great
credit. He then accepted a clerkship in the War Depart-
ment, under Secretary Stanton. On the night of President
Lincoln's assassination he was employed to take notes of the
first official evidence, and then stood by the dying bed of the
President. In 1866 he returned to Schoharie county, and
studied law with Judge William C. Lamont. The same year
he married a daughter of Alfred C. White, of JefiEerson, N.
Y., and they now have four beautiful children, two daugh-
ters and two sons. He was admitted to the bar in 1869.
Soon after, he was appointed to a place in the New York
Custom House, and removed to Brooklyn. On competitive
examination he rose to the position of Deputy Collector, and
served four years under Gen. Chester A. Arthur. He was
the Republican nominee for Assembly in 1871, in the Fourth
Kings county district, but was cfiunted out in the election
frauds of that year. Nominated for Register by the Repub-
hoans in 1876, when tbe Democratic county majority was
nineteen thousand, he was defeated by less than two
thousand.
Connected with the Grand Army of the Republic since its
early days, no man is better known to enjoy the esteem and
confidence of his comrades in greater degree than Corporal
Tanner. They know him to be a trustworthy leader, a man
of sound judgment, ripe experience and true heart. It was but
natural, therefore, that in 1876 they elected him Commander
of the Grand Army in the Department of New York. He as-
sumed command at a time when discouragement and disap-
pointment pervaded the organization, growing out of the
neglect of the State of New York to provide for her helpless
and homeless disabled veterans. Public sentiment was not
yet aroused. Appeals had been made to private charity and
to the Legislature, but in vain. Repeated failures had en-
gendered prejudice and opposition to the project. The out-
look was discouraging, the task herculean, to combat apathy,
and rouse dormant public opinion. The veterans themselves,
stung by the ingratitude of those for whom they had suffered,
began to despair. At this juncture. Commander Tanner
threw himself heart and soul into the work, a born leader,
thoroughly qualified. Having been a sufferer, he felt the
sufferings of others ; intellectually a giant, he set forth in
glowing words the veterans' needs, the debt of gratitude due
from the State to her maimed defenders, and the shame of
disgracing them to the condition of alms-house paupers. Call-
ing to his assistance that true patriot, Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher, the good work was inaugurated by a mass meeting
in Brooklyn, when .fl3,000 were subscribed. Mr. Tanner
traversed the State from end to end, making appeals, public
and private, to the people. Undaunted by obstacles, he fired
the hearts of patriotic and benevolent men, so that at last a
flood of petitions poured in upon the Legislature and tardy
justice was meted out. The magnificent " Soldiers' Home "
was erected near Bath, Steuben county, where six hundred
disabled, homeless veterans can find the repose and comforts
of a home, truly a " monument, more durable than bronze, "
to Commander Tanner for his zealous efforts and self-sacrific-
ing labors in behalf of justice and charity. His good works
for the old soldiers did not end here. When the bill for the
increase of pensions was pending in Congress, Mr. Tanner
appeared before the Senate Committee several time-i, appeal-
ing powerfully and with success to the justice and honor of
the nation for the better support of those men whose very
disabilities came from their loyalty and patriotism.
In November, 1877, Mr. Tanner was appointed Collector of
Taxes for the city of Brooklyn, which office he has since held,
through Democratic and Republican administration alike,
with universal acceptance. He instituted many reforms in
the office, reducing expenses one-half, and extending greater
faoihties to the tax-payers. The most perfect system pre-
vails, and a saving to the city of a large amount has been ef-
fected.
He possesses the confidence of the Republican voters of all
classes, and his election to the chair of the Republican Gen-
eral Committee of Brooklyn resulted in harmony and good
feeling. As a public speaker he has few superiors, being elo-
quent, logical and witty. In debate he is always self-pos-
sessed and meets opponents boldly, having the "courage of
his convictions." Genial, social manners make him a favor-
ite among a large circle of acquaintances, while his talents
and sterling manhood are esteemed universally.
By nature he is a positive, outspoken man, obedient to his
convictions of right without regard to expediency or popu-
larity ; such a man is sure in the end to have the confidence,
respect and support of his fellows. With an abiding faith in
the final triumph of the right in all questions, he has learned
to labor and to wait. Being yet a young man, there is doubt-
less a brilliant future before him, if his life and health are
spared.
THE BROOKLYN OF TO-DAY,
1883.
By
^f./f%^'^<i^'iL.^^<^9^2h
THE BROOKLYN of 1833— j"8t fifty years
ago — stands before us, in picture and descrip-
tion, in modest village attire, not yet having
donned the holiday robes which became hers
when she entered, a year later, into the sisterhood of
cities of our Atlantic coast. It is easy to describe the
fair, but not in any sense magnificent, town of that day,
for there are ample materials at hand for such a piece
of word-painting, and only a position from which a
bird's-eye view could be obtained is necessary. "We
believe the United States Hotel, at Fulton, Pearl and
Water streets, New York, was erected just before that
time, and its observatory, with a good glass, on a fine
day, would have afforded the necessary "coign of van-
tage."
The village, so soon to become a city, would have
presented itself to our eyes, could we have looked at it
from this elevation, in 1833, as a thriving town situated
mostly on the western slope of the hill rising from the
East River; and, below Pulton Ferry, having a shore
line much like those of the bluflis along the Mississippi
and Missouri Rivers, with a narrow sandy beach at the
foot of the bluffs. The buildings, on Fulton and Main
streets, and the other streets ascending the hill, were
moderately dense till the summit of the hill was reached;
from this a plain extended eastward about a mile, but
the buildings on it were scattered, and though there
were some good residences, and one or two churches,
the eastern portion was yet farming land. Northward
and southward, a few short wharves, for the conve-
nience of sailing vessels of small size, existed; but no
great warehouses lifted their heads along or below the
bluffs. The buildings of the town seemed generally
unpretentious. There were visible ten or twelve towers
or steeples, mostly crowning wooden edifices, which
indicated houses of worship; but no "spire pointing
Heavenward " gave token of the presence of a church
which could compete in architectural beauty with
many of those which so adorned the great city across
the water.
Near the crest of the hill, there were a few dwellings
isolated from each other, of greater size and finer ar-
chitecture than the average houses of the town. These
were the country seats of New York merchants or ship,
masters, and served to give dignity to Brooklyn as a
suburb of New York. The town was mainly made up
of dwellings; there were many of these yccupied by
people of moderate means, whose daily business was in
New York. There were a considerable number of
grocery stores, bakeries, butcher's shops and the like,
and a few stores for the sale of dry goods and "yankee
notions," one or two carpet and hardware stores; but
the shopping was mostly done in New York. There
were, even at this early time, a few manufactories. The
production of ropes and cordage seems to have been
rather a favorite pursuit, for there were at least five
rope-walks in existence between York street and Gold
street. There were two, and possibly three, hat factor-
ies; cabinet shops, which actually made the wares they
sold, were considerably numerous; and some of the
blacksmith's shops had extended their business to the
minor products of the machine shops. The production
of the coarser wares of the potter, and the making of
green or smoky glass for bottles, etc., had been carried
on for some years. The grist-mills, though not large,
did a considerable business. There were also distilleries
and ale breweries here, and one or two printing offices.
There may have been a few other manufactories, but, if
so, they were on a small scale.
The traffic on the river bank was mostly with fishing
smacks and boats, which brought their catches for sale
to the inhabitants; with coasters and trading brigs,
schooners and sloops, which carried away the ropes,
liquors, glass, etc., made here, and brought melons, ap-
ples and other fruits, hemp, grain, salt, household goods
and stores, pork and beef, etc., etc.
Our observer, from the hotel observatory, would have
been able to descry, by the aid of a good glass, a con-
siderable settlement at the north-east, along the shores
of Wallabout Bay, the nucleus of the later City of Wil-
THE BROOKLYN OF TO-DAY, 188S.
523
liamsburgh. There he would have seen some tall
chimneys, the forerunners of the thousand manufacto-
ries of that busy hive at the present time. Turning his
glass eastward, a hamlet of some size, but surrounded
by fertile farms, would next attract his attention. This
was Bedford, a village through which ran two or three
farm roads, and which is now the centre of the popu-
lous Ninth and Twenty-third Wards, and is traversed
by Bedford Avenue, one of the finest drives in the
city.
The observer of to-day would require a higher posi-
tion than the observatory of the United States Hotel,
to obtain a view of the entire city. A balloon, elevated
about two hundred and fifty feet above the Bridge
tower or at the same elevation above the Prospect
Park Observatory, with a powerful field-glass, on a
clear bright day, might enable him to take a bird's-eye
view of the greater part of the city; but, for the entire
water front, his best point of observation would be the
top of the New York tower of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Let us begin our description with this immense
waterfront. Prom the boundary line of Bay Ridge on
the south, to Hunter's Point on the north, a distance in
a line along the course of the river of thirteen miles
(and taking the bays, basins, and sinuosities of the shore
line, of at least twice that distance), the piers, docks,
wharves and ships, and the street fronting the East
River, are a continuous line of warehouses and manu-
factories; many of them from six to ten stories in
height. Below the Bridge, for a distance of about six
miles, the storage warehouses predominate, with, at
rare intervals, great foundries and mechanic works; and,
on Gowanus Bay, Creek, and Canal, extensive lumber
and coal yards. These storage warehouses number
hundreds of buildings, some two-story sheds of iron,
brick, or frame, but the greater part, large and massive
warehouses, five or six stories in height. Twelve of the
largest are for the storage of grain, and one of these,
said to be the largest single store-house in the world, —
Davis' Stores,— attracts the attention of our observer
on the New York tower — all around it are vessels,
loading or unloading. Its giant elevators can suck up
and deposit in bins the cargoes of grain of a half dozen
vessels in an hour, and on the other side European ves-
sels can be loaded as quickly. From this immense store-
house, fifteen million bushels of grain were shipped
last year, and yet scarcely one-half of its ultimate
capacity was reached. The grain receipts and ship-
ments from the Brooklyn grain warehouses and eleva-
tors constitute seventy-five per cent, of all the grain
handled in the port of New York. But the value of
the grain is but a trifle compared to that of the miscel-
laneous merchandise received in, and shipped from, these
hundreds of warehouses. New York city lacks store-
room along her wharves and piers, for all the goods
she receives from abroad, or all the products of her
agricultural and manufacturing industry which she
wishes to distribute to other lands; while Brooklyn can
receive and ship them all. It follows, therefore, that
all the more bulky goods, and many of those of less
compass, but higher value, come directly to the Brook-
lyn warehouses. It is estimated that over sixty per
cent, in value, and more than seventy-five per cent, of
the bulk, of these imports and exports, are handled in
Brooklyn. Of these, one house, with its fifty or sixty
warehouses, handles in a single year $105,000,000, and
another about $53,000,000. Above the Bridge, there
are a very few of the warehouses, like the Tobacco In-
spection, Flour Inspection, etc., etc., but along a coast
line of more than ten miles almost the whole extent is
occupied with manufactories, except the space devoted
to the United States Navy Yard. Time would fail us
to enumerate a tithe of all these varied manufactures.
Here are works of enormous extent for the production
of presses, dies, and other machines for drawing and
stamping metals cold; spice and coffee works of great
size; white lead, colors, and mixed paints and varnishes;
each establishment employing many hundreds of men;
locomotive and stationary engine works, extensive ship
yards, etc., etc. ; but the two greatest industries of the
river fronts are sugar refining, and the refining of
petroleum products. The former occupy immense
manufactories, eight and ten stories in height, and
covering many acres of ground. Their products exceed
a hundred millions of dollars annually; the latter,
petroleum refining, occupy tracts which, look like whole
villages, and notwithstanding occasional fires, manage
to keep possession of much water front. Their pro-
ducts do not vary greatly from twenty million dollars.
While these are legitimately manufactures, they yet
contribute also largely to our commerce, since their
products are sent to every part of the globe. A care-
ful estimate of the Foreign and Internal commerce of
our water front places its entire annual amount at a
little more than five hundred million dollars.
But it is high time for our observer to transfer him-
self to the balloon rising from the Prospect Park
Observatory; for, he has not yet begun to see the
extent or industries of Brooklyn. ,Let him then ex-
tend his glass to its farthest scope of vision, and direct-
ing it northward, he will see, about eight miles distant,
a water line looking like a thread of silver flowing
from East to West, and finally discharging into our
great estuary, the East River. This is Newtown Creek,
our northern boundary. From this point southward,
for more than three miles, and for at least a mile and a
half back from the river front, lies the populous dis-
trict known as Greenpoint, the smoke of hundreds of
whose tall chimnies vex and befog the clear air. This
is the largest of several manufacturing quarters in
Brooklyn, and the magnitude and variety of its pro-
ducts is almost beyond conception. Eighteen of the
twenty glass works of the city are in this section. All
the porcelain and pottery works, most of the brass
524
HISTORY OB KINGS COUNTY.
foundries, more than half of the iron foundries, the
greater part of the breweries, the book, and drug manu-
factures, the wholesale furniture trade, saw and files,
ropes and cordage, glue, and a thousand other things,
are sent out from this busy hive, to supply the world.
There are a considerable number of church spires scat-
tered over this large district, but the Greenpoint people,
as a rule, are not greatly given to attendance on reli-
gious exercises. Farther south, and occupying a belt
of perhaps a half mile in width from Flushing to De
Kalb avenues, and west to the river, is another manu-
facturing district, not as extensive as the preceding
but containing many factories. As the river is ap-
proached, the number of factories greatly increases, and
in Plymouth, Water, and Front streets, they occupy
nearly the whole of every block. The hat, leather,
rope and twine, paint, iron and furniture manufactures,
as also many others, occupy this region. Next south of
this is the best portion of Brooklyn, extending from
DeKalb to Bergen or Butler streets, and from Colum-
bia Heights to Lewis or Reid avenues. This is the
region of homes, of fine residences, elegant churches,
and fine public buildings. The stately mansions of
the Heights, and the Hill, and the comfortable and
often delightful residences of the middle class, pre-
dominate, while there are few tenement houses; and,
except one or two tracts, now of small extent, no hovels
of squatters. Most of the many elegant church edifices
of the city are within these limits, the grand and
stately church of the Holy Trinity, the Catholic Cathe-
dral, not yet finished, St. Ann's, the Tabernacle, the
Church of the Pilgrims, the Lafayette Avenue and the
Classon Avenue Presbyterian Churches, the Pierrepont
Street and Washington Avenue Baptist, the Simpson,
Seventh Avenue and Nostrand Avenue Methodist,
the Central and Tompkins Avenue Congregational
Churches, the Clermont Avenue and East Reformed
Churches, and the Church on the Heights ; the Church
of Our Saviour, and Unity Church, and two or three
Catholic churches of fine architectural appearance.
This region, too, includes all of the best public build-
ings and institutions. Here are the City EEall, not yet
dream^ed of fifty years ago; the County Court-House,
the Municipal Building, — not yet, we are sorry to say —
the Federal Building so long promised — the Academy
of Music, Music Hall, -and four or five theatres, the
Academy of Design, the Brooklyn Library; and the
Historical Society's building, five large Hospitals, three
Homes or Asylums for the aged, two or thi-ee Orphan
Asylums and many other benevolent institutions; the
Packer Collegiate Institute, the Polytechnic Institute,
The Adelphi Academy and St. John's College, as well
as many other schools of a high order. Within these
limits are also our finest business houses, such as the
Continental, Atlantic and Phcenix Insurance buildings,
the Garfield, the Dime Savings Bank building, the St.
Ann's Building, Hamilton Buildings, Atheneum, etc.,
etc. South of this region is what is generally known
as South Brooklyn, with Prospect Park and its two fine
Boulevards, the Eastern and the Ocean Parkway
Greenwood Cemetery, that beautiful city of the dead-
and on its south-western and western portions, another
manufacturing district, only less in extent than that of
Greenpoint, and furnishing employment to many thou-
sands of men. Here are the great Steam Pumping En-
gine works, whose fame is in all the world; the largest
wall paper factory in the United States; foundries
whose products find a market in all climes, and Brass
and Coppersmiths, whose work has a national reputa-
tion. Here too, are those great Basins, the Erie and
Atlantic, where so large an amount of shipping finds
shelter in winter. The piers of six Ocean steamship
lines, and those vast warehouses of which we have al-
ready spoken, filled to repletion with the products of
all climes, brought by thousands of ships, whose lading
and unlading, furnishes employment to other thousands
of sturdy laborers. In the eastern part of this district
as well as of those farther north, where the numerous
railways do not obstruct the growth of the city, build-
ing goes on unceasingly. Block after block of fine
residences of brick, of brownstone, and of the paler
sandstones, is reared with a rapidity which renews the
dream of Alladin's lamp. " From whence will come the
people to inhabit these dwellings ?" inquires our ob-
server in dismay. But lo ! the words are hardly uttered,
before he sees in long procession, the heavily laden
vans which bring the furniture for the new comers who
are to dwell there.
But it is time for the observer to descend from his
lofty eyrie; he has viewed the topography of the great
city, has been an eye witness of its marvellous growth,
and has heard the whisper of its guardian genii, that
this is the home of seven hundred thousand souls. It
now remains for him to gather other facts in regard to
the great city, which are not patent to his unassisted
vision.
The increase in population from about 30,000 to 700,-
000 in these fifty years that have passed since 18S3,
has demanded great expenditures in all directions, both
private and public, and the greater part of these expen-
ditures have been thrown into the last twenty-five years.
There was no City Hall fifty years ago, and only the
foundation for one forty-seven years ago. The County
buildings have been erected within twenty-five years;
the Municipal building, and the enlarged Jail, within
ten. The inhabitants were supplied with water, by
numerous pumps and wells, and to a limited extent by
the Nassau Water Works, which brought the water in
wooden pipes from the higher lands, on Ocean and
Clover Hills. The Bidgewood Water Works were begun
in 1856, but were not operated till 1858. It now has
three large reservoirs, and about 353 miles of water
mains laid, and has connections with about 80,000
buildings. The debt for the water-works, originally
THE BROOKLYN OF TO-BAY, 1883.
525
111,664,507, has been reduced to $9,830,500 by pay-
ments from the siriking fund, and will eveutually be
extinguished by the surplus from the water revenues.
There was no sewerage system fifty years ago ; the
houses were all drained into cesspools. Now, the
sewerage system extends over the whole city, and
effects a complete drainage. This expenditure, amount-
ing to many millions of dollars, has been paid by
Fifty years ago, the streets were generally ungraded
andunpaved; now there are 546.29 miles of streets, of
which 331.17 miles are graded and paved, and 177.50
graded, but not paved. There has been a great va-
riety in the kinds of pavement, as cobble-stone, of
which there are 288.42 miles, granite, the Belgian
block pavement, the Scrimshaw, asphalt, Tilford and
Tcood-block pavements. All matters relating to water,
sewerage, and paving the streets, are now under the
control of the Commissioners of City Works.
The Prospect Park was commenced in 1862, and its
completion has cost $9,236,000. It contains 562 acres,
and ils lakes, drives and rambles, and its fine groves
and varied surface are full of beauty, surpassing many
parks of greater extent. Other and smaller parks
have been put in order, and add greatly to the health-
fulness and attractiveness of the city.
The Green- Wood Cemetery, though not a city enter-
prise, is so far identified with the Brooklyn of to-day
that it cannot be omitted from our record. It was
founded in 1838 — forty-five years ago — and now con-
tains about 600 acres ; to January, 1883, there had
been216,799 interments; its receipts are about $260,000
a year, and while large expenditures have been made to
beautify its entrances, and to make its whole area at-
tractive and worthy of the fine monuments which adorn
it, a fund of nearly a million dollars has accumulated
for its permanent maintenance. There are six other
cemeteries adjacent to the city.
The East River, or as it is now generally called, "the
Broohlyn Bridge," is another of the great undertakings
of the city. Of this colossal enterprise, Brooklyn has
borne two-thirds of the cost, her share amounting to
111,523,333, and she will, we believe, reap an equal
share of the benefit.
The Union Ferry Company, the other principal
means of communicating with New York, dates only
from 1 844, less than forty years ago, though there had
heen steam ferriage after a fashion since 1819, and a
tolerably efficient line since 1833. The Union Ferry
Company runs five ferry lines. Other ferries have
been established since 1860. The Union Ferry Com-
pany carry on all their lines 100,000,000 passengers
annually.
The paid Fire Bepartment, with its steam fire-
engines, its finely-trained corps of firemen, its complete
telegraph and telephone arrangement, has been another
of the city's large investments, necessitated by its
growth, and one which does it high honor. The annual
expense of this department is about $363,500, aside
from the original investment.
The Police and Excise Bepartment is another of the
additions to the safeguards thrown around the city for
its protection, and another item — a very large one — of
its annual expenditure. The necessity of a large police
force in a city of such extensive area as Brooklyn, is
self-evident, and so rapid is the city's growth, that it is
difficult to keep pace with it, in the multiplication of
the city's guardians. The force, which is excellently
managed by its efficient commissioner, now consists of
about 700 men in all, including the officers, roundsmen,
patrolmen, and men detailed to special duty. The ex-
pense of the force somewhat exceeds $800,000. There
is a police pension fund from which payments are annu-
ally made to disabled policemen, and the families of
policemen deceased in the service, averaging about
$29,000.
The Excise Bepartment superintends the granting,
renewing and revoking licenses for the sale of spirituous
liquors in the city. Its receipts are not far from $210-
000, and this sum, after deducting the necessary ex-
penses of the office, etc., is distributed among the
public charities of the city.
The thorough organization of the public schools is
another item of Brooklyn's growth and advancement.
The present number of children of school-age in
Brooklyn now exceeds 200,000. Of these, about 112,-
000 attend the schools some part of the year. There
are between 60 and 70 public schools, and the number
of teachers is between 1,300 and 1,400. The annual
expenditure for the support of schools exceed one
million dollars. The schools -are generally of a high
character.
The private and endowed schools of the city are
numerous and of great merit. We can only specify
the Packer Collegiate Institute, the Brooklyn Female
Seminary, the Athenaeum Female Seminary, the Nassau
Institute, the Clinton Avenue Institute, the Christiansen
Institute, the Misses Brackett's, Madame Stamm's and
Madame Giraud's schools for girls, the Polytechnic, the
Adelphi Academy, Lockwood's, the Juvenile High
School, the Adelphi Institute, Wells', Hart's, Greene's,
Chadwick & Pye's, and the St. Francis and St. John's
Colleges for boys (some of these admit both sexes);
and the commercial colleges, of which three, Bryant &
Stratton's, Browne's and Kissick's, are best known.
There is also a medical college of high order.
Intimately connected with the cause of education
are the great libraries of the city, of which only one,
the Brooklyn Institute Library for youths, has existed
more than twenty-five years. The Brooklyn Library,
now numbering over 70,000 volumes, and a large and
valuable suite of reading-rooms, is destined to a very
much more rapid growth in the future. It has, at the
present time, the best selected collection of books, and
526
HISTORY OF KllSrOS COUNTY.
the most admirable catalogue, to be found in any library
in the United States. It was founded in 1858.
The Long Island Historical Society, founded in 1863,
has a very large collection of historical and pj-ofessional
works, and a fine museum of natural history. It is not
a lending library.
The Young Men's Christian Association, a most vig-
orous and useful organization, is just entering upon a
new era in its history. Its new and commodious build-
ing, and its ample endowment, its courses of secular
instruction, and its library, to be rapidly increased,
make it one of our institutions of which every citizen
of Brooklyn has a right to be proud. The Union for
Christian Work is another admirable organization
which has accomplished a great amount of charitable
work, .besides its promotion of intelligent culture. It
has a small but excellent library. The Law Library
and the Medical Library are also collections of great
value.
Of our benevolent and charitable organizations, we
have Jhardly room to speak as they deserve, but else-
where in this volume we shall try to do them justice.
There are thirteen hospitals, twenty dispensaries,
twenty-five homes for the aged, indigent, children, the
feeble and incurables, besides those for inebriates, for
the opium habit, for nervous and mental diseases, and
for deaf mutes ; four nurseries, six orphan asylums,
three convents, and houses for the care and reformation
of the morally endangered, one truants' home, and six-
teen relief and benefit associations, aside from those
connected with the secret orders.
Brooklyn has been called the City of Churches.
With its rapidly growing population, it perhaps does
not so fully deserve that title now as it did in former
years, but it has two hundred and eighty churches and
missions, and each year adds to the number. The
average number of sittings in these would not probably
exceed five hundred, but in some of them, especially
the Roman Catholic churches, the congregations are not
identical at the different services. The number of
churches is not sufiicient for so great a population, and
it is to be feared that the number who do not, at any
time, attend public worship, is increasing with con-
siderable rapidity.
Our city government is now well administered, and
there is less fraud, corruption and self-seeking among
those who hold office, than in any other city within our
knowledge.
We close this rapid view of the " Brooklyn of To-
Day," with the acknowledgment that our city is very
far from being perfect, but with the belief, that, under
the disabilities of the past, always overshadowed by
the greater city across the river, it has, in all respects,
acquitted itself as well as any city in the land ; and
with the hope, that with its present or on-coming
facilities for furnishing food, clothing and shelter to
the hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, who are
soon to make their homes among us, it may speedily
grow up to a far greater industry, a wider commerce
a vaster wealth, a higher culture, a purer public policy',
and a more exalted moral status than any American
city now occupies.
We cannot better close this bird's eye view of Brook-
lyn's growth and prosperity than by quoting the ring-
ing and prophetic words of a speech delivered at the
Annual Banquet, May, 1883, of the New York Chamber
of Commerce by the Hon. J. S. T. STEAN4HA]sr, of
Brooklyn :
"I do not know, Mr. Chairman, whether you have heard
of it or not; yet I may as well say that the people of Brook-
lyn have an idea in regard to this bridge which is quite sure
to reveal itself at no distant period. Brooklyn, as you are
aware, is by the East River isolated from the main land. The
people of that city hope that the bridge will remove this iso-
lation, and put them in direct railway communication, not
only with New York city, but with all parts of the country.
This will greatly serve their convenience and promote their
prosperity. New York certainly will not object, and will not
be the loser. If a bridge over the Harlem River connects
New York with the main land, why should not a bridge over
the East River perform a similar service in behalf of Brook-
lyn and Long Island? Brooklyn believes in utilizing the
bridge to this end; and, fortunately, the end can be gained
without any serious disturbance of existing conditions in the
city of New York.
"The Second Avenue Elevated Railway has, between the
Harlem River and Twenty-third street, sufficient width for
four tracks; and, between this street and tUe New York ter-
minus of the bridge, for three tracks; and it is, withal, so
strongly built as to make it entirely possible to utihze it to
the full extent of giving to Brooklyn, and the system of rail-
roads on Long Island an outlet through the Hudson River
and New Haven roads to all parts of the country. This view
contemplates no public or private concessions on the part of
the city of New York. It rests simply upon that business
theory which so strongly marks the great trunk lines of the
country, and to which the Hudson River and New Haven
roads are no strangers. Though Brooklyn does not expect to
rival the commercial grandeur of the greater city, she does
expect in this way to be put in rapid and easy connection
with the outside world, and, by her extended water-front, by
her capability of indefinite territorial expansion, and by her
numerous attractions as a place of residence, to maintain,
at the least, her past record in the growth of population and
wealth.
" Mr. Chairman, Brooklyn has anoi/ier idea, and has long
had it, the accomplishment of which she hopes will be facil-
itated by this bridge. The Thames flows through the heart
of London, and the Seine through the heart of Paris; but in
neither case have you two cities. It is London on both sides
of the Thames, and Paris on both sides of the Seine. The
corporate unity is not dissevered by either river. Numerous
bridges make the connection between the two sides in both
cities; and it is best for both that it should be so. The popu-
lation on neither side would be advantaged by being split up
into two municipalities.
" Here, however, we have our New York city and our
Brooklyn, with the East River rolling between them. They
are distinct cities, in immediate contiguity with each other,
and separated by a water highway. Is this distinctness of
municipality any advantage to either ? I think not. Would
the consolidq.tion of these two cities into one municipal cor-
THE BROOKLYN OP TO-DAY, 188S.
bii
poration be any harm to either? I think not. The people
are tlie same people, have the same manners and customs,
and have common commercial and social interests ; and one
municipal government would serve them quite as vsrell as
two, and at far less cost. I know of no reason why this dis-
tinctness should be continued other than the fact thaD it ex-
its' and I confess I see no good reason why it should exist
at all. I niay be mistaken, but I think that the public senti-
itlBnt of Brooklyn would cordially welcome a consolidation
of the two cities under the title of New York, 'the East
fever Bridge, now superadded to the fel'ry system, will, as
firOftklyn hopes, so affiliate the two in heart and sym-
pathy, and so facilitate their mutual intercourse that
liothl without any special courtship on either side, will alike
ask the tegislature of the State to enact the ceremony of a
municipal marriage; and if this shall be done, then I venture
to predict that each will be so happy and so well content with
the other that neither will ever seek a divorce.
Geo. J. Collins, Alderman of the Second District
(comprising the 3d, 4th, "Zth, 11th, 13th, 19th, 20th,
2lBt and 23d Wards), was born in the city of New
York in 1839, but has resided in the present 21st Ward
since boyhood. He served creditably during the war
of the rebellion; being promoted from the ranks for
good conduct, and retiring at the close of the war as
commanding officer of his company in the 127th
Regiment K Y. Volunteers. Has, since 1865, been a
successful business man and member of the firm of
Collins & Sesnon, blank-book manufacturers, New York
city. Sixteen years ago he married Susan E., only
daughter of the late Jeremiah Johnson Rappelyea,
whose steel portrait and biography are found in this
work. He, with his family, now occupy the Rappelyea
house on Throop avenue. He is a trustee and treasurer
of the Throop avenue Presbyterian Church, trustee of
the East Brooklyn Savings Bank and actively engaged
in various local institutions.
Jacob Dueyee and his twin brother Isaac were bom
in the city of New York, October 5, 1818. He was
engaged in the mahogany business many years. He
joined the second company, 27th Regiment, National
Guard, no-^V the 7tb, commanded by Captain Abram
Duryee, now General. His father and two uncles were
veterans in tlie war of 181'2, and his grandfather was
one of the victims of the Jersey prison ship and was
buried at Vinegar Hill, near the Navy Yard, Brooklyn,
L.I.
Young Duryee served with distinguished credit
in the 27th and 7th Regiments. He was promoted
Sergt.-Major for soldierly qualities and eflSeiency at
camp Trumbull, New Haven, Conn. Having servedi
his full term of service with fidelity and zeal, he was-
honorably discharged. He then joined the veteran
corps of the 7th Regiment, of which he is now a
uniformed and active member. When the rebellion
broke out, he at once recruited and organized a company
(H), Anderson Zouaves, 62d Regiment N.Y. Volunteers,
which he commanded, and immediately proceeded to
the front, under General McClellan.
Mr. Duryee married, at an early age, Miss Sarah Mills,
of Brushville, whose mother was a Bergen, an honored
and historic name in the annals of Long Island. He
has been a resident of Brooklyn for forty years, and
has one son, Luke Bergen, who possesses the mili-
tary enthusiasm so characteristic of the family.
THE MUNICIPAL HISTORY
OF THE
CITY OF BROOKLYN,
1834-1884.
By
-^^^^^^^^z>^ir
Esq.
WITH the close of the war of 1812, the little
village of Brooklyn, then numbering about
4,500 inhabitants, manifested evident signs of
growth and enterprise, which indicated that
it was soon to spread beyond its original limits to the
beautiful " Heights," above and around it; and that these
would, in the process of time, become the site of a large
commercial town. It required no particular prescience
to foretell that this then unoccupied territory, with its
great natural facilities for a harbor, wharves and ware-
houses, stretching along the eastern shore of the river,
would be made available sources of vast wealth
and prosperity to the town.
At about the time of which we are writing, the more
enterprising part of its citizens began to agitate the
question of incorporating the village; but as, in the
estimation of many of its citizens, the little town had
done well enough for over a century and a half under
the rule of the Town of Brooklyn, there was so much
opposition to the proposed plan, that it was not until
1816 that the village of Brooklyn became a chartered
municipality; therefore, the civic lustory of Brooklyn
commenced sixty-eight years ago.
"At that time the village comprised the area em-
braced by the East river. District street, (nearly the
same as the present Atlantic street), up to Red Hook
Lane, and a line drawn from Red Hook Lane to the
City Park, and thence along the west side of the navy
yard to the river." For eighteen years the village and
town of Brooklyn were distinct organizations; the one
a chartered village, the other an original town of Kings
county, governed like its sister towns in the county.
But, in 1834 the town and village of Brooklyn were
united under one government, and Brooklyn became a
city with a population of 23,310.
The Municipal History of the City of Brooklyn
begins properly with the year 1834. For several years
previous to that time the village had contained the
requisite number of inhabitants to entitle it to be
chartered as a city. Efforts to secure its charter were
repeatedly made, but owing to violent opposition they
were frustrated. This opposition was from influential
persons in the city of New York, whose influence with
the legislature was sufficient to thwart all efforts to
secure a city charter. Among the most prominent
of these were Gideon Lee, Mayor of New York
from 1833-34, Myndert Van Schaick and Alpheus
Sherman, state senators. In those days a large num-
ber of wealthy citizens of New York were owners of
tracts of land in the upper part of the city, which had
been divided into lots and thrown upon the market for
sale; thus creating a combination of vast wealth and
influence, headed by Messrs. Lee, Van Schaick and
Sherman. The two latter gentlemen, from their position
in the senate, were enabled, as we have said, for a long
time to defeat any bill brought before the legislature
chartering Brooklyn as a city. They were instigated by a
desire to make and continue Brooklyn as a mere suburb
of New York, fearing that its growth and the develop-
ment of its landed resources would put them in compe-
tition with their landed interests in New York. They
knew that the incorporation of Brooklyn would largely
promote its growth. Meantime, Brooklyn as a village
was singularly hampered in its growth and develop-
ment; for an instance: it could not open a street — no
matter how necessary it might be for the convenience
of the public — without the consent of the owners of
the land through which it was to pass. There were
also other equally embarrassing regulations which
retarded its growth.
At length its citizens, wearied and exasperated by
this factious opposition to their interests, united in a
great meeting or convention, for the purpose of adopt-
ing some measure to overcome it, and to agree upon
the form of a proper charter.
Hon. John Greenwood was secretary of the conven-
tion, and one of a committee to whom the whole matter
was referred. To him was committed the duty of
drawing a charter, which duty he discharged with
singular ability. Ho attended the session of the next
MXTmoiPAL HISTORY OF BROOKLTlST.
S2&
ature in the interests of the charter, and notwith-
standing the opposition of Senators Van Schaick and
Sherman, backed by a strong lobby force, lie succeeded
in securing the enactment of some portion of the
charter; that portion of it enabling Brooklyn to lay out
streets where they were necessary, the power to do so
being similar to the present authority in such cases.
The act incorporating the City of Brooklyn passed both
branches of the legislature, and became a law April
8th 1834. By this act the corporation became known
by the name of " The Mayor and Common Council of
the City of Brooklyn."
The city was divided into nine wards. What was
known as the five districts of the village of Brooklyn,
as then laid out, were retained according to their
boundaries, but were respectively numbered and
designated as wards.
The Legislative Power of the city was vested
in a Mayor and a Board of Aldermen, who together
formed the Common Council; a majority of the whole
number constituting a quorum for the transaction of
business. Two aldermen were to be annually elected
in each ward. No person but freeholders were eligi-
ble to the office of alderman, and no person wbo had
been elected an alderman while acting as such, could be
mayor.
The Administrative Power under the First
City Charter. — A Common Council met annually
after the year 1834, on the first Monday of May of
each year and elected a mayor by ballot. Previous to
January 1st, 1851, the term of the mayor began May
Ist. Since 1851, it has began with the civil year.
From the organization of the government do wn to
1822, mayors of cities were appointed by the Governor
and the Council of Appointment; from that time to 1840
they were appointed by ballot by the common coun-
cils of their respective cities.
An act passed April 13th, 1840, provided for their
election by the people in a manner, and at the time,
which will hereafter be described.
Geoege Hall, the first Mayor of Brooklyn, was
appointed by the Common Council on the first Monday
of May, 1834. The Board of Aldermen who made
this appointment, — a board famous as being the first
legislative board of the city o,f Brooklyn — are named
m another part of this work. It is proper, however,
to say that it consisted of eighteen of the staunch, re-
liable and prominent citizens of Brooklyn, whose names
have passed into the history of the city.
tinder the act of incorporation, the Common Coun-
cil appointed a clerk, attorney, treasurer, street com-
missioner, a clerk for each market, a city collector,
and a number of marshals.
There was authority given the Common Council,
Ti^hioh gave a quick impetus to the growth of the city,
and tended largely to embellish and beautify it. This
TOs the power to cause all streets, parts of streets.
avenues and squares, within the first seven wards, to
be leveled, paved or macadamized, and to cause cross-
walks to be made, sewers constructed, and provision
made for lighting the streets. The act of incorpora-
tion also gave the Common Council power to modify
the old fire department of the village, and to procure
necessary fire engines.
The Municipal Court of the Village of Brooklyn re-
tained its powers and jurisdiction, enlarged by subse-
quent acts of the legislature, and the number of judges
increased to three.
We have thus given a brief description of the es-
tablishment of the municipality of Brooklyn. No
event in its history created such demonstrations of
almost unbounded joy, as did the receipt of the intel-
ligence of the passage of the act of the legislature
under which it was established.
The charter of the city has been subjected
to many amendments under the direction of the
enlightened, far-seeing and enterprising citizens who
have been, from time to time, intrusted with its fiscal
and executive afifairs, until, it is not too much to say,
that the corporation of Brooklyn is one of the most
perfect municipalities in the state, if not in the nation.
One of the first and most important changes was
made in the city charter by the legislature, March 28th,
1836, by which the rights and privileges of the fire-
men of the city of Albany, and the city of New York,
were extended to the city of Brooklyn. The amend-
ment also provided for the appointment, by the Com-
mon Council, on the first Monday of May in each year,
of a comptroller, to perform such duties and receive such
compensation as the Common Council should prescribe.
It also authorized the Mayor and Common Council to
contract with the stockholders of the^New York and
Brooklyn Steam Ferry Company, for putting on to
said ferry two new and commodious boats, upon such
terms as the Common Council could agree with said
association.
On April 2d, 1836, the charter was again amended,
giving the Common Council control of the common
school-houses, school-house sites, and power to raise
money for the support of the common schools of the city.
Down to April 2'7th, 1837, the Common Council was
embarrassed by a law limiting their power to raise
money for'public purposes to $30,000 yearly, which was
quite insuflicient to defray the expenses which the pub-
lic improvements of the city demanded. This difii-
culty, however, was obviated by a law passed April
27th, 1837, authorizing the Sum to be raised for
various public purposes to be increased from $30,000 to
$50,000 annually; also authorizing the Common Council
to effect a loan of $300,000 on the credit of the city.
The city, under its charter, had existed but one year
when that instrument was amended in many things,
among which was the giving to the Common Council
power to prohibit the making of stoops, platforms, bay.
530
BISTORT OF KINGS COtlNTY.
■windows, sign-posts or other projections, so as not
to intrude upon the public walks, and to regulate
the manner of building houses and stores; defining
the depth of cellars, so they should not exceed eight
feet. The Common Council were also given power to
appoint three school trustees in the district s to be laid
out, and to define their duties. These changes were
made by an act of the legislature, passed April 23d
1835.
On the 1.3th of February, 1840, an act passed both
branches of the legislature, and became a law, provid-
ing for the election, by the people, by ballot, annually
of mayors in all the cities in the state; of course this
applied to the city of Brooklyn, depriving the common
council of their right to appoint the mayor, and giving
that power to the people.
When this law went into operation, Hon. Cyrus P.
Smith was Mayor, having been appointed by the Com-
mon Council in April, 1839.
On April 14th, 1840, Mr. Smith was elected Mayor
by the people, in conformity to the act of the legisla-
ture to which we have alluded. He was, therefore, the
first mayor elected by the people. At this time Brook-
lyn contained a population of over 30,000, and was
rapidly advancing to that splendid position which at
this writing it occupies among the cities of the nation,
with a population of 566,689.
On May 26th, 1841, an act passed the legislature
largely extending the powers of the Mayor; authoriz-
ing him, among other things, to appoint police mar-
shals. This act also gave the Common Council power
to divide the city into election districts, and to deter-
mine the time of the services of the firemen.
The Municipal Court under the First Charter.
— The courts of justice of the city of Brooklyn, from
its humblest tribunal to the highest, have always been
conducted with that degree of intelligence, that due re-
gard of the rights and privileges of all citizens, and
their protection in the proper restriction and punish-
ment of crime, which has elicited just commendation.
These courts will claim our attention as we proceed
with the municipal history of Brooklyn. As we have
already said, the Municipal Court of the Village of
Brooklyn was retained in the city organization by an
act of April 3d, 1827, which was in substance as fol-
lows :
"The organization of the municipal courts, the proceed-
ings therein, their jurisdiction, and powers of the justices
thereof, and all subsequent acts relating to the said court, or
the justices thereof, shall be deemed to apply and are made
applicable to the city of Brooklyn ; and the said court, as
organized in and for said village, shall continue as such in
and for the city of Brooklyn."
The justice of that court had the power in criminal
proceedings, of justices of the peace, elected in the
several towns of the State. It was the duty of the
said justices, or one of them, to attend, at such time
in the morning, or 'during such hours in the day, and at
such place as the common council should fix, for the
purpose of holding their courts. These judicial officers
discharged their duties in a manner which reflects credit
upon the legal history of the city, subject to some of
the laws under which they acted, until the adoption of
the present city charter, which, as we shall hereafter
see, made many changes in the legal department of the
city.
The corporation of the city of Brooklyn continued
under these laws and their modifications, with slight
changes, until 1850. Then another and nearly a radi-
cal change took place in the charter by revision and
amendment. This was done under and by virtue of an
act passed April 4, 1850.
Among the amendments was one defining the bound-
aries and civil divisions of the city. Its boundaries
were established as follows :
All that part of the county of Kings at present known
as the city of Brooklyn, and which is bounded easterly by
the townships of Williamsburgh and Bushwick, south by
Flatbush and New Utrecht, west by the bay of New York,
and north by the East river, shall continue to be a city by
the name of Brooklyn, except so much of the present terri-
tory of the said city as lies east of the centre line of what is
called Division avenue, between the intersection of South
street, in the village of Williamsburgh and Flushing avenue,
in said city, which territory shall hereafter, upon the pas-
sage of this act, belong to and be a part of the village of
Williamsburgh, and subject to all laws appertaining to said
village.
It was also enacted that " the citizens of this state,
fi'om time to time inhabitants within the limits of
said city, and the corporation now existing and known
by the name of " the Mayor and Common Council of
the city of Brooklyn," should be, and continue to he,
a corporation by the name of " The City of Brook-
lyn," and should have and employ all the rights,
privileges, immunities and franchises heretofore con-
ferred upon it by law.
There existed— recognized by this act — eleven wards,
into which the city was divided, which several wards,
except as otherwise provided, were considered and de-
clared to be towns of the county of Kings, so that the
county then really contained eighteen towns.
The legislative power of the corporation was vested
in a Mayor and Board of Aldermen, who, together,
formed the Common Council.
The Board of Aldermen first elected under this act
were divided into two classes, one of which was to
go out every year. One alderman in each ward formed
one class, and the other alderman formed the other
class. The Mayor determined, in open board, the
aldermen to compose the different classes, and the re-
spective terms of office of each of said classes. The
first class to hold one year; and, after the expiration of
said year, the term of office of the aldermen elected
or said class to be two years ; and the said first
MTJNIGTPAL HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
531
were to act as members of the city court in the
trial and disposal of criminal cases and proceedings.
The said aldermen were to receive for their services,
when sitting as members of said court, $3 per day.
The second class were to hold office for two years, and
were to he supervisors of the county of Kings. The
term of office of such aldermen, as supervisors, com-
menced on the first Tuesday of April succeeding their
election, and to continue two years thereafter. The
common council were authorized to appoint a clerk,
who was to be City Clerk. The actalso provided for
the election of city officers, and defined their duties.
The administrative powers of the corporation were
vested in Mayor, Chief of Police, Comptroller, Street
Commissioner, Collector of Taxes, and to such other
officers as were to be, from time, created by or ap-
pointed by virtue of this act.
It was further provided that the Mayor should be
elected every two years, and that no person should be
eligible to that office unless he had resided in the city
five years; that his salary should not be less than $2,000
per annum, but the Common Council had power to
change such salary, provided the change did not take
effect during the term of office of the then present in-
cumbent. The Mayor was supervisor ex-officio of the
city of Brooklyn, possessing all the jurisdiction, and
exercising all the powers and authority, in criminal
cases, of a justice of the peace of said city. These
powers were in addition to any powers which had
hitherto been given him. He could receive no fees for
services as such justice of the peace, o^' for his service
as supervisor. The act defined the duties of
the Mayor, among which was to communicate to
the Common Council, at their first meeting in Jan-
uary in each year, and of tener if he should deem it ex-
pedieint, a general statement of the situation and con-
dition of the city, in relation to its government, finances
and improvements, with such recommendations as he
might deem proper.
He was required to be vigilant and active in caus-
ing the laws to be duly enforced : to exercise a
constant supervision over the conduct and acts of all
subordinate officers, and to examine into all complaints
preferred against them for a violation or neglect of
daty. He was given the same authority and power
in criminal cases to arrest and commit for examination
all offenders, for offences committed within said city
against the laws of this state, as a police magistrate or
justice of the peace of any of the towns of this state,
for the preservation of the peace. He had also power
to issue warrants, the same as any of the said justices
of the peace. If a vacancy occurred in the office of
Mayor, or if he was prevented, by absence from the
city, by sickness or any other cause, from attending the
duties of his office, the president of the Common Coun-
cil, or if the said president should be absent or disabled,
the president, to be elected pro tempore, should act as
Mayor, having all the rights and powers of the mayor
during his absence or inability to act.
Comptroller. — ^The act provided for the election,
by the city at large, for a Comptroller, every two years.
Among his duties, he was to render to the Common
Council, as often as required, a full and detailed state-
ment of all the receipts and disbursements of the city
government from time to time, specifying the amount
expended and unexpended on each appropriation made
by the Common Council, with the state of each account;
together with a general statement of the liabilities and
resources of the city, and such other information as was
necessary to a full understanding of the financial affairs
of the city. He was to receive such salary as the Com-
mon Council should determine, and, by consent of the
Common Council, he could appoint a deputy comptroller,
for whose acts he was responsible.
Street Commissioner under the First Charter.
— The act further provided for the election of a Street
Commissioner, to be elected by the city at large every
three years, who should perform all such services as the
Common Council should direct, in relation to the open-
ing, widening or regulating, grading or paving streets
and avenues. He was to be the custodian of all books,
papers and maps appertaining to his department. His
salary to be fixed by the Common Council.
He could appoint a deputy street commissioner by
the consent of the Common Council; he was responsible
for all acts of his deputy.
Treasurer. — There was to be a Treasurer, who was
to safely keep and disburse, under the direction of the
common council, all monies belonging to the city; he
was to keep an accurate account of all receipts and
payments, and make weekly returns thereof, in such
manner as the Common Council should direct. The
Common Council made orders for the payment of all
monies to be drawn out of the treasury, and no monies
could be drawn out of the treasury except in pursuance
of such orders appropriating the same, and by warrants
signed by the Mayor and Comptroller, and counter-
signed by the City Clerk or his assistant. Such warrant
specified for what purpose the amount therein men-
tioned was to be paid, the appropriation against which
it was drawn, and the date of the ordinance making the
same, &c., &c.
Commissioner of Repairs.— There was also a
Commissioner of Repairs and Supplies elected by the ci ty
at large every three years. He acted under the direc-
tion of the Common Council; he had charge of all re-
pairs and supplies of and for the public buildings,
wharves and piers belonging to the city; of the pave-
laents, side and cross walks, fire department, lamps, oils
and gas, fuel and stationery for the public offices of the
city. These were among his important duties, and his
salary was fixed by the Common Council.
Corporation Attorney and Counsel.— Before the
consolidation with WiUiamsburgh and Bushwick, the
532
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Common Council appointed a suitable and proper ■person
to be Attorney and Counsel of the Corporation, having
the management and control of all the law business of
the corporation and the departments thereof, and all the
law business in which the city was interested. He drew
all leases, deeds and other papers for the city, and was
the legal advisor of the Mayor and Common Council,
and the several departments of the corporation; he had
the management, charge and control of, and conducted
all the proceedings necessary in opening, widening, al-
tering or closing streets, avenues, roads, parks or lanes,
and all other local improvements of the same kind.
He had power to authorize an attorney or other per-
son to appear for him in his name, for and in behalf of
the said corporation, and conduct or defend suits or
proceedings; his salary was fixed at $3,000 per year, to
be paid quarterly, exclusive of all disbursements. He
was provided apartments in the City Hall, with the
necessary furniture, stationery, etc., etc. He could, as
has been said, employ an attorney and clerk, for which
the common council was to pay a salary not to exceed
$1,500 per annum. The said clerk or attorney held his
office for the term of three years.
The official terra of the several persons > elected in
pursuance of this act commenced on the first Monday
of January next after their election, and the oflicial
term of all persons who should be appointed to any
office or place under this act to commence as follows :
1. Such as were required to give security for the
performance of their duties, from the time of giving
such security and their approval.
2. Such ^s were not required to give security, from
the time of taking and filing their oath of office.
The Treasurer of the city. Comptroller, Street Com-
missioner, City Surveyor, City Clerk and such other offi-
cers, except the Attorney and Counsellor, as the Com-
mon Council shall direct, were required, severally, to
execute a bond to the corporation, in such penalty as
the said Common Council should requii-e, with such
sureties as the Common Council should approve, condi-
tioned for the faithful performance of their respecti"ve
duties, and for accounting and paying over all monies
by them respectively received in their official capacities.
Courts of Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction in
the City of Brooklyn. — An act of the legislature,
passed March 24, 1849, provided for the establishment,
in the city of Brooklyn, of courts of civil and criminal
jurisdiction, as follows : At the next charter election,
to be held in the said city on the first day of May after
the passage of said act, and every six years thereafter,
a city judge was to be elected, subject to the same re-
sponsibilities and removal from office as the county
judge. The following were among his duties : The
said judge alone, or in case of his absence, inability to
attend, or vacancy in said office, the mayor and two
aldermen of the said city were empowered to hold a
court of civil jurisdiction, to be called "The City Court
of Brooklyn "—a court of record, with jurisdiction ex-
tending to the following actions :
Jurisdiction. — Sec. 1. To the actions enumerated in
section 103 of the code of procedure, when the cause of
action shall have arisen, or the subject of the action
shall be situated, within the city.
Sec. 2. To all other actions where all the defendants
shall reside, or be personally served with the summons
within the said city.
Sec. 3. To actions against corporations created un-
der the laws of this state, and transacting their busi-
ness within the said city, or established by law therein.
Sec. 3. The said court shall be held once in each
month, and shall begin on the first Monday thereof
and may be continued for four weeks.
Sec. 4. The city courts possess the power and au-
thority in relation to actions in said court, and the
process and proceedings therein, as are possessed by the
supreme court in relation to actions pending in the
supreme court ; and all laws regulating the practice
of the supreme court, and the course of procedure
therein, shall, as far as practicable, apply to, and he
binding upon the said city court; and the said city
court shall have power to review all its decisions,
and to grant new trials.
Sec. 5. Every judgment of the said City Court
docketed, and a lien in the like manner, and to the same
extent as judgments recovered in the supreme court;
and the said City Court has the same power over the
docket of its judgments in the office of any county
clerk, and over such county clerk in respect to the
same, as for the time being may be possessed by the
Supreme Court in respect to the dockets of judgments
in the Supreme Courts.
Sec. 6. An appeal may be taken from any judgment
or final determination of said City Court, and from any
intermediate order, involving the merits and necessarily
affecting the judgment, to the Supreme Court at a
general term thereof ; and all provisions of law relative
to appeals from the Supreme Court to the Court of
Appeals, shall apply to appeals from said City Court.
By an act passed March 25th, 1850, the foregoing
Sec. 6 was amended so as to read after the words "to
the Supreme Court at a general term thereof ; and all
provisions of law relative to appeals from the Supreme
Court to the Court of Appeals, shall apply to appeals
from said City Court," as follows :
All provisions of law relative to appeals from courts
of inferior jurisdiction shall apply to appeals from the
said City Court.
Sec. 7. There shall be a clerk of said court, to be
appointed by said court, who shall be ex officio a com-
missioner of deeds for said city, with power to take the
satisfaction of judgments in said court, to be recorded
in any county in which such judgment may be docketed.
By an amendment of the act establishing this court,
passed March 28th, 1850, the clerk of said court was
MVNIGIPAZ KISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
533
given power to appoint a deputy, who possesses, in the
absence of the clerk from his office, all his powers and
performs all his duties. Among the other powers of
the said court, it was to devise its own seal at the ex-
pense of the city, and a description thereof, attested by
the clerk, was to be deposited with the secretary of state.
By an act oi the legislature, passed March 28th,
1850, the expense of providing said seal was made a
charge against the county of Kings. There were
several other legislative enactments of more or less
importance touching the charter of the city, down to
the year 1853, when another great event in the muni-
cipal history of the city took place. This was the
Consolidation of the City of Brooklyn with
Williamsburg and Bushwick, into one municipal
government, by an act of the legislature passed July
18, 1858. The act provided for the appointment of
fifteen commissioners, seven of whom were citizens of
Brooklyn, appointed by its Common Council; five
citizens of Williamsburg appointed by the Common
Council of that city; three from the town of Bush wick,
appointed by the supervisors and justices of that town.
These commissioners were to be appointed on or before
the first Monday of August, 1 853.
Having been duly appointed they met at the Super-
visor's room in Brooklyn on the 2d Monday of August,
1853. With power to send for persons and papers, they
proceeded to devise a plan for a new municipal corpo-
ration, to include the cities of Brooklyn and Williams-
burg and the town of Bush wick, which in due time
was completed, and accordmg to law was published for
twenty days previous to the general election in
November, 1853, in all the dailies in the county of
Kings. At that election the plan was submitted to the
people and duly ratified by them : Whereupon the
commissioners proceeded to incorporate the said plan
into an act for consolidation to be submitted to the
next legislature. This was done, and the act passed
that legislature and became a law. The act was
amended March 28, 1855, in regard to fire-wardens,
and in empowering the aldermen, by and with the
consent of the Mayor, to appoint policemen and lamp-
lighters.
We should have said that by an act of the legislature
passed June 3, 1853, provisions were made for supply-
ing the city with water. The act provided for leaving
the matter for the decision of the people; if a vote in
favor of the measure was passed, the Common Council
were to appoint five commissioners who should have
power to supply contracts, etc., etc., for completing the
work. The people having voted favorably to the
measure, the commissioners were appointed, contracts
let, the work begun and, as will be seen in another
part of this history (page 584), was completed.
By an act of April 15, 1853, provisions were made
for the laying out of Montague Purk. By an act passed
April 5, 1866, a law was enacted by the legislature for
laying out "Mount Prospect Park Square." The
courts of civil and criminal jurisdiction in the city of
Brooklyn, were established by an act of the legis-
lature, passed March 24th, 1849, and amended by
an act passed March 28, 1850, which was subsequently
amended by other acts, to which we shall briefly refer
from time to time in the progress of this history.
On July 18, 1853, an act to incorporate Lefferts'
Park Association passed the legislature of the state.
Its corporators were Nathaniel P. Hossack, John C.
Riker, Roswell Graves, Samuel D. Willmot, and E. J.
Danforth. The said park was bounded by Tompkins
avenue on the west, Throop avenue on the east. Gates
on the south, and Quincy street on the north. The
incorporators of the Montagtie Park, to which we
have already referred, were J. H. Prentice, E. J. Bar-
low, S. B. Chittenden and James Humphry. This
park includes all that tract of land of Brooklyn, " be-
ginning at a point where the westerly line of Columbia
street, if continued, would strike the northerly line of
Remsen street; running thence easterly on the north-
erly line of Remsen street continued, to the easterly line
of Furman street ; thence northerly, along the easterly
line of Furman street, to a point distant 160 feet north
of the northerly line of Pierrepont street, contin-
ued to Furman street; thence easterly at right angles
to Furman street to the westerly line of Columbia
street, and on a continuation of said line, to the place
of beginning. Capital stock, $125,000, with privilege
to increase the same to a sum not exceeding $200,000."*
We have now briefly traced the growth of the city
of Brooklyn from a village, to the proportions of a
rapidly increasing city, from its first charter through
all the various acts and their amendments, down to
June 28, 18/3, when its charter was amended so as to
form, with the exception of a few amendments, the
present municipality of the City of Brooklyn; which
is divided into twenty-five wards, the present bounds
of which will be found delineated on the map of the
city, which accompanies this volume.
Having given the municipal history of Brooklyn
down to the period of its consolidation with Williams-
burg and Bushwick, we propose to give some attention
to the early municipal huildings of the village and
city, with their history to the present time; and a brief
description of the present municipal government of the
cit3', its various departments, its legislative, minis-
terial, and judicial organization.
Early Municipal Buildings.— In the year 1878, a
committee, consisting of five aldermen, viz.: John
French, chairman; F. B. Fisher, Geo. W. Williams,
John Dreyer, and Daniel O'Reilly, were appointed to
lake charge of the construction of municipal depart-
ment buildings^ In June, 1878, this committee sub-
* This was one of the abortive attempts to secure a portion of the
Heights tor public use and recreaUon -See chapter on Parks, page
596.— Editor.
534
SISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
mitted a very able, useful and interesting report upon
the earlier and late public buildings of the city of
Brooklyn, from which we shall make some extracts.
Touching the public buildings erected in former
years in Brooklyn, " it was found," said the report,
" that the official records contain but little information
concerning the construction of the City Hall and other
public structures; and many of the proceedings of the
Common Council, at the period when the city hall was
erected, were never recorded. The press, in those
days, in marked contrast to the present, scarcely men-
tioned the fact of the erection of the building, or
chronicled the incidents connected therewith, though
they were of a stirring and exciting character. It
was, therefore, deemed advisable to rescue from obliv-
ion, while some of the participants were yet living,
as many facts concerning the city hall as were to be
secured at so remote a period from its construction.
The valuable information we have obtained has only
been accumulated after much research among musty
books and documents, and many interviews with some
of the men who were actively connected with public
affairs fifty or more years ago. Among these may be
mentioned Hon. Henry C. Murphy ; Hon. Samuel
S. Powell; Hon. Stephen Haynes; Alden J. Spooner,
Esq.; D. Lawrence, Esq.; Hon. Francis B. Stryker,
and Silas Ludlam, Esq.
" Much credit is due John Yates, Esq., for valuable
aid in compiling and arranging facts and figures; and,
also, to J. M. Masterton, Esq., of Mount Vernon, N.Y.,
a son of one of the contractors for the marble work of
the City Hall, and himself the contractor for the marble
work for the Municipal Building."
Until its incorporation as a city, the municipal gov-
ernment of Brooklyn consisted of a president and a
board of five trustees. At first, and for several years,
its capitol building was a general retail store of not very
large dimensions, owned by Mr. Evert Barkaloo, not far
from the present ferry house, oj)posite the Brooldyn
Eagle building. In 1825-6, the Apprentices' Library
building was erected, in which the meetings of the
board of trustees were held, and where all business per-
taining to the affairs of the village was transacted.
After the incorporation of the city, the Common Coun-
cil held its sessions there until the completion of the
City Hall; but the Mayor, Clerk of the Common Council
and Street Commissioner, had their offices in what was
known as Hall's Exchange Buildings, a brick building,
three stories high, on the south-west corner of Cran-
berry and Fulton streets. In the great fire of 1848 it
was destroyed. In these buildings the city government
offices were held until 1836, when the city had increased
to such proportions that these buildings were totally
insufficient. During that year the city corporation pur-
chased the Apprentices' Library Building, paying there-
for the sum of $11,000. It was an attractive brick
structure, of two stories and a basement, on the south-
west corner of Henry and Cranberry streets. Its cor-
ner-stone was laid on July 4, 1825, by the illustriouB
Lafayette, then the nation's guest. The imposing cer-
emonies which attended the placing this corner-stone
in its appropriate place, with the other proceedings of
that day, formed an historic epoch in the annals of
Brooklyn.
The city having thus become the owner of the Ap-
prentices' Library building (that organization having
been merged in the Brooklyn Institute, on Washing-
ton street), erected an additional building in the rear
of the library, and gave the whole the name of the City
Buildings, to which the offices of the Mayor, Clerk of
the Common Council and Street Commissioner were re-
moved in 1836-3'?.
Besides the sessions of the village trustees, those of the
Circuit Court, Court of Common Pleas and the Muni-
cipal Court of Brooklyn were held in the Apprentices'
Library. In the basement, at the same time, were the
offices of the County Clerk and the Brooklyn Savings
Bank.
It was in one of the rooms in this building that Hon.
Henet C. Mtjepht, in the year 1834, began the prac-
tice of his-profession.
Between the years 1835-6, the population of Brook-
lyn had increased from 8,800 to 25,000.
The removal into the city buildings was only tem-
porary. Two years previous— in July, 1834 — a meet-
ing of the citizens, at which Mayor Hall presided, took
place, at which a resolution was adopted to purchase
the triangular piece of land on which the City Hall now
stands. It contained one and one-half acres, and cost
the city $52,909.*
The City Hall. — The land having thus been se-
cured, the corner-stone of a City Hall was laid, with ap-
propriate ceremonies, April 28, 1836, by the Mayor,
Jonathan Teottee. Constructed of marble, arid
planned on a magnificent scale, from the designs of
Calvin Pollard, of the city of New York, it was in-
tended to cover nearly the whole of the land of which
the city had become the purchaser.
Its dimensions were 269 feet on Fulton street, 250
feet on Court street, and 222 feet on Joralemon street;
of a triangular form, it was to have had porticos on the
three fronts, with columns each 36 feet, 6 inches high,
*As an important item in the municipal liistory of the city, we give
transcripts of the deeds and releases of dower, by which the city be-
came the lawful grantees of the said piece of land.
Edward Remsen and wife to the mayor, etc., of the city of Brooklyn.
Deed dated May 1st, 1835 ; recorded In liber 49, page 400, May 16, 1835 ;
acknowledged May 16, 1835; consideration, J20,955.
Sarah Hemsen, guardian of Matilda F. Eemsen, to the mayor, etc.,
of the city of Brooklyn. Deed dated May 1, 1835 ; i ecorded in liber 49,
page 406; acknowledged May 16, 1835; consideration, $20,3112.80.
Hezekiah B. Pierrepont and wife to the mayor, etc., of the ""V °'
Brooklyn. Deed dated May 19, 1835 ; recorded liber 50, page 23, May
20, 1835 ; acknowledged May 19, 1835 ; consideration, $11,590.20.
Sarah Hemsen to the mayor, etc., of the city of Brooklyn. EeleMe
of dower dated May 1, 1835 ; recorded liber 49, page 496, May 16, 1836
acknowledged May 9, 1835 ; consideration, $1.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
535
ornamented with a capital of the Grecian order, and
resting on a pedestal base 17 feet in height. Sur-
mounting the angles, it was designed to have domes,
and rising from the center of the building a tower 120
feet high. In its spacious rooms all of the public ofSces
and courts would have been accommodated. Its cost
was estimated at from $750,000 to $1,000,000.
The corner-stone was laid, as we have seen, April
28, 1836, and the walls to the first story were erected;
but, in 183Y, the memorable panic occurred, and caused
the work to be suspended, and the walls were covered.
The total expenses down to that time, including cost
of site, was $184,494. Before another attempt to con-
tinue the work was made, a meeting of the Common
Council took place in April, 1838, at which Alder-
man Thorn introduced a resolution to the effect that,
" as upwards of $150,000 had already been spent on the
building scarcely raised above the ground, it was there-
fore inexpedient to build a City Hall upon such an ex-
pensive plan; and, that all further work on said build-
ing be discontinued; and, that it be referred to the
committee on public lands and buildings to ascertain
what price could be obtained for the materials on the
ground, and upon what terms the contracts for the then
present city hall could be annulled." This resolution
was laid on the table ; but there is no record showing
the subsequent action of the board in regard to it.
In the meantime, the population of the city continued
to increase to a most surprising degree; so that in 1840
it was 36,233, and in 1845 it was 59,573, and the muni-
cipal offices were still in the city buildipgs. In 1844,
the Common Council, incited by the insecurity of the
city buildings, directed the committee on lands and
buildings to procure suitable plans and estimates for
the erection of a City Hall, to be located on the public
property at the intersection of Court and Fulton streets,
at a cost not exceeding $75,000. The committee pro-
cured these plans, but at a subsequent meeting this
resolution was rescinded. The matter of the erection
of a City Hall continued to engross the atttention of the
common council and the public mind. Litigations fol-
lowed for breach of contract etc., etc.
On the 24th of November, 1845, however, the Com-
mon Council resolved to apply to the legislature for au-
thority to raise $100,000 to meet the payments on ac-
count of contracts for the new building; and at a meet-
ing held on October 2, 1848, the board made a similar
application for authority to raise $50,000 additional;
both of these, we believe, were successful. In 1845,
the walls of the building which we described were de-
molished, and the erection of the present City Hall was
begun. It is a three-story and basement building, 175
feet long, the rear running parallel with Joralemon
street, and the sides on Fulton and Court streets- hav-
ing a width of 100 feet. At the close of 1848, the
building was so far completed that the municipal of-
fices began to be transferred to it. At that time, the
population of the city had increased to upwards of
90,000, and the business of the city government depart-
ments was very largely augmented. The City Hall was
finally finished in the autumn of 1849, during the ad-
ministration of Mayor FRA.Ncrs B. Strykee. At that
time, the population of the city was 100,000, divided
into nine wards, comprising the whole of what is now
known as the western district. The total expense of
the edifice was $715,000. (A view of the City Hall will
be found on the illustrated title-page of this history.)
The Court- House.— We have seen in another part
of this work the history of the various court-houses in
the county of Kings, from the first court-house at
Gravesend to those erected at Flatbush; and have de-
scribed the various places in which the supreme and
county courts were held after the removal of the county
seat to Brooklyn.
Upon the completion of the City Hall in 1849, rooms
for holding the various courts of record in the county
were prepared in the City Hall, to which they had been
removed from the Apprentices' Library building early in
the autumn of that year, and where they were heid until
1865.
In 1855, when the cities of Brooklyn and Williams-
burg and the town of Bushwick were united under one
municipal government, the population of the city, thus
enlarged, exceeded 200,000. With this large and in-
creasing population there was a heavy increase of legal
business, which seemed to enlarge beyond the rapid
increase of population, so that the court-rooms in the
City Hall were quite inadequate; and, for several years,
it was apparent .that the erection of a court-house with
sufiicient dimensions for the public business was abso-
lutely demanded. Accordingly, as far back as June
1853, an act was passed by the legislature giving au-
thority to borrow $100,000 for the erection of a court-
house. But the usual delays, embarrassments and con-
tentions incident to the erection of a great public
building prevented its erection, and it was not till May
20, 1862, that its corner-stone was laid. Three years
elapsed after this before the edifice was completed; and
in March, 1865, the Supreme Court, the County Court,
City Court, Court of Sessions, the Supervisors and other
county officers were located therein. The cost of the
site and the building was $549,636.43.
Although nearly twenty years have elapsed since the
Court-house building was thus occupied, and the popu-
lation of the city has grown to over 600,000, with a
proportionate increase in the other towns in the county
it is still the seat of justice for this great population
and the county of Kings, with ample room and ac-
commodations. Here the general term of the Supreme
Court, the Circuit Court, the Court of Oyer and Terminer,
the Surrogate's Court, the general and trial terms of the
City Court, the County Court and the Court of Sessions
have ample and convenient rooms. Here too are the
Register's office, the County Clerk's office, the Super-
536
SISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
visor's room, the Grand Jury room, Petit Juror's room,
the Law Library, District Attorney's office, the Sheriff's
office, office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors,
the office of the Commissioners of Jurors, the office of
the County Auditor, County Treasurer's office, and other
rooms for the accommodation of the public.
Although the Court-house may not impress one with
any grandness of its architecture, it has an imposing
appearance. Solidity and ' durability are marked
features in its construction; it seems to have taken
possession of the ground on which it stands for many
generations to come. Passing through its high-arched^
solid stone halls, or entering its spacious, well-lighted,
well-ventilated rooms, one feels that the mutations of
time will fail to dislodge justice and her adjuncts from
possession of this building, which is indeed a credit to
the city of Brooklyn and the county of Kings. (A view
of the County Court-house will be found on the illus-
trated title-page of this history.)
The Municipal Departments. — "For a longtime
previous to the year 1875," says the report to which
we have alluded, "the several municipal departments
were flitting from place to place in search of more room
in which to transact their part of the public business.
Prior to 1866 the headquarters of the Police Depart-
ment were confined to rooms afterwards occupied by
the first district court, at the south-west corner of the
city hall basement. In 1866, they were removed to the
building at the north-west corner of Washington and
Johnson streets, where they remained till 1871, when
they were removed to a larger building at the south-
west corner of Court and Livingston streets, where they
remained till 1878, when the central office of the depart-
ment was located in the Municipal Building.
The Bureau of Excise. — This was an independ-
ent department in 1872-3, with offices on the south
corner of Myrtle avenue and Pulton street. By the
amended charter of 1873, the department was made a
bureau, subordinate to the Police Commissioners. The
bureau removed with them from the corner of Livings-
ton and Court streets to the municipal buildings.
The Health Offices of the city. These, soon after
the erection of the Court-house, occupied, for a brief
period, the first floor, east side of the Court-house build-
ing. They were removed to a large frame house on
"Washington street, just north of the old police head-
quarters. Subsequently, in May, 1873, when the Health
Department was organized, it was removed to more
suitable premises at the north-west corner of Court and
Livingston streets, where it remained till about the first
of March, 1878, when it was removed to the Municipal
Building.
The City Treasury. — Until 1873, the city had no
accommodation for its Treasurer. In that year, on the
re-organization of the Brooklyn Trust Company, rooms
were provided for the City Treasurer on the north-west
corner of Court and Joralemon streets, In 1878, rooms
were prepared for the City Treasurer in the City Hall, to
which he removed that year.
Department of Audit. — The Auditor's office was
removed in 1874, from the City Hall to a room adjoining
the City Treasury Department on Court street, but it
was again located in the City Hall.
Department of Parks. — The Park Commission as
at present constituted, or nearly so, was appointed in
1860. Itsfirst offices were in the Court-house; they were
removed to the old police head-quarters, the building on
the corner of Court and Livmgston streets. In 1871, the
commission removed to the 3-story brick building on the
south-west corner of Schermerhorn and Court streets,
where it remained till June, 1878, when it was removed
to the City Hall.
Department of Arrears, — The amended charter
of 1873 created a Department of Arrears from a bureau
of the Department of Collections. From 1873 to 1878,
the department occupied offices on Court street, adjoin-
ing the Treasurer's and Auditor's department. In 1878
it was removed to the Municipal Building.
Board of Elections. — By a special act of the
legislature passed in April, 1873, the appointment of
a Board of Elections for the city was directed to be
made. The offices of the board since that year were in
Montague street, between Court and Clinton. About
June 1, 1878, they were removed to the City Hall.
From the foregoing description of the places as-
signed for the various offices of the municipal govern-
ment, it will be seen that the whole of ohis department
must have been greatly embarrassed by the system of
occupying separate buildings for the transaction of the
public business of the city. Even before 1875 the
city paid annually $17,600 rentals for the municipal
department. So greatly did this embarrassment in-
crease that some remedy became imperative. Early in
1873, a plan was prepared, under the direction of the
Board of City Works, for the enlargement of the City
Hall, for the convenience of the municipal department.
This plan provided for the adding of wings on each of
the east and west faces, to the depth of the building,
covering the space from street to street, giving a front
of 232 feet, with pavilions over each wing front and
rear, and a mansard roof over the entire building, in-
cluding the wings — making the building four stories
in height, arranged to utilize the roof story. The
plans, prepared by J. W. Adams, as chief engineer,
although admirable, in all their detail, were considered
to involve too much expense to be feasible for the
present time. It is not improbable, however, that the
great growth of the city, will, in time, cause this plan
to be in some sense adopted.
The Municipal Building.— During the year
1876, preliminary steps were taken by the Common
Council for the erection of a separate Municipal Build-
ing. The location of such a building became a ques-
tion of paramount importance, leading to much pubhe
MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
537
discussion in the city papers, and by the city generally.
The location first suggested was on Adams street,
between Myrtle avenue and Johnson street. The pro-
ject wa;s officially acted upon in the Common Council,
on the 28th of February, 1876, when Alderman
Francis B. Fisher introduced a resolution, for the ap-
pointment of a special committee of three, to nego-
tiate with the Supervisors (the County having an inter-
est in the title of the said plot), for the purchase of the
same.
This committee, after a conference with a committee
of the Supervisors, made a report adverse to the plot of
land we have described. But the public mind had
decided upon the erection of a municipal building, and
prompt measures were adopted to subserve that purpose.
The city charter did not provide any means for such
an expenditure, except by placing the amount necessary
in the tax -levy, which was restricted to annual amounts
inadequate for the yearly outlay of the building. Re-
course was therefore had to legislative enactment to
the city to raise the necessary funds. The location
selected was that pieceof land belonging to the County
of Kings, bounded on the east by the court-house and
the brick wall fencing in the grounds where the Court-
house now stands; on the south by Livingston street
and the Polytechnic Institute ; on the west by the lands
of the Polytechnic Institute and the Dutch Reformed
church, and on the north by Joralemon street.
The deeds, by which the Supervisors transferred the
interest of the county of Kings, were filed in the Regis-
ter's office on the 31st of May, 1876. This transfer
was not effected without considerable difficulty, which
rendered special acts of the legislature necessary; es-
pecially as there were some members of the Board of
Supervisors who were reluctant to advise the county to
part with so valuable a piece of property.
The city properly expressed its obligation to the
committee of the Board of Supervisors and the then
Supervisor-at-Large, James Howell, and other gentle-
men of the board, for their zealous efforts in behalf of
securing these lands. This location being in close
proximity to the City Hall, and easy of access, was
peculiarly eligible. The next step was to procure
proper legislative enactment, authorizing the city of
Brooklyn to er^ct a public building to be used for
municipal purposes, and to acquire land therefor for
the uses of the city. At that time William C. DeWitt
was Corporation Counsel; to him fell the duty of draft-
ing an act, which would empower the city to erect such
building and to acquire and hold such lands, " in such
manner and under such supervision as the Common
tonncil may determine, at an expense not exceeding
^200,000, exclusive of the cost of said land; and for
such purposes the financial officers of said city were
authorized to pay out of any monies in the city treas-
uiy the cost and expenses of said building and of the
said land, for the purpose of reimbursing the treasury
of the city;" the proper authorities were directed to
insert said amount in the tax levy to be laid on the
property in the said city during the years 1876,1877
and 1878, in three equal annual installments. The
said bill was admirably drawn, meeting the approba-
tion of the citizens of Brooklyn. The committee hav-
ing the matter in charge acted with much discretion
and ability. Immediately after the passage of the act,
three architects of the city, of high standing, Messrs.
John Mumford, W. B. Ditraars, and Arthur Crooks,
were consulted, and, upon their report and advice,
the special comnittee, under the power vested in
them, invited six architects to compete with plans
for the buildings. These were Messrs. Mundell, Crooks,
Ditmars, Morse, Mumford, and Morrel, residents of
Brooklyn. Subsequently the committee invited Messrs.
Eisenach, Cornwall, and Schultz & Steinmetz, also
Brooklyn architects, to become competitors.
On the 12th of June, 1876, the committee made a full
report of their proceedings, with recommendations con-
cerning the proportions of the building, the material,
the interior arrangement, and the disposition of the de-
partments. They recommended that the new building
be 100 feet front; 150 feet in depth; of three stories
and mansard roof; of brick, with marble or iron front;
nearly fire-proof, with fire-proof vaults for the keeping
of records, maps and other valuable property of the
city. There were other recommendations as to the
manner of occupying the different floors.
After considerable discussion, and after G. W. Wil-
liams, of the 18th ward, and George Jennison, of the
24th ward, were added to the committee, the contract
for the excavation for the cellar on the land for the
new building was awarded to Thomas Glevey, the low-
est bidder, at thirty-five cents a cubic yard; the work
to be commenced on the 21st of June, 1876, and com-
pleted in twenty working days. This work was done
according to contract. All other contracts entered in-
to by the special committee were required to be executed
under the seal of the city, by his honor, the mayor.
On June 21st, 1876, byforraal invitation of the Com-
mittee on Ceremonies, the Mayor, Board of Aldermen,
heads of municipal departments, and the officers there-
of; the members of the Board of Supervisors, the county
officers, and the public generally, were present at the
ceremonies accompanying the breaking of ground for
the new municipal building.
After the customary turning over of some sods of
earth by the mayor and by Hon. John French, the pres-
ident of the Board of Aldermen and Chairman of the
Building Committee, addresses were made by the Mayor,
President French, Corporation Counsel Wm. C. De
Witt, Supervisor Clarke and other officials.
Next in order was the selection of architects' plans
for the building; eight of the architects presented their
plans, which, on the 28th of June, 1876, were reported
to the Board of Aldermen. Those of John Mumford
538
HISTORY OF KIN^GS COUNTY.
Wm. B. Ditmars and Arthui- Crooks were selected as
being equally desirable. The matter laid over until a
special meetingof the Board of Aldermen, held August
14, 1876, when John Mumford and Wm. B. Ditmars
were appointed asyo*«i5-arohitects for the new muni-
cipal building, at a total salary of $5,000 for the entire
work.
This combination of architects proved very success-
ful. Two entirely new plans were prepared ; complete
harmony prevailed, proving the selection to have been
a peculiarly fortunate one. The skill and taste dis-
played; the economy shown in every branch of the
work, and the fidelity with which they have secured a
proper performance of labor, earned for them the grati-
tude of the public. The architectural beauty and finish
of the exterior of the building, and its adaptation of
the interior to the purposes of its -erection, are highly
creditable.
On the 13th of the November following, Michael
Dady was appointed, by the Common Council, inspector
of the building during its construction, at a salary of
$120 per month, from January 1, 1877; and his ample
fitness for the position proved a source of reliance and
satisfaction to the committee. After fourteen months'
service he resigned to accept another trust; and there-
after, until the completion of the building. Alderman
French gave his entire time to the general supervision
of the work.
On the 2d of October, 1876, bids were invited for the
several branches of the work; and the committee found
it necessary to modify the plans so as to bring the cost
of the building below the cost of $200,000. On the
23d of October, 1876, contracts were awarded for the
construction of the building, as follows: mason work,
W. & T. Lamb, Brooklyn, $60,729; iron work, D. Y.
Saxtan, Brooklyn, $35,034; nine thousand iron anchors,
D. D. Boyoe, Brooklyn, $540; marble work, John W.
Masterton, New York, $28,200; plumbing and gas-
fitting, James Harley, Brooklyn, $4,943; carpenter
work, John Fallon, Brooklyn, $37,692.
Each of these parties gave satisfactory sureties in
the penal sum of 50 per cent, of the amount of their
respective bids, for the faithful performance of their
contracts. They were drawn by corjioration counsel
De Witt, and executed by his honor the Mayor, on
behalf of the common council. The -time fixed in these
contracts for the completion of the building, ready for
occupancy, was February 1, 1378. On December 26,
1876, the contract for heating and ventilating the
building was awarded to Messrs. Jamer, Jacobs & Co.,
of New York, for the sum of $11,330.
In his annual message for 1877, his honor, Mayor
Frederick A. Schroeder, said : "The new Municipal
Building is under contract and will be ready for occu-
pation about the 1st of January, 1878. It will be an
ornament to the city, and is admirably arranged to
meet a want which has long been felt. It will be
entirely fire-proof, and the appropriation of $200 coo
heretofore made is ample for its completion." As soon
as the weather permitted in the spring of 1877 the
contractors began forwarding the work. Steady and
faithful progress was made by each contractor until the
completion, which was practically effected on April 15
1878, though the building was not formally accepted
until a few weeks later.
There was in the process of erecting this building
the usual strife, the usual mixture of political prejudice
and desire of political preferment and aggrandizement
that always find their way in the history of the erection
of most public buildings. Still, the work proceeded
with little interruption; perhaps never was the details
of the erection of a public building of this magnitude
more carefully scrutinized than were these.
On the 6th of September, 1877, Alderman Martha
ofirered a resolution, which was unanimously adopted, by
which a special committee of five members of the Board
of Aldermen was appointed to investigate the manner of
the execution of the contracts of the newMunicipal Build-
ing, with power to send for persons and papers. This
committee consisted of C. L. Burnett, James T. Easton,
David Acker and F. W. Phillips. After many meet-
ings and the most searching investigations, and the
intervention of other examiners, the committee, on
December 24th, 1877, reported favorably upon the
general work; stating that it compared favorably with
the work on any other building of a like character in
this country, both in manner of construction and the
economy with which it was done.
"We believe,'' says the report, "that the city's
interests have been well considered by the committee
of this Common Council in charge of the construction,
and that they have performed their part of the work
honestly, faithfully and intelligently, and that they are
entitled to the thanks of this Common Council, and of
the city.''
On the 4th of February, 1878, the building was so
nearly completed that the landlords, or the agents of
buildings occupied by the various municipal depart-
ments, were notified that they would not be required
by the city after April 30, 1878, provisions having
been made for the said departments in the new
municipal depfrtment building, and in the city hall.
The entire cost of construction of the building was
$199,979.48. (A view of the Municipal Building will be
found on the illustrated title-page of this history.) We
have already given the dimensions of the plot upon
which the building stands.
The dimensions of the building are as follows : One hun-
dred and one feet and one and one-half inches on Joralemon
street; 148 feet on westerly line; 163 feet, 6 inches on the
easterly line; 100 feet across the rear, with four stories and a
cellar; the fourth story, mansard roof. Height of stories:
First story, 18 feet in the clear; second story, 16 feet, 6 mches;
third story, 15 feet, 6 inches; fourth story, 18 feet, to deck of
roof.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
539
It is in the Renaissance style of the Fi-ench and Italian
schools, with towers at each angle, aad a center pavilion,
the towers projecting 1 foot, 6 inches, and having a width of
14 feet, returning ou east and west sides;" the pavilion cen-
ter projecting 4 feet, 6 inches, being 30 feet, 8 inches in width,
with the center of the same broken with an 8-inch projection,
13 feet, 6 inches wide. The small towers are surmounted by
broken segment cornices, ornamental dormers with pedi-
ments and hood with cresting^, and mansard roof with orna-
mental crestings and flagstaflfs sixty feet high. The decks of
the towers are 84 feet above curb. Tiie center pavilion is
surmounted by a broken Mansard roof, main cornices as
above. Ornamental deck cornices and a dome roof with finial,
the highest point being 135 feet above curb. The entrances,
three in number, are through the center or pavilion, with
granite steps and platforms, the central entrance being 7
feet and those each side 5 feet wide ; over the central entrance
is a portico projecting 6 feet, with carved and moulded col-
umns and pilasters, with raised bands, volutes and moulded
bases, and granite pedestal bases. The columns are sur-
mounted with moulded architrave, panelled ceiling, modil-
lian cornice and Corinthian balustrade, panelled and moulded
•pedestals with ornamental urns, and stone roof with windows
of center pavilion extending to said roof. The granite steps
to entrance extend into an inner vestibule, the run being
broken by two platforms of 4 and 6 feet each.
The outer entrances are secured by fancy wrought iron
gates opening inward into the main vestibule through inner
vestibule doors, which swing both ways with a Buckman
patent spring hinge, and plate glass in upper panels. When
in principal vestibule, which is 15x34, the passage is through
under the arcade of same. This is supported by two 14-inch
ornamental columns and two pilasters, from which arches
are sprung, handsomely moulded and finished with archi-
traves and key-stones. The passage is from thence to lobby
under dome, 24x24 feet, which is lighted from roof with well
openings in each floor above, around which are placed orna-
mental iron rails with fancy newel posts and a double-hipped
galvanized iron dome for skylight and ventilation. Passing
on through the center arch, which is 10 feet wide (elliptic),
the principal stairs are located, occupying a space, with cor-
ridors between, of 28x39 feet, on each side of which is a flight
of iron stairs 5 feet, 6 inches wide, with two platforms to each
leading to each story; each lighted overhead in the roof by a
skylight, 4x10 feet, to each well or cylinder, which is 8 feet
wide. At foot of stairs on main corridor are placed orna-
mental iron newels, 1 foot, 6 inches square and 6 feet high,
upon which are placed bronze standard newel lights. Under
these stairs are entrances by stairways to the basement, from
corridors and tax collector's ofiBce to searchers' room in base-
ment. The balance of the corridors which extend through
the rear of the building, are 13 feet wide, from which large
double doors open to the various departments. At the head
of the principal stairs, and passing right or left of the divi-
sion walls, towards the front, are private corridors leading to
the private stairways for the use of the departments and di-
visions of same, which occupy portions of the several floors:
the walls on each floor under dome have circular corners. The
first story corridor extends through, with an entrance on
rear, with vestibule doors. At the center, on the west side
of the building, is a tower 22 feet wide, 8 feet projection,
surmounted with mansard roof, the deck of which is 88 feet
above the sidewalk. The foundation walls of this building
are started 10 feet below the curb."
In the first story, on each side of the center arch, are plated
the following tablets, which are of black marble, with gilt
lettering:
Commenced— 1876.
Mayor,
FilEDERICIC A. SOHROEDER.
Erected hythe Common Council un-
der the direction of
Aldermen
John French,
Francis B. Fisher,
George W. Williams,
George Jennison,
James Donovan.
Architects,
John Mumeord,
William B. Ditmaus.
Inspector,
Michael J. Dadt.
Completed— 18T8.
Contractors :
Mason,
Wm. & T. Lamb, Jr.
Marble,
John M. Masterton.
Iron,
D. T. Saxtan.
Carpenter,
John Fallon.
Heating and Ventilation,
Jamer, Jacobs & Co.
Plumbing and Gasflttlng,
James Harley.
1876.
1878.
Over these tablets, in panels immmediately under each,
and to the line of the abacus of the pilasters are placed white
marble tablets, with gilt letters, as follows :
Tablet in Main Corridor.
MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENT
BUILDING.
May 1, 1878.
Special Legislative Act.
Tablet in Main Corridor,
COST OF CONSTRUCTION,
$197,979.48.
May 1,1878.
Appropriation, $200,000.
How the Building is Occupied. — Cellar. — Con-
tains boilers and engine room, store-rooras for Board of
Health, Bureau of Streets and Board of City Water
Works; Police drill-room, searcher's room; Tax depart-
ment, etc.
I'i7-st /Story. — Occupied by Tax Collector (including
the assessment room, bill room, cashier's department,
the collector's and deputies' private offices, the Registrar
of Arrears (public and private offices), the map room
(fire-proof), the Registrar of Water Rates, cashier's de-
partment (fire and burglar proof vault), etc.
Second Story. — Occupied by City Works, secretaries,
two commissioners, chief clerk's room, waiting room,
board room, president's room, store-room and account-
ant's room. Board of Health as follows: registrar's
public and private oflioes, secretary's room, fire and
buro-lar proof vault, vaccinating room, board room,
waiting room, president's room, office of permits and
complaints, inspector's room. Sanitary Superintendent's
room and Counsel to the Board; Superintendent of Police
detectives' private and public room, inspector's room,
waiting room, superintendent's room, telegraph room,
battery room and work room, sergeants' and muster
rooms. Board of Assessors— General office, president's
room and board room, etc.
Third Floor.— Bo&rA of City Works, chief engineer's
department, bureau of repairs and construction, piir-
veyor's department, etc. ; bureau of streets and supplies,
department of police and excise, etc.
Fourth Floor.— West sidewhoUy occupied by Police
Department as follows: drill captain's room, two sleep-
ing rooms for detectives, fire marsball and boiler in-
spector, surgeon's room oS corridor in front, reporters'
room on east side.
540
HISTORY OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
The first telephone used for journalistic purposes was
placed in the telegraph room of the board of police, in
the new building, by the private enterprise of the Brook-
lyn Daily Eagle &n(i Union- Ar (/us, ou ATpril 20, 1878.
On the 20th of June, 1878, the department being in full
occupation, the building was thrown open to public in-
spection. Four days later, on June 24th, occurred the
first disaster to the building, from the breaking of
ground down to that time. A tremendous explosion
shook the building, the city hall, court-house and other
buildings in the neighborhood, reverberating through
the city like an awful clap of thunder. This accident
was caused by the carelessness of a gas-fitter employed
in making some alterations in a vault on the third floor,
by which the gas had been allowed to escape into the
vault from -5 p.m. of the previous day until 9.30 a.m. of
the 24th, when a clerk entering the vault to procure a
book which had been called for, struck a match — and a
fearful explosion followed, killing Mr. Oliver S. Yin-
cent, a searcher of real estate titles; seriously injuring
Wm. F. Code, a stamp clerk in the Tax Office, and in-
flicting damage on several other persons; as well as
doing immense damage to the vault and adjoining
rooms. This explosion, however, fully tested the
strength and perfection of the building.
Having briefly described the public buildings of the
municipality of Brooklyn, we shall give, in a condensed
form, a history of
The Legislative and Administrative Powers of
the Corporation of the City, under its charter,
passed June 28, 1873, and the various amendments
thereto, with amendments down to and including 1877.
The legislative power of said corporation is vested
in a board of aldermen, called the Common Council.
The Common Council. — The ?aid charter and said amend-
ments declares that, on and after the first Monday in January,
1876, the Common Council shall consist of onealderman, to be
elected from each ward of the city; that there shall be elected
at the general election to be held in the year 1875, and again
in 1876, and at each election every two years after the elec-
tion of 1876, by the electors respectively of the 1st, 3d, 5th,
7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 31st, 23d, and 25th
wards of said city, onealderman for each of the said wards;
and there shall be elected at the said general election in the
year 1875, and at such election every two years thereafter,
by the electors respectively of the 2nd, 4th 6th, 8th, 10th,
12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 33nd, and 24th wards of the city,
one alderman for each of the last mentioned wards. The
said charter also declares that the said wards are towns of
the county of Kings.
The terms of the Aldermen commence on the first day of
January next succeeding their election; the compensation of
each shall be one thousand dollars per year, except the pres-
ident of the board, who receives $2,500 per year.
Qualifications.— Every alderman shall, at the time of his
election, bd an elector of the ward for which he is chosen,
and shall have been a citizen of the United States, and a
resident of the city for at least three years previous thereto;
he can hold no other public office, except that of notary
public or commissioner of deeds.
Clerk of the Board. — The Board shall appoint a clerk, who
shall also be the City Clerk, and hold his office for two years-
he shall have charge of all the papers and documents of the
city; countersign all licences granted by the Mayor and
keep the record of the proceedings of the Common Council,
He performs such duties as are required of the clerks of the
several towns of this state not consistent with the provisions
of the charter. He engrosses all the ordinances of the Com-
mon Council in a book provided for that purpose, which shall
be deemed a public record of such ordinances, each of which
shall be signed by the mayor. He receives and pays over to
the treasurer all monies, which by law or usage are paid to
the Clerk of the City, and make return thereof, under oath,
to the Comptroller. These are the principal duties of the
clerk.
A majority of aldermen elected constitute a quorum, but
a smaller number may adjourn from time to time, and com-
pel the attendance of absent members.
The Board shall annually elect a president from its own
body. Every ordinance or resolution of the Board must,
before it takes effect, be presented, duly certified, to the
mayor; and the approval of the minutes by the said board
shall be conclusive evidence thafcthe said ordinance, or resol-
ution, has been so presented to the Mayor, who exercises the
veto power, similar to that of the governor of the state; and
the matter so vetoed may be passed by a two-thirds of the
members, notwithstanding his veto.
But such ordinance or resolution cannot take effect in any
sense, until the day following the next regular meeting of
the board, in which case, it shall take effect upon being ap-
proved by the mayor. The board shall hold stated weekly
meetings, commencing on the first Monday of January of
each year, unless the first Monday happen on the first day
of the year, when it shall commence on the second Monday
of January, but special meetings may be called.
The Common Council shall have power to make, establish,
publish and modify, amend or repeal ordinances, rules,
regulations and by-laws, not consistent with this act; to
levy and collect assessments, and to manage its property and
finances; to supervise the affairs of all the departments and
officers appointed or elected under this charter; to fix the
salaries of such officers; to regulate all matters connected
with the public wharves; all business conducted thereon;
and with all parks, places and streets of the city; to regu-
late or prohibit bathing or swimming in the waters of, or
abounding the city ; and to establish and maintain within
the city, one or more public baths. To prohibit and abate
nuisances, and assess the expenses of such abatements upon
the city, or upon the property affected thereby; to regulate
the burial of the dead; to enlarge the fire district, and to
prohibit and regulate the storage or sale of materials, which,
in their judgment, are dangerous; to regulate and license
all places of public amusement; to regulate weights and
measures, and appoint city surveyors; to regvdate and U-
oense common carriers of passengers, criers, hawkers, ped-
dlers, pawn-brokers, junk dealers, public cartmen, truck-
men, hackmen, cabmen, expressmen and dealers in fire-
wood, coal, hay and straw; to establish, license, and regulate
public and private markets, and to license, regulate or pro-
hibit slaughter houses and noxious traffic or business; to
prohibit disorderly conduct, and the keeping of disorderly
houses; to restrain and punish vagrants, mendicants, street-
beggars, and common prostitutes, and to prescribe penalties
for the disobedience of this act . The Common Council have
power to alter and change the names of all the avenues,
streets, places, alleys, lanes, and pubUc places in the city; it
shall also have power to establish markets, make parks,
MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
541
build bridges, and to make other improvements, for the use
of the city, and to create loans, and to issue bonds therefor,
nayable at such times, and in such manner, and at such rate
pf interest as they may direct, not, however, without being
BMsed upon by the electors of the city at a charter election,
of which three months' notice must be published in the cor-
poration newspapers. To direct the digging down, draining,
or filling up lots or parcels of ground, in all cases in which
a vote of two-thirds; they shall decide upon such digging
down, draining or filling up to be necessary, for preventing
any damage or injury to the streets, sidewalks, crosswalks,
or to the adjoining property; to direct the fencing in of va-
cant lots adjoining any street, and the building, or main-
taining of brick or stone walls between any lot or piece of
land, and any street or lot adjoining the land, or between
any lots where the same may be required by the said com-
mon council, by reason of either of said lots not being on the
grade with the street upon which either of the same may
front; to protect the lot or lots upon the grade of such
street, or to protect said street, and to require such wall to
be built upon any lot or piece of land which shall not so
conform to the grade, at the expense of the owner or own-
ers thereof, and to assess and collect the expense thereof, in
the same manner as for regulating, grading and paving
streets; but before any ordinance shall be passed for any of
these purposes, ten days' notice of the application for the
intention to pass such ordinance, shall be given to every per-
son to be affected thereby, either personally or by publica-
tion in the corporation newspapers. Finally to do all other
acts necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this act,
or such other acts as relate to the city.
The Common Council shall have power to make, alter,
modify, amend and repeal all such other ordinances, rules,
police, health, excise, fire and building regulations and by-
laws as they may deem necessary and proper for the good
government, order and protection of persons and property,
and for the preservation of the public health, peace and pros-
perity of the said city and its inhabitants.
In every by-law, ordinance or regulation which the said
Common Council may pass, it shall impose a penalty for the
violation or non-performance thereof. Suits may be prose-
cuted, in the name of the city, against any person or persons
who shall violate any provision of any law, ordinance or reg-
ulation of the Common Council, or who shall refuse or ne-
glect to do any duty or act required of him or them; and in
every such action it shall be suflBcient to state in the com-
plaint the by-laws, ordinances or regulation, and the section
thereof , upon which such action is brought; and the proceed-
ings for the violations of any of the said ordinances imposing
a penalty may be commenced by a warrant for the arrest of
the offender, as well as by summons, to be issued by any
justice having jurisdiction in the case, before whom complaint
shall be made under oath; and every police justice and justice
of the peace in the city shall have jurisdiction in all such
cases.
Every general ordinance, by-lasv and regulation which
may be passed by the Common CouncU, imposing a penalty,
shall, after the passage thereof, and before the same shall
take effect, be published^or ten days successively in the cor-
poration newspapers.
The Common Council shall designate four daily newspapers
(one of which shall be published in the Eastern District of said
city, and one in the German language, having the largest
daily ckcnlation therein), in which shall be published all the
ordinances, resolutions, notices, tax and assessment sales,
and all other proceedings by which this or any other acts
are, or may be, required to be published afEecting said
city, provided that the aggregate expenditure shall not
exceed |60,000 per annum, exclusive of tax and assess-
ment sales, which shall be published by said papers, at rates
to be fixed by the common council. After the 1st day of
January, 1874, the aldermen of the city were, by the act of
1873, made supervisors and fence-viewers in their respective
wards; and the term of office of the then present supervisors,
elected from the several wards of the city, ceased on the 1st
day of Jauuaiy, 1874; and laws for the election of supervisors
in the city were repealed. But this law was in existence
only a brief period, when, by an act of the legislature, it
was repealed, and the office of supervisor for each ward was
restored, nearly in manner and form as it formerly existed.
Having thus given tlie legislative power of the said
corporation, we proceed to give a synopsis of the
Administrative Power, Under the Last Char-
ter, vested in the Mayor, the heads of the departments,
and such other officers as shall, from time to time, be
created by law or appointed.
The following are the present departments : Finance,
Audit, Treasury, Collection, Arrears, Law, Assessment,
Police and Excise, Health, Fire and Buildings, City
Works, Parks, Public Instruction, Superintendent of
Truant Home, Superintendent of Inebriates^ Home.
The offices of May or, Comptroller and Auditor a,re elective;
all other offices are made by appointment. The term of
office of the Mayor, Auditor and Comptroller is two years.
A corporation officer, whether elected or appointed, must
be at the time of election or appointment a citizen of the
United States, a resident and elector of the city for at least
three years immediately prior to such appointment, and if
elected to any ward office, must be a natural resident in such
ward; removal therefrom vacates such office, and no person
so elected or appointed, shall, during his term of office, hold
any other public office whatever (except commissioner
of deeds and notary public), or who shall be directly or
indirectly interested in any contract to which the city or any
department thereto is a party; and no person so elected or
appointed shall receive any compensation whatever, except
his salary fixed by law or ordinance, for any services per-
formed or work done under any public authority. Such
officers are to give ample security to the city for the faithful
performance of their duties, and to make and file their oath
of office. Elections for Mayor and such other officers as are
to be elected shall be held by the electors of the said city on
the day of the general election, and under the regulations
and law prescribed in regard to State elections. The judges
of the City Court of Brooklyn, police justices and justices of
the peace, or such of them as are required to be chosen at
any election, shall be voted for on a separate ballot, to be en-
dorsed "judiciary;" the Mayor, Comptroller and Auditor
shall be voted for on a separate ballot, to be endorsed " city
officers-" the aldermen and constable shall be voted for on a
separate ballot, endorsed "ward officers." Such ballots shall
be deposited by the inspector of the different election dis-
tricts in separate boxes, to be provided by the city.
No person shall be eligible to the office of Mayor, unless he
has resided in the city at least five y^ars, and has attained
the age of twenty-five years. His salary was fixed at $10,000
per annum, but by the laws of 1877, chap. 459, the Common
Council is authorized to fix the salary of the Mayor. He
shall, by virtue of his office, be a Supervisor of the county,
and shall possess the jurisdiction and exercise all the power
and authority, m criminal cases, of the justice of the peace of
-said city, in addition to the powers heretofore given him by
542
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
this, or any other act, but shall receive no fees for his
services as such justice of the peace, or for his services as
supervisor. It is the duty of the Mayor, among other things,
to submit to the Board of Aldermen at their first meeting in
the month of January, each year, and oftener if he thinks
proper, a message or statement of the condition of the city
in relation to its government, finances and improvement; to
see that the laws and ordinances are duly executed; to exer-
cise constant supervision over all officers; to examine into all
complaints against them. Among the powers and authority
conferred upon him, he can arrest and commit offenders for
examination, for offences committed within the city against
the laws of the state, the same as a police magistrate or
justice of the peace, in any of the towns of the state. He
can issue warrants against any and all persons violating any
of the ordinances or by-laws of the Common Council, and
direct the proper officers to arrest such persons, and
summarily to hear, try and determine, and dispose of the
same, where the penalty imposed by the said ordinance or
regulation shall not exceed ten dollars; if such penalty be
not paid -forthwith, the mayor shall commit the said offender
to the county jail of the county for a term not exceeding
thirty days, or until the fine is paid; and in case the penalty
exceeds ten dollars the Mayor may, after examination, hold
the parties to hail.
The Mayor shall accept, as is otherwise provided, nominate,
and with the consent of the Board of Aldermen, appoint the
heads of several departments and the assessors; he shall have
power to suspend any officer appointed by him, and after
such suspension report the fact to the Board of Aldermen,
who may, for cause, remove such suspended officer by a
vote of two-thirds of all the aldermen elected; but no such
removal shall take place until tlie party sought to be removed
has had an opportunity to be heard in his own defense.
When there is a vacancy in the office of Mayor, or when
absent from the city or too ill to officiate, the President of
the Board of Aldermen, or if he be unable to officiate the
president pro tempore shall act as Mayor. These are among
the most important duties required of the Mayor of Brooklyn.
Department of Finance. — The charter of the city provided
for the election of a Compti'oller, to be elected at the general
election to be held in the year 1874, and every two years there-
after, with a salary of |10,000 per annum. Subsequently the
Common Council was authorized to fix his salary. He is at
the head of the Finance Department, having the direction and
management of the accounts and finances of the city, subject
to the ordinances of the common council; and he shall render
to the common council as often as required a full detailed
statement of all receipts and disbursements of the city gov-
ernment, specifying the amount expended and unexpended
on each appropriation made by the Common Council, with
the state of each account, together with a general statement
of liabilities and resources of the city, and such other infor-
mation as may be necessary to a full understanding of the
financial affairs of the city; he shall prescribe the method
and forms of keeping and rendering all city accounts, the
forms of accounts and pay-rolls to be used in the several de-
partments and offices, the manner in which all salaries shall
be drawn, the modes by which all creditors, officers and em-
ployees of the city shall be paid. All salaries shall be payable
monthly.
Department of Audit. — Of the Auditor : The city charter
provides for the election of an Auditor every two years at the
general election. He is at the head of the Auditing Depart-
ment, with a salary to be fixed by the Common Council; it is
his duty to examine all bills presented against the city for
payment; no claim against the city shall be paid unless he
certifies that the services have been rendered or the materials
furnished for which such bills may be presented, and that
the charges are just and reasonable.
All money drawn from the treasury must be upon vouch-
ers for the expenditure thereof, examined and allowed by the
auditor, approved by the comptroller. All bills must by made
out in items certified by the head of the department or officer
having cognizance of the subject for such claim. He may
inspect any book, contract or resolution or other paper docu-
ment in the respective departments or offices; he may exam-
ine all persons under oath presenting claims for settlement.
He shall make a weekly report to the Common Council of the
name of every person in whose name an account has been
presented during the preceding week, with his decision upon
the same.
Treasury Department.^The Mayor shall nominate, and
with the consent of the Board of Aldermen, appoint a Treas-
urer, whose term of office is two years, his salary fixed by the
Common Council. He is at the head of the Treasury Depart-
ment of the city; he receives and deposits daily all moneys
belonging to the city in such banks and trust companies, to
the credit of city, upon such terms and in such amounts as the
commissioners of the sinking fund may direct. It is the duty of
the heads of all departments, all justices of the peace, pohce
justices and all other officers of the city, to pay him all monies
by them received belonging to the city, at the times directed
by the Common Council, or in default thereof by the comp-
troller, and to account therefor under oath, with items, to
the comptroller. No money can be drawn from the treasury
except by an appropriation by the Common Council upon a
warrant signed by the Mayor, or acting Mayor, and by the
Comptroller or his deputy, and countersigned by the City
Clerk, or, in his absence, by his assistant. Such warrant
shall specify for what purpose the amount therein mentioned
is to be paid. These are the most important duties of the
Treasurer.
Department of Collection. — Once in every two years the
Mayor shall nominate and, with the consent of the Board of
Aldermen, shall appoint a person to be Collector of taxes and
assessments, who shall hold his office for two years, and
whose salary is fixed by the Common Council. He is at the
head of the Department of Collection, and collects and re-
ceives all money due, or that may become due, under any
warrant delivered to him for taxes and assessments, which
he shall pay to the treasurer of the city on the same day on
which he receives them. He renders an account thereof to
the Comptroller in detail; he has the same powers as the col-
lectors in the towns of this state. He is not required to call
personally or by deputy upon persons taxed in the annual
tax rolls for their taxes, where such taxes are for real estate;
but he shall, upon receiving such tax rolls, cause a notice to
be published for thirty days in the city newspapers that the
said tax rolls have been completed, and a warrant for the
collection of the taxes delivered to him, and that all persons
are required to pay their taxes at his office without delay,
under penalties of the law. He must annex to such notice,
and publish therewith, a copy of the tenth section, of title
seventh, of the law forming the city charter; he must, after
such assessment list and warrant is delivered to him, cause
bills of the several amounts therein assessed to be served
personally or left at the places of residence of the persons
charged with, or liable to pay, such assessments, if residents
of the city; if not, he must cause the bills to be sent to such
persons by mail, addressed to their reputed places of residence.
These are some of the most important duties of the Collector.
Department of Arrears.— The chief officer of this depart-
ment is called the " Registrar of Arrears." His salary is fixed
MUNICIPAL MISTOHY OF BROOKLYN.
54S
by the Common Council. All the duties heretofore required
by law to be performed by any city officer or department in
relation to advertising, selling and leasing property for un-
paid assessments, taxes and water rates, and the redemption
of property sold therefor, is performed by said department
of arrears. The Registrar is nominated by the Mayor, and,
with the consent of the Board of Aldermen, appointed every
two years, and holds his office two years.
Department of Lav?. — This department is committed to a
Corporation Counsel, nominated by the Mayor, and, by the
consent of the Board of Aldermen, appointed to be the Attor-
ney and Counsel for the corporation. He has the manage-
ment and control of all its law business, and of all its depart-
ments, and all the law business in which the city shall be in-
terested. He draws all leases, deeds or otlier legal papers
for the city; he is the legal adviser of the Mayor and the
Common Council, and the several departments of the corpor-
ation. He has charge of, and conducts all proceedings neces-
sary in opening, widening or closing streets, avenues, parks,
roads or lanes, and all other local improvements of the same
kind; he makes all searches and abstracts of title required in
opening, widening or extending any street, avenue or square;
he caa, with the consent of the Common Council, authorize
an attorney or other person to appear for him in his name,
for and on behalf of the said corporation, and conduct and
defend suits and proceediugs in all courts and places. His
salary is fixed by the Common Council. He is appointed
every two years.
Department of Assessment. — This department consists of a
President and nine Assessors. The act constituting the city
charter made it the duty of the Comptroller and Auditor of
the city to appoint a proper person to be president of the
Board of Assessors, and tlie proper persons to constitute that
board. The term of office jof the president aud all the asses-
sors is three years from the time of their appointment. The
president is the head of the said department. His salary and
that of the assessors is fixed by the Common Council. The
assessors make out the assessment list and rolls for local taxes
and improvements, and perform such other duties as may be
required of them, under the direction of the president. The
Board of Assessors have power, and it is their duty to make
all assessments for taxes and local improvements, except for
sewers, in the city of Brooklyn, by law provided. They shall
include, in every assessment for local improvements, such
amount as may be necessary to reimburse to the city the
interest upon all advances made in executing such improve-
ments. In determining the value of personal property to be
assessed for taxes, the assessors may examine, upon oath,
.every person whom they shall believe ought to be assessed
for such property, and may examine, under oath, such other
persons as witnesses in relation thereto as they may deem
proper; and, for that purpose, may administer oaths and
issue process to compel the attendance of witnesses before
them. The assessors possess the power to punish any person
who shall refuse to make oath concerning his or her property,
by a forfeiture for one year of all the rights and privileges
given by law, to persons aggrieved by excessive assessments;
and the assessors shall, in case of such refusal, use their own
judgment in regard to the value of tlie property of such per-
sons refusing to make oath, and assess it according to their
judgment, leaving the parties thus assessed without any re-
dress, in case of excessive assessment.
Department of Police and Excise.— The department of
Police and Excise in Brooklyn consists of a President and two
Commissioners; the president of the Board of Police, together
with the police commissioners, constitute the Board of Police
in the' city of Brooklyn. The said president and commis-
sioners are appointed by the Mayor, with the consent of the
Board of Aldermen, every two years. The sp,larie8 of the
president and commissioners are fixed by the Common Coun-
cil. The said department has the management and control
of all the matters belonging to the police and excise, subject
to the ordinances of the common council and the laws of the
state.
The city is divided into precincts, not exceeding one pre-
cinct to each 36 of the patrolmen authorized to be appointed.
The said board may establish sub-precincts, and assign, not
to exceed three sergeants, two doormen, two roundsmen, and
as many patrolmen as may be deemed sufficient to each
sub-precinct, and appoint a telegraph superintendent, three
telegraph operators and one assistant telegraph operator. It
appoints as many captains of police as there may be pre-
cincts, and assigns one captain, and as many sergeants,
roundsmen, patrolmen and doormen as it shall deem suffi-
cient to each precinct. It also appoints a counsel and fixes
his compensation, which shall not exceed |2,500; it appoints
(not to exceed five) surgeons, and as many mounted sergeants,
roundsmen aud patrolmen as the Common Council shall
authorize.
The whole police force of the city consists of a Superintend-
ent, whose salary is $4,000 a year; ong Inspector, salary,
$3,000; captains, whose salaries are f3,000 per year each;
sergeants, salary, $1,500 each; roundsmen, salaries, |1,100
each; patrolmen, salaries, $1,100 each; doormen, salaries,
$800 each; drill captain, $1,800; police surgeons, $1,500 each.
The number of sergeants shall not exceed four for each pre-
cinct, three for each sub-precinct, and one for each special
squad; the number of roundsmen shall not exceed two for
each precinct or sub-precinct; the numiber of doormen shall
not exceed two for each precinct or sub-precinct, two for
head-quarters, and one for each special squad; the number
of patrolmen shall not exceed the number authorized by law,
unless the Common Council, under certain proceedings, au-
thorize a greater number. Special patrolmen may be appoint-
ed incase of riot; criminal process, issued out of any court
having criminal jurisdiction in the city, must be served
by a member of the police force, and not otherwise. The
members of said force possess the powers of constables, except
for the serving of civil process.
The duties and powers of the police force are very great.
They are especially empowered to preserve the public peace ;
prevent crime; detect and arrest offenders; suppress riots,
mobs and insurrection; disperse unlawful and dangerous as-
semblages, and assemblages which obstruct passage in public
streets, sidewalks, parks and places; protect the rights of
perscjns and property; guard the public health; preserve order
at election, and all public meetings and assemblages; prevent
and regulate the movement of teams and vehicles in streets;
remove all nuisance from the streets, parks and highways;
arrest all street mendicants and beggars; advise and protect
emigrants, strangers and travelers in public streets, at steam-
boat and ship landings, at railroad stations; carefully observe
and inspect all places of public amusement, all places of busi-
ness having excise or other license to carry on business, all
houses of ill-fame and prostitution, and all houses where
common prostitutes resort or reside, all gambling houses,
cock-pits, rat pits, and public common dance houses, and to
repress and restrain all disorderly or unlawful conduct or
practices therein; enforce and prevent the violation of all
laws and ordinances in force in said city ; and for these pur-
poses, with or without warrant, to arrest all persons guilty
of violating any law or ordinance for the suppression of
crime and offences. The board appoints an officer known as
Police Fire, Marshal of the city of Brooklyn ; he must take
544
EISTOBY OF KINGS COUNTY.
the constitutional oatli of office, and hold such office during
the pleasure of the board. His salary is $3,000 per year.
Among his duties is an examination into the causes, circum-
stances and origin of iires occurring in the city, by which
any building, vessel, vehicle, or any valuable personal pro-
perty shall be accidentally or unlawfully burned, de-
stroyed, lost or damaged, vfhoUy or partially, and to especi-
ally inquire and examine vrhether the fire vras the result of
carelessness, or the act of an incendiary. He may examine,
under oath, all persons supposed to be cognizant of any facts,
or to have means of knowledge in relation to the matters
herein required to be examined and inquired into. He may,
at all times of the day or night, in the performance of the
duties imposed upon him, enter upon or examine any build-
ing or premises where any fire shall have occurred, and the
building adjoining the premises, and near to that in which
the fire occurred. The said board has the power and per-
forms the duties which are now conferred upon Boards of
Excise in this state, under the provisions of an act entitled,
" an act regulating the sale of intoxicating liquors," passed
April 11th, 1870, subject to directions in granting licenses
of the Common Council. The Department of Police and Ex-
cise, in the city of Bi-ooklyn, is one of the best constituted,
most practical, safe and efficacious of any department of the
kind in any of the municipalities in this republic. The per-
son, the property, and the rights, not only of the citizens of
Brooklyn, but of the strangers in their midst; ai-e most se-
curely protected by a vigilant, able and experienced police,
who fully understand their duty, thoroughly perform it,
never transcending their powers.
A detailed and valuable history of the origin, growth
and development of these several departments, written
by the Editor of this v^rork, will be found in another
part thereof ; for this reason we shall omit any further
description, except in some statistics connected therewith^
Department of Health. — This department is known as the
Board of Health of the city of Brooklyn, which has jurisdic-
tion over the city. Its management and control is vested in
a Board of Health composed of the president of the Board of
Aldermen, the president of the Board of Police and one
physician, who shall have been ten years in active practice,
and for five years a resident of the city of Brooklyn, imme-
diately prior to his appointment. The Mayor nominates, and
with the consent of the Board of Aldermen, appoints a
physician, eligible to the office, as a member of the said
Board of Health, and who is the president thereof. The
board, thus constituted, has power to act as a legislative
hoard in regard to all matters pertaining to public health and
of the registration of vital statistics in the city, and to make
such rules and regulations, and such appointments of officers
and employees, as it may deem necessary for the proper
carrying out and enforcement of all laws, ordinances and
codes that may be prescribed for its government, for the pro-
tection of the public health, and for the care and registration
of such statistics. The said board has power to prepare such
ordinances as it shall deem to be required for the protection
of the public health, and for securing the proper registration
of births, marriages, deaths, and such other statistical infor-
mation as may be necessary for the efficient working of the
department, with penalties for the punishment of any dis-
obedience to its ordinances or orders. Finally the power of
the said board is plenary, extending to eveiy person, animal,
matter, thing, building, out-house, sewer, shop or manu-
factory, by which, or through which, the health of the city
is, or can be in any way affected. (For a history of this
department, see pages 563 to 568.)
The Department of Fire and Buildings. — It is thorough
and exhaustive in its action, tending to the protection of the
city from the ravages of fire in a manner that gives the
citizens of Brooklyn a feeling of security and protection
realized by but few cities in tlie nation. This department
consists of a president and two commissioners; they are ap-
pointed every two years by the Mayor, with the consent of
the Board of Aldermen. The salary of the president is $5,000
per year, and of each commissioner $4,000, subject to be.
changed or fixed by the Common Council. Among the duties
of the said commissioners are the following: they possess
fully and exclusively all the powers and perform all the
duties for the government, management, maintenance and
direction of the fire department of the city, and the premises
and property thereof, subject to the direction of the Common
Council, except such power and authority as is now vested
by law in the trustees of the Fire Department of the Eastern
and Western districts of the city, which said divisions shall
remain distinct from each other so far as relates to the
Widows' and Orphans' Fund of each district, but for no other
purpose. The Common Council provides supplies, horses,
tools, implements and apparatus of all kinds (necessary to be
used in the extinguishing of fires,) and fire telegraphs, and
provides suitable locations for the same; they have power to
buy, sell, contract for and have the care of the same, and take
any and all such action in the premises as may be necessary
and proper. This department possesses and exercises full and
exclusive power for the government, management and main-
tenance of the several buildings, premises, property and ap-
purtenances thereto, and all apparatus, hose, implements and
tools of all kinds connected or belonging to the fire depart-
ment of the city;.the commissioners have power to ,pelect a
secretary, chief and assistant engineers, and as many clerks,
foremen, engineers, drivers, inspectors and bell-ringers as
may be necessary, provided that the salaries of such em-
ployees, in the aggregate, shall not exceed the amount
annually raised by the proper officers for such purpose; the
said employees are under the control of the commissioners,
and the chief clerk in the building bureau of the Department
of Fire and Buildings shall be known and designated as the
Stqyerintendent of Buildings, having charge under the direc-
tion of the commissioners of said building bureau, and such
matters connected therewith as is provided by law.
The salary of the firemen appointed by said commissioners
shall be $800 per annum, subject to the will of the common
council to fix or change. No person holding ofiSce in or
under this department shall be liable to military or jury
duty, while performing his duty as a fireman. The powers
and duties of this department are very numerous and ex-
tensive. From it has originated one of the most completely
equipped, gallant and effective fire departments now in
existence. (For a history of this department, see pages 568
to 578.)
Department of City Works.— This is one of the most im-
portant departments in the municipality of Brooklyn ; it has,
perhaps, a wider range of duties, intimately touching the
public interests, than any other.
At the expiration of every two years, the Mayor, with the
consent of the board of aldermen shall appoint a Board of City
Works, consisting of a president and two commissioners, who
shall have, subject to the direction of the common council,
charge of all structures and property connectedwith the public
water works; the supply and distribution of water, and the
collection of the water revenue; the construction and main-
tenance of public sewers and drainage; opening, altering,
regulating, grading, re-grading, curbing, guttering and light-
ing streets, avenues, places and roads; flagging sidewalks, and
MUNICIPAL msTonr of Brooklyn.
545
laying crosswalks; constructing and repairing public roads,
extending beyond the limits of paved streets ; the care of
public buildings and offices ; filling sunken lots, and fencing
vacant lots ; digging down lots ; licensing street vaults, cis-
terns and cesspools ; paving and re-paving, repairing and
cleaning streets, avenues and places, and keeping the same
clear of encroachments and obstructions ; digging, construct-
in" and repairing wells and pumps ; making and preserving
all surveys, maps, plans, estimates and drawings, relating to
the laying out and improvement of streets, avenues, roads
and sewers ; the construction, altei'iug and repairing of pub-
lic structures, buildings and offices, and all other buildings
under the said department.
The president receives an annual salary of 11,000, and each
of the commissioners receive an annual salary of |6,000. This
board appoints a secretary, and fixes his compensation.
Bureaus. — The department is divided into six bureaus, the
chief officers, subordinates and employees of which are
appointed and removed at pleasure.
1st. A bureau having charge of water works, sewers,
streets, avenues and places, roads and sidewalks and cross-
walks, sunken lots, lots to be dug down, vacant lots, wells,
pumps, lamp-posts, docks, bulk-heads and bridges ; making
and preserving all maps and surveys relating to the laying
out, regulating, grading and paving all streets and avenues,
and all pubUc improvement under the charge of this depart-
ment ; and the supervision of altering and repairing of all pub-
lic buildings and structures. The chief officer of this depart-
ment is called the Chief Engineer. 2nd. A bureau having the
care of the extension and distribution of the water ; laying
water pipes ; setting all water meters ; taking their record ;
the sale of water to shipping ; the setting of fire and drink-
ing hydrants. The chief officer of this department is called
the Water Purveyor. 3d. A bureau arising from the sale
and use of water. The chief officer of this department is
oaUed the Water Begistrar. 4th. A bureau for the inspec-
tion, cleaning, granting permits for sewer connections and
their inspection, and the general care of all sewers. The
chief officer is called the Superintendent of Sewers. 5th. A
bureau having the care and charge of street cleaning; re-
moving ashes and garbage ; keeping the streets clear of all
obstructions ; regulating the occupancy of streets by licensed
hacks, carts and trucks ; granting builders' permits ; num-
bering streets ; putting up street signs ; cleaning and repair-
ing public lamps ; inspection of gas and lamps ; the erection
of awnings. The chief of this bureau is called the Superin-
tendent of Streets. 6th. A bureau having charge of fur-
nishing fuel, furniture and utensils, books, stationery and all
articles for public offices (including the city courts), except-
ing as may be otherwise provided for, and all supplies shall
only be furnished upon a requisition signed by the heads of
this department. The chief of this bureau is called Superin-
tendent of Supplies.
For many years there existed in the city an officer known
as "Street Commissioner, and Commissioner of Repairs and
SuppUes." By an act of the legislature, passed April, 1872,
these offices were abolished. The powers and duties of street
Commissioner devolved upon the Commissioner of City
Works. This office of Street Commissioner was one of the
best paying offices in the city, the salary being no less than
15,000 per annum.
The Board of City Works in a recent and highly interesting
report,* shows that there were in the city in 1882, 192
churches, aU of which were of brick or stone, except 83,
which were of wood. That there were 117 private and public
* Brooklyn Advance, July, 1883, page 225.
school-houses, all of which were brick, except 34; that there
were 53 public halls, 542 brick stables, and 770 frame stables;
and that there were 1,312 warehouses and sheds ; there were
75,679 dwelling houses, 34,078 of which were brick or stone,
and 41,601 were frame ; that the 7th ward had the great-
est number of dwellings— 5,295; the 22d ward, 4,395. The
total square miles in the city 'is 20iVti- (For a history of the
Waterworks, see pages 585 to 594.)
Department of Parks. — Under a former charter
of the city there existed a department known as the
Brooklyn Park Commissioners. When the present
charter was formed in 1877, the old Park Commission
and commissioners were retained and were continued
in office till the first day of January, 1880, serving
without compensation.
At the first meeting of the Common Council in 1880, the
Mayor, under the powers of the new charter, nominated,
and with the consent of the Common Council appointed, a
successor to each of the said commissioners. The powers
exercised by the old Park Commissioners were transferred
and vested in the present Department of Parks, and these
powers extend to everything necessary, to the management,
control, arrangements and by-laws of the city parks, their
avenues, lanes, paths, grounds, and the exercise of govern-
ment necessary for the protection of their property, and the
safety of the persons and the property of all who frequent
them. (For a history of the parks, see pages 595 to 601.)
Department of Public Instruction. — The history of this
department having been elsewere presented by the president
of the Board of Education, Tunis G. Bergen, Esq. (see pages
609 to 618), we shall simply confine ourselves to the law
creating the said department, and the time and manner of
appointing its members.
This law declares that there " shall be a Department of
Public Instruction in the city, which shall be under the con-
trol of a. Board of Education." A Board of Education, simi-
lar to the present one, existed under the previous charter,
and the present charter provides that "all the provisions of
law relating to that Board of Education shall apply to the
present board, except to that which relates to the appoint-
ment of members thereof, which is made in the following
manner : On June 1, 1874, the Mayor nominated, and the
board of aldermen, under the provisions of the new charter,
appointed, " competent and suitable persons, and residents of
the city," in place of the members of the old board whose
term of office had expired. The terms of such appointees
was fixed at three years. The law directs that in " making
such appointment care must be taken to preserve, as near as
may be, the representation in said board of at least one mem-
ber from each district. The persons so appointed, held
office until their successors were appointed. The law also
provides that if the Common Council does not approve of the
nominations made by the Mayor, or any of them, within
ten days after the making of such nominations, the Mayor
shall nominate other persons for said offices, and shall con-
tinue to nominate until all of the said offices shall have been
filled as heretofore provided. The law provides that all va-
cancies in the said board, occasioned otherwise than by the
expiration of the term of office, shall be filled on the nom-
ination of the mayor, with the approval of the board of
aldermen; that appointments are made once in two years.
Salaries of Officials.— Chapter 1, article 1, and section 1,
of the ordinance, in relation to city officers, adopted by the
Common Council, orders that the penalties of the official
bonds required of the city officers before entering upon their
546
SISTORT 0£ KINGS COtTN-TT.
duties shall be as follows : That of the City Treasurer, f 150,-
000; that of Comptroller, |45,000; that of Collector of Taxes
and Assessments, $350,000; of the Registrar of Arrears, |50,-
000; of the City Attorney and Counsellor, 110,000; of the City
Clerk, $10,000; of the President of the Board of Police and
Excise, $20,000; that of each Police and Excise Commissioner,
$20,000; that of the President of Fire and Building Depart-
ment, $10,000; that of each Commissioner of Fire and Build-
ings, $10,000; that of the President of the Board of Assessors,
$5,000; that of the President of the Board of City Works,
$10,000; of each Commissioner of City Works, $10,000; that
of the Water Registrar, $50,000. Such officers, except the
Collector and Treasurer, shall execute such bonds respectively
within ten days after the notice of their election or appoint-
ment, or their office shall be declared vacant. The bonds of
all officers must be executed with two or more sureties con-
ditioned, as we have seen provided in the city charter. Such
sureties must justify separately, on the back of the bond,
that they are respectively worth the sums stated in their
respective justifications, over and above all debts and liabil-
ities by them owing or incurred, or for which their property
is liable or encumbered, at the time of justification, and
over and above all exemptions by law of their property from
executions.
It will thus be seen how carefully the interests of
the city, its money and other property is protected,
and how sedulously it protects itself against the pec-
ulation, frauds, incapability and misconduct of its
officers.
We have thus given a brief summary of the legisla-
tive and administrative departments of the municipality
of Brooklyn, and a digest of the laws under which they
derive their powers, duties and tenure of office. As the
Common Council has power to make such ordinances or
by-laws as they may deem proper in relation to city
officers, limiting and defining the duties of some of
them under the present charter of the city, and to pre-
scribe other and further duties to be performed by
them, the Common Council have exercised that power
in making ordinances, which, in some instances, change
or limit, to some extent, the powers and duties of the
heads of the departments and their subordinates; but
the ordinances of the city are mostly recapitulations of
the charter of the city, and too numerous to be here
mentioned.
We shall, in the course of this history, in its appro-
priate place, give some statistics connected with the
departments we have described; and, as far as possible,
a list containing the names, &c., of the officers of these
departments.
Departments of Law. — We have given,. in other
parts of this work, the history of the municipal and
other courts of Brooklyn, during the existence of the
village charter and its various amendments, and dur-
ing the existence of the first city charter, with its sev-
eral amendments. We shall devote some time to the
history of the municipal courts as they now exist under
the present charter, with a summary review of their
procedure, and a description of the judicial officers who
have conducted, and are conducting, these courts.
City Court of Brooklyn.— In the year 1,849 an act
passed the legislature of the state establishing the City
Court of Brooklyn, and providing for the election in
the city, at its then next charter election, and every
six years thereafter, a City Judge, to hold his office from
the 1st day of May next, after the passage of the said
act, subject to removal in the same manner as the
county judges. A City Judge was elected, according
to the provisions of the said act, every six years, who
presided over the City Court of Brooklyn. Such a judge
was in office in 1870, when a law was enacted for the
election of tw.o additional judges of the city courts by
the electors of the city, at the time provided by law
for the first election of judges of the Court of Appeals,
under the sixth article of the Constitution of the State.
The official term of these two judges commenced,
according to law, on the first Monday of July, 1870.
The law further provided that the two judges thus
elected with the said City Judge, or any of them, should
hold a court of civil jurisdiction, to be called the City
Court of Brooklyn. Thus, it will be seen that the City
.Court established under the previous charter was con-
tinued under the new or present charter. The rapid
growth of the city, and the large increase of the legal
business, had rendered the City Court, with its single
judge, unable to dispose of the great accumulation of
business, although the court was a highly respectable
tribunal. Hence the act of the legislature appointing
two additional judges. This act extended the jurisdic-
tion of the City Court to several actions and proceed-
ings where the cause of action arose, or where the sub-
ject thereof was situated in the City of Brooklyn.
These causes of action are as follows: For the re-
covery of real property, or any interest therein, or for
the determination of any such right or interest; for the
partition of real property; for the foreclosure or satis-
faction of a mortgage of real or personal property; for
the recovery of personal property distrained for any
cause. By the laws of 1871, chap. 282, and of 1872,
chap. 688, the jurisdiction of the said court was extend-
ed to all other actions where the cause of action arises
in the city, or where one of the defendants shall reside
or be personally served with a summons within the said
city; to and against .corporations created under the
laws of this state, transacting their business within the
said city, or established by law therein; to actions for
the partition of real estate of infants, in which actions
the said court shall have the same jurisdiction as is
given the supreme court by section 1 of chap. 277 of
the laws of 1852; actions for the admeasurement of
dowers; for the sale, mortgage or other disposition of
real property of infants, habitual drunkards, lunatics,
idiots or persons of unsound mind; to compel the
specific performance, by infant heirs or other persons,
of contracts respecting real property and chattels real;
for the mortgage or sale by religious corporations of
their property, and the application of the proceeds
MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF BROOKLYN:
5i1
thereof; actions against corporations created by or
under the laws of another state, government or county,
having property in the city or an agency established
therein.
The act of 1871 gives the said City Court and the sev-
eral iudges thereof the powers and authority in rela-
tion to actions in said court, the process and proceed-
ings therein, as are possessed by the Supreme Court ,in
regard to actions pending in said Supreme Court. It
also gives the said City Court, within the county of
Kings, concurrent general jurisdiction with the Supreme
Court in law and equity; and all laws regulating the
practice of the Supreme Court and the procedure there-
in shall, as far as practicable, apply to and be binding
upon the said City Court and the judges thereof.
The act provides for removing into the Supreme
Court any action pending in the City Court, which could
originally have been brought in the Supreme Court,
whenever, on motion, it may appear to the latter court
that the convenience of witnesses or the ends of justice
require it.
The judgments of the City Court are docketed and
made liens the same as judgments recovered in the
Supreme Court, and the City Court shall have the same
power over the dockets of its judgments in the office
of any county clerk, and over such county clerk in
respect to the same, as for the time being may be pos-
sessed by the Supreme Court in respect to the dockets
of judgments in that court. The whole expense of the
City Court is a county charge, paid by the Supervisors
in the same manner as other charges are now allowed.
Provisions are made for an appeal from the law,
from the trial or special term of the said City Court to a
general term thereof, and for an appeal from said
general term to the Court of Appeals of the state.
The law also provides for the appointment of a
clerk of the said City Court, whose fees for services in
civil cases are the same as for similar services rendered
by the county clerk, and all fees which he shall receive
' shall be paid by him to the county treasurer.
The annual salary of the clerk is fixed at $2,000.
He must appoint a deputy with like powers as those
of the deputy county clerk; his salary is fixed at $1,000
per annum. The said City Court must always be open
for the transaction of any business for which no notice
is required to be given to an opposing party. There
are ten terms for the trial of issues of law or fact, in
every year, and as many special and general terms as
the judges shall appoint. The judges of the said court
each receive an annual salary of $10,000, to be paid
quarterly by the county treasurer.
It is thus seen that the City Court of Brooklyn is a
tribunal whose importance in the territory over which
it has jurisdiction is equal to that of any other court
in the State.
Thus far we have confined ourselves to the civil
■ of the City Court. The law provides tbat
any of the judges of the said court may and shall hold
a court of criminal jurisdiction to the same extent and
in the same manner, and with the same powers as
courts of Oyer and Terminer, in any county in this
State, in the indictment and trial of all offences com-
mitted in the said city whenever any bill of indictment
for an offence shall have been transmitted to the City
Court pursuant to law. The proceedings thereinshall
be, in all respects, the same as indictments in a court
of Oyer and Terminer.
The District Attorney of the county prosecutes all in-
dictments found by the Grand Jury empanneled by said
City Court, and all indictments transmitted by law to
the said court in the same manner as if such indictments
had been tried in a Court of Sessions of the county,
and shall have the same powers in all respects. The
fees to be allowed and paid to attorneys and coun-
selors conducting suits or proceedings in the City Court,
and the costs to be recovered for similar services in the
county court.
Police Courts, Police and Other Justices. —
The law of 1869, Chapter 125, provided for the election
in the city of Brooklyn, at the next charter election to
be held in the said city after the passage of the said
law, and every four years thereafter, a Justice of the
Peace, to be denominated a Police Justice, to hold
his office for four years from the first day of May next
after his election, from May, 1869. The said justice
was given no civil jurisdiction, except in suits, actions
or proceedings brought on any of the ordinances, by-
laws or regulations of the city, or the Board of Health
of the city, where the penalty does not exceed the sum
of $250, in all of which cases, the said police justice,
and each of the justices made by the' Act of 1850,
possessed jurisdiction. The Justices of the Peace or
Police Justices have jurisdiction in criminal cases over
all persons arrested or charged with any offence in the
county of Kings; and in such cases each possess all the
jurisdiction, powers and authority of a justice of the
peace in said county, and have power to hear all com-
plaints and conduct all examinations in criminal cases.
Said justices shall not receive any fee or reward for their
own use. The Justice of the Peace of the City of Brook-
lyn, elected under and by virtue of an act to establish
courts of civil and criminal jurisdiction in the city,
passed March 24, 1849, and the Police Justice in said
city, shall receive, by the laws of 1869, an annual salary
of $3,500. And the clerks of each of the said justices
shall receive an animal salary of $1,800 each. These
salaries are in lieu of all fees or emoluments whatsoever.
Courts of Special Sessions.— Either of the said
Justices or Police Justices has power, under the laws of
1871, to hold a court of special sessions alone, and
shall' have jurisdiction other than that heretofore given
them to try any person arrested in said county who
may be brought before them, or either of them, charged
with an affray, riot, malicious mischief, or cruelty to
548
EISTOBT OF KINGS COUNTY.
any animal, committed within said county; and in all
cases -wliich are triable in such courts of special sessions,
the party accused shall not be required to give bail to
appear in any other court of criminal jurisdiction, un-
less the City Judges, the County Judge or a Justice of
the Supreme Court shaH certify that the charge is one
that ought to be tried in some other criminal court.
Civil Jurisdiction of Justices of the Peace. —
The civil jurisdiction of Justices of the Peace in the
city of Brooklyn in actions as provided for in section
53 of the code of procedure, and in actions for the
recovery of personal property, was extended by the
laws of 18Y1, chapter 492, to $250. This section of the
code thus referred to has been subjected to some
modifications by the recent amended code, but we
believe the jurisdiction of the said justices of the peace
remains unchanged.
The Common Council of the city may, if they deem
proper, appoint — and they have appointed — a clerk for
the Police Justice, and also a clerk for each of the other
Justices, and they fix and regulate the duties of such
clerk or clerks. They each receive by said act an annual
salary not to exceed the sum of $500. The Common
Council may designate policemen to attend upon the
police court and other courts of the city.
By an act of the legislature of 1869, the Common
Council of the city of Brooklyn were authorized to
divide the city into two or more districts; in each of
such districts a Justice of the Peace was to be elected at
the then next charter election in said city, and every
four years thereafter; said justice to hold the office
for five years, with the same jurisdiction in the city
that justices of towns have, and deemed to be Justices of
the Peace of the County of Kings, with jurisdiction in all
cases arising within said city, under article 2, title 10,
chapter 8, of part 3d of the revised statutes, to the sam^
extent as the assistant justices in the city of ISTew
York then had. The said justices exercising civil
jurisdiction are entitled to receive the same fees, for
the use of the city, as were allowed for similar services
in the late Municipal Court of Brooklyn. By the said
act, all acts and parts of acts which related to the
organization of the municipal court of Brooklyn, the
proceedings therein, and the jurisdiction and powers of
the justices thereof, were repealed.
By an act of the legislature, passed April, 1871, pro-
visions were made for electing in the city of Brooklyn,
at the then succeeding charter election, and every four
years thereafter, a Justice of the Peace in the Sixth
District in the said city, said justice to have the same
jurisdiction in civil and criminal proceedings as were
possessed by the justices of the peace in said city.
We take the following from an interesting and
instructive article by S. M. Osteandbr, Esq., published
in the Brooklyn Advance, for July, 1833, descriptive
of the criminal business of ^^ police and city courts of
Brooklyn: "Of the large number of offences that
engage the attention of our police magistrates, many
of them are petty, and are at once dismissed. A large
number of the criminals convicted in our courts are
New York professionals. * * * * The police force
to-day is not much larger than it was ten years ago
In 1878, the force arrested 23,334 persons; in 1880
26,558; in 1881, 28,889. During the year 1882 the
arrests numbered 27,610. The perceBtage of arrests to
population was, in 1878, 4 ^ per cent.; in 1880,
4tVt5- per cent.; in 1881, it was 4,2^ per cent.j
in 1882, 4 365% per cent. The arrests in 1882 exhibits
a decrease of 719 males and 560 females — one arrest
for every 22 inhabitants. The total number of officers
and men (of the police force) was 646, or one to every
950 inhabitants. Of those arrested, 22,216 were males-
5,394 were females. The report of the commissioners
of police for the year ending December 31, 1882, shows
a marked decrease of arrests among workingmen and
laborers. Among the occupations of those arrested,
seven were clergymen, twelve actors, nine artists, one
author, twenty-two bill-posters, twenty-seven brokers,
thirty-eight conductors, thirty-one lawyers, thirty-two
musicians, twenty-three physicians, two hundred and
ninety printers, three deputy-sheriffs, and one railroad
president. The number arrested for drunkenness was
9,500 males, 2,893 females. The arrests for this cause
was two per cent, of the whole population. * * * *
The rogues gallery contains 3,082 pictures. During
the year ending November 30, 1882, the police recovered
and restored $91,520.63 of stolen property.
" The following statement, furnished me by Hon.IsAAO
S. Catlin, District Attorney of Kings County, shows
the number of convictions in the city court and oyer
and terminer at different periods:
"City Com?-*.— In 1849, 14; in 1850, 31; in 1851, 110;
in 1852, 19; in 1853, 1.3; in 1854, 31; in 1855, 19; in
1863, 1; in 1866, 17; in 1867, 36; in 1868, 2; in 1870,
4; in 1871, 45; in 1872, 2; in 1875, 2; in 1879,,2; in
1882, 2.
"Oyer and Terminer. — In the year 1846, there were
25 convictions in this court; in 1849, there were 90; in
1850,262; in 1851, there were 19; in 1852,30; in 1858,
there were 11; in 1854, 3; in 1855, 2; in 1861, 3; in
1862, 4; in 1863, 2; in 1864, 2; in 1865, 1; in 1866, 4;
in 1868, 3; in 1869, 5; in 1870, 4; in 1871, 7; in 1872,
3; in 1873, 1; in 1874, 3; in 1875, 5; in 1876, 1; in
1877, 2; in 1880, 8; in 1881, 3; in 1882, 2.
"In the Court of Sessions. — The convictions in this
court for felony and misdemeanor were: in 1829, 12,
in 1839, 13; in 1849, 31; in 1859, 107; in 1860, 180;
in 1881, 252; in 1882, 260.
" Total convictions in all the courts: In 1829, Court of
Sessions, 12, being one conviction to 1,900 inhabitants;
in 1839, Court of Sessions, 13, one to 3,400 inhabitants;
1849, same Court, 31; Oyer and Terminer, 90; City
Court, 14; total, 135. The population of the county
was then about 126,000; this would be one conviction
MJTJSriCIPAL HISTORJ OF BROOKLYN.
549
to every 930 inhabitants; 1869, Court of Sessions, 180;
Oyer and Terminer, 5; total 185; the population of the
county at this time was about 400,000, being one con-
viction to every 2,160 inhabitants; 1881, Court of Ses-
sions 252; Oyer and Terminer, 3; total, 255; the popu-
lation was 620,000, indicating one conviction to every
2,430 inhabitants."
By the report of the Hon. William C. DoWitt, cor-
poration Counsel, dated January 2d, 1879, showing the
results of the litigations of the city for the ten years
then last past, it will be seen that upon all the judg-
ments finally recovered against, and in behalf of, the
city over this extended period, there was a balance of
$63,161.53 in favor of the city, and upon the cash paid
out and received according to the books of the comp-
troller, upon all judgments which have been had within
the time we have referred to, there is a like favorable
balance of $28,319. TO. It is an obvious truth that no
other city has enjoyed in its litigation a good fortune
at all comparable to that of Brooklyn. On the con-
trary, every city, entitled by its wealth or population
to be put in contrast with Brooklyn, has upon its liti-
gation, during the period mentioned, probably fallen
debtor to the extent of several million dollars. One
' reason for this is, our charter contains a' clause exempt-
ing the corporation from liability for misfeasance or
non-feasance of its officers in the administration of
chartered powers. Such an immunity has not only not
been conferred upon any other municipality, but it is
elsewhere totally unknown to the laws of the world.
Its constitutionality has been severely attacked, but in
1869 it was sustained in the Court of Appeals.
To the statute creating this immunity, and the deci-
sions of the courts which have upheld it, we are mainly
indebted for our singularly good fortune.
In the same manner, our assessments have been pro-
tected hy provisions of law. The total amount vacated
or reduced by the courts, since the consolidation of the
city in 1854, is $456,000. During a large portion of
this time we have floated a debt of $10,000,000 for
local improvements. This debt has been reduced by
eoUeotions of assessments, and replenished by fresh
issues of bonds as the progress of the city permitted or
required.
Among the important cases, the decisions of which
have largely benefited the city, is that of Leonard v.
Th City of Brooklyn, which decides that mechanics'
liens cannot be placed on any of the buildings belong-
ing to the city. In the case of the Brooklyn Saw Mill
f^nd Lumber Company v. Brooklyn, the great common
law rule distinguishing corporate acts and liability from
state acts and liability, received its clearest and most
consummate interpretation, and the city was freed from
a claim of $50,000.
In the railroad litigations, all the old charters which
threatened the streets of the city with invasions by
railroads, regardless of the will of the Common Coun-
cil, were destroyed ; and the new amendments of the
constitution, making the consent of the Common Coun-
cil indispensable to the construction of such railway,
and hence affording the city an opportunity to acquire
compensation for these valuable franchises, were en-
forced and expounded. The verdict of the City Court,
in the case of Jackson vs. The City, the corporation
escaped a fraudulent claim of $12,000 for spurious dis-
infectants, during the prevalence of small pox in 1869.
In the judgment of the same court against the city the
corporation was relieved from a multitude of claims
for damages for emptying the Third avenue sewer in
the bay at Twenty-eighth street.
The decision of the Circuit Court of the United
States, declaring the patent which Charles Guidet held
over the kind of pavements laid on Fulton street to be
void, the city of Brooklyn not only accomplished ines-
timable good for itself, but it conferred a lasting benefit
upon a majority of the cities in our country, which
were most severely taxed and oppressed by it. Under
the Guidet patent, pavements cost nearly six dollars a
square yard. Since it was declared void, under a free
competition it can be laid for half that price, at a cost
nearly as cheap as the common water or cobble stones
and is the best pavement for a populous city that has
ever been devised.
The report of Hon. John A. Taylor, present Corpora-
tion Counsel for the year 1882, refers to the decision of
Guidet against the city as a wide-spreading benefit, not
only to Brooklyn, but to all other cities using the
same kind of granite pavement. His report shows
equally favorable results in litigations for and against
the city during the year 1883.
" The enforcement of the city ordinances," says the
report, " imposes upon the law department much labor.
It would be greatly facilitated, and the administration
of these laws would be more efficient, if the various
ordinances were brought together in a municipal code,
which should be consistent with itself and acceptable
of ready interpretation by the courts."
There were, on the register of the City Attorney, for
the year 1879, 134 causes for and against the city. A
large portion of them were in the City Court.
In 1881, there were one hundred and eight causes
on the City Attorney's register, for and against the city.
In the year 1882, there were on that officer's register one
hundred and fifty-eight causes, for and against the city.
The history of the Law Department would be de-
cidedly imperfect, in point of interest and profit, with-
out a brief reference to the great case entitled the
"People of the State of New York, on the relation of
John D. Negus, against Patrick J. Kelley, et al.," in-
asmuch as its decision settled not only the rights of
the Law Department, but that of the legislative, the
common council and private citizens. The case is bet-
ter known as " Negus vs, the Brooklyn Elevated B.
B. Company."
550
HISTORY OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
The facts in the case are briefly these : The plaintiff, Mr.
Negus, on and before the 20th day of December, 1881, was a
resident of the city of Brooklyn, and was owner of consid-
erable real estate in that city, much of it being on the east
side of Grand avenue. The value of this latter property
was, at the time of which we are writing, valued at |15,000,
of which Mr. Negus had annually paid taxes and assess-
ments to an amount exceeding |300, levied towards defray-
ing the public expenses of governing the city. He alleged
that the taxes levied and assessed by the city upon the real
and personal property of its citizens, for several years, pre-
vious to December 30, 1881, amounted annually to more than
$6,000,000, and that the amount levied for the year 1882,
amounted to the enormous sum of $6,105,450.74, and that
this excessive taxation was so burdensome upon the property
holders that many had left, and were leaving the city.
That the Brooklyn Elevated Eailroad Company was, by an
act of the legislature of the state, passed May 21, 1874, and
by an act of the legislature amendatory thereof, passed May
23, 1875, created a body corporate and politic by the name of
" The Brooklyn Elevated Railway Company;" that the said
company was by the 3d section of the said charter empow-
ered to construct and operate on the elevated railway, be-
tween the proposed terminus on the east side of the suspen-
sion bridge and Woodhaven, in the town of Jamaica, N. Y. ;
that the said railway was to be erected on certain streets and
avenues, or portions thereof, named and defined by law and
by its charter, which route the company accepted and
adopted as the one designated by it.s charter, and elected to
construct said road through the streets and avenues named
in its charter, for which reason, among others, Mr. Negus in-
sisted that the said railway could not legally change its
route.
Notwithstanding this, and the other facts we have men-
tioned, the said company applied to the Mayor and Common
Council of the city in November, 1881, for leave to change a
portion of its route, by straightening the road along Broad-
way, between Lexington avenue and Marion street, without
making the detour to the corner of Ralph avenue and Macon
street, as then existing. This application was referred to the
railway committee of the Common Council, on the 14th of
November, 1881, in a secret manner, as Mr. Negus alleged, so
as to preclude the owners of the land along the new route
from being heard in opposition to the change. By some
means, the railway company had a report which purported
to have been drawn by the said committee favorable to the
said change; but it was alleged that it was drawn by some
one in the interests of the said railway company. Without
any notice whatever to the public, this report was, on the 6th
day of December, 1881, presented to the Common Council for
adoption, and, on the same day, the Common Council did
adopt a resolution, carefully drawn, which entirely changed
the route along and through which the law directed the said
railroad to be built, making an entirely new route for a part
of the same.
An effort was made at the time to have the Common Coun-
cil adopt, as an amendment to said resolution, that before
any work upon the said road should be begun by said com-
pany, it should give security, in an amount and manner ap-
proved by the Mayor and Comptroller, that at least two miles
of said road should be complete and in running order within
two years from the day the said resolution was to take effect,
and the whole road in running order within three years from
said date; and that the fare should not exceed the sum of
five cents for any distance travelled on the road; and that 10
per cent, of the gross receipts of the company from fares of
passengers sl^ould be a,nnualljr paid to the treasiirer for the
benefit of the city. But the Common Council refused to
adopt this amendment.
On the 7th day of December, 1881, the resolution chanKing
the route of said road was presented to the Mayor of the
city, who, on December 17, vetoed the same. It was averred
by Mr. Negus, who acted for himself and a large number of
other citizens, that the new route was through streets devoted
to trading and commercial purposes, on which a greater
amount of business was transacted than in any other part of
the city, being about two miles of the most populous part of
Fulton street, and thus it largely encroached upon other
streets. That the construction of an elevated railroad through
the route thus described would destroy the use of the streets
and avenues through which it passed ; hinder and impede
travel thereon, and wholly destroy the said streets for the
purposes of residences. That the consent of a majority in
the value of the property owner? in the streets and avenues
on said new route had never been obtained. It has been seen
that as two-thirds of the members of the Common Council
had voted for the resolution changing the said route, which
the Mayor had vetoed, the resolution could be adopted, not-
withstanding the veto, by a two-thirds vote. This the said
company insisted would be done. To prevent a passage of
the resolution over the veto of the Mayor, Mr. Negus, on the
26th day of December, 1881, procured an injunction order,
restraining the Common Council from passing the said resolu-
tion, notwithstanding the veto.
All the facts and circumstances upon which the plaintiff
relied for the injunction were contained in a complaint duly
verified, which was presented, with the injunction order, to
the Hon. Henry A. Moore for his allowance on the day we
have mentioned, and the injunction was thereupon duly
granted.
The injunction was in the usual form, restraining the de-
fendants, the city of Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Elevated Rail-
way Company, John R. Lydecker and Samuel M. Shaffer,
receivers of the said company, and also the Common Council
of the city of Brooklyn, from voting or taking any action in
respect to the changing the route of the said railway com-
pany, and from taking any action upon the recent veto of the
Mayor of the city in that regard. The plaintiff also demanded
a judgment perpetually restraining the railway company
from erecting an elevated railroad in those streets and avenues
known as the new route. It was also ordered by his honor,
Judge Moore, that the said railway company show cause, at
a special term of the Supreme Court, to be held in Brooklyn
on the 28th of December, 1881, why an injunction should not
issue as prayed for in the said complaint, and why said in-
junction should not be made perpetual. This order was duly
served on all the defendants.
It does not appear that any cause was given why the said
injunction should not be made perpetual; and now comes the
most interesting part of this case.
On Saturday, December 31, 1881, an adjourned session of
the Common Council was held. The president, Hon. Robert
Black, occupied the chair. Twenty-one members of the com-
mon council were present. After the transaction of some
preliminary business, a motion was made and carried to sus-
pend the regular order of business, for the purpose of taking
from.the table the communication from the Mayor to the
Common Council vetoing the resolutions of that body, adopt-
ed December 6th, 1881, changing the route of the railway;
and, on motion of Alderman Duer, the said resolutions were
adopted by a two-thirds vote, notwithstanding the objections
of his honor the Mayor, in defiance of the injunction of Judge
Moore restraining them from any such action. It is to be pre-
sumed that the seventeen aldermen who thus defied the in-
MUNIGIPAL SISTOjRY OF BROOKLYN.
551
iunction, and who rank among the most respectable citizens
of Brooklyn, honestly believed they had ju^t grounds for the
action they took. But it was a bold and hazardous step, for
which there are few, if any, precedents in legal history. It
was a legislative body deliberately defying the judicial branch
of the government, bringing those concurrent powers in col-
lision; and, if successfully done, the judicial power would be
prostrated. Prompt measures were, however, at once taken
to punish those seventeen aldermen for contempt, in disobey-
ing the injunction; and, after propounding and answer-
ing the usual interrogatories according to the rules and prac-
tice of the court and the statute in such cases, and after
other proceedings having been had in the special term of the
Supreme Court, an attachment was issued against each of the
seventeen aldermen, charged with contempt of court in wil-
fully violating an order of injunction issued by Hon. Henry
A. Moore, County Judge of Kings county, on the 26th
day of December, 1881, in a certain action then pending in
the Supreme Court, wherein John D. Negus was plaintiff, and
the city of Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Elevated Railroad Com-
pany and others were defendants. Said attachments were
directed to the sheriff of the county of Kings, and returnable
the nth day of January, 1882, on which day the said sheriff
made return that he had attached the above-mentioned seven-
teen aldermen, and that each of them had given bonds for
their due appearance according to the exigencies of said
attachment. They were thus virtually before the court.
Whereupon each of them, severally, denied, through Mr.
Winchester Britton, their counsel, that he was guilty of the
misconduct alleged against him. In an ingenious and learned
argument, Mr. Britton contended against the continuation of
the injunction; that it ought to be vacated because it re-
strained the defendants (the Board of Aldermen) in the exer-
cise of the legislative powers vested in them by the city char-
ter; that the injunction was void, and not binding upon the
parties; that it was a mandate, not of the court, but of the
County Judge, and, therefore, void.
The matter was adjourned to be heard at a special term of
the Supreme Court to be held at Brooklyn on the 14th day of
January, 1883. At this term, Hon. Jasper W. Gilbert, one of
the justices of the Supreme Court, presided. Patrick J. Kelly,
one of the defendants, having appeared personally before the
said court, and having answered the proper interrogatories
with a denial of his guilt, and after other proceedings were
had, it was adjudged that he was guilty of the misconduct
and contempt alleged against him, and was guilty of a will-
ful disobedience of the injunction order granted by the
County Judge of Kings county on the 26th of December,
1881; and he was thereupon sentenced to imprisonment for
the period of thirty days, and to pay a fine of $250 for his mis-
conduct, and stand committed to jail until the said fine
should be fully paid, not exceeding thirty days. Judge
Gilbert, in directing this judgment, pronounced an exhaus-
tive and learned opinion, in which he said: " I think the
simple reading of sections 606, 607, 609 and 610, in connection
with subdivision 3 of section 3,343 of the code of civil pro-
cedure, will show very clearly that the order made by Judge
Moore was a mandate of the court, and not an act merely of
the County Judge, done independently of the court, as coun-
sel for the defendants claim. In no view of the case was the
injunction void, nor can it be reviewed in a proceeding for
disobedience of it. (People ex re.l. Day v. Bergen, 58 N. Y.,
410; People v. Sturtevant, 5 Seld, 270-273.) The adoption of
the resolution was a plain and palpable violation of the in-
junction. I have considered the merits of the injunction in
filing the punishment for the violation of it, which was done
in flagrant defiance of the authority of the court. To allow
such offenders impunity for their misconduct would be a
practical surrender of a sacred trust, which has been com-
mitted to the judiciary by the people for their own protection
and benefit. The power which the court possesses of punish-
ing disobedience of its mandates is one of the safeguards for
the due administration of justice. It is a necessary attribute
of the court. The statute declares it, and in doing so gives
no new power, but merely defines and limits an ancient rule
of the common law."
The order granting the attachments against the said alder-
men was, therefore, duly entered.
Mr. Kelly, by Mr. Britton, his attorney, duly appealed to
the general term of the Supreme Court, from the order from
the judgment of the special term directing his imprison-
ment, and fixing the fine of $250, which stayed the execu-
tion of the sentence until the final adjudication of the case
in the apellate court, where the appeal is still pending. The
proceedings against the other aldermen have, by common
consent, been suspended to await the decision in the case of
Mr. Kelly.
Mr. Negus, the plaintiff in the case, and the relator in the
proceedings for an attachment, appeared by David Bar-
nett, Eraustus Cook, and Hubert J. Hull, Esqrs. ; the defen-
dants, by Winchester Britton, Esq., and Ward & Jencks. It
is proper to add that the proposed change in the route of the
railway has never been made.
Among the important cases in which the city of Brooklyn
was concerned, is that of " John J. Hardy, against the city
of Brooklyn." The action was brought in the city court to re-
cover $50,000 damages for alleged nuisance, caused by a
sewer outlet at the foot of Twenty -eighth street ; the case was
tried before Chief Justice Neilson and a jury, and the plain-
tiff's case was dismissed. The plaintiff appealed to the gen-
eral term, and a new trial was ordered. The new trial took
place before Judge Raynolds and a jury, early in 1882. This
trial resulted in a verdict for the plaintiff for $4,123.85. An
appeal to the general term was taken on the judgment en-
tered on the verdict, and the judgment affirmed. The city
again appealed to the court of appeals, where the judgment
was again affirmed.
"Henry W. Sage, et al, against the city of Brooklyn." This
case was tried in the City Court, before Judge McCue, and
judgment ordered for the plaintiff for $12,659.61. The case
was appealed by the city to the general term of the City
Court, and judgment affirmed. The city then appealed to
the Court of Appeals, and the judgment again affirmed.
" George C. Genet, against the city of Brooklyn." This
action was brought to set aside assessments for widen-
ing Sackett street Boulevard ; or, to recover $9,573 against
the city, the amount of award for land taken. The case
was tried before Judge Gilbert, who dismissed the plain-
tiff's complaint. Whereupon the plaintiff appealed to the
general term of the Supreme Court, and the judgment was
again affirmed.
"The gutta-percha and rubber manufacturing company,
against James Tanner, Collector of Taxes, &c" This action
was begun in the Supreme Court, January 19, 1881, to cause
the interpleader of the tax collectors of Brooklyn and New
York to determine which city is entitled to tax levied upon
plaintiff's business, it having been taxed in both cities. The
case was tried before Judge Donohue, and decided in favor
of the city of New York.
In the matter of the application to the Supreme Court of
Andrew Wessel, and others, for a mandamus against the
Board of Health, in the city of Brooklyn, and James Crane,
Commissioner of said Board of Health. Proceedings com-
menced in March, 1881. Motion for a writ of mandamus te
552
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
compel the defendants to grant permits to plaintiflEs for the
removal of night-soil ; they refusing to deliver it to the con-
tractor for taking the same from the city. Motion for the
mandamus denied, and Wessel and the other plaintiffs took
an appeal to the general term, where the order denying the
motion was sustained.
These cases will give the reader a knowledge of the
legal business in which the city of Brooklyn has heen
a party.
Police Justices. — We should have stated, in com-
menting upon the Police Department, that in 1873, and
for some time thereafter, there were six civil justices
and one police justice in the corporation, the civil jus-
tices having police powers. By subsequent acts of the
legislature the number of police magistrates have been
increased to four, and the number of civil justices re-
duced to three.
Statistical History of the Municipal Depart-
ment, for the years 1877, 1879, 1882, 1883.
Department of Finance, 1878.— The total amount of the
bonded debt of the city existing on December 3nd, 1878, in-
cluding city bonds of every description, together with tax
certifi.ates, outstanding January 1st, 1878, was $40,906,500;
less sinking fund, $4,660,747.45; total, |36,345,753.55.
There were issued during the year 1878, under the several
acts of the legislature, bonds and certificates as follows,
viz.:
Brooklyn city bonds, for the completion of the
New York and Brooklyn bridge, for balance due
oa requisitions for the years 18T6 and 1877 $350,000
On account of requisitions of 1878 1,400,000
Six per cents $1,650,000
Tax certificates, six per cent 1,350,000
Assessment fund bonds (renewed), five per cent 1,050,000
Assessment fund bonds, W. & 8. (renewed), five
per cent. ... 100,000
Sewerage fund bonds (renewed), five per cent. . . . 350,000
Total $4,400,000
During the same period matured bonds and certificates
were paid as follows, viz. :
Wallabout Bay Loan 7 per cent $45,000
Deficiencies prior to 1873, 7 per cent 319,000
Fourth avenue improvement loan, 6
per cent $15,000
Fourth avenue improvement loan, 7
per cent 10,000
$35,000
Gowanus canal improvement loan, 7 per cent 34,000
Bush wick avenue improvement loan, 7 per cent. . . 16,000
South Brooklyn loan, 7 per cent 100,000
Tax certificates, 7 percent $200,000
Tax certificates, 6 per cent 450,000
$650,000
Assessment fund bond, 7 per cent 1,133,000
Assessment fund bond, W. & S., 7 per cent 150,000
Sewerage fund bonds, 7 per cent 570,000
Total $3,051,000
In 1878, the city was startled by the discovery that Kess-
ler, a bond clerk, had stolen a number of the Prospect Park
bonds, one of which was found this year to be in the hands
of an innocent holder. The theft of these bonds considera-
bly affected the finances of the city. It is a gratifying fact
that the sale of the city bonds are very easily and readily
negotiated; there is always a lively competition for them.
This is evidenced by the fact that the premiums received on
securities sold during the years 1878 and 1879, amounted to
$85,197.13.
Permanent Loans, — Payable chiefiy from tax-
ation $39,401,500.00
Temporary loans, payable chiefly from assess-
ments on property benefited 9,756,000.00
Tax certificates issued in anticipation of the
payment of taxes in course of collection 3,100,000.00
Total $42,257,500.00
Less sinking fund 4,781,978.72
Net city debt |37j475,52l!28
The amount of uncollected taxes for the ten
years ending December 31, 1877 on personal
property amounted to 449,156.92
On real estate 4,675,715.97
Grand total $5,134,872.89
" Of this enormous sum of uncollected taxes," says Hon.
William Burrill, comptroller at the time of which we are
writing, " a very large amount was levied as personal, and
will never be collected. la addition to which there are
many lots and parcels of land within the city limits whereon
assessments and taxes have been allowed to accumulate far
in excess of their market value. To meet, in part, this large
amount of uncollected taxes there was placed in the tax
budget and raised in the taxes of 1877, the sum of $150,000,
which should be deducted from the sum above stated. On
th whole, it is gratifying to be able to say that the city,
with her parks, water-works, public buildings, etc., etc.,
is in possession of property more than sufficient to meet all
her obligations."
The comptroller, in his report for the year 1878, deplores
the "disastrous legislation of the year 1877, in reference to
the Prospect park assessment, for benefit, without the
knowledge of the city authorities, until it was too late to
present it, and which involved a loss to the city estimated at
over $1,000,000.
1881.— The bonded indebtedness of the city, on December
31, 1881, was as follows, viz.:
Total amount of city bonds of every descrip-
tion, including tax certificates, outstanding
Jan. 1, 1881 $43,135,500.00
Less sinking fund 5,481,894.98
Net city debt $37,653,605.02
There were issued during that year, under several acts of
the legislature, bonds and certificates as follows, viz. :
Four per cent. Brooklyn city bonds for the
completion of the New York and Brooklyn
bridge, being the remainder of $1,500,000,
authorized by act of April 7, 1880 $371,000.00
Four per cent. Brooklyn city bonds, for the
completion of the New York and Brooklyn
bridge, to pay interest on bridge bonds un-
der same act 600,000.00
Six per cent, permanent water loan bonds (to
commissioners of the sinking fund) 151,000.00
Carried forward $1,122,000.00
MUNICIPAL EISTOBT OF BROOKLYN.
553
Brought forward 1,122,000.00
Five per cent, certificates of indebtedness (to
commissioners of sinking fund), for Prospect
arenue improvement under act of March
14, 1881 37,551.19
Four per cent, tax certificates 2,000,000.00
Four per cent, assessment fund bonds 800,000 . 00
Four per cent, sewerage fund bonds 200,000 .00
Four per cent, assessment fund, W. & S. bonds 800, 000 . 00
Total 14,959,551.19
There was paid during the same period bonds and certifi-
cates, including National Guard and Volunteer Firemen's
loan, $35,000; and the Williamsburg Local Improvement
loan of $38,000; and Permanent Water loan of $1,700,000;
the whole total of $5,598,000. The total city debt was, on
December 81, 1881, $30,725,051.19. This included Prospect
Park loan of $9,236,000; bridge bonds, $10,433,000; Soldiers'
Aid fund, $552,000.
Temporary loans, payable chiefly from assessments on
property benefited, amounted, December 31, 1881, to the
total of $7,202,000.
A recapitulation of the foregoing exhibits permanent loans
to the amount of $30,725,051.19; temporary loans, $7,202,000;
tax certificates, $4,270,000; making the total city debt at that
time $43,197,051.19; less sinking fund, $4,022,629.72; leaving
the net city debt, December 31, 1881, $38,174,421.47. This
exhibits a net increase of the city debt for the year 1880, of
$530,816.45.
The sales of tax certificates, assessments and sewerage
fund bonds were made at an average premium of Ixto per
cent., while four per cent, bridge bonds brought an average
of 5j'(^ per cent. The percentage of premium received from
these bonds was much greater than ever obtained before,
amountmg to $103,528.46.
During the year 1881 the first important instalment of
11,700,000 of the permanent water debt, which fell due July
1st of that year, was extinguished by cash, and a portion of
the securities held by the sinking fund. This was done with-
out disturbing in the least the finances of the city.
The act of May 23, 1878, prohibits the issuing of bonds for
local improvement until two-thirds of the amount of their
cost is actually in the treasury. Very many of the leading
and wealthy citizens of the city firmly believe that it would
be wise if the city would adhere to the provisions of that act.
1882.— The bonded indebtedness of the city existing on
December 31st, 1882, was as follows:
Permanent debt payable from taxation :
Prospect park $9,236,000
New York and Brooklyn bridge 11,090,000
Mount Prospect square ; 90,000
Wallabout bay improvement 268,000
Soldiers' Aid fund 552,000
Total $21,236,000
Water deb*.— Permanent water loan $9,859,500
Temporary debt (payable from assessments):
Total, December 31st, 1882. $6,919,551.19
Tm certificates :
Issued in anticipation of the payment of taxes in
arrears $4,150,000
A recapitulation of the foregoing exhibits permanent debt
on December 31st, 1882, to the amount of $21,236,000.00
Water loan 9,859,500.00
Carried forward $31,095,500.00
Brought forward $31,095,500.00
Temporary debt 6,919,551.19
Tax certificates 4,150,000.00
Gross debt $42,165,051.19
Less sinking fund 4,671,327.79
Net debt $37,493,723.40
Net city debt December 31st, 1881 $38,174,421.47
Net city debt December 31st, 1882 37,493,723.40
Net decrease |680,698.07
The sales of assessment and sewerage fund bonds and tax
certificates, bearing 4 per cent, interest, were made at an
average premium of 2yVj Per cent. ; while 4 per cent, bridge
bonds brought 4 per cent.
Treasury Department, 1878. — The receipts and disburse-
ments of this department from December 1st, 1877, to Decem-
ber 1st, 1878, were as follows:
Balance in the various banks to the credit of
the city, December, 1878 $109,187.10
Total receipts from all the departments 14,259,290.75
Interest on bank balances 22,396.28
Total receipts 14,390,874.13
Disbursements by 10,945 warrants 13,825,963.65
Balance in banks December 3d, 1878 $564,910.48
The City Treasurer, being treasurer of the Board of Educa-
tion, presented the following statement, showing the re-
ceipts and disbursements from January 1, 1878,. to December
1, 1878:
Balance January 1, 1878 $36,793.86
Receipts (including $6,527.18 int. on balance). . . 1,195,578.47
Total receipts $1,222,373.33
Disbursements by 1,907 warrants 1,153,440.57
Balance December 1, 1878 $68,931.76.
The employees of this department consist of the treasurer,
deputy treasurer and book-keeper, whose salaries are as
follows:
Treasurer $4,000
Deputy treasurer 3,000
Book-keeper 2,000
Total salaries for 1878 $9,000
The salaries of the treasury department for the year 1877
amounted to $13,000. Those for 1878 show a reduction, as
compared with 1877, of $3,000. The salaries of the depart-
ment for 1879, it was predicted, would be further reduced to
$8,500.
Iggj. — The receipts and disbursements of the Treasury
Department from Nov 30, 1880, to Nov 30, 1881, were as
follows, viz. :
Balance November 30, 1880 $464,872.75
Receipts to November 30, 1881 14,697,230.90
Total. •. $15,163,103.65
Paid out by 9,793 warrants 13,399,539.22
Balance in bank November 30, 1881 $1,762,564.43
554
BISTORT Ot KiiTGS COUNTY.
This balance was deposited in the following banks: Brook-
lyn Bank, |84,207.08; City Bank, $158,104.47; Long Island
Bank, |115,418; First National Bank, |95,081.34; Mechanics'
Bank, |342,604.74; Nassau National Bank, $384,838.29; Brook-
lyn Trust Company, |239,183.82; Fulton Bank, |126,054.57;
Mechanics' and Traders' Bank, $41,541.99; Manufacturers'
Bank, $68,933.43; Commercial Bank, $64,656.71; Atlantic
State Bank, $53,056.48; total, $1,762,564.43.
The receipts to the treasury during the time referred to,
amounts, as we have seen, to $14,697,330.90, of which $306,-
800 were received from excise license fees; $10,518.77 from
court fees and fines; $7,311,69 from Department of Parks;
$8,350 from kerosene licenses; $20,718.37 from dock and
wharf rent; foreign fire insurance companies paying 2 per
cent, on premiums issued in the city, $6,393.90, etc., etc.
1882. — The accounts of the Treasury Department for the
year ending November 30, 1883, shows the following:
General Fund. — Money derived cliiefly from tax
levy and balance of revenue fund August 31,
1881, was, in total $6,444,268.31
Money derived from water revenue 1,137,755.68
Money derived from bonds and certificates 1,270,377.81
Money derived from collection of assessments. . 399,974.83
Money derived from excise license fees, Orphan
Asylums and Inebriates' Home 134,489.40
To this include tax certificates. Fireman's Insur-
ance Fund from kerosene license, advance on
meter account refunded, and cruelty to
animals, making in all 1,145,353.00
General Fund from various sources, including
Dog Fund of $1,743.76, making in all 33,935.76
Revenue Fund $10,655,884.78
Redemption Fund. On redemption of property
sold for unpaid taxes 88,333.33
Special Fund 3,394'508.70
Total from all sources $14,308,806.49
The annual report of the Auditor's department for the year
ending December 15, 1878, shows that the number of claims
audited during that year amounted to 5,447. The amount of
claims audited was $3,315,754.52; the distribution of accounts
were as follows :
General Fund $3,166,768.85
SpecialFund ' 100,398.35
Revenue Fund 48,592.82
The annual report of the Auditor for the year ending
December 12, 1881, shows the number of claims against
the city, audited during that year, to have been 4,984. The
amount of claims audited was $3,002,058.53.
The Distribution of Accounts is as follows :
General Fund |2_ 909,033, 24
Special Fund 75,888.85
Revenue Fund ^l 147.44
'^^^^^S $3,002,058.53
The annual report of the Auditor for the year ending
December 6, 1882, shows tliat the total number of claims
audited against the city during that year was 6,439; the total
amount audited against the city was $3,488,134.75. The
distribution of the accounts was as follows :
General Fund |3^ 918,004.00
SpecialFund 534,75147
Revenue Fund 35,379.28
'^°^^^ $3,448,134.75
The highest sum of money paid in any given month during
the year was in the month ending December 3d, 1883, which
was $193,607.77; the lowest sum audited was in the month
ending October 28, which was $5,415.54.
Department cf Law is next in order in the arrangement
of Departments, but its history will be found in some of the
preceding pages.
Department of City Wo ks, 1878.— The money received
from all sources, and paid to the City Treasurer, and
also the amount expended under appropriations during
the year ending December 1, 1878, was as follows: Cash
balance in hand in money January 1, 1878, and deposited by
contractors on proposals, under an ordinance of the Common
Council, was $17,878.50; receipts from January 1 to Novem-
ber 30, 1878 (inclusive), was $1,057,418.34. There was paid to
the city treasurer during that time $1,056,908.34. Among
the items which make up this account, $938,110.64 was on
account of water revenue, $19,288 97 for sewer repairs,
$12,572.94 was for street repairs, $78,840 50 for contractors,'
deposit fund, etc. ; balance on hand December 1, 1878, was
$510. Requisitions on the Comptroller by the President of the
Water Commission for expenditures approved, for payment
for money derived from specific sources, viz. : From appro-
priations from water revenue and from tax levy and other
matters, $1,363,595.47. A statement of the Chief Engineer of
the city, touching his particular department during the year
ending December 31, 1883, in referring to storage reservoir,
shows that the slope to the dam of this reservoir had been
completed, and that the greatest depth of water reached was
seventeen feet, one and a half inches; the average depth is
12 feet and 9J inches, except in rainy seasons. During the
month of July a maximum consumption of water was
reached of about 36,000,000 gallons. This was regarded at
that time as an immense consumption; but the use of water
has increased until, on February 29th, 1884, there was used
43,890,268 gallons, an increase of about 9,000,000 gallons over
the corresponding day of the previous year. On Saturday,
March 1st, 1884. it reached 43,455,637 gallons, about 9,450,000
gallons more than the corresponding day of the preceding
year. The next day the consumption was 40,339,091 gallons,
7,500,000 more than on the corresponding day in 1883. This
was startling, showing that the city is approaching a time
when great economy must be exercised in the use of water,
restricting the supply, by means of meters, so repugnant to
the people. The daily supply during each of the first three
days of March 1884, was at the rate of 57 gallons per capita,
in a population of about 500ji000.
About 170 regular repairs were made, ranging from one to
five blocks, and 13,376 square yards of granite pavement was
laid in replacing wooden pavements. There was expended
for grading, and paving during the year, $22,656.68; for
flagging sidewalks, $797.10; for gas lamp-posts, $2,205.03.
Public Baths at North 6th Street, Oonover and Bridge
Streets. — Towage, repairs and running expenses, except
salaries, $1,127.19. The Bridge street bath was finished that
year at a cost of $13,730. The following interesting table
gives the number of bathers at these baths during the season
of 1878 :
\! ADULT ;
MALES
ADCLT
FEMALES
BOYS
GIRLS
TOTAL
North 6th St. Bath. .
Conover St. Bath....
Bridge St. Bath
34,254
33,880
34,476
14,903
13,738
5,079
71,511
53,598
71,679
23,548
19,627
9,950
144,216
119,833
111,184
Totals
91,610
33,710
196,788
53,125
375,233
There was used at the City Hall Police Department, during
the year ending December 31, 1878, in the City Hall, Police
MUNICIPAL HISTORY 01 BROOKLYN.
555
Department, Police Station, City Treasurer's office, Public
Baths, and the Municipal Buildings, 2,373,875 cubic feet of
gas, at a cost of $2.35 per thousand, amounting in all to
$4,661.61.
There was paid for street cleaning, removing ashes, etc.,
during this year, $53,245.23; for removing oflEal and dead ani-
mals, 15,407.40; removing garbage, $8,678.89.
1881.— For the year ending Dec. 29. The receipts from
this department, from all sources, for the time mentioned,
aggregated $1,004,973.74, of which amount $940,537.34 was
paid into the City Treasury, to the credit of the proper
accounts; $63,686.40 was refunded to contractors for deposits
on proposals, leaving a balance in hand of $750, subject
to call, under provisions of an ordinance of the Common
Council.
The revenue from water rates, including the defaults
therein, amounted to $886,757.11, from which was trans-
ferred to a distinct account for advances on meter rates the
sum of $103,788.90, which had always before been consid-
ered a part of the revenue derived from water.
Compared with the revenue of 1880, for the same length
of time, this shows a decrease to the amount of $29,117.07;
this smaU decrease shows the rapid strides of the revenue
from this source.
The condition of the water revenue account, at that time
(including amounts received by the Eegistrar of Arrears,
from returns made to the Comptroller up to, and including
the 28d day of November, 1881, of which this department
has no control) was:
Balance in Treasury, Jan. 1, 1881 $155,957.69
Receipts of Department to Nov. 30, 1881 886,757. 11
Receipts of Registrar of Arrears, Nov. 25, 1881 . . 161,363. 87
Total $1,304,077 67
Disftwrsed during the time, $737,714.66; leaving a balance
of $466,363.01.
After providing for the interest ($299,155.17), on the
bonded debt, for the six months ending December 31, 1881,
and with an estimated revenue for December, of $80,000,
left a surplus to the credit of the water revenue account at
the close of that year of about $240,000. That year the first
instalment of the water debt was paid off, which amounted
to $1,700,000.
The expenditure for maintaining the works for the eleven
months ending November 30, 1881, was $283,899.77, of
which the sum of $97,000.76, was under the previous year's
appropriation, ending April 30, 1881. The balance of $186,-
899.01, was under the appropriation for the year that closed
April 30, 1882.
The following pay-rolls of the Department shows how
prompt a paymaster the city was for its employees, estimat-
ing the payment of salaries as follows, for five years:
For the eleven months ending :
Nov. 30, 1881, there was paid $292,408.52
" 30,1880, " " " 305,879.23
" 30,1879, " " " 315,176.06
" 30,1878, " " " 394,929.62
" 30,1877, " " ■' 456,697.83
Showing a decrease in 1881, from that of 1880, of $13,-
«0.71; 1879, of $22,767.54; 1878, of $102,521.10; 1877, of
1164,289.31.
This decrease exhibits the careful and economical manner
m which this department was conducted during that time.
The total expenditures in the Department under ther various
heads, for all accounts, for salaries and labor, and material
supplied, during that year, was $1,166,366.34; an ipcrease
over the corresponding months of 1880, of $95,398.10, and
an increase over that of 1879, of $150,581.05. But this was
occasioned by the increase in work done by the Department
in 1881, over that of 1879, which was about 14 per cent., and
over that of 1880, of about 9 per cent. The amount paid
for salaries and labor shows a decrease in 1881, from that of
1879, of about 7 per cent., and from that of 1880, of about 4
per cent.
1882.— For the year ending December 6. The receipts
from this department for the time mentioned, from general
revenue, aggregated $991,815.10; also the sum of $14,555
from contractors, as deposits on proposals, etc.*
This sum, together with the balance, $4,350, on hand Jan-
uary 1,1882, aggregated 11,010,730.10, of which the sum of
$991,815.10 was paid the City Treasurer to the credit of the
proper accounts; the sum of $17,365 was refunded to con-
tractors and others, leaving a cash balance of $1,540. This
sum compared with the aggregate amount received during
the corresponding months of the previous year shows a net
increase of $5,747.36, being an increase in the amount re-
ceived from sources of general revenue of $51,277.76, and a
decrease of $45,531.40 on contractors' deposits, etc. The
increase on amounts received and paid to the City Treasury
during this year, over the corresponding months of the pre-
ceding year, is an increase of $38,058.33, and the revenue
from water, and from the advances on other accounts, wa-
ter meters, sewer permits, etc., etc., an increase of $17,-
946.80, with a decrease of $4,727.36 from miscellaneous
items.
The amounts received from water rates, including the de-
faults thereon, was $924,815.44; $6,678 of that amount was
received from the public baths. The total revenue from
water was $1,114,592.77. During this year the Common
Council, under the authority of law, and by the adoption of
a resolution, made a requisition for the issue of additional
water bonds, amounting to $431,500. The payments on ac-
count of maintaining the city works under the different
heads of expenditures, for the year ending December 6, 1882,
were $301,622.23, of which 890,507.46 was from the appro-
priation of the previous fiscal year. This shows an increase
over the corresponding months of the previous year of $17,-
733.45, which is due chiefly to the rebuilding of work to in-
crease the supply of water.
The pay roll of the department for salaries and labor on all
accounts for the eleven months ending ■
November 30, 1881, were $293,408 52
November 30, 1883, were 311,220 17
Increase in 1882! $18,811 65
The payment on street repairs, including cobble, granite
and concrete, and other material furnished for such repairs
was, in all, $223,386. 10. The payment made for the construc-
tion of sewers during the year we are considering was
$13,121.01.
Water Supply.— The minimum water supply was 35,000,-
000 of gallons; the per capita daily consumption was 58 gal-
lons. There were at that time 280 miles of cobble-stone
paved streets in the city.
The annulment in October, 1881, of the contract for the
removal of night-soil has relieved the city of a large expense.
The Department of Health now grants permits to scavengers
to remove night-soil through the city to farmers in the ad-
joining towns, who pay liberally for it.
* By an ordinance of the City of Brooklyn, contractors on public
works are required to make a deposit on their proposals, as a guaran-
tee for fulfilling their contracts.
556
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
DeaA animals were removed from the city, under a con-
tract existing at the time of which we are writing, at a cost
of $5,500.
Department of Assessment.— In the year 1706 there were
only 64 freeholders liable to assessment and taxation in the
town of Brooklyn. In the next 96 years, down to 1802, this
number had increased only 22, making the whole number
86. In 1814, the whole number was 3,805, this being a period
of twelve years, and showing the rapid increase during that
time of 3,719. In 1820, there were 7,475 freeholders; in 1830,
there were 15,29.); in 1840, there were 86,238; in 1850, 96,835;
in 1855, 205,250, including Williamsburg and Bushwick. In
1706, the assessed value of all the real and personal estate in
the town of Brooklyn was £3,122 12s. In 1824, the real es-
tate in said town was assessed at |2, 11 1,390, and the personal
estate at |488,690. In 1834, when Brooklyn was incorporated
as a city, the aggregate assessment of its real property was
$13,391,734, and of its personal property, $2,250,556; the
whole aggregate of its real and personal property was
$15,642,290.
The valuation of the real and personal property in the city,
for the year ending November 80, 1878, was: Real property,
$218,373,093; personal property, $14,968,911; total, $233,342,-
004. In 1877, the assessed value of the real estate was $216,-
481,801; personal property, $13,111,215; showing an increase
in 1878 in real property of $1,891,292; in personal property,
$1,857,696; making a total increase of $3,748,988.
It will be seen that there was a large increase on the as-
sessment of personal property as follows: Upon individuals,
$504,000; upon corporations, £1,353,696; total, $1,857,696.
One of the great difficulties which assessors have to encoun-
ter is the concealment or removal of personal property by
those who ought, in justice, to pay tax upon it. This diffi-
culty is fast being obviated by the scrutiny of assessors and
the facilities for discovering personal property secreted from
taxation. Thus the number of persons in the city assessed on
personal property in 1877 was 1,684; in 1878 it was 1,913, an
increase of 229, with an increase of amount assessed of $504,-
000 in 1878 over that of 1877. As to corporations, the gain is
largely through the discovery of reserved or concealed funds
liable to taxation. Tliere was a striking instance of this kind
developed inoneofthe gas companies of the city, which issued
a quantity of scrip equal in amount to the capital stock of the
company. By conveniently calling the scrip " certificates of
indebtedness," the companies of New York and Brooklyn for
a long time succeeded in evading taxation on the amount of
property on which such scrip was based. The department of
the Board of Assessments, during the year we are consider-
ing, by a most ingenious and effectual investigation ascer-
tained the character of the scrip, and at once decided to as-
sess and tax it. The companies, however, did not surrender
the large advantages and profits they had gained from their
shrewd device, and sought to retain it by a recourse to the
courts. The assessment thus made was subjected to adjudi-
cation in the Supreme Court, and sustained at the General
Term. This was a triumph for the department, for which
they received general thanks and commendation.
The number of new buildings erected in the city of Brook-
lyn for the five years past, ending with June 1st, 1878, and
their assessed value, were as follows : In 1874, there were
1,780 buildings; assessed value was $4,251,700; in 1875, 1,470;
assessed value, $3,617,300; in 1876, 1,506; assessed value, $3,-
743,100; in 1877, 1,270; assessed value, $3,849,300; in 1878,
1,076; assessed value, $3,067,307.
The valuation of the real and personal property in
Brooklyn for the year 1881, and for 188G, aggregated as
follows;
1881. 1880. Inc. in 1881.
Real estate $240,128,905 $323,620,377 $16,508,628
Personal property. . . . 15,137,040 11,315,704 3,931,'246
Total $255,265,945 $384,886,071 $30,439^
This increase in the value of real estate was owing, in
part, to the erection of new buildings. The amount thus
gained in the years about which we are writing was $4,861 -
600, the greatest gain from this cause in any year since 1873
when the amount assessed was $5,087,300; the average an-
nual amount for the years 1874^1880 was $3,487,100. The
further increase on real estate is from the assessment of two
classes of property, before that time permitted to be exempt,
but which the Board of Assessors for this year decided were
not, by any law-, entitled to exemption; and they, therefore
assessed the same. One of these belongs to the lessees of
the lands of the Brooklyn Benevolent Society (otherwise
known as the Heaney estate). This Society was incorpo-
rated in the year 1845; the next year the Legislature declared
by an Act, that its real and personal estate "shall remain
free from taxation so long as the revenues therefor shall be
disposed of according to the directions of the acts of incor-
poration." This property passed into the hands of lessees,
and it was generally -believed that the exemption we have
referred to extended to the interests of these lessees,— inter-
ests which are large, consisting of numerous valuable build-
ings. But the assessors, for the years about which we are
writing, took another view of the matter, insisting that the
exemption did not extend to these lessees; and, as we have
said, they were assessed and taxed, adding thereby consider-
able to the treasury of the city — about $11,090. Some of the
lessees, however, resisted, and commenced suits to test the
legality of these assessments. These suits were tried in the
Circuit of the Supreme Court, and decided in favor of the
assessors. An appeal was taken to the General Term, and
again decided in their favor, and the case again appealed to
the Court of Appeals. The assessment of the other class of
property to which we have referred, brought up an exceed-
ingly interesting question, for it consisted of parsonages—
the residences of pastors of churches. It was long claimed,
and the claim was acquiesced in, that the parsonage was in-
cluded with church buildings and lands, and the whole ex-
empt from, taxation ; but a critical examination of the stat-
ute which declared the exemption, showed that it extends to
"every building for public worship," * * * " and the
several lots whereon such building is situated;" but not upon
lots upon whioli such buildings for public worship do not
stand. Therefore, the Board of Assessors decided that this
language was not applicable to the residences of ministers,
and assessed all such in the city. The amount of property
thus added was $426,770, and the tax thereon about $10,000.
The doubts arising as to the assessment of scrip called
"certificates of indebtedness," issued by corporations and
the gas companies, were removed for the future by an
amended act of the charter passed AprO, 1881.
Local Assessments.— There was another kind of taxation
which, in past years, pressed ruinously upon property owners
in Brooklyn, which, however, had almost ceased at the time
of which we are writing. This was the imposition of assess-
ments, on the property of citizens, for local improvements,
such as parks and other improvements. This class of taxa-
tion amounted, in 1874, to $1,708,614, besides the tax levy of
$7,821,509 of that year, which did not include assessments for
sewers, which are laid in the Department of City Works.
Prospect Park Assessment— The Board of Assessors, on
the 30th of November, 1881, levied the fourth annual equal
installment, amounting to $38,556.79, of the "unpaid
MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
55'i
amounts of the assessment heretofore laid upon a district of
assessment for benefits of lands taken for Prospect Park."
This levy is pursuant to the provisions of the law of 1878.
This amount is to be levied annually for thirty-four years,
from January 1, 1878.
Equalization of State Taxes.— By the rules of law it is
made the duty of the State Board of Equalization oC Taxes
to examine, once a year, the assessments of I'eal estate in
each county, and so adjust, by adding to or deducting from,
the valuation fixed by the local assessors, so that all shall
bear the same relation to the true value, and thereby secure
a iust distribution of the State tax. For many years it was
claimed for the counties of New York and Kings that injus-
tice had been done them by imposing upon those cities an
undue share of the State tax, and efforts were made to have
the same corrected. This matter was ably taken up by Mr.
John Truslow, in 1881-2, while President of the Department
of Assessments. At the request of a committee of the Board
of Supervisors, he appeared before the Board of Equaliza-
tion, at Albany, this year, and urged the removal of the
evil. He had often been before the Board for the same pur-
pose, without success, and the result was the same this year.
The injustice continues, due to a determination that the
rural districts shall have the advantage of the cities. This
they easily secure; for the cities rarely, in any year, have
more than one or two representatives in the Board, the mem-
bership of which is ten. At this time— in 1881-8 — there were
no representatives of the two great cities in Ihe misnamed
Board of Equalization; and therefore these two cities, con-
taining only about one-third of the population of the State,
are compelled to pay about 56 per cent, of the whole State
tax.
1882.— For the year ending November 30, 1882, (he valua-
tion of the taxable real and personal property was, in the
aggregate, as follows : —
1882. 1881. Inc. of '81.
Real estate $264,404,017 1240,130,905 |24,273,112
Personal property.... 19,334,300 15,137,040 4,197,260
Real and Personal $283,738,317 $255,267,945 $28,470,373
Of this personal property-|4,950,760 in 1883, and $4,357,330
in 1881— the capital of certain corporations, was decided to
be exempt from State taxes in the city of Brooklyn, because
especially taxed at Albany for State purposes.
Eeal Estate.— The increase of assessments of real estate
from those of 1881 isunasually large, amounting to $24,373,-
112. This is attributable to several causes; one of these
causes is the number and value of the new buildings, which
will be shown hereafter. Another cause— and one that is
very interesting to property owners — the actual enhancement
of values in many parts of Brooklyn. Still another cause is
a correction of the valuation of previous years, so as to have
all assessments bear a just relation to each other.
The following is the number of new buildings erected in
Brooklyn during the ten years ending June 1, 1883, and their
assessed value:
Buildings erected in 1873, 1,930, assessed value of the same,
$5,078,200; 1874, 1,786, assessed value, $4,251,700; 1875, 1,469,
assessed value, $3,617,300; 1876, 1,506, assessed value, $3,745,-
100; 1877, 1,370, assessed value, $3,349,300; 1878, 1,076,
assessed value, $3,067,300; 1879, 1,125, assessed value, $3,958,-
100; 1880, 1,106, assessed value, $3,430,800; 1881, 1,307,
assessed value, $4,861,600; 1883, 1,693, assessed value, $6,390,-
690.
Department of Arrears, 1878.— A statement of theafEairs
of this Department for the year ending Nov. 30, 1878, shows
that " under the present law relating to sales for taxes and
assessments, the expense is enormous, in comparison with
what it should properly be, compared with the benefits de-
rived therefrom. This is, in a large degree, due to the fact
that no sale for taxes has been made in this department
since the sale for taxes and water rates for 1872. There are
now (November 30, 1878), subject to sale, taxes and water
rates for the years 1873-4-5-6, together with numerous
assessments.
It is estimated that the expense involved in making such
sales would not be less than $175,000. For the sale of tax
and water rates for one year alone it would amount to $30,-
000, or $5,000 more than the whole salary expense of this de-
partment for the year 1879, when, says Rufus L. Scott, Esq.,
Registrar of Arrears for 1878, "one year's sales should not
involve an expense of over $2,000. As illustrative of the
workings of the present law," continues Mr. Scott, " I will
briefly refer to a few facts attending the sale for taxes and
waterrates of 18T2. There were 7,115 parcelsadvertised; the
expense of advertising alone was $28,460. Only 35 parcels were
purchased, realizing the sum of $3,758.63; all the rest was
purchased by the city; and the whole expense for the time
being borne by the city, except for the 35 parcels, involving
an expense of $140; and excepting a small amount paid by
owners of property between the time of first advertising and
the sale. Another question of importance to the city is, what
shall be done with the taxes and assessments on a vast amount
of unimproved property, whereon the same exceeds both the
assessed and real value of the property, and which property
has been practically abandoned by the owners? Of the
$10,018,635.64, principal of taxes, water rates and assess-
ments in arrears, several millions are so situated that they
must prove a total loss to the city, unless some compromise
can be made with the owners of the property."
The unpaid taxes, assessments and water rates, on Decem-
ber 1, 1878, received for collection by the Department of
Arrears, were as follows:
Taxes of 1876 and previous years $4,440,676.08
Taxes of 1877 1,984,077.38
$6,424,753.36
Waterrates 384,630.67
Assessments for street improvements, including
sewerage, opening and widening streets, &c. 3,309,341.61
Total amount of principal unpaid Dec 1, 1878.. $10,018,635. 64
Unpaid principal as above $10,018,625.64
Ten per cent, default and interest 1,001,863.56
Estimated aggregate of collection unpaid $11,030,488.30
1881. — The total amount of collections during the year
ending November 30, 1880, was $8,121,416.70; total amount
of collections during the year ending November 30, 1881,
was $3,975,961.93; difference in the amount of 1881 over that
of 1880, $854,545.23.
Amount of taxes, water rates and assessments cancelled
during the year ending November 30, 1881, by acts of the
Legislature, orders of Supreme and City Courts, Common
Council, Board of Assessors and Board of City Works: taxes,
$929.08; water rates, $989.86; assessments, $60,604.94; total,
$63,463.88.
The amount of arrears transferred by the Collector of Taxes
and Assessments and the Registrar of Water Rates, for the
year ending November 30, 1881, was $1,690,086.74; amount
received as payment upon all arrears in this department dur-
ing the year, $3,975,961.93. There was a decrease in the
amount of arrears in this department since the last state-
ment of November 30, 1880, of $1,385,875.19.
558°-
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Redemption Fund Account. — November 30, 1880, balance
to credit, |]9,604.78; amount of collections to November 30,
1881 (inclusive), $42,936.50; total, |62,541.28.
"Warrants drawn on City Treasurer, $38,794.48; November
30, 1881, balance to credit, $23,746.80.
1882.— Total amounts of collections during the year ending
Nov. 29," 1881, $2,976,623.78; total amount of collections dur-
ing the year ending Nov. 29, 1883, $2,615,188.57; difference
of 1881 over 1882, $361,434.21.
Amount of taxes, vcater rates and assessments cancelled
during the year ending November 29, 1882, by acts of the
Legislature, orders of Supreme and City Courts, Common
Council, Board of Assessors and Board of City Works, not
including cancellations made under section 1, chapter 348,
laws of 1883: Taxes, $49,168.44; water rates, $1,907.25; as-
sessments, $113,908.36; total, $163,983.95. Amount of arrears
transferred by the collector of taxes and assessments, and
the Registrar of Water Rates, during the year ending Nov.
29,1882, was $1,435,893.93.
Redemption Fund Account. — Nov. 30, 1881, balance to
credit, $34,058.63; amount of collections to Nov. 29, 1883
(inclusive), $41,544.13, making $65,603.05.
Warrants drawn on the Treasury, $88,118.63; Nov. 29,
1883, balance to credit, $37,484.43.
Department of Police and Excise. — As we have already
referred to the ordinance affecting this department, and its
ofBcial organization, and as a general history appears in
another part of this work (pages 557-562). we shall only give
a brief statistical history of it, which cannot fail to interest
all classes of people.
We shall first give the number of day and night posts in
the thirteen precincts, and the eighth and ninth sub-pre-
cincts, into which the city was divided, on and before Nov.
30, 1878, with area patrol, estimated population of the same,
and number of officers to population, during the year end-
ing Nov. 30, 1878.
PRECINCT.
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Fifth
Sixth
Seventh. , .
Eighth
Ninth
Tenth
Eleventh . .
Twelfth....
Thirteenth
Eighth Sub
Ninth Sub. .
Totals. . . ,
Day
NIg't
No. of
Post.
Post.
Registered
Voters.
9
18
9,732
8
15
5,629
10
19
11,376
8
17
10,482
11
23
13,467
7
13
11,040
6
11
4,979
5
10
5,738
8
15
4,244
7
14
7,713
5
10
3,915
6
13
3,250
4
8
4,421
2
4
745
5
8
1,993
101
196
97,734
Population Officers
of to
Precincts. Population.
49,633
38,707
58,017
53,458
63,581
56,304
25,392
39,363
21,644
39,336
30,166
16,575
32,547
3,799
10,164
498,586
1 to 1,012
1 to 755
1 to 1,017
1 to 1,137
1 to 993
1 to 1,373
1 to 875
1 to 1,009
1 to 491
1 to
Ito
1 to
Ito
Ito
Ito
959
695
534
939
353
406
1 to 803
It will be seen from this table that the night posts are, in
most instances, double those of the day posts.
The area of square miles in the city, is 30 9-10; miles of
street in the city, 546 19-100; average length of each day
post, 5 2-5 miles; average length of each night post, 2 4-5
miles.
1878.— From the report of Gen. J. Jourdan, President of
the Department of Police, we take the number of arrests
made during the year ending November 30, 1 878, January,
1,779; February, 1,585; March, 3,148; April, 3,105; May, 2,167;
June, 2,130; July, 3,477; August, 3,539; September, 3,374;
October, 3,245; November, 1,887, a number much larger than
that of the corresponding months of previous year. The
amount of fines imposed upon policemen for violation of
rules during the year ending November 30, 1878, in the
aggregate amounted to 3,741. The number of licenses
granted, and the amount received for the same and paid into
the city treasury from December 1, 1877, to November 27,
1878, were as follows: First class — hotel, inn or tavern,
1,644; amount of license, at $50 each, amounting to $82,200.
Second class — ale and beer, 837, at $30 each, amounting to
$25,110. Third class — Storekeepers and druggists, 355, at
$30 each, amounting to $10,650. Total number of licenses,
2,836; total amount received for licenses, $117,960. The re-
port to which we have alluded speaks in the highest terms
of the mounted squad of the Police Department, consisting
of ten officers.
"The Telegraph Bureau is one of very great importance to
the department, all its appointments being as perfect as it is
possible to make them. (See note, page 558.)
More recently the telephone has largely taken the place of
the telegraph, by which verbal communications are made
throughout the whole city, and to New York.
For the year ending November 30, 1881, the total number
of the police force during the year was 642, viz., 477 patrol-
men, 45 on duty at the Justices' Courts, the ferries and other
public places. This reduced the patrol force to 433, and,
with other reductions, giving one patrolman to every 1,568
of the inhabitants. At the time of which we are writing,
the regular police force had existed 31 years, having been
established in 1850. Seven years later the Metropolitan
Police Department was established. (See pages 486 and 557.)
General Jourdan, in his annual report for 1881, says :
"The population of Brooklyn in 1875 was 484,616; in
1880, 566,689, showing an increase of 16 per cent. The
number of buildings in 1875 was 53,234; in 1880, 76,865; in-
crease of 44 per cent. Police force in 1875 was 589; in 1880,
633 — an increase of 7 per cent. During the present year,
1,730 permits for the erection of new buildings have been
granted by the Department of Buildings. * * * The
establishment of straight posts was effected in February, 1881,
and has given the business people of the principal streets of
the city additional protection.
Arrests. — From December 1, 1880, to December 1, 1881,
28,838 arrests were made by the police. In addition to these,
338 arrests were made upon warrants issued by the Commis-
sioner of the Health Department, and 153 notices of com-
plaints were served by those officers. During the same time,
737 violations of the corporation ordinances were reported to
the corporation counsel for prosecution; and 773 reports of
dirty streets, and the failure of the contractor to remove
ashes, garbage, etc., were made to the Department of City
Works.*
" During the year 1881, 14,533 males and 4,757 females
were provided with lodgings at the station houses; 1,719 lost
children (of which 693 were girls) were restored to their
parents or guardians, or delivered to the care of institutions
established for their protection."
* The word " street," as construed in the city ordinances, includes
"avenues, sidewalks, gutters and public alleys;" and the words "pub-
lic places," include " parks, piers, docks and wharves, water and open
spaces adjacent thereto; also, public yards, grounds and areas, and all
open spaces between buildings and streets, and in view of such streets;
the word " ashes " includes cinders, coal and everything that usually
remains after fires; the word "rubbish " includes all the loose and de-
cayed material and dirt-like substance that attends use or decay, or
which accumulates from building, storing or cleaning; the word "ffar-
bagc " includes every accumulation of both animal or vegetable mat-
ter, liquid or otherwise, that attends the preparation, decay and deal-
ing in or storage of meats, fish, fowl or vegetables; and "iMrt" means
natural soil, earth and stone.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
559*
Perhaps no city in the nation has more benevolent, practi-
cal and efEeotual facilities for protecting lost children than
Brooklyn, and no city is more watchful over the members of
its police force, or more rigidly enforces all rules of disci-
oipline. As an evidence of this, during the year of which we
are writing, 837 complaints for violations of rules, neglect of
duty or misconduct, were filed against members of the police
force most of these complaints being made by the command-
ing officers; a few, however were made by the citizens. In
490 of these cases the complaint was sustained and penalty
imposed; in 27 of them the penalty imposed was dismissal
from the force; of the whole number of complaints made, 323
were dismissed for want of sufficient evidence.
An interesting matter connected with the police force, is
the immense amount of property received by its mem-
bers from persons who have gained possession of it either
fraudulently or feloniously, or which had been lost by the
owners; thus, there was delivered to the Property Clerk of
this department during the year ending November 29, 1881,
property, the estimated value of which was |118,047.65, of
which $117,372.36 was returned to the proper owners. The
estimated value of property remaining in the hands of the
Property Clerk, on December 1, 1880, was $11,598 99. On
December 1, 1881, there was in his hands property valued at
112,374.28.
Steam, Boiler Inspectors. — Among the most important
officers attached to this department are the steam boiler
inspectors. It is the duty of these officers to thoroughly
inspect all steam boilers in the city, to test them hydro-
statioally and otherwise, to condemn and cause to be re-
moved all defective boilers, steam gauges, safety-valves,
stop-valves, gauge cocks, and leaky joints. How well
the officers discharged their duty, is evidenced by the
fact that they examined during this year 1,337 steam
boilers; tested hydrostatically 1,153, of which 24 were con-
demned and removed, and new ones ordered in their places;
159 steam boilers were found defective: 231 steam gauges;
119 defective safety-valves; 43 stop valves; 154 gauge cooks,
and 300 leaky joints. As a result, no accident of any kind
whatever occurred from the use of steam during the yeai-s
1880 and 81.
The Police Pension Fund, on December 1, 1881, amounted
to $35,570,68. The Police Department deposited with the
City Treasurer, from December 1, 1880, to December 1, 1881,
the following amounts: For excise licenses, $206,800; for
salary account, 13,116.58, for general account (horses sold),
$380.10; total, $209,196.68.
BoarA of £a;ctse.— During the twelve months ending
December 1, 1881, the Excise Commissioners granted licenses
as follows: First-class licenses, 1,453, at $100, amounting to
$145,300; first-class licenses, 8, at $250 each, amounting to
$3,000; second-class licenses, 172, at $50 each, amounting to
$8,600; third-class licenses, 1,019, at $50 each, amounting to
$50,900, making a total of 3,651 licenses, for which the
amount of $356,800 was received and deposited with the
City Treasurer.
There were 138 complaints for the violation of the excise
law, made by the police, 45 of which were dismissed. There
were 11 licenses revoked, and 61 places where spirituous
liquors were supposed to be sold, placed under surveillance.
There was at the end of the year about $33,000, less the sum
of $4,283.33, at the credit of this department.
1882.— "The necessity for increasing the number of
policemen in the city," says the President's annual report,
"and for establishing a river and harbor police service,
for the protection of the property along our water fronts,
becomes more and more urgent as our population increases.
There were 3,013 vacant houses in various parts of the city
reported to the police by residents taking their summer va-
cation. To these the police were instructed to give their
special attention. The wisdom of this course is demonstrated
by the fact that not one of the said houses were entered, or
a dollar stolen from them. The number of persons arrested
during this year was $37,758; a report made to the Mayor
showed there were 4,987 different trades in the city; 10,329
dogs, and 331 places where fireworks were sold. The num-
ber of lodgers at the various station-houses during the year
was 30,140, of whom 15,381 were males, and 4,859 were
females. This was due, in a large degree, to the cheap lodg-
ing-houses which had been established throughout the city,
and the discontinuance of lodging-rooms at the First pre-
cinct stalion-house. The infiux of professional tramps
from the i-ural districts on the first appearance of winter,
furnishes a large proportion of the station-house lodgers
during the cold months of the year."
The number of lost children taken charge of by the police
in the various precincts of the city during the year, was
1,915, of which 1,104 were boys, and 811 girls. The Depart-
ment uses every means at its command to discover the
parents or guardians of such children ; failing in this, it
transfers them to the care of institutions established for that
purpose.
Referring to the alarming increase in crime among the
juvenile classes. Gen. Jourdan makes the excellent sugges-
tion that efforts on the part of public-spirited men to estab-
lish an institution in Brooklyn for the especial care of chil-
dren, should receive the hearty co-operation of the city gov-
ernment.
The estimated value of purloined or lost property in the
custody of this department, December 1, 1881-, was $11,455.43;
the estimated value of property received from officers con-
nected with the various precincts of the city was $95,884.83;
making a total of $107,340.34. The value of property deliv-
ered to owners, or persons authorized to receive it, amount
ed to $96,396.16, leaving a balance of property in the hands
of the department of the estimated value of $11,044.08. As
there were no claimants for this property, it is presumed it
was brought from other places — a startling disclosure as to
the insecurity of property.
During 1882, telephonic communication was effected with
the various station houses; complaints against the police
force for violations of the rules, neglect of duty or miscon-
duct, 618, of which 395 were sustained, 223 dismissed; 19
officers dismissed, 4 of whom appealed by certiorari from the
decision of dismissal; inspection revealed 1,413 defective
steam-boilers.
This year was submitted the first report of the Jfairon con-
nected with the department. The employment of a Matron
was then a new project; and much doubt had been felt as to
its utility. But at the end of Mrs. H. F. Crocker's first term.
Police Justices F. B. Fisher, Andrew Walsh and Garrett
Bergen, in letters addressed to the Mayor and to the Matron,
expressed their unqualified approbation of the office and the
acts of its incumbent, The Matron's duty is to care for those
females who are brought to court, either under arrest or sen-
tence. Mrs. Crocker thankfully acknowledged the efforts of
the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, on "the Hill,"
in aid of her work.
Department of Excise.- The report of Commissioners
Lauer and Evans, for the year ending November 30, 1882,
shows that on that day there were 3,635 licensed places m the
city, divided thus: First class-hotels, 1,522; second class-
storekeepers, 193; third class-ale or beer, 931; total, 2,635.
Licenses were issued (December 1, 1881, to December 1,
560'^
HISTORY OF KJJSTGS COUNTY.
188:3): First class, l,(i23; second class, 195; third class, 959;
total, 2,776. Amount of fees received for the same, $220,000.
Licenses issued from December 1, 1880, to November 30, 1881:
First class, 1,461; second class, 172; third class, 1,018; total,
8,651. Fees received for same, $206,800. Excess of receipts
of 1882 over 1881, $13,400.
This board assumed charge of their part of this department
by the appointment of the Mayor, under the new charter, on
the 7th day of February, 1883:
" One of the most serious and lamentable difficulties with
which we had to contend," said the Commissioners, "was
the discovery by us that in this fair city there were, and had
existed for many years, on the most prominent streets,
liouses of assignation and prostitution, which held licenses to
sell liquor. We have, with steadmess, refused to reuew these
licenses, nor have any of these been re-licensed by us. In
doing so, we have engendered bitter hate and abuse, and run
the risk of personal violence; but we have been sustained
by the official and moral support of the Mayor, and have had
the sympathy of the law-abiding portion of the community.
Fire Department. — Under the present charter, fire and
buildings formed one department, known as the Vepartment
of Fire and Buildings. This continued until about 1879,
when they were divided and operated under separate depart-
ments. The expenditure of the Department of Fire and
Buildings, from January 1 to December 1, 1878, was $319,-
487.25. Among the items making up this account, $269,-
887.57 was for salaries; $1,825.65 was for shoeing horses;
$3,530 made up the " horse account;'' $5,897.10 for feed;
$1,309.15 for telegraphing; $1,339.45, gas account; $1,905.60,
coal and wood account.
The force in the city on December 1, 1882, corn prised 284
men; in addition to these, 39 employees — a total of 323.
Financial. — The amount audited to this department for
salaries and maintenance, including balance from 1881, and
amounts received from the sale of old apparatus and horses,
was $394,762.32; of this $355,165,54 had been already ex-
pended. It required, to meet liabilities on outstanding con-
tracts, $4,832.54; $34,764.24 was estimated as the expense of
erecting the engine-house in the 22d Ward, and to purchase
supplies and pay salaries for the month of December.
Bureau of Combustibles. — " The work of this bureau," says
John N. Paetridge, Esq., Commissioner of the Fire Depart-
ment, in his report for the year ending November 30, 1882,
" has been conducted in a different manner than in former
years. There was formerly a superintendent, book-keepers,
clerks, inspectors and testers, numbering last year 15. Since
about the 1st of March the bureau has been managed by the
superintendent, Mr. Charles E. Mills, assisted by four fire-
men, detailed from the diflferent companies, who have done
all the inspecting and testing. In this way the working
force has been reduced to about one-third of that of last
year, with an annual saving in salaries of $11,150. For many
reasons, an experienced fireman makes the best inspector
and tester. During the last session of the legislature, an act
was passed, prohibitmg the sale of kerosene oil which flashes
at a temperature below 100° Fahrenheit, and prescribing a
different instrument for making tests formerly used. The
enforcement of this law has already produced incalculable
benefits."
Losses by Fires, — Of the losses by fire this year in Brook-
lyn, $1,038,461, or about four-fifths of the whole amount, was
incun-ed at four fires: Havemeyer Sugar Refinery, $775,736;
Pond's Extract Factory, $109,825; Locust Hill Oil Refinery,
$70,000; Brooklyn Oil Refinery, $73,000.
During the year, 51 firemen were tried on various charges,
of which 8 were dismissed, 7 reprimanded; 8 cases were dis-
missed; in the remaining cases, fines imposed amounting to
$388.73, which sum was placed in the city treasury to the
credit of the Firemen's Insurance Fund. (See page 583.)
While Brooklyn has a larger population than Chicago or
Boston, it had at this time (1683) only half as much appara-
tus as either of them, while it spends on its Are department
from $116,000 to $185,000 less per annum; while New York
with nearly double the population, has about four times as
much apparatus and spends four times as much money.
Department of Health.— Inspection revealed 8,000 people
in the city who had never been vaccinated. The vaccinators
visited 7,000 houses, and offered vaccination to 15,000 fam-
ilies, and 13,000 persons were vaccinated. In 1881, the vac-
cinators visited 41,068 families and vaccinated 16,936 persons.
During the past year, there were 3,300 complaints made, by
citizens, of nuisances. The Board of Health of Brooklyn were
the first to recommend that the construction of the drainage
works of dwellings should be made by statute the subject of
a proper ofiicial supervision and inspection, and there are
strict laws regulating the size and thickness of walls, the
thickness of beams, etc., etc. The law also provides that no
building shall be erected until their plans have been sub-
mitted to, and approved by, the Board of Health.
About the year 1877, the attention of the Health Department
was called to the pumps in the city (about 311) and the water
therein. This was originated by an examination of thirteen
cases of typhoid fever, eight of which were attributed to the
use of pump water. While the relation between the disease
and the well water was not absolutely demonstrated, the
conclusion seemed irresistible that some such relation ex-
isted, and the wells were closed. (See, also, page 568.)
Impure and adulterated milk, diseased and tainted meats,
have been the constant objects of watchfulness on the part
of the inspectors of the Board of Health.
New Plumbing Law (referred to on page 568).— In 1881, the
legislature passed an act entitled "An act to secure the Regis-
tration of Plumbers and the Supervision of Plumbing and
Drainage in the cities of New York and Brooklyn." In
April, 1883, the Common Council of Brooklyn made an appro-
priation of $2,500 for the enforcement of this law, and it
is now being carried out by plumbers generally. "This,"
says Commissioner Raymond, " is one of the most important
acts ever passed for the preservation of health in a populous
city. Previous to its enforcement, there was no restriction
in the manner in which plumbing should be done, and the
builder or plumber had no difl&culty in palming off upon the
public work which was constructed without the least regard
to anything except a quick sale and a speedy return of the
money invested. Some of the most recently constructed
houses were found, for want of proper plumbing, a constant
invitation for disease to enter and do its destructive work.
Under the provisions of this act, all the plumbing and drain-
age of new buildings must be done in accordance with plans
previously approved by the Department of Health, and the
work must be left uncovered until approved by an inspector.
Ambulance Service. — (See page 567.)
Department of Buildings.— This Department was formerly
connected, as we have seen (page 580), with the Fire Depart-
ment. Perhaps no department under the present city char-
ter more thoroughly exhibits the growth and prosperity of
the city than this. Every buUding in the municipality is
erected under a permit issued by the Commissioner of Build-
ings. The following is the number of permits issued during
the year ending November 30, 1881, with the estimated costs
of the buildings, their character and the material of which
they are constructed. Cost;, total, of all buildings erected,
$9,115,232,
MUNICIPAL HISTORY 01 BROOKLYN.
56la
Character of Buildings.— Private dwellings, 895; dwellings-
for from two lo four families, 339; stores and dwellings, 133,
tenement houses, 47; carpenter and work shops, 73; stables,
148; factories, 59; stores, 24; billiard room, 1; store-houses,
6; foundries, 7; ofla'ce builSing's, T3; club-houses,' 3; boiler-
houses, 14; brewery, 1; femoke-house, 1; coal pocket, 1; ice-
house, 1; green-hduseSj 8; engine-rooms, 3; churches, 4;
slaughter-houses, 3; pump-room, 1; hospital 1; storage-
sheds, 71; theatre, 1; elevators, 3; house, 1; asylum, 1; public
school, 1; moulding mill, 1; ferry-house, 1; railroad depots,
4; convent, 1. kiln, 1.
Material of buildings erected in each ward, during the
year.
WAKDS
first
Second
Third.....
Poflrth : ■,■ ■
Jittli ....:
Sixth
Seventh
Eighth
Sinth
Tenth
Eleventii
Twelfth
Thirteenth
Fourteenth
Fifteenth
Sixteenth
Seventeenth
Eighteenth
Nineteenth ..
Twentieth
Twenty-flrst
Twenty-second .
Twenty-third ..
Twenty-fourth .
Twenty-flfth....
Totals.
Brick.
Frame.
25
2
8
14
U
1
1
.24
68
17
21
63
15
7
70
13
11
21
20
13
A''
23
15
20
14
30
13
69
24
182
99
17
23
69
121
206
37
248
20
51
107
35
1157
710
To TA I,.
27
10 ■
14
11,
2
24
85
84:
22
83
11
41
13
40.
35
44
82"
206
116
23
190
243
248
71
-142
1,867
BUILDINGS.
• t ^
" 'a> C
X a
01 C
n
HOW
&
.2 1 ® *
•ETja
.£
■C-iH
"E
^i|
c i B
OCOUPIED.
m
tn
«"»
M
en
SsS
«
en
iH
N
N .O
CO
CO J2
^
^ .c
iC
vn
Dwellings
.38
196
,391
106
321
17
17
Stores & dwel'gs
Jifi
71
HO
1
Tenements
33
3
Flats ... .
3
55
102
1
Of the above number of buildings 579 were brown-stone
fronts.
Numier of applications made, and permits granted for use
of party walls, 836; for moving buildings, alterations, etc.,
1,035. There were, during this year, 98 buildings provided
with fire escapes.
Permits for new buildings from Dec. 1, 1881, to Dec. 1,
1882. 2,376; permits for new buildings from Dec. 1, 1880, to
Dec. 1, 1881, 1,939; increase over last year, 437; estimated
cost of new buildings from Dec. 1, 1881, to Dec. 1, 1883,
$10,386,263; estimated cost of new buildings from Dec. 1,
;1880, to Dec. 1, 1881, $9,498,347; increase over last year,
1887,916.
■Gharaeter of the Buildings.— Private dwellings, 1,096;
dwellings containing from four to two families, 454; stores
and dwellings, 164; tenement houses, 158; carpenter and
workshops, 96; stables, 148; storage sheds, 61; factories, 78;
foundries, 6; ice houses, 3; ^office buildings, 31; stores, 19;
store houses, 15; school houses, 5; packing houses, 1;
churches, 9; boiler houses, 10; convent, 1; railroad depots, 3;
clubhouse, 1; hotel, 1; buildings for manufacturing gas, 5;
™l3, 4; engine rooms, 4; green houses, 3; homes, 3; billiard
room, 1; breweries, 3; hospitals, 4; mills, 1.
BUILDINGS.
HOW
OCCUPIED.
o
67
cn 1 in 5
CD 1 <xi t>
& si
417 435
13 1
.
s
2
CO
213
88
-17
83
83
,ia
X a
ID V
■ga
O Q
coW
248
....
1
1
i
1
-*
3
27
12
60
60
10
•" s
O <D
24
....
5 Stories.
1 5 Stories &
1 Basement.
CO
g
CO
i
'iZ
o
id
"C
o
CO
o
1—1
iDweliiugs
Stores and dwellings
Tenement houses. ..
8
Flats
3 ....
Stores and flats
Factories
18
-19 ....
r^
1
1
1
It is a singular fapt that most (^f the buildings erected since
1874 are in seven wards in the city, and we give below these
wards as follows:
Wards.
Seventh
Eighteenth
Nineteenth
Twenty-flrst...
Twenty-second
Twenty-third...
Twenty-fltth...
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
2001 199
160 1 65
1751 145
1880
1881
llmos
of 1882
98
418
93
200
237
191
233
1,048
1,572
1,038
1,542
1,681
1,311
1,385
FrOni January 1, 1874, to December 1, 1883, permits for
new buildings were granted as follows: 1874, 1,344; 1875
1,648; 1876, 1,743; 1877, 1,708; 1878, 1,748; 1879, 1,703; 188o[
1,705; 1881, 3,005; 1883, 2,238. During the year ending De-
cember 1, 1883, 167 buildings were provided with fire escapes;
36 unsafe buildings removed; 177 unsafe buildings repaired;
1,840 new buildings completed; cost of new buildings com-
pleted was 18,169,471; number of buildings in course of erec-
tion, 660.
The biography and portrait of Mr. William H. Gayloe,
the present efficient and popular Coihmissioner of Buildings,
will be found on page 580 Previous to the organization of
this department, there were Fire Wardens and Fi7-e Marshals,
whose functions (analogous to those of the present Commis-
sioner of Buildings) are stated on page 580, together with a
list of such officers.
Department of Parks.— As the various parks in the city of
Brooklyn have already been referred to (page 595), we shall
give simply a brief statistical history. There are 583.57 acres,
or thereabouts, devoted to parks in the municipality of
Brooklyn, divided as follows: Prospect Park, 531.87; Wash-
ington Park, 30.16; City Hall Park, 1.61; City Park, 7.39;
Carroll Park, 1.86; Zindle Park, number of acres not given;
Tompkins Park, 7.82; Park on Heights, 0.86; Cumberland
Street Park, number of acres not given ; Reservoir property at
Prospect Park, 11; total, 583.57.
1881. — Expended for the maintenance of these parks,
during year ending November 30, 1881, |97,123.84, to wit:
Prospect Park, $87,038.07; Washington Park, $4,753.83; Car-
roll Park, $4,567.07; City Park, $1,835.93; City Hall Park,
$1,657.39; Tompkins Park, $1,658.39; Cumberland Street
Park, $71.37; Zindel Park, $7.S5.
Revenue derived from the public parks of the city during
the year ending November 30, 1881: From' boats and skating,
$1,000; rents, $3,659; sale of water, $1,883.34; care of wagons,
baby- carriages, &c., $27.75; sale of ice, $117.30; royalty on
Carousal, $385.15; camera obscura. $31.50; stray animals, $7;
labor. $3; total, $7,112.04.
Ttere was paid for music in Prospect Park during 1881 the
sum of $1,500. Park Police salaries amounted to $1,503.66.
Salaries of park officers and employees during 1881,
$8,500.30. Arrests (1881), 112; lost children found and re-
turned to parents, 15. There were 3,000 permits issued for
the use of portions of the pic-nic woods and for the parade
grounds for base-ball, cricket, foot-ball, lacrosse and other
field sports.
562»
HISTORY OF KlJSrOS COUNTY.
Hon. J. S. T. Stbanahan, President of the Park Commis-
sion, in his report for 1881, remarks of the force employed in
the parks: " It may safely be said that 80 per cent, of the
force then engaged had been in the employ of the Commis-
sioners for over five years, the majority of them for over ten
years. This force, which at present contains (including the
ofiicers) about 42 men, is scarcely adequate for the wide
range of service which our necessities demand of it. With
this small force, we are required to provide police surveil-
lance, night and day, for Prospect Park and Washington
Park (these two being the most important and exacting in
their requirements), Carroll Park, Tompkins Park, the City
Park, the Parade Ground, the Parkway and Coney Island."
He also especially notes the storm of January 31, 1881, "con-
sisting of rain and sleet, followed by a very low temperature,
which, within the space of ten hours, effected great destruc-
tion upon the trees and beautiful shrubs in the park. These
were so weighted down with ice upon every branch and twig,
as to seriously damage many valuable plants. Fifty wagon
loads of broken limbs and other debris, resulting from the
effects of the storm, were gathered in the Park."
1882. — A new Board of Park Commissioners was appointed
June 17, 1883. The Hon. J. S. T. Stranahan retired from the
office of President of the Commission at that time, after
twenty-two years' gratuitous service to the city. And when,
subsequently, December 13, 1883, the City Comptroller, Hon.
Ludwig Semler, informed Mr. Stranahan that an exami-
nation of the account of the Commission, up to the 17th day
of June, then last, showed that there was a deficiency in the
account to the credit to the city of $10,605.43, Mr. Stranahan
replied on the same day, stating that " acting upon the prin-
ciples by which I have been guided during twenty-two years'
gratuitous service to the city, I hand to you my check for
$10,605.43, to cover such deficiency, so that the books and ac-
couuts of the Park Commission can be correctly balanced."*
It is proper to say that these deficiencies were distributed
over transactions extending through twenty-two years, and
many of them only apparent deficiencies. That there should
be inaccuracies in transactions i-unning through so long a
period, and in which some eight millions of dollars were in-
volved, is natural, and forms an interesting and instructive in-
cident in the financial history of the Department of Parks.
The matter being thus satisfactorily and happily adjusted, the
new Commissioners proceeded to discharge their duties
under most favorable and prosperous circumstances.
Maintenance of the Parks. This, for the year 1883, was
$108,483.43. There was appropriated by the Common Council
for the benefit of the parks during the year, $100,000. Paid
into the City Treasury, from the Park revenue, as follows:
balance received frona former board, $3,859.08; received pres-
ent board, $5,623.36; total,$108,483. 44. Received from the Park
Commissioners, from January 1, 1865, to June 17, 1882,$8,438,-
799.56; deposited in addition to this, amounts not entered
in cash-book in 1868, 67 cents; 1870, $75; 1873, $1,100.60:
Total, $1,176.37; increasing the general receipts to, $8,439,-
975.83; amounts paid and cash drawn, $8,403,213.44; balance,
$37,763.39. Total amount of deposits, $8,413,184.42; total
amount of checks drawn, $8,386,035.45; balance, $27,158.97;
deficiiency, $10,605.43.
The above statistical statement is important, as explaining
in a most satisfactory manner, the deficiency of $10,605.42,
*It was never supposed that this deficiency was in any manner at-
tributable to Mr. Stranahan. When on investigating the boolis, and
learnine that it did exist, he gave his checli for the amount, for the
purpose of having the boolis balanced at the close of his administra-
tion, expecting, of course, to be properly reimbursed after a full invest-
igation of the deficiency and its nature.
found on the 17th of June, 1882, and for which Mr. Stranahan
gave his check. It also shows the financial condition of the
parks of the city, June, 7, 1882, 18 years ending.
License Bureau.— On April 5,1883, the ordinance regulating
the issuing of licenses was amended by the Common Council-
and certain classes of business and vehicles, which were re-
quired to be licensed in former years, were omitted, reducing
the classes of license to one-third. Those occupations, etc.
subject to license during the years 1881-1882, were as follows:
Public carts, dirt carts, trucks and express wagons, peddlers
and hawkers, junk' dealers, public hacks and cabs, raiboad
cars, billiard tables, hack and stage drivers, pawn brokers
auctioneers, intelligence offices, stages, bowling alleys, shoot-
ing galleries, slaughter houses, ticket speculators, theaters,
circuses, shows, fireworks, (wholesale and retail,) dogs, exhi-
bitions, hand carts, fish mongers, meat dealers, chimney
sweeps, undertakers, real estate agents, charcoal venders
public porters, fish and fruits.
Total fees received for licenses during 1881, $44,733.10; for
1883, $51,914.40; showing an increase of $7,181.30 over 1881.
The Truant Home.— This institution was established by an
act of the Legislature passed April 13, 1853, entitled "an act
to provide for the care and instruction of idle and truant chil-
dren." This act gives the corporate authorities of every city
and incorporated village the right to "restrain, take care of,
and properly educate all idle and truant children, between the
ages of five and fourteen, within their limits." Very soon
after the passage of this act (1853), the Truant Home (then
known as the Juvenile Home of Industry), was established in
the city of Brooklyn. It was soon apparent that the institu-
tion was to be both successful and useful. In 1857, it was re-
moved to the Old Penitentiary, on Clove road, Flatbush,
where it remained until the corporation purchased the J. J.
Sneideker Hotel property, on the Gowanusroad (eleven acres,
costing $25,000), to which the institution was removed.
The Home has continued to meet the full expectation of its
founders, and has proved an excellent auxiliary to the city's
system of compulsory education. It is, also, a school where
these children are educated in those primary branches de-
signed to prepare them for future usefulness.
The boys are taught salutary habits of industry in work-
ing on the small farm and garden belonging to it. The
course of study pursued in the institution embraces the same
studies as those pursued in the graded schools in the city.
Their religious education is not neglected. On the Sabbath,
there is a Sunday-school for the Protestant boys, and another
for the Catholic boys, conducted by lay teachers of their re-
spective denominations, not otherwise connected with the
institution.
The duties of the teachers are not merely to give the
scholar instruction, but also to see that his behavior is made
such as can be approved of by all; and to inculcate, by kind-
ness, habits of truthfulness, cleanliness, industry, and many
other traits of character heretofore unknown to the majority
of boys received into institutions of this description. On the
whole, the Truant Home is, and has been for many years,
one of the institutions of the municipality of Brooklyn, of
which, as a reformatory, as a place of education, and a home
for unfortunate children, it may justly be proud.
The officers of the Home are a Superitendent and Matron,
teachers, and a farmer, seamstress, watchman, etc. The Su-
perintendents of the Home, since the inception, have been:
Messrs. Gerry ; A. C. Van Epps ; Charles Demarest ; John A
Galvin ; Wm. A. McTammany. The average number of
boys under instruction is 60. The expenses of maintenance
were, in 1881, $13,565.36 (including a balance of $1,043.36
from previous year); 1883, $11,533.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF BROOKLYN
563"
The Inebriates' Home. Statistics. — During year ending
October 31, 1881, 511 cases were treated, including 123 patients
remaining in the Home November 1, 1880, of which 99 were
males, 34 females. Of the 511, 72 were re-admissions. Whole
number of patients treated, 439 ; males, 875 ; females, 64 ;
165 males were married; females, 31. The oldest patient was
65 years, the youngest 19.
During the year ending Qotober 31, 1881, the Home re-
ceived from the City Comptroller, |27,435, and from the
towns in the county of Kings, |1,766.96, amounting in all to
129,201.96.
A marked increase of "boarders" indicated that the insti-
tution was appreciated and constantly widening its sphere
and usefulness.
The average time of a patient's residence in the Home is es-
timated at about five months. There was received from
boarder patients during the year, $19,784.43, as against $12,-
274.27 the year previous.
1882.— This year was advanced to the Home, from the
Comptroller of the city, the sum of $34,147.50; and, from the
towns in the county of Kings, $1,752.39; malcing a total of
$'i5,899.79. There was received from boarder patients dur-
ing the year, $32,372.14, an excess of $19,734.48 of the year
previous.
Tliere were remaining in the Home, November 1, 1881, 117
patients ; 365 were discharged during the year ; 4 deaths ; 3
transferred to other institutions ; total, 372. Remaining in
the Home November 1, 1883, 133; males, 118; females, 15.
The total number treated during the year was 565 ; of these,
117 were married males ; 31 married females. Total, males,
442 ; females, 63. The oldest patient 65, the youngest, 19
years.
A LIST OF THE
MMORS, PRESIDENTS OF COMMON COUNCIL, Md CITY OFFICERS
OP THE
City of Brooklyn,
SINCE THE CONSOLIDATION OF BROOKLYN, WILLIAMSBURGH AND BUSHWICK.
1855. Mayor, George Hall; President of Common Coun-
cil, D. P. Barnard ; Comptroller, W. B. Lewis ; Corporation
Council, N. F. Waring ; Auditor, D. L. Northrup, Clerk,
Wm. H. Bishop.
1857. Mayor, Samuel S. Powell ; President Common
Council, Edward B. Pierson ; Comptroller, W. B. Lewis ;
Counselor, R. C. Barnard ; Auditor, D. L. Northrup ; Clerk,
Wm. H. Bishop.
1858. Mayor, S. S. Powell ; President Common Council,
E. B. Pierson; Comptroller, W. B. Lewis; Counselor, Samuel
E. Johnson ; Auditor, D. L. Northrup ; Clerk, Wm. H.
1859. Mayor, S. S. Powell ; President Common Council,
Martin Kalbfleisch ; Comptroller, Charles H, Collins ; Coun-
selor, Alex. McCue; Auditor, John Doherty;- Clerk, Wm. H.
Bishop.
1860. Mayor, S. S. Powell ; President Common Council,
Martin Kalbfleisch ; Comptroller, Charles H. Collins ; Coun-
selor, Alex. Mc3ue; Auditor, John Doherty; Clerk, Wm. H.
Bishop.
1861. Mayor, Martin Kalbfleisch ; President Common
Council, Alfred M. Wood ; Comptroller, Charles H. Collins ;
Counselor, Alex, McCue ; Auditor, John Doherty ; Clerk,
Wm. H. Bishop.
1862. Mayor, Martin Kalbfleisch ; President Common
Counail, Alfred M. Wood; Comptroller, Charles H. Collins ;
Counselor, Alex. McCue ; Auditor, John Doherty ; Clerk,
Wm. H. Bishop.
1863. Mayor, Martin Kalbfleisch ; President Common
Council, Dennis O'Keefe ; Comptroller, Thomas H. Faron ;
Counselor, John G. Schumaker : Auditor, John Doherty ;
Olerh, Henry McOloskey. '
1864. Mayor, Alfred M. Wood ; President Common
Council, T. V. P. Talmadge; Comptroller, Thomas H. Faron;
Counselor, John G. Schumaker ; Auditor, John Doherty ;
Clerk, Henry McCloskey.
1865. Mayor, Alfred M. Wood; President Common Coun-
cil, Daniel D. Whitney; Comptroller, Thomas H. Faron;
Counselor, John G. Schumaker; Auditor, James Lynch;
Clerk, Henry McCloskey.
1 866. Mayor, Samuel Booth; President Common Council,
A. M. Bliss; Comptroller, Thomas H. Faron; Counselor,
John J. Schumaker; Auditor, James Lynch; Clerk, Henry
McCloskey.
1867. Mayor, Samuel Booth; President Common Council,
George H. Fisher; Comptroller, Thomas E. Faron; Counselor,
John J. Schumaker; Auditor, James McLeer; Clerk, Henry
McCloskey.
1868. Mayor, Martin Kalbfleisch; President Common
Council, Jacob I. Bergen; Comptroller, Thomas H. Faron;
Counselor, Alex. McCue; Auditor, James McLeer; Clerk,
Wm. H. Bishop.
1869. Mayor, Martin Kalbfleisch; President Common
Council, Jacob I. Bergen; Comptroller, E. M. Johnson;
Counselor, Wm. C. DeWitt; Auditor, James O'Brien; Clerk,
Wm. H. Bishop.
1870. Mayor, Martin Kalbfleisch; President Common
Council, Jacob I. Bergen; Comptroller, E. M. Johnson;
Counselor, Wm. C. DeWitt; Auditor, James O'Brien; Clerk,
Wm. H. Bishop.
1871. Mayor, Martin Kalbfleisch; President Common
Council, Jacob I. Bergen; Comptroller, E. M. Johnson;
Counselor, Wm. C. DeWitt; Auditor, James O'Brien; Clerk,
Wm. H. Bishop.
187'2. Mayor, Samuel S. Powell; President Common
Council, Jacob I. Bergen; Comptroller, F. A. Schroeder;
Counselor, Wm. C. DeWitt; Auditor, N. Shaurman; Clerk,
Wm. H. Bishop.
1873. Mayor, S. S. Powell; President Common Council,
John Clancy; Comptroller, F. A. Schroeder; Counselor,
Wm. C. DeWitt; Auditor, N. Shaurman; Clerk, Wm. H.
Bishop.
S64»
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
1874. Mayor, John W. Hunter; President Common Coun-
cil, Jacob I. Bergen; Comptroller, F. Schroeder; Counselor,
Wm. C. DeWitt; Auditor, N. Shaurman; ClerJc, Wm. H.
Bishop.
1875. Mayor, John H. Hunter; President Common Coun-
cil, Jacob I. Bergen; Comptroller, S. S. Powell; Counselor,
Wm. C. DeWitt; Auditor, Wm. H. Searing; Clerk, W. H.
Bishop.
1876. Mayor, Fred. A. Schroeder; President Common
Council, John French; Comptroller, 8. S. Powell; Counselor,
Wm. C. DeWitt; Auditor, Wm. H. Searing; Clerk, Wm.
H. Bishop.
1877. Mayor, Fred. A. Schroeder; President Common
Council,* Francis B. Fisher; Copmtroller, William Burrell;
Counselor, Wm. C. DeWitt; Auditor, Wm. H. Searing;
Clerk, Wm. H. Bishop.
1878. Mayor, James Howell; President Common Coun-
cil, Francis B. Fisher; Comptroller, William Burrell; Coun-
selor, William C. DeWitt; Auditor, F. E. Howard (deputy
and acting); Clerk, Wm. H. Bishop.
1879. Mayor, James Howell; President Common Coun-
cil, Wm. H. Ray; Comptroller, William L. Steinmetz; Coun-
selor, Wm. C. DeWitt; Auditor, A. Ammerman; Clerk,
Dennis McNamara.
1880. Mayor, James Howell; President Common Council,
Robert Black; Comptroller, Wm. L. Steinmetz; Counselor,
Wm. C. DeWitt; Auditor, A. Ammerman; Clerk, Dennis
McNamara.
1881. Mayor, James Howell; President Common Council,
Robert Black; Comptroller, Ludwig Semler; Counselor,
Wm. C. DeWitt; Auditor, Z. Voorheis; Clerk, Dennis Mc-
Namara.
*Therewa^a severe contest In the Common Council this year over
the election of President. Many ballots were taken without any re-
sult, when Wm. H. Kay was elected temporary Chairman for one
day, and the Board adjourned till the 18th of February, when Fran-
cis B. Fisher was elected President.
1882. Mayor, Seth Low; President Common Council,
Theodore D. Dimon; Comptroller, Ludwig Semler; Counsels
John Taylor; Auditor, Z. Voorheis; Clerk, William J. Tate!
1883. Mayor, Seth Low; President Common Council,
James Weir, Jr. ; Comptroller, Aaron Brinkerhofl; Counselor.
John A. Taylor; Auditor, August Boege; Clerk, Wm. J. Tate.'
1884. Mayor, Seth Low; President Common Council,
Theopholus O'Lena; Comptroller, Aaron Brinkerhoff; Oouri-
selor, John A. Taylor; Auditor, August Bcege; Clerk, John
Shanley.
We have now given a condensed history of the
municipality of Brooklyn, tracing its well sustained
progress through a period of nearly seventy years.
One of the gratifying incidents in its history is the
uniform facility with whichthe municipal government,
both village and city, has been operated; especially
when we remember that a municipality is essentially a
State, combining every element of good government
necessary for the protection of its people, whose com-
plicated powers must be distributed with the most del-
icate skill, and the utmost reverence for principle,
rectitude and patriotism. Amid the large number of
offiliers, and the immense patronage in the hands
of those entrusted with its executive and legis-
lative departments; amid the friction of self-interest,
the struggle for places of honor and profit; amid the
most heated political contests, all the vicissitudes of
financial prosperity and depression, the city govern-
ment has moved along to its present acknowledged
supremacy, showing that at all times, under all cir-
cumstances, it has been administered by men who sub-
ordinated every ulterior consideration to the welfare
and prosperity of the city.
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE AND EXCISE
557
THE DEPARTMENT OF POLICE AND EXCISE.
BY THE EDITOR.
Early Village Constabulary. — When Brooklyn
was young, the protection of its peace, and the execu-
tion of village ordinances, was safely entrusted to the
energy of Justice Nichols (see page 117) and its one
constable, Rike Reid, who was for many years literally
" a terror to evil-doers," whom a doggerel rhymster
once addressed (in the columns of the Star) in the fol-
lowing fashion :
" Do you not fear the terrors of the law,
The direful energy of Justice Nichols ?
Or lest Rike RiAd let fall his mighty paw,
And put you all in very pretty pickle?"
The constabulary system, though it was enlarged as
the village grew to the dimensions of a city, possessed
no such completeness of organization as would now be
deemed essential to civic dignity.
Prior to 1850, there was no regularly organized
police department in Brooklyn, though more or less
imperfect organizations for the protection of life and
property, and the preservation of the public peace, had
existed; and a system of patrol had been adopted
which, for a time, met the requirements of the city.
First Regular City Police. — In 1850, a department
was organized, with Mr. John S. Folk as chief of police.
Mr. Folk held the position until the organization of
The Metropolitan Board of Police, in 1857 (see
page 486), when he was appointed inspector of that
department in and for Brooklyn.
The Metropolitan Police Board headquarters were
then at No. 300 Mulberry street. New York, whence
orders emanated from four Commissioners and a Gene-
ral Superintendent. To Brooklyn was assigned one
Inspector and ten Captains ; and. the city was divided
into ten precincts, numbered (in continuation of the
number of New York city precincts) from 41 to 50 in-
clusive; with sub-stations for the 43d and 49th pre-
cincts. In addition to the force of 368 employed in
these precincts, there was the " Atlantic Dock Squad,"
of 14, detailed to the protection of that important in-
terest, and paid by the Atlantic Dock Co. ; and a "Sani-
tary Squad " of seven, with a sergeant, detailed to ex-
ecute the orders of the Health Board in Brooklyn.
The Metropolitan system of Police (as well as of
Health and of Excise), which was found to be some-
what cumbersome, and which was an invasion and
overshadowing of local governments, came to an end in
1870.
The Board of Police of the City of Brooklyn.—
An act to establish a police department in and for
the city of Brooklyn, and to define its powers and
duties, was passed April 5th, 1870, which declared that
the city of Brooklyn should thereafter constitute a
separate police district; and a police department was
thereby created therein, the management and control
of which was vested in a board of commissioners, to be
known and designated as " The Board of Police of the
City of Brooklyn." The Board was to be composed of
the Mayor and two suitable persons, to be nominated
by him, and appointed by the Board of Aldermen,
who should be known and act as Commissioners of
Police, and who should each receive a salary of $3,000
per annum. The Commissioners were empowered to
divide the city into precincts, not exceeding, in the ag-
gregate, one precinct to each fifty of the patrolmen
authorized to be appointed ; to appoint a chief of
police, captains, sergeants and patrolmen ; and to pass
such rules, regulations and orders for the government
of the police force, as they might deem proper to be
promulgated by the chief of police; the police force to
be subordinate to the mayor, and under his orders, so
far as he might think necessary. One of the Commis-
sioners was chosen president of the board, and the
other treasurer; and a secretary, or chief clerk, a deputy
clerk, a treasurer's book-keeper, two surgeons, a drill
captain, two doormen for each station, a property
clerk, a stenographic clerk, and a clerk to the chief of
police were appointed. The act provided for the pay-
ment of the following annual salaries :
Commissioners, $3,000 ; Chief of Police, $3,500 ;
Captains, $1,500; Sergeants, $1,200; Patrolmen, $1,000;
Chief Clerk ^also serving as clerk of the Board), $2,500;
Deputy Clerks, $1,500 ; Property Clerk, $1,200;
Stenographic Clerk, $1,500; Treasurer's Book-keeper,
$1,500; Clerk of the Chief of Police, $1,000; Drill
Captain, $1,200; Doormen, $800.
By the terms of this act, all the property, station-
houses and effects within the city of Brooklyn, belong-
ing to, or used by, the Metropolitan Police, at the time
of the passage of this act, were vested in the City of
Brooklyn, for the use and purposes of the police de-
partment by this act established; the Common Council
were to provide such office and business accommoda-
tions as should be requisite for the transaction of the
business of the new commissioners and its officers, and
provide such new station-houses and furniture there-
for, as, from time to time, should be required.
The Mayor and joint board of members of the Com-
S58
HISTOttT OF KINGS COUNTY.
Taon Council of the city, and of the Supervisors were to
determine the amount to be raised in the annual taxes
for the expenses of the police department ; and the
Board of Supervisors, of the county of Kings, were
annually to raise the amount, so fixed and determined,
in the taxes levied for the purposes of the city. The
unexpended balance of money paid by the city of
Brooklyn and the Supervisors towards the expenses of
the Metropolitan Police District, were to be paid into
the State Treasury; and by the State Treasurer were
to be transmitted to the Treasurer of the city of
Brooklyn, by whom they were to be expended, first, in
the liquidation of the expenses incurred and remaining
unpaid, of the Metropolitan Police of the city of Brook-
lyn, and then to the expenses of the new city Police
Department.
The patrolmen and doormen of the Metropolitan
Board of Police on duty in the City of Brooklyn, at
the time of the passage of this act, were continued in
the new organization. All other members of the
Metropolitan Police force of Brooklyn were to be ap-
pointed by the New Board of Police. The assistant
Fire Marshal, appointed in pursuance of the Act passed
May 4th, 1868, creating the office of Metropolitan Fire
Marshal, and prescribing its powers and duties, was
continued in office during the pleasure of the new Board,
with the same powers and duties, and with a salary of
$2,000 a year.
The act invested the Mayor with the powers granted
to mayors of cities, under the General Laws of the
State, in respect to requiring the services of the military
in aid of the civil authorities to quell riots, suppress in-
surrections, protect property and preserve public tran-
quility; and provided that no Police Board should
exercise such powers within such city.
In pursuance of this act, the Common Council of the
city, on the 28th day of April, 1870, on nomina-
tion of his Honor the Mayor (a member of the Board
of Police by the act above referred to), duly ap23ointed
Daniel D. Briggs and Isaac Van Andbn as Police Com-
missioners. On the first day of May following, a meet-
ing of the Board of Police was held, when Commis-
sioner Briggs was chosen President, and Commissioner
Van Andbn, Treasurer, of the Board. June 1st, fol-
lowing, John S. Folk, formerly Inspector under the
Metropolitan Police System, was superseded by the
appointment of Patrick Campbbll, ex-Sheriff of Kings
County, as Chief of Police. The majority of the police
force was composed of men who had been appointed
by, and served under, the Metropolitan Police Commis-
sion, while several of the old Captains and Sergeants
were retained by the Board regardless of political sen-
timent.
A building at the corner of Johnson and Washing-
ton streets was leased for one year as an office for the
Inspector of Police and Detective force ; and in that
building, though it was inadequate for the purpose.
the headquarters of the Police Commissioners were
established. The lease having expired on the first of
May, 1871, more commodious headquarters, at the
corner of Court and Livingston streets, were secured.
A "Telegraph Squad," composed of three experi-
enced operators, was organized, and placed under the
direction of Superintendent of Telegraph, George H.
Flanley. The Central Department was thus placed in
constant communication with all Police Stations in
Brooklyn, all engine houses in the Western District
the office of Fire Commissioners, the Central Office of
the New York Police Department, the Water Depart-
ment and the Ridgewood Engine House and Reservoir.*
At the rendering of the first annual report in 1871,
the force (in twelve precincts, exclusive of the Central
and the Detective squads), comprised 10 Captains, 49
Sergeants, 22 Roundsmen, 39 Patrolmen assigned to
* The Telegraph Bureau is, in many respects, the most important
branch of the Police Department ; and, for many years, its management
under Mr. George H. Flanley, the Superintendent, has been acknowl-
edged to be above criticism. While, foralongtime,thepoliceforoenu-
merically has been almost at a standstill, police telegraph lines have
been continually extended, until at the present time they would, in one
straight line, cover a distance of over 100 miles, not including the tele-
phone wires. Communication between the various station houses
and Police Headquarters is seldom interrupted, no matter what the
violence of the storm may be. The Police Telegraph Bureau of Brook-
lyn may be said in its various stages to mark distinctly the history of
the art. When Mr. Flanley came here from the New York Police De-
partment, in 1858, the dials were first put up. The system was then in its
most crude state, the stop movement and signal calls being only in use.
The dial system has been ever since retained, as the most useful for Po-
lice purposes. The signal system Is now seldom employed. Telephones
were Introduced as an adjunct to the telegraph system about two years
ago ; and, at present, every station house in the city has both tele-
phonic and telegraphic communication with Police Headquarters.
The latter are used for all general alarms and the former for individu-
al messages. With both systems in thorough working order, the im-
mense business of the office is smoothly transacted. The day on which
the bureau Is most severely taxed is on Election Day, but the rule has
been that the figures sent in on election night are recorded quicker
than they can be furnished to the police by the canvassers.
During 1883, Mr. Flanley, with the consent of the Commissioner, in-
troduced a new feature in the shape of a police signal booth, in
which an instrument has been placed by which calls for the Fire De-
partment, ambulances, patrolmen, or for extra assistance may be
transmitted to headquarters. This is done automatically by special
signals. In addition to this, it possesses the mechanical and electri-
cal appliances necessary to make it a^re and police alarm hox. There
are clever telephonic devices in the booth which enable both the
police and firemen to converse with their respective headquarters. The
booth is located at the corner of Fulton street and Franklin avenue,
that being the dividing line of the Fourth, Ninth, Tenth and Twelfth
Precincts. The officers covering the adjoining posts have to make
regular trips to the box and communicate with headquarters. The
booth has now had a fair trial of several months, and its usefulness has
frequently been demonstrated. In a few years it is expected that many
such booths will be placed in different parts of the city. The system
has been in operation in Chicago for two years, and there are now over
300 stations in that city. Mr. Flanley has recommended that signal
boxes be placed at the various ferries, as they could be used there to
good purpose In the reporting of fires, accidents, calls for ambulances
or other business pertaining to the department, such as detecting
criminals passing to and from New York.
The business of the Telegraph Bureau shows a steady increase.
Over its wires much of the business of the City Works Department,
Board of Health and the Coroner's office is transacted, and citizens
use it for various purposes. Last year m,lU messages of the most
varied description were sent from and received at Headquarters. Mat-
ters the most trivial as well as the most important are transmitted
from the station houses, and the location of a dead dog, the robbery
of a coat, a railroad accident, a murder, a highway robbery, the an-
nouncement of a lost child, follow each other over the wires in rapid
succession.— (Condensed from Brooklyn EagU, Deo. 1883).
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE AND EXCISE.
559
special duty, 303 Patrolmen assigned to patrol duty,
26 Doormen ; total, 449.
In pursuance of " An act to amend an act of the
Legislature of the State of New York," entitled " An
act to establish a Police Department in and for the
city of Brooklyn, and define its powers and duties,"
passed April 25, 1872, on the 21st of May following,
the Mayor {ex officio Commissioner) appointed Daniel
D. Briggs, and the Comptroller and Auditor appointed
James Jotjedak and Sigismund Kaufmann as Police
Commissioners. The Board was organized on the
above date, by the election of James Jourdan, Presi-
dent, and Daniel D. Briggs, Treasurer (Sigismund
Kaufmann resigned on the 31st of December, 1872).
May 27th, Pateick Campbell was reappointed Chief
of Police, and John S. Folk, Inspector.
The Department of Police and Excise, to con-
sist of a President and two Commissioners, was created
under the charter of 1873, of which the President
of the Board of Police, and the Commissioners in
office on May 1st, 1873, together with a Commission-
er to he appointed under the provisions of existing
laws, were members. The act provided that the Presi-
dent and Commissioners of the said Board should serve
out their terms of office ; on the expiration of which,
and every two years thereafter, the President and
Commissioners should be appointed by the Mayor, with
the consent of the Board of Aldermen ; and that all
appointments to fill vacancies (which might, from time
to time, exist) in the Board of Police and Excise, should
be made in like manner; stipulating that the President
should receive a salary of $7,000, inclusive and in lieu
of his salary as a member of the Board of Health of
the City of Brooklyn; and each of the Commissioners
an annual salary of $5,000.
The Department was given the management and con-
trol of all matters relating to the police and excise ;
subject, however, to the ordinances of the Common
Council and the laws of the State ; all monies col-
lected for licenses to be for the benefit of the city, ex-
cept such part thereof as was then, or might thereafter
be, provided by law, to be paid to the Inebriate Home
of the County of Kings. The terms of office of the
two Commissioners of Excise of the city of Brooklyn
terminated on the passage of the act. From and after
the qualification of the President of the new Board of
Police and Excise, the old Boards of Police and Excise
of the city of Brooklyn (two separate organizations)
were abolished ; and the terms of all officers (except
those of the patrolmen and doormen in the Police De-
partment and employees thereof) ceased and termin-
ated. The new Board of Police and Excise was em-
powered to divide the city into precincts, not exceed-
ing one precinct to each thirty-six of the patrolmen
authorized to be appointed ; to establish sub-precincts,
and assign to each not more than three sergeants, two
doormen, two roundsmen, and a sufficient number of
patrolmen; to appoint a telegraph superintendent, three
telegraph operators, and one assistant operator ; to ap.
point as many captains of police as there should be
precincts, and assign sufficient officers and men to each
precinct ; and to appoint a counsel and fix his compen-
sation, not to exceed $2,500, and not more than five
surgeons, and as many mounted sergeants, roundsmen,
and patrolmen as the Common Council might authorize.
The act pi-ovided for the composition of the police
force as follows : " The police force shall consist of a
superintendent, inspector, captains, sergeants, rounds-
men, patrolmen, doormen, and one drill captain. The
number of sergeants shall not exceed four for each pre-
cinct, three for each sub-precinct, and one for each
special squad ; the number of roundsmen shall not ex-
ceed two for each precinct or sub-precinct, and two for
headquarters and one for each special squad ; and the
number of patrolmen shall not exceed the number
authorized by law, unless the Common Council of the
City of Brooklyn shall, by resolution, upon the applica-
tion of the Board, authorize a greater number."
The members of the force, and the officers, received
the following rate of compensation, annually, for their
services : Superintendent, $4,000 ; Inspector, $8,000 ;
Captains, $2,000 ; Sergeants, $1,500 ; Roundsmen,
$1,100 ; Patrolmen, $1,100 ; Police Surgeons, $1,500 ;
Drill Captain, $1,800 ; Doormen, $800.
The Police Life Insurance Fund was created, to
be composed of all fines imposed by the Board upon
members of the police force, by way of discipline, and
collected from pay or salary; and all rewards, fees,
proceeds of gifts and emoluments that may be paid
and given for account of extraordinary services of any
member of the police force (except when allowed to be
retained by said member) ; and all monies remaining
for the space of one year in the hands of the Board,
or arising from the sale of unclaimed goods; and all
proceeds of suits and penalties. The President of the
Department and the Commissioners of the Sinking
Fund were to be the trustees of this fund, and invest
the same, in whole or in part, as they may deem most
advantageous for the objects of such fund. Any mem-
ber of the police force who shall, while in the actual
performance of duty, and by reason of such perform-
ance of duty, and without fault or misconduct on his
part, become permanently disabled, physically or men-
tally, so as to be unfit to perform police duty; or any
such member who shall, after ten years of membership,
become superannuated by age, or rendered incapable of
performing police duty by disease contracted without
misconduct on his part, may be placed on the pension
roll of this fund, and granted and paid a pension of not
exceeding $300 per year from the fund. If any mem-
ber of the police force, while in the actual discharge of
police duty, shall be killed, or shall die from the effect
of any injury received by him under such circum-
stances, or shall die after ten years continuous service
560
BISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
in the force (his death not being due to any misconduct
on his part), leaving a widow, her name may be placed
on the pension roll, and a like pension be paid to her
from the fund so long as she may continue unmarried.
If any member, dying as aforesaid, shall leave any
minor child or children, but no widow (or if a widow,
then after her death), the name or names of such child
or children under the age of 18 years, maybe placed on
the pension roll, and such pension paid to each child or
children (if the latter, to be divided between them equal-
ly), until such pensioner or pensioners shall arrive at the
age of eighteen, or until the payment of the same be dis-
continued by the Board. At its discretion, the Board
may at any time order any pension, or portion thereof,
to cease ; and its payment is not obligatory upon the
Board, or the trustees, or chargeable, as a matter of
legal right, upon the Police Life Insurance Fund.
The act creating the department provided that its
expenses were to be paid in the same manner as those
of the other departments. In case of an addition to
the number, or compensation of the police force or de-
partment, the Comptroller of the city has power, and
it is his duty, to issue certificates, bearing interest, for
any sum not already raised for payment of the force or
department accordingly ; and a sum sufficient for the pay-
ment of the certificates so issued shall be inserted in
the succeeding tax levy of the city of Brooklyn, and,
upon the collection thereof, said certificates shall be
paid.
The Mayor of Brooklyn is invested with the powers
common to mayors of cities in the State of New York,
to quell riots, suppress insurrections, protect property,
and preserve the public peace; and the Police Board
has no authority to exercise such powers. Whenever
expedient, the Board may, upon the application of any
person or corporation, detail regular patrolmen of the
police force, or appoint and swear any additional num-
ber of special patrolmen of the police force to do spe-
cial duty within the city, such special policemen to be
paid as other policemen are paid, and the individuals
or corporations in whose service they are detailed to
pay, for the use of the city, a sum sufiicient to reim-
burse the salaries so paid to special policemen. The
persons so appointed may be removed at any time by
the Board without any cause being assigned therefor,
upon notice to the person or persons who applied for
their appointment. Special patrolmen may be ap-
pointed in case of riot. All criminal processes issued
from any court, or any justice, or judge, in the City of
Brooklyn, are to be served by a member of the police
force, and not otherwise. The members of the force,
furthermore, possess the common law and statutory
powers of constables in every part of the State (except
for the service of civil process), and any warrant of
search or arrest issued by any magistrate of the State
may be executed in any part thereof by any member of
the force.
On the"4th of August, 1873, the organization of the
consolidated Department of Police and Excise was per-
fected by the appointment of James Jouedan who
was the President of the Board of Police, on the
1st day of May, 18Y3, to be President of the Board of
Police and Excise, with Daniel D. Beiggs, the Police
Commissioner then in office, and James L. Jensen, who
was appointed by the Comptroller and Auditor, under the
provisions of the charter, as Commissioners. The Com-
missioners then appointed Samuel Richards, Clerk, and
Benjamin D. Midgeley, Deputy Clerk of the depart-
ment. October 6th, 1873, John S. Folk was appointed
Superintendent, to take the place of Patrick Campbell,
whose office as Chief of Police was abolished by the
terms of the charter. George A. Waddy, on the same
day, was appointed Inspector, in place of John S. Folk,
promoted. In 1875, Pateick Campbell was again ap-
pointed Superintendent, and has since held the office.
The Board, as organized that year, was composed of
Commissioners Daniel D. Beiggs, President, and John
Ptbuen and William D. Hued. Daniel D. Briggs, the
President, died July 3d, 1876. His funeral took place
July 10th. The various city departments were closed,
police headquarters were draped in mourning, and the
entire reserves of the force attended the obsequies. Ou
the 17th day of July, 1876, General James Jouedan
was appointed President of the Board by Mayor
Schroeder, and unanimously confirmed by the Common
Council, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr.
Briggs ; and, on Wednesday, July 19th, 1876, the
Board was duly organized, with President Jourdan in
the chair. On the 1st day of November, 1877, Rod-
net C. Waed and Thomas F. White were nominated
for the office of Police and Excise Commissioners by
Mayor Schroeder, and confirmed by the Common Coun-
cil on the same day, to fill the places of John Pyburn
and William B. Hurd, whose terms of office had ex-
pired. In 1879, Messrs. Ward and White were suc-
ceeded, as Commissioners of Police and Excise, by
John Ptbuen and O. B. Leich.
By an act passed May 25th, 1880, the office of Presi-
dent of the Board of Police and Excise was abolished
and superseded by that of
Commissioner of Police and Excise, the salary
remaining unchanged. Under the act, two Excise Com-
missioners were appointed to act on all matters relating
to excise, with the Commissioner of Police and Excise;
and, in respect to all matters of excise (but not of po-
lice), to possess the same power as the said Commis-
sioner, who, nevertheless, should be President and head
of the Commissioners of Excise, the salary of the Com-
missioners to be $2,500 per annum, each.
The Commissioner of Police and Excise has discre-
tionary powers, on conviction of a member of the force,
for any criminal offense, or neglect of duty, or viola-
tion of rules, or neglect or disobedience of orders, or
incapacity or absence without leave, or any conduct
DEPARTMENT OF POLICE AND EXCISE.
561
iniurious to the public peace or welfare, or im-
moral conduct, or conduct unbecoming an officer,
or other breach of discipline, to punish the offend-
ing party by reprimand, forfeiture and with-
holding pay for a specified time, or dismissal from
the force; or, if he be a detective, or officer other than
doorman or patrolman, by reducing him to any grade
below that in which he was acting, after which his pay
shall be the same allowed tb officei-s of the grade to
which he is reduced. In case of punishment by for-
feiture and withholding pay, no more than ten days
shall be forfeited and withheld for any offense. A writ
of certiorari to reverse a determination by the Commis-
sioner of Police and Excise, or the Commissioner of
the Fire Department of the city of Brooklyn, to remove
a person employed on the police or fire department
forces of said city, for cause, must be granted and
served within thirty days after notice to him of such
removal.
Under this act, James Jouedait, who had been Pres-
ident of the Board of Police and Excise since 1877, was
appointed Commissioner of Police and Excise; and, with
RiCHAED Laube and Thomas P. Evans, Commissioners
of Excise, constituted the Board, which, since then, has
heen organized as follows :
1881. James Jourdan, Commissioner of Police and
Excise, and William L. B. Stears and Herman Cobell,
Commissioners of Excise.
1882-'83. James Jourdan, Commissioner of Police
and Excise, and Richard Lauer and Thomas P. White,
Commissioners of Excise.
December 1, 1883, the business of the Department
was in the hands of James Jourdan, Commissioner of
Police and Excise; Edward L. Langfovd, Deputy
Commissioner of Police and Excise ; Richai'd Lauer
and Thomas P. Evans, Excise Commissioners; Patrick
Campbell, Superintendent of Police; Henry L. Jewett,
Inspector; William J. McKelvey, Drill Captain;
George H. Flanley, Superintendent Telegraph ; John
C. Perry, Counsel.
In Police and Excise Commissioner Jourdan's report
for the year ending November 30th, 1888, to Mayor
Low, the police force is stated to consist of :
One superintendent, one inspector, one drUI captain, thir-
teen precinct captains, sixty-six sergeants, twenty-five detec-
tives, thirty-four roundsmen, four hundred and eighty-nine
patrolmen, and thirty-five doormen; total, 665.
The number of patrolmen detailed for duty at the courts
and other places, requiring the services of police oiHcers, is
fifty-four, or about one-nintti of the whole patrol force.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Board of Estimate has
provided for the payment of nineteen additional patrolmen,
which increases the number to 500 for the ensuing year, the
necessity for increasing the force still exists, and grows more
and more urgent each year. There are 546 miles of streets
within the hmits of the city, the residents of which need the
protecting arm of this department for the prevention of
crime and the preservation of the pubHc peace.
The various precincts are divided into day and night posts.
One-quarter of the available patrol force, which is about 100
men, is used to cover the day posts, and about one-half of
said force is used to cover the night posts, which is about 300
men; therefore, each patrolman on day duty is required to
patrol about five and one-half miles of streets, and each one
on night duty is required to patrol about two and three-
quarter miles of streets. In this connection I would state
that police telegraph boxes, properly placed throughout the
city, would be a most valuable auxiliary to the patrol force.
Under title 11, section 36 of the charter, the Commissioner
of Police and Excise is required to detail on each day of
election in the city of Brooklyn at least two patrolmen to
each election poll. For this service the Commissioner states
that he has not a sufficient force to spare. And. as it is esti-
mated, by a member of the Board of Elections, that there
will be at least 240 poUing places in this city next year, 480
patrolmen will be required for duty at said polling places ;
and the Commissioner also recommends the establishment
of a EivBR AND Harbor Police, with two steam launches,
as an increase of the number of posts along the water-front
is not warranted by the present insufBcient force.
The number of arrests during the year was 27,011 ; un-
lighted street lamps, 15,505; persons provided with lodgings
in station houses, 19,707; lost children taken charge of, 1,919;
vacant houses reported for special attention during the sum-
mer months, 2,086 ; fumigation of infected premises, 967 ;
smallpox cases removed to hospital, 10 ; wells disinfected, 9 ;
sanitary inspection, 137; complaints made and notices served,
53.
Estimated value of stolen and unclaimed property in cus-
tody of department December 1, 1883, $924.73 ; property re-
ceived during the year, |104,250.90. Total, $105,181.62.
Property delivered to persons $103,804.56
Balance on hand December 1, 1883 1,377.06
The telegraph lines and instruments are in good working
order, and during the year 179,818 messages passed through
the office. Complaints against policemen were made to the
number of 467, of which 310 were sustained, 157 dismissed ;
11 patrolmen were dismissed during the year. The police
surgeons attended 760 cases of sickness, and made 3,852
professional visits. 558 fires were reported. Six arrests
were made of persons suspected of having set fire to the
premises. One was convicted and sent to the Penitentiary
for two years. 3,735 steam boilers were examined, 39 con-
demned. 1,463 engioeers were examined, of whom 1,196
received certificates.
Abstracts of Police Statistics will also be found,
under the head of the separate years, since 1855, in the
History of the Consolidated City, pages 484 to 520,
562
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Hon. Wm. H. Murtha is, in every sense, a representative
of the business interests and business men of Brooklyn; of
the latter it is no affectation to say that in public spirit they
are unrivaled by those of any other city.
He was born in Brooklyn, January 3, 1841, in that part of
the city known as the Fourth Ward — in Concord street, near
Jay. His father was James Murtha, born in Ireland. He
came to America in 1834, and settled in the city of New York,
from whence he removed to Brooklyn in 1837. His mother
was also a native of Ireland. Both his parents were charac-
terized by good sense, morality and industry. They were
communicants of the Roman Catholic Church, in which faith
Mr. Murtha was reared.
When he was nine years old his father died, leaving six
children, of which he was the fourth. The early develop-
ments of young Martha's character were intelligence, love of
books and a desire for education. These were enlarged and
rendered practical in the public schools of Brooklyn to such
an extent that he attracted the attention of that illustrious
lawyer, the late Grenville T. Jenks, who invited Murtha,
young as he was, to enter his ofSce as a student. The invi-
tation was accepted, and the young man, under the instruc-
tions of Mr. Jenks, continued the education begun at school.
With his other studies he pursued a limited course of law
reading, as it was then his determination — prompted by the
advice of Mr. Jenks — to become a lawyer. He remained
with Mr. J. until he was seventeen years of age. In order
to pursue the study of certain branches in classics, under a
very competent teacher then in Brooklyn, he left the oiBce
of Mr. Jenks, as he then thought, temporarily. He remained
at school until 1 859, when he received a very advantageous
offer to enter into mercantile business, which he accepted.
Abandoning his intention of entering the legal profession, he
commenced business with the eminent firm of Davidson &
Co., New York city, a leading house engaged in the West
India and South American trade. He remained with this
firm, under the most confidential relations, until the break-
ing out of the Rebellion. The business of the firm, being
mostly confined to localities affected by the War, was such
that it discontinued for a time. Mr. Murtha, receiving the
appointment of mustering officer at the Brooklyn Navy
Yard, entered the service of the Government very soon after
the breaking out of the, War. He continued to discharge the
duties of this office until 1865. His labors while here wei-e
incessant ; his duties imposing upon him the highest re-
sponsibilities. He had the care of at least 2,000 men, keeping
daily details of their work; preparing and superintending the
entire pay-roll of all the employees in the Navy Yard. The
amount of money monthly disbursed to them averaged $450,-
000 to 1600,000, and this sum for labor alone. The satisfac-
tory manner in which Mr. Murtha dischai-ged these duties
sufficiently shows his capacity for administration, and the
facility with which he conducts business. At the termina-
tion of the War he left the Government service and com-
menced business with his brother-in-law, organizing the
well-known and highly respectable firm of Murtha & Boyle,
wholesale and retail dealers in coal ; and, by the death of
Mr. Boyle, in 1881, the firm was changed to W. H. Murtha
& Son.
Mr. Murtha has always been an active and influential Dem-
ocrat— influential, not as a politician, in the common accep-
tation of the word, dealing in the platitudes of partisan man-
agement for the sake of office, but, for his high standing as a
business man, his general intelligence, public spirit and un-
doubted integrity. His fealty to the Democratic party is a
matter of principle; he loves it for its traditions, for its Jef-
f ersonian precepts, because he honestly believes its doctrines
tend to the great advantage of the masses— the greatest good
to the many. In regard to upholding a man for office he
adopts the maxim of the great Father of Democracy in-
volved in these questions, " Is he honest ? Is he capable ?
Is he deserving ? "
In 1869, he was appointed a member of the Board of Educa-
tion of Brooklyn, and served until 1872. He was elected an
Alderman of the 9th Ward, in 1876, serving by re-elections
until 1878. In the faU of 1879, he was elected State Senator
from the 2d Senatorial District of the State, which embraces
nine wards of the city of Brooklyn, and the three towns of
Flatbush, New Utrecht and Gravesend, in the county of
Kings. He entered upon his Senatorial duties January 1st,
1880, where he took a prominent and influential position as a
legislator. The Democratic party was largely in the minor-
ity in the Senate. Mr. Hoskins, then Lieutenant-Governor
and its presiding officer, in recognition of Mr." Martha's high
standing as a man, placed him upon several of the most im-
portant standing committees in the Senate : — on the In-
surance Committee, on that of State Prisons, on Pubhc
Buildings, Poor Laws, Public Health, and on the special com-
mittee to investigate the affairs of the Binghamton Insane
Asylum, and those of the Elmira Reformatory. Few
members of that Senate discharged more laborious duties
than Mr. Murtha. Though he did not very frequently
occupy its attention as a speaker, when he did enter into the
discussion of any subject, he was always listened to with the
most profound respect and attention.
The important legislation of 1881-3 has passed into history.
Among the important matters before that Senate was the re-
vision of the Tax Laws, and a proposition to make the
canals free high-ways, and to remove American Shipping
property from local taxation. Mr. Murtha's district was so
decidedly interested in the matter of making the Erie Canal
free from tolls, that he was compelled to be aggressive in his
advocacy of that measure. It was believed, and justly, that
the measure would largely increase the tonnage of grain and
other merchandise, which finds storage in the capacious
warehouses along the water front of Brooklyn, where all
the grain storage of the Port of New York, aggregating 40,-
000,000 of bushels yearly, is located; aggregating in the in-
vestment of capital on the amount of property stored nearly
1400,000,000. It will therefore be seen, of what vital im-
portance the question of free canals was, to the city of
Brooklyn. To the ability, zeal and untiring exertions of
Senator Murtha, Brooklyn is largely indebted for the success
of the measure. This is fully appreciated by its citizens, and
the citizens of Kings county, and he is, therefore, by one ac-
cord, assigned a conspicuous place in this history.
In private life. Senator Murtha is, as we have said, highly
esteemed for his courteous bearing, his honorable dealing, his
purity of character, for his ardent support of religious and
educational interests, as well as of all measures tending
to the advancement of the city of Brooklyn. He is a leading
member of St. Charles Borromeo (Catholic) Church in Sidney
Place. In 1869, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary E.
Rice, of Brooklyn, a lady whose temperament accords hap-
pily with that of her husband in the love of the domestic
circle; for there are few men who have stronger attachment
for home life than Senator Murtha. To make it happy, to
embellish it with everything refining and elevating, is his
ambition; and all his business cares, relations and labors are
subservient to the welfare and comfort of his family.
i ^^i\ ^
bEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
563
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
BY THE EDITOR.
Brooklyn's Earlier Sanitary Provision, prior
to 1854. — Brooklyn, in its ea;rlier village days, was
not without its nuisances "prejudicial to the j^ublic
health;" but they were, for the most part, such as
were easily controlled by the powers vested in the
village trustees. In 180+, however, there was a slight
epidemic of yellow fever in the Wallabout neighbor-
hood; and, after the epidemic in New York, in 1805,
foreign shipping, from infected ports, were no longer
allowed to land at (or within three hundred yards of)
the wharves of that city. Thenceforth, the Brooklyn
shores were usually resorted to by such vessels ;
as a consequence of which, the village was visited (in
1809, and again in 1823) with two similar epidemics,
while New York remained totally exempt. (See
History of the Medical Profession of Kings County,
Part II). As the village grew to be a city, the duties
of a Health Board were fulfilled, after a fashion, by the
Mayor and Board of Aldermen.
From Fueman's Notes (p. 72), we learn that "As
early as 1809, during the prevalence of the yellow
fever in this town, the inhabitants met together in
consequence of repeated solicitations from the Com-
mon Council of New York, and after stating in their
proceedings that reports prevailed that disease exists
to an alarming extent in the town of Brooklyn, they
appointed the following gentlemen a committee for
the purpose of inquiring into the state of the health
of the inhabitants of said town, and to act as the case,
in their opinion, may require, viz. : William Furman,
John Garrison, Burdet Stryker, Henry Stanton, and
Andrew Mercein." A sum of money was raised by
subscription to meet the expenses of this committee.
In the year 1819, the trustees, although not strictly
invested with power, yet feeling the necessity of act-
ing with some degree of energy, in order to quell the
fears of the inhabitants, arising from reports of the
existewje of a pestilential disease in New York, pub-
lished an address, in which they state, that " during
this season of alarm, they have not been unmindful
of that part of their duty incumbent on them as a
Board of Health for the village," and that "measures
have been taken to obtain, from time to time, a report
of the state of health throughout the village, that the
inhabitants may be early apprised of any change af-
fecting their welfare."
The Village Board of Health, created 1824.
-March 4, 1824, in the Senate of the State of New
York, John Lefferts, Esq., brought in a bill to estab-
lish a Board of Health in the village of Brooklyn, and
also an act, to amend an act, to incorporate the said
village, both of which bills were passed by the Legis-
lature on the 9th of April following.
By this act, the trustees of the village were consti-
tuted a Board of Health, the President and Clerk be-
ing (ex-officid) President and Clerk of the Board of
Health. The President's salary was $150 ; and a
health physician, appointed by the Board, received
|200 per annum. The duties of the Board related to
the general conservation of the health of the village.
The Health Board Organization of 1854. ^^J
the provisions of the charter of 1854, the Board of
Health of the City of Brooklyn was constituted of the
aldermen of the city, or such a number of them as the
Common Council might designate, and were invested
with powers and functions, similar to those of the
Board of Health of the City of New York. It was or-
dained that the Mayor, or, in his absence, or in case of
his inability to act, the President of the Board of
Aldermen, should be presi<|ent of the Board of Health,
and that the city clerk should be its clerk, and keep a
journal of its proceedings. It was defined to be the
duty of the President of the Board of Aldermen, at
all meetings of said board, when he should be informed
of any matter requiring the attention of the Board of
Health, to lay such matter before them, whereupon
they should proceed to consider and act upon it. It
was provided that the Board of Health might be con-
vened at any time by notice from the clerk, under di-
rection of the president, or any two of its members, and
that the Board should designate a place to be called the
Office of the Board of Health, where the president or
one or more of the members should attend daily, Sun-
day excepted, from the first day of June to the first day
of October in each year, and that they might so attend
on Sunday, if necessary; a faithful record of all trans-
actions to be kept for the convenience of the Board and
the inspection of the public.
The provisions of this act were ample and sufficient
for the enforcement of the new ordinances, quarantine
regulations, &c., for the sanitary welfare of a grow-
ing city.
February 26th, 1866, an act was passed creating a
" Metropolitan Sanitary District and Board of
Health therein, for the preservation of life and health,
and to prevent the spread of disease." The district, thus
created, comprised the same territory as that embraced
within the Metropolitan Police District, created the
564
Ms four OF KllTGS COtTNTlr.
same year, viz. : the City and County of New York, the
County of Kings, and City of Brooklyn, Westchester and
Richmond Counties, and the towns of ISTewtown, Flush-
ing and Jamaica, in Queens. The Board of Health was
constituted of four members, nominated by the Governor,
and confirmed by the Senate, all of whom were to be resi-
dents of the said Metropolitan District ; three of whom
were to be physicians ; and one of whom was to be a
resident of the city of Brooklyn. These three, together
with the Health Officer of the Port of New York, for
the time being, were to be the Sanitary Commissioners
of the said Metropolitan District ; and, together with
the Metropolitan Police Commissioners, they formed
" the Metropolitan Board of Health." These Sanitary
Commissioners were to hold office respectively, for one,
two, three and four years, but their respective succes-
sors were to hold office for four years each.
An executive officer was created by the act to carry
out the orders of this board, who was to be an exper-
ienced and skilful physician, and who was to be desig-
nated as " Sanitary Superintendent ; " under him were
two assistant sanitary superintendents, " one of whom
was to be the acting chief officer of the Brooklyn
Bureau of Sanitary Inspection ; " and a corps of sani-
tary inspectors, of whom a large proportion were to be
"physicians of practical skill and professional exper-
ience."
It was also made the duty of the Metropolitan Board
of Police, not only to execute the orders of the Metro-
politan Board of Health; but to " promptly advise said
Metropolitan Board of Health of all threatened dan-
ger to human life or health, all matters demanding its
attention, and all violations of its rules or ordinances."
The two Boards co-operated in all things, so far as
was practicable, the Police doing their utmost to enforce
the rules and ordinances of the Board of Health.
The act abolished the City Inspector's Department,
and other officers who had hitherto performed some of
the duties then delegated to the Board of Health, and
created a " Board of Estimate," composed of the Mayor
and Comptroller of the city of Brooklyn, together with
the members of the board created by the act, to con-
vene " annually, on or before the first day of August,
make up a financial estimate and statement of the sums
required for the year next ensuing, for the expenses and
proper support, and for the discharge of the duties of
said board; the sum raised for the expenses of any one
year, however, not to exceed $100,000," independently
of such sums as may have been expended " in the pre-
sence of great and imminent peril to the public health
from impending pestilence," &c. This act, so far as it
related to the appointment of Sanitary Commissioners,
took effect immediately, and in other respects went into
effect March 1st, 1866.
In 1867, three acts (known respectively as chapters
68Y, YOO and 908 of the Session Laws of that year)
were passed, abating certain nuisances in Brooklyn
deemed to be derogatory to the public health, regula-
ting certain other matters of interest in this connection
and providing for the improvement of tenement houses
and other dwellings of the poorer classes in Brooklyn
and New York. Brooklyn was represented in the
composition of this Board by Jambs Ceane, M. D., as
Health Commissioner, and by John G. Beegen, aa
Police Commissioner.
On the 10th of March, John T. Conkling, M. D.,
was appointed Assistant Sanitary Superintendent, and
RiCHAHD Ceesson Stiles, Deputy Registrar of Vital
Statistics for Brooklyn, which was divided into five in-
spection districts, and six Sanitary Inspectors assigned
to duty therein. The cholera epidemic of that year,
which first appeared on the ^th of July, devolved no
small responsibility on the. Brooklyn Bureau, which
was promptly met. Cholera hospitals were erected in
the 12th Ward, at the corner of Hamilton avenue and
Van Brunt street, and (by permission of the Common
Council) in the City Park. (See p. 502.)
On the 2d day of January, 1868, George B. Lin-
coln, Esq., of Brooklyn, having been appointed a San-
itary Commissioner by the Governor {vice President
Jackson S. Schultz, resigned), took his seat on the
Board; and, on the 9th, Dr. James Crane was elected
its President,, for the unexpired term of the late Presi-
dent. Commissioner John G. Bergen died in February,
and March 3d, Mr. Lincoln was elected President of
the Board, in place of Dr. Crane, who declined a re-
election. July.l, 1868, Henry S. Fellows, Esq., was
appointed Assistant Attorney of the Board for the
County of Kings.
In 1869, Dr. Conkling resigned as Assistant San-
itary Superintendent, and was succeeded by Dr.
R. Ceesson Stiles, who held office until the ab-
olition of the Metropolitan Health Police system in
1870.
A City Board of Health again in 1870.— But in
1870 the Metropolitan system was laid aside, and mat-
ters of health, police, and excise were relegated to the
local authorities of the several cities and counties here-
tofore comprising the Metropolitan District. The dis-
bursements, expenses, and legal business of the Board
were to be managed by the City Comptroller and Coun-
cil, in the same manner as other expenses for general
city purposes. The Common Council were empowered
to confer upon the Police Board such powers in re-
gard to public health as should be necessary to give
effect to the provisions of the Health Act. All monies
standing to the credit of the city were to revert to the
city, etc.
By a law passed in 1870, it was ordained that the
Board of Health, created by the charter of 1854, " shall,
in addition to the powers therein conferred upon said
Board, possess the same powers, rights and privileges,
except as to compensation, as were conferred by the
said acts of February 26, 1866, and the several acts
DMPAltTMENT OF SEALTIl
565
amendatory thereof, and by chapters 687, TOO and 908 of
the laws of 1867, upon the Metropolitan Board of
Health within the city of Brooklyn, except the power
to appoint oflScers and to incur expenses otherwise than
IB herein provided." All officers required to be ap-
pointed for the purpose of carrying out such powers
were appointed by the Common Council of said city,
on the nominations of the Mayor.
Under this act. Dr. Geoegb Cochrake assumed the
position of head of the Department in 1870. He was
succeeded by Dr. Andeew Otterson in 1872.
Department of Health Created by Act of 1873.
—Section 1 of title XII. of the charter of 1873 de-
clared : " There shall be a department of health, which
shall be known as the Board of Health of the City of
Brooklyn, which shall have jurisdiction over said city."
The management and control of this Department was
vested in a Board of Health, to be composed of the
president of the Board of Aldermen, the president of
the Board of Police, and one physician, who should
have been ten years in active practice of his profession,
and a resident of Brooklyn for five years immediately
prior to his appointment. It was ordained that, within
five days after that of the passage of the act (June 28,
1873), and on "the first Monday in May, 1877, and
every two years thereafter, the Mayor shall nominate,
and, with the consent of the Board of Aldermen, ap-
point one physician, who is eligible to the office, as a
member of the said Board of Health, who shall be
President thereof, and shall hold office until his succes-
sor shall have been duly qualified, together with the
President of the Board of Police and the President of
the Board of Aldermen, shall constitute the Board of
Health of the city of Brooklyn." In case of death,
resignation, removal from office, or other inability to
serve of the physician so appointed, the vacancy shall
be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by the
Mayor and Common Council in the manner herein pro-
vided, for appointment under this act. The salary of
said physician shall be $5,000 per annum. The Board
of Health, thus constituted, was empowered to act as a
legislative board in regard to all matters pertaining
to public health, and to the registration of vital statis-
tics of the city, and to make such rules and regula-
tions regarding the appointment of officers and em-
ployees as might be deemed expedient for the purposes
for which the Board was organized ; to prepare ordin-
ances and secure the registration of births and deaths ;
to appoint a secretary, sanitary superintendent, regis-
trar of records, inspectors, and other necessary officers
and employees, and fix their compensation, with the
proviso " that the whole expense of administrating such
department shall not exceed the sum appropriated
therefor by the Board of Estimate, and all expenditures,
so incurred, for whatever purpose, shall be made and
Diet m such manner as is provided for in other de-
partments of the city government." It was made the
duty of the Board of Police to execute the orders of
the Board of Health when ko requested by authority of
the Board. In the presence of great and imminent
peril to the public health of the city of Brooklyn, the
act required the Board of Healtli " to take such meas-
ures, to do, and order to be done, such acts, and to
make such expenditures," beyond those duly estimated
for, in accordance with the provision above stated, for
the preservation of the public health from such impend-
ing pestilence as the Board might declare the public
safety and health to demand ; and the Mayor of Brook-
lyn and the President of the Medical Society of Kings
County should approve in writing. It was further
stipulated that such peril should not be deemed to exist,
"except when and for such period of time as the
Mayor, President of the Medical Society and Board of
Health " should declare by proclamation.
The charter defined the manner of procedure to be
adopted by the Board of Health against individuals or
corporations whose business, conduct or property
should be deemed detrimental to the public health, and
provided for the right of appeal on the part of the lat-
ter to the City Court of Brooklyn, including the pro-
viso that no established business, or the rights to prop-
erty, of any person, should be interfered with until the
offender or offenders therewith charged should have
been duly summoned by not less than five days' notice
to appear before the Board and show cause why such
declaration or order of prohibition should not be en-
forced against him, her or them.
In conjunction with the Department of City Works,
the charter gave the Board of Health power to contract
for the removal of offal, dead animals, garbage, night
soil and other refuse matter; all contracts to be signed
by the Presidents of the two Boards, and no contract to
be made or terminated except by the affirmative vote
of a majority of the members of the Board of Health
and the Department of City Works, acting conjointly;
all contracts to be carried out by the Department of
City Works, partially under control of the Board of
Health, to whom all complaints of neglect of duty on
the part of a contractor were ordered to be made; the
President of the Board of Health having power to con-
vene a joint meeting of the two Boards whenever, in
the opinion of the Board of Health, any contract en-
tered into by the two Boards should be improperly
or imperfectly executed by the Department of City
Works.
The ordinances passed by the Board of Health were
numerous, and of such an import and range as to pro-
vide for the preservation of the public health so far as
is possible, in view of the present developments of
science; and no means to the proper carrying out of the
purposes of the health department have been overlook-
ed in framing them. Every known precaution against
infection and contagion was adopted.
The Board of Health acts in conjunction with the
566
SISTOBY OP KtN^GS COXTN'TY.
Health Officer of the port of New York and his deputies,
for the protection of the city against disease brought
to the port by foreign and other vessels; the Health
Officer keeping the Board of Health informed by weekly
reports of the number of vessels in quarantine, of the
number of persons sick in the floating or other hospi-
tals, and of the diseases with which each of them is
afflicted. The Health Officer of New York, or his as-
sistants and deputies, receive into the floating hospital
all cases of yellow fever found in Brooklyn; and do not
allow the return to the vicinity of the city, without
permit of the Sanitary Superintendent, any person, ves-
sel or article which the Board of Health has ordered to
quarantine.
The supervision of the Board of Health of the con-
struction of residences, business and public buildings on
sanitary principles, and in the healthful reconstruction
of old and dangerous buildings, has done mnch tow-
ard rendering the city healthy and amelioratiag the
condition of many thousands of its inhabitants. Every
means to prevent the quartering of people in unhealthy
domiciles has been made available ; and the school
buildings, churches, halls, theatres, and other public
buildings of Brooklyn, are as well ventilated and as
healthful as those of any city in the Union.
Under the provisions of the charter, the Board of
Health, in 1873, was composed of General James Joui'-
dan, Dr. Joseph C. Hutchison, and John T. Conkling.
M. D.
In 1874, the organization of the Board of Health was
changed by the addition to its constituency of the Pres-
ident of the Board of City Works ; and it was compos-
ed as follows : General James Jourdan, Dr. Joseph C.
Hutchison, Dr. John T. Conkling, Lorin Palmer, and
Jacob I. Bergen.
In June, 1875, another reorganization of the Board
of Health took place, by which a physician must be its
President, and it was constituted of Dr. Andrew Otter-
son, President; Jacob I. Bergen, President of the
Board of Aldermen ; and Daniel D. Briggs, President
of the Board of Police. January 1st, 1876, John French
succeeded Mr. Bergen. In the winter of that year
Mr. Briggs died, and was succeeded by General James
Jourdan. January Ist, 1877, Mr. French was succeeded
by William H. Ray. In June, 1877, Dr. Otterson was
replaced by Dr. James Crane. Mr. Ray was succeed-
by Francis B. Fisher, January 1st, 1878, and in turn suc-
ceeded the latter January 1st, 1879. Mr. Ray was
succeeded, January 1st, 1880, by Robert Black. In
September, 1879, Dr. Crane was succeeded by Dr. Ot-
terson. Otherwise the composition of the Board was
unchanged till 1880.
Office of Health Commissioner Created. — By
an Act in relation to the Government of the City of
Brooklyn, passed May 5th, 1880, the organization of
the Board of Health was changed, and the office of
Health Commissioner was created ; it being enacted
that "within thirty days after the passage of this
act, the Mayor and Comptroller shall meet at the May-
or's office and * * * designate * *
* proper person who shall be the head of the De-
partment of Health and designated as the Commis-
sioner of said department ; and the President of the
Department of Police and Excise and the President of
the Board of Aldermen shall thereupon cease to be
members of the Board of Health."
Dr. James Ckanb was appointed Health Gommis-
sioner, June I7th, 1880, and served as such until suc-
ceeded by Dr. Joseph H. Raymond, who was appoint-
ed February 1st, 1882.
The work of the Department of Health is now car-
ried on by Commissioner Raymond and the following
corps of subordinates and assistants :
R. M. Wyckoflf, M. D., Secretary and Registrar;
G. F. Elliott, Esq., Counsel; E. F. Page, M. Farrell, G.
Iremonger, S. R. Tuomy, W. R. Kerr, W. Hughes,
J. Lewis, Clerks; W. E. Griffiths, M. D., S. N. Fisk,
M. D., J. Corbin, M. D., Sanitary Inspectors; E. Pen-
dleton, M. D., J. J. Gleavy, M. D., J. B. Mattison, M.D.,
A. M. Burns, M. D., G. Wieber, M. D., R. N. Dennison,
M. D., Ernest Palmer, M. D., G. McNaughton, M. D.,
W. A. De Long, M. D., H. A. Archer, M. D., N. Titte-
more, M. D., W. J. Cruikshank, M. D., W. E. Beardsley,
M. D., T. J. Wheeden, M. D., Assistant Sanitary In-
spectors; E. H. Bartley, M. D., Assistant Inspector and
Chemist; W. J. Hobday, Inspector o/Jfeaiy J.J.Powers,
P. M. Moffatt, W. J. Roche, J. F. Williams, S. Bower,
Inspectors of Plumbing; L. McLean, Veterinary Sur-
geonj L. T. Bell, Consulting Veterinarian.
Ambulance Surgeons. — E. F. Pearce, M. D., J.
Merzbach, M. D., A. A. Reid, M. D., Western District,
located at L. I. College Hospital ; C. P. Peterman, M.
D., J. N. Dimon, M. D., Eastern District, Hospital and
Dispensary; C. F. Drake, M. D., D. P. Maddux, M. D.,
Central District, Homoeopathic Hospital; J.B.Hammill,
M. D., L. E. Tieste, M. D„ St. Mary's Hospital.
Report of the Health Department for 1883.—
Health Commissioner Raymond's annual report to the
Mayor, for the year ending Nov. 30, 1883, states:
The total deaths in the city within twelve months, ending
November 30, 1888, were 13,888, or 1,180 less than the actual
mortality during the calendar year, 1883. Assuming that
this total, 13,833, fairly represents the mortality of 1883, and
estimating the population to be 634,118, we fix the death rate
at 33.16 in each thousand of persons living.
This rule is lower than that of 1883, when there died 24.84
in each thousand, the population at that time bemg held to
be 604,356. In other words, there has been a saving of hfe
this year, as compared with 1883, amounting to more than
1,600 lives.
He congratulates his fellow citizens on the fact that
there seems to be a permanent improvement in the
sanitary condition of Brooklyn, and fortifies his
opinion by the following :
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
567
Comparative Table op Mortality by Prominent Causes
OF Death in Recent Years.
Total from all
Zymotic class
Smallpox
Measles
Scarlet Fever
Diphtheria
Croup
Whooping Cough
Typhoid Fever
Malarial Fevers
Cholera Infantum
Diarrhoeal diseases, all ages.
Diarrhoeal diseases, under 5
Consumption
Bronchitis
Violence
Under 5 years
Under 1 year
Death rate per 1,000
1881.
14,533
4,953
35
56
151
169
4b8
118
1,
306
1,038
1,707
1,493
1,754
471
403
6,865
3,633
34.83
1883.
15,013
4,880
13
168
893
633
334
348
83
389
1,007
1,893
1,600
1,806
684
433
7,136
3,816
34.84
1883.
13,833
3,700
3
54
542
43ti
323
131
96
366
992
1,595
1,340
1.840
597
319
5,907
3,556
33.16
The saving of life was most remarkable among children
under 5 years of age— the decrease amounting to 1,239. The
deohne in deaths of zymotic diseases was over 3,000, and is
very significant of a better tone of the public health.
Diseases of the zymotic class flourish when the community
is broken down in its health, and they are expelled or re-
duced when the city's pulse and circulation come back to the
normal. In last year's report to your Honor, I referred to
the exceptionally cleanly condition of our street sewers and
the probable good effect thereof upon the health rate. I
have no reason to abate anything that I then said, but am
impelled to state my conviction that the efficient operations
of the Department of City Works have vastly improved our
sewer system, and, for some months, at least, have given us
purer air to breathe, by giving us relatively cleaner streets
under the new contract; and have thus, indirectly, come to
the aid of the sanitary authority in its fight against zymotic
disease. It will also be seen by the above table that at no
time since 1875 has the zymotic mortality fallen below 3,000
until the present year; while, in 1881, it rose to nearly 5,000.
This low zymotic ebb is extremely gratifying to all who
watch the progress of the city's health, for there can scarcely
be a question that our city is destined to make advance in
this direction and make a name for herself as a wholesome
home city. A further examination of the parallel columns
ia the table shows that the only diseases cited therein that
have a higher total this year than last, are consumption and
typhoid fever, and in respect to both of these, the increase is
significant.
He reports as to
The Ambulance Service, organized in May, 1873, by
resolution of the Cominon Council, and placed by that body
" for management in the Board of Health, was, for the first
time, established on a permanent basis by the charter amend-
ment passed June 4, 1880 (chap. 545), which reads : " Said
Board of Health, as thus constituted, and its successors, shall
have power to act as a legislative body in regard to, and shall
have and exercise exclusive power in said city over all mat-
ters pertaining to public health, the removal and burial of
the dead, the maintenance and operating of an ambulance
service for the speedy removal of sick aod injured persons,
etc." The ambulance districts are four in number, each under
the charge of a surgeon and an assistant. The surgeon of
the Western District is located at the Long Island College
Hospital, Henry street, corner Pacific ; that of the Eastern
District, at the Eastern District Hospital, 108, 110 and 113
South Third street, and that of the Central District at the
Homtiopathic Hospital, on Cumberland street. This latter
district is one which has been in existence since January,
1881, and the ambulance used is the property of the hospital,
although it is under the management and control of the De-
partment of Health. During the present month, an addi-
tional ambulance has been provided by St. Mary's Hospital,
on St. Marks avenue, near Rochester, and its services have
been placed at the disposal of the city by the authorities of
that institution; the expenses of its maintenance, however,
being paid by them. The rooms of the surgeons are con-
nected by telephone with Police Headquarters, and also with
the stables where the ambulances are located, so that prompt-
ness characterizes this service equally with that of the Fire
Department. The cost of maintaining this service is |5,200
annually; |1,300 of this amount, is raised by the Board of
Estimate specifically for the services of the ambulance of
the Homeopathic Hospital. The city owns four ambulances,
two of which are always on duty, the others acting as re-
serves. It was deemed wise at the inception of this service
in 1873, to make contracts , with livery-stable keepers to
furnish horses and drivers, rather than for the city to assume
the work ; this plan has worked so satisfactorily that it has
not been changed. The amount paid for each district is
$1,000 annually, the city furnishing the ambulances and ap-
paratus and keeping the same in repair.
In order that this service may be of the greatest possible
value, the city is divided into districts, and the duties of the
surgeons distinctly defined.
Since the organization of this service, in August, 1873,
there have been 15,785 calls for assistance answered by the
ambulances, divided by years as follows :
1873, 159 ; 1874, 601 ; 1875, 831 ; 1876, 911 ; 1877, 884 ; 1878,
1,340; 1879,1,572; 1880,2,014; 1881,2,282; 1882,2,498; 11
months of 1883, 2,703. Total, 15,785. The surgeons serve
without compensation.
Night Medical Service. - In the year 1880, the Legisla-
ture of the State of New York passed an act, chapter 588 of
the session laws, entitled "An Act to organize a night medi-
cal service in the City of New York, and to provide medical
assistance in cases of sudden sickness, or accident, during the
the night time." It was urged, at the time this act was in-
troduced, that there were many cases of sudden sickness oc-
curring during the night, and that it was very often difiicult
to obtain the services of a physician. This measure was de-
signed to overcome the difficulty.
In the following year a similar act was passed, chapter 231
of the Laws of 1881, making the same provision for the city
of Brooklyn.
It is mandatory upon the Board of Estimate to apportion
and insert in their estimate of the expenses of said city, in
each year, an amount necessary for the support of the
aforesaid night medical service. The Board of Estimate of
1881 had adjourned slm die before the act was signed by the
Governor, consequently no provision was made for the sup-
port of the service for 1882. In 1883, however, $1,000 were
appropriated for its maintenance during the year 1883. On
the 1st of January of the present year, the service was or-
ganized, and 86 physicians have registered their names for
duty.
During the eleven months ending November 30, there
have been eighty-nine calls, for which the city has paid $367.
In addition to this amount, $95 have been expended for
forms and the necessary books of record.
I am satisfied that, in one instance at least, a human Ufe
568
HISTOBT OF KINGS COUNTY.
has been saved by a physician of the service, and that, in
many cases, pain and suffering have been alleviated.
For the coming year, |600 have been appropriated— a sum
whicli vrill undoubtedly be sufficient to meet all demands.
The Plumbing Law.— This law, vrhich practically went
into effect May 1, 1882. has been enforced since that date,
and has undoubtedly contributed a large share to the im-
provement noticeable in the public health. During the past
eleven months, 2,233 new houses have been plumbed in con-
formity with this law, which requires the work to be done
under the supervision of this department; making in all
3,451 buildings in the city, which have the benefit of im-
proved sanitary plumbing, and are occupied, probably, by
not less than 30,000 persons.
Inspection op Food.— This work has been continued with
the zeal and vigor which its importance demands, and has
resulted in giving to the citizens of Brooklyn a supply of
meat and milk second to no city in the State.
Pumps and Wells. — The examination of pump water
which was commenced last year, has been continued during
the year 1883; and, at the present time, we have the result
of the analysis of the water from every pump in the city.
It will be seen by reference to the table hereto appended
that when this work was begun, there were 396 pumps. Of
these, 230 have been condemned as furnishing water which
was unfit for human consumption, and 17 were found to be
so unobjectionable as not to warrant condemnation. The
Common Council have given the necessary authority to close
172, and these have aU been flUed, and are, therefore, no
longer in existence. There still remain in the city 124, of
which number 106 have been condemned; and 18 have- not
been condemned."
THE DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND BUILDINGS.
BY THE EDITOR.
WESTERN DISTRICT.
The First Fire Company of Brooklyn, 1785.—
The first fire company within the present city of
Brooklyn was organized on the 80th of April, 1785,
at a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants, held at
the dwelling of the Widow Margaret Moser, who kept
a house of entertainment in what is now Fulton street,
near the ferry. The following persons were appointed
members of the company, viz. : Henry Stanton, cap-
tain, Abraham Stoothoof, John Doughty, Jr., Thomas
BROOKLYN'S FIRST FIRE-ENGINE.
Havens, J. Van Cott and Martin Woodward, all of
whom were commissioned for one year. The meeting
also resolved to raise the sum of £1-50 by tax, for the
purpose of procuring a fire-engine. This engine, the
first ever used in Brooklyn, was built by Mr. Jacob
Roome of New York, the first fire-engine builder of
that city, who had at that time just commenced the
business, all former engines having been imported from
England. It was about eight feet in length, three feet
in width, two feet six inches deep, and stood about
three feet high. The box was square, heavy, without
ornament, and made for service, being well bolted and
ironed together. The condensing case, enclosing the
works, was placed in the centre of the machine, and
stood three feet high, with an elbow or " goose neck" on
the top, to which, when the engine was at work, a pipe
was attached, through which the stream of water was
directed upon the flames, the use of hose and suction
being at that time unknown. The wood-work was of
ash, the air cylinder of copper, and the chambers of
brass, five inches in diameter, having a twelve inch
stroke, and with puppet valves sheathed with leather.
She was what is termed " a long stroke," and worked
quite easily, throwing a stream of water at a distance
of sixty feet, through a pipe six feet long, with a three-
quarter inch nozzle. As she had no suctions, she was
supplied by means of buckets, the water being drawn
from neighboring wells, and carried to, and emptied
into the engine, by the firemen, through an aperture in
the side of the box, so placed as not to interfere with
the working of the machine. The capacity of this box
was about one hundred and eighty gallons. The arms
were placed fore and aft, working lengthwise of the
box, the levers striking on the ends ; and, when full
manned, but four men could work on each arm, making
eight in ^11. Tlie 4rag-rope was a single cue, without
DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND BUILDINGS.
569
a reel, the engine heing guided by the tongue. Such
was the engine used here a hundred years ago, and
upon its reception from the builder's hands, it was
christened the Washington No. 1, which name and
number has been retained by its successors down to the
present day.
It was further enacted at said meeting, that the fire-
men should regularly play, clean and inspect the en-
gine, on the first Saturday in each month; and that, in
case of the non-attendance of any of the said firemen,
upon due notice given them by their captain, they
should be fined eight shillings, and that the captain for
any neglect of duty in notifying the members, should
himself he fined sixteen shillings.
The firemen were chosen annually at town meeting,
and the office, although at that time it conferred no
peculiar privileges or immunities upon its incumbents,
was much sought after and valued as a position of
respectability and honor in the community. Indeed,
the name oi fireman in those days was a passport into
the best society. They were regarded, not only as a
safeguard against fire, but as the protectors, advisers
and patriarchs of the town. No citizen made any al-
terations in his domicile or other buildings, without
first consulting tie firemen, and their expressed opinion
was rarely disregarded, or deviated from. At a town
meeting held on the 14th of April, 1786, the following
persons were elected firemen : Henry Stanton, captain,
John Doughty, Jr., Abraham Stoothoof, Anthony
Remsen, John Garrison, John Van Nostrand and Jas.
Leverich. At a town meeting, held on the 3d of April,
1787, the following firemen were appointed, the meet-
ing having previously resolved to increase the number
to nine : Henry Stanton, captain, John Doughty, Jr.,
Joseph Garwood, George Stanton, Thomas Havens,
James Leverich, John Van Nostrand, Thomas Bow-
rans and John Garrison, It was also resolved that
each fireman should take out a license, for which he
should pay four shillings, the avails of these fees being
applied to the current expenses of the company. No
records of the payments of these licenses were kept
until 1821, after which they were regularly entered upon
the accounts of the trustees, and receipts issued for the
same.
First Organization of a Fire Department. —
In 1788, a special meeting was held by the in-
habitants, at which it was resolved to petition the leg-
islature for a public enactment, whereby the fire de-
partment of Brooklyn should be organized on a more
extended basis, and endowed with privileges similar to
those enjoyed by the city of New York. In compli-
ance with their petition, the legislature granted an
" Act for the better extinguishing fires in the town of
Brooklyn in Kings county," passed March 15th, 1788,
and which authorized " the freeholders and inhabitants
of the town of Brooklyn, in Kmgs county, residing
Rear the ferry, wjtljin a line to begin at the E^st river,
opposite to, and to be drawn up the road that leads
from the still house, late the property of Philip Living-
ston,* deceased, and including said still house and other
buildings on the south side of same road, to and across
the road leading from Bedford to the ferry, f south of
of the house of Matthew Gleaves, and from thence
north-westerly, including all the houses on the east side
of the road last mentioned, and east of the powder
magazine of Comfort and Joshua Sands, to the East
river aforesaid, and from thence down the East river to
the place of beginning," at an annual town meeting on
the first Tuesday in April in every year, to appoint
eight able and sober men residing within the limits
aforesaid, to have the custody, care and management
of the fire engine or engines, and other tools or instru-
ments ; and who were to be called the firemen of
Brooklyn, and to be ready at all times, as well by night
as day, to manage, work and exercise the same fire en-
gine or engines, &c., and to be subject to such rules,
orders and regulations as the freeholders and inhabi-
tants of the town should impose. Each ^rewaw was to
be exempted and privileged from serving in the ofl5ce
of overseer of the highways, or constable, and from
being empanneled upon any jury or inquest, and from
militia duty, except in cases of invasion or other immi-
nent danger. All moneys necessary for the expenses of
this fire department were to be raised by the town at
the same time, and in the same manner as those for the
support of the poor.
In accordance with the provisions of this act, the
citizens, April 1st, 1788, appointed the following per-
sons firemen : Stephen Baldwin, captain, Benjamin
Baldwin, Silas Betts, Thomas Havens, Joseph. Stevens,
Gilbert Van Mater, John Doughty, Jr., and John Van
Cott, all of whom held their office by annual re-election,
for three successive years.
In consequence of the daily increase of fires, arising
from the foulness of chimneys, and in accordance with
the ample provisions of the act of 1788, the freeholders
at their annual town meeting, April 1st, 1789, created
the office of fire or chimney-inspectors. J John Van
Nostrand and Jacob Sharpe were appointed inspectors,
and the following persons firemen : John Van Nos-
trand, captain, Theodoras Hunt, Nehemiah Allen, John
Doughty, Jr., John Dean, Daniel Hathaway and Joseph
Garwood. At this meeting, it was also " resolved, that
the firemen shall meet on the first Monday in every
month, at an hour before sunrise, under the fine of four
shillings for every neglect." This salutary regulation
♦NowJoralemon street. tNow Fulton street.
X These Inspectors, two in number, annually elected, were to inspect
the insufficiency and foulness of the chimneys within the Are district,
once In every six weeks, giving notice when necessay to the proprie-
tors of faulty chimneys to have them swept or cemented properly
within six days, under penalty of ten shillings for any neglect of such
order; and the owner or occupant of any house whose chimneys
should take fire and blaze out at the top, should be fined twenty shil-
lings, with costs of suit. The captain of the fire company was author-
ized to ask, prosecute for, and receive all such fines, the avails of which
were to be appropriated to the use of the engine.
570
HISTORY OF KINGS COTINTY.
probably had reference to the fact that, previously to
this time the firemen had not been in the habit of hold-
ing any regular company meeting, and seldom visited
the engine house, except in case of a fire, a matter of
so infrequent occurrence, that the engine was liable to
be neglected and unfit for use in any sudden emergency.
The new rule was then a gentle reminder to the careless
firemen that they had under their care a costly mach-
ine, which they, as guardians of the public safety, were
bound to keep at all times ready for instant use. Reg-
ular meetings were also justly considered as affording
convenient opportunities of social intercourse among
the firemen, of conference as to the proper methods of
performing their duties, and of encouraging and main-
taining that esprit cV corps so necessary to their efli-
ciency as a body.
On the first Tuesday in April, 1790, the following
persons were elected firemen : John Van Nostrand,
Captain; Thomas Everitt, David Dick, Burdett Stry-
ker, Nicholas Allen, Peter Cannon, Abiel Titus, and
John Garrison. Inspectors of chimneys the same as
before, and though they were vigilant in the perform-
ance of their duty, no person seems to have been fined
for foul chimneys.
On the first Tuesday in April, 1791, at town meet-
ing, the following persons were elected firemen : John
Van Nostrand, Captain; Thomas Everitt, John Garri-
son, William Furman, John Doughty, Jr., David Dick,
Thomas Place, and Nicholas Allen. A fine of two shil-
lings was also imposed on any fireman who should be
absent whenever ordered on duty by the captain.
On the .3d of April, 1792, the following persons were
elected firemen : John Van Nostrand, Captain; John
Garrison, Nicholas Allen, Burdett Stryker, John
Doughty, Thomas Everitt, Abiel Titus, and Benjamin
Dick, all of whom were reelected the next year. It
was at this time customary for the citizens to help at
fires by passing buckets, twenty-four of which belonged
to the town, and were kept in the engine house, which
then stood in a lane in Front street, near the Old Ferry
road, now Fulton street.
In 1793, the settled portion of the fire district, ex-
tending from what is now Henry street to the ferry,
contained some seventy-five buildings, and about fifty
families, the entire population, inclusive of one hundred
slaves, numbering about three hundred and fifty souls.
The remainder of this district, more than three-fourths
of the town, was open country. Fires, as may be im-
agined, were of exceedingly rare occurrence, and the
solitary engine, possessed by the town, had grown rusty
and unserviceable rather from disuse than from use.
In view of this fact, it was unanimously resolved in
town meeting, on the first Tuesday in April, 1794, that
a subscription should be raised for the purpose of pro-
curing a neio engine, and in the course of six or seven
months the sum of £188 19s. lOd. was subscribed and
poUected in sums varying from one shilling to two
pounds. Joshua Sands, Esq., then president of the
Board of trustees, immediately contracted with Mr.
Hardenbrook, of New York city, to construct a new
and more powerful machine, which was finished in
about four months, and delivered to the trustees, who
called a special meeting of the freeholders and inhabi-
tants, at which the new engine was exhibited, tried
approved and accepted. At the same meeting the oflSce
of clerk and treasurer of the fire department was cre-
ated, and Mr. John Hicks unanimously chosen as its
incumbent.
The firemen this year were : John Van Nostrand
Captain; John Garrison, Nehemiah Allen, Burdett
Stryker, John Doughty, Thomas Everitt, Abiel Titus,
and Theodorus Hunt.
Enlargement of Village Fire District, 1795.—
On the 24th of March, 1795, at the special request of
the people of Brooklyn, the act of the Legislature of
1788 was amended so as to enlarge the limits of the
fire district, and authorizing an increase of the number
of firemen to thirty; also confirming the office of clerk
and treasurer of the fire department, created by the
town during the previous year; and, furthermore, re-
quiring each inhabitant and house owner to furnish
himself with a suitable number of fire buckets, under
penalty of proper fines, the avails of which should be
applied to the expenses of the fire engine. At the next
ensuing town meeting, the inhabitants elected thirty
firemen, and ordered that each householder or owner
should provide such house with not less than two fire
buckets, at their own expense, under penalty of ten
shillings for each default, after due notification. By
this arrangement, about one hundred and twenty-five
buckets were provided, one-half of which were required
for the immediate use of the engine, while the remain-
der were employed in the hands of the citizens directly
upon the fire.
The First Fire Bell of the Village, 1795.—
About this time the project of setting up a fire alarm
bell was warmly discussed, and met with much opposi-
tion from some economically disposed persons; in spite
of which, however, it was resolved, at the annual town
meeting of 1796, to authorize a subscription for its pur-
chase. In the course of three months, the sum of £49
4s. was subscribed, collected and placed in the bauds of
the clerk of the department, with instructions to obtain
as large a hell as he cotild procure for the money. When
purchased, a new difficulty arose in finding a place to
hang it. Several persons, to whom application was
made, declined, apparently from a di-ead of having
their nerves startled and their slumbers disturbed by
its tones, for be it known that in those days all Brook-
lyn went to bed early. Finally, however, the awful
bell found a resting place on the ancient stone house of
Mr. Jacob Remsen, situated at the corner of Old Perry
road (now Fulton street) and a lane now known as
Front street. At that time, this house was the last one
I)EPAItTMENT OF FIRE AND BUILDINGS.
571
on the road approaching the ferry, and within twenty-
feet of the tide of the East River. The trustees, also,
agreed with Mr. Rem sen that he should ring the bell
for fire alarms, in consideration of which duty he was
to enjoy all the privileges and exemptions, with which
other firemen were endowed by the act of 1788. This
building was pulled down about forty years ago, 1816,
and the bell was removed to Middagh street, near
Henry, where it remained until 1827, when, on the pe-
tition of a large number of citizens, it was set up on an
unoccupied lot of ground, bounded by Bridge, Gold,
Sands and Prospect streets. Upon the erection of the
Eastern Market in that vicinity, the bell was placed in
the cupola, where, we believe, it still remains, although
the building itself has been converted into a place for
religious worship.
In 1797, the inhabitants of Brooklyn resolved, in
consequence of the ineflSciency of previous legislative
acts, especially the clause relating to the occurrence of
fires from burning out chimneys, to apply to the Leg-
islature for a more stringent and effective enactment.
And on the 21st of March, 1797, the Legislature passed
another " Act for the better prevention of fires in the
town of Brooklyn." By its provisions the inhabitants
and freeholders were empowered to appoint not less
than three, or more than five discreet freeholders, who
should have authority to make such protective rules
and regulations, as they should judge necessary for the
prevention of fires by the burning of chimneys, and
for the sweeping and otherwise cleaning them, under
such penalties as they should deem fit, not exceeding
the sum of %5, said fines to be applied to lighting the
streets of the town. Accordingly, at a meeting on the
second Tuesday in May, 1797, the following persons
were appointed to that duty : Henry Stanton, John
Doughty, Martin Boerum, John Van Nostrand, and
John Stryker. These gentlemen shortly thereafter
met, and enacted, that from and after the 11th day of
July, 1797, a fine of ten shillings should be imposed on
every person whose chimney should take fire from care-
lessness, or be set on fire for the purpose of cleansing,
all such penalties to be paid to the clerk of the fire
company, who was also directed to keep a book where-
in should be entered the names and residences of all
persons owning chimneys, together with the date and
hour of burning, etc. This book was called the Chim-
ney Register, and the whole amount of moneys received
for the chimneys, during the succeeding nine years,
was £20 7s., which was duly appropriated to lighting
the streets. The whole force of the department at this
time was one engine, thirty men, and about one hun-
dred and fifty buckets. By this act five men were
added, enjoying the same privileges as the other fire-
men, but not attached to the engine, whose sole duty
consisted in a faithful general supervision over the in-
habitants in regard to chimneys, etc.
Meanwhile, another engine had been procured and
named the Neptune No. 2; and, about the year 1810,
a third one was purchased at the town's expense, which
was called the Franklin No. S.
No other material change occurred in the depart-
ment, except a gradual augmentation of men and appa-
ratus, until the passage of the act of incorporation of
Brooklyn as a village, April 12, 1816. By the 17th
section of this act the trustees were empowered to
appoint as many firemen as they might from time to
time deem necessary, and they promptly availed them-
selves of this authority by organizing two new fire
companies of thirty men each, thus swelling the
total force of the department to ninety-five members.
This measure, which was imperatively demanded by
the growing population of the village, now amounting
to about 5,000, with a proportionate increase of dwell-
ings, gave universal satisfaction.
Creation of Office of Chief Engineer, i8i6.—
During the same year the ofBce of chief engineer was
created, at the suggestion of the firemen themselves,
who were allowed to nominate a candidate for the place.
Their unanimous choice fell on Mr. John Doughty, who
was forthwith accepted and confirmed by the trustees,
as the first chief engineer of the Brooklyn fire depart-
ment. This year, also, the system of regular annual
appropriations for the maintenance of the department
was initiated by the resolution to raise $300 by tax for
that purpose. No member of the corps, at that time,
received a salary, and the usual deficiency which had
occurred between the expenses and receipts of the de-
partment, in former years, had been defrayed by the
voluntary contributions of the members. From 1794
to 1816, the department had received from chimney
fines, penalties imposed upon firemen, etc., the sum of
£899 Os. \d., while the expenses during the same period
amounted to £964 'is. Zd., leaving an excess of £65 3s.
2c?., which had been liquidated by the firemen them-
selves. Thus it will be seen that for 22 years the de-
partment had been maintained at an average of $240
per annum. The appropriation of $300, made in 1816,
was so economically managed, that at the end of the year
an unexpended balance remained in the treasury.
During the year 1817, certain improvements were in-
troduced in the fire engines, enabling them to be sup-
plied with water from the back instead of the side, and
shifting the levers so as to strike on the side of the ends,
by which means a larger number of men were admitted
to work them, with a corresponding increase of ease
and power in the action of the machines.
Fire Wardens Appointed, 1817.— In June of
the same year, the trustees, under the provisions of the
act of 1816, appointed John Doughty, Isaac Moser,
John Harmer and John Moon, as fire wardens, for the
purpose of inspection and supervision of all buildings
that should be erected within the village.
Organization of the First Hook and Ladder
Company, 1817.— About this time, also, measures
572
HISTORY OF xmOS COtTNTY.
were taken for the organization of a hook and lad-
der company. A most serious difficulty hitherto
experienced hy the firemen had been a want of
ladders to assist in conveying the hose to an extraor-
dinary distance from the engine, and they were fre-
quently obliged to leave walls and ruins standing in a
very dangerous manner, simply from the need of suit-
able means with which to pull them down. Two re-
cent cases, where the falling of walls after the firemen
had left the ground, had nearly proved fatal to the
spectators, tended to alarm the public mind and call
general attention to the subject. The plan of such a
company was not altogether new or untried in Brook-
lyn. As early as 1812, a company had been formed,
purely voluntary in its nature and independent of the
department, its members claiming no exemptions or
privileges, and being bound merely to aid those of their
own number who might be in danger from fire. This
association, seeing the state of the public mind in re-
gard to the subject, reorganized under new officers and
with a new code of regulations. The inhabitants, how-
ever, were desirous of having a hook and ladder com-
pany regularly organized by the trustees, and attached
to the fire department. This popular feeling found
unanimous expression in a petition from the citizens and
firemen, and presented to the trustees, who signified
their approval by offering, in case a company should be
formed, to supply them with the necessary apparatus.
This being deemed rather indefinite, the trustees, on
the 13th of October, 1817, further resolved to establish
a hook and ladder company consisting of fifteen men.
At the next meeting of the board, the following nomi-
nations were received from the firemen and confirmed
as members of the new company : Samuel S. Birdsall,
foreman, Cornelius Van Cleef, John S. Doughty, Eg-
bert K. Van Buren, William R. Dean, Robert W.
Doughty, Stephen Schenck, Elias Doughty, Erastus
Worthington, Isaac Denyse, Walter Nichols, William
Phillips, Samuel Watts, Robert S. Dykman and Elias
M. Stillwell. These gentlemen were all shortly equip-
ped for service, but nearly two months elapsed before
the proper apparatus was furnished to them, and then,
only the hooks and ladders, which they were obliged
to carry by hand. This extremely laborious work did
not dampen their zeal, but its onerousness soon com-
pelled them to petition the board of trustees for an in-
crease of men, and a carriage. On the 1st of Decem-
ber, ISlV, the trustees voted to increase the hook and
ladder company to twenty-five members. This failed,
however, to satisfy the company, who shortly after re-
newed their application for more men and a carriage.
The trustees, June 22, 1818, increased the number of
men to thirty, but did not grant the carriage. Nothing
daunted, the company now addressed a petition to the
trustees in language too strong to be disregarded, and
finally, on the 27th of June, their wishes were gratified
by the appropriation of $125 for the purchase of the
long asked for, and much needed, carriage. At the
same meeting the trustees voted to raise $200, by taxa-
tion, for the rent of a lot, and the erection of a tempo-
rary building for the use and shelter of the Hook and
Ladder company's apparatus; which, it seems, had
hitherto been kept in an open lot.
The firemen next turned their attention to a better
supply of water; for the engines of that day, not hav-
ing any suctions, were supplied by fire buckets which
in the case of a large fire were quite inadequate to the
demand. The trustees, therefore, in compliance with
the wishes of the firemen, passed, on the 6th of October,
1817, the following act ; "And be it further ordained
that the owner or occupant of every house in the vil-
lage, having less than three fire-places, shall provide
and keep one leather bucket; and having three fire-
places and less than five, two leather buckets ; and
having six fire-places and less than nine, four leather
buckets; and having nine fire-places and upwards, sis
leather buckets to be marked with the name or initials
of the name of the owner, and the street where they be-
long; and owners or occupants of every brew-house,
distillery, sugar-house, soap and candle manufactory,
and other ship chandlery store shall provide and keep
six leather buckets, and every bake-house and air fur-
nace four leather buckets, besides the necessary buckets
for dwelling houses aforesaid, each such bucket to con-
tain two and one-half gallons, and to be suspended in
some convenient place ready to be used in extinguish-
ing fires, and shall be brought to and delivered for use at
a fire whenever an alarm is given." This was to be
done on penalty of one dollar fine per month for each
neglect ; and persons who should " wilfully take and
keep from the owner for twenty-four hours any bucket,"
which had been used at a fire, were to be mulcted in
the sum of five dollars. Engineers and firewardens
also directed to wear hats, having black brims, and
white crowns, with the name of their respective offices
painted thereon in black letters; and were to carry
speaking trumpets. The members of the Hook and
Ladder company were to wear white hats, the foreman
having office distinctly painted on his.
The inhabitants promptly complied with this order,
and soon the buckets were hung up in the entry way of
each house, and on the alarm of fire, were either carried
to the scene of conflagration by the inmates, or thrown
out into the streets, to be picked up and used by any
of the citizens who were going to the fire to be returned
afterwards.
October 13th, 1817, Mr. William Furman was ap-
pointed chief engineer, and served until 1821, when
Mr. Doughty was re-elected in his stead.*
* John Doughty served this second terra, for fourteenyeare; Jere-
miah Wells succeeded from 1827 to 1836; then J- /• 0^8''" ff"^!^"
1889; Burdett Stryker, ten years, to 18*9 ; Peter B. Anderson lolSM,
Israel D. Velsor, thence to 1861; Wra.A. ^u'ey. then'je to 1863, John
Cunningham, thence to 1869. The chief was nominated by the ■ "f e^oj
until the time of Burdett Stryker, who was chosen by the firemen at
large. The first annual report was by Chief Wells, in 1828, the total
expenses were only $111.10.
DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND BUILDINGS.
573
On the 21st of August, 1822, there occurred a large
fire among some buildings under the Heights, in which
naval stores andT cotton were stored, destroying prop-
erty to the amount of $85,000. At this fire occurred
the first accidental death in the firo department. Mr.
Walter McCann, a member of the Hook and Ladder
company, received fatal injuries by the slipping of his
hook, which he survived but twenty six hours.
Incorporation of the Village Fire Department,
1823. — On the 16th of April, 1823, an act was passed
incorporating l^he Fire Department of the Village of
Brooklyn. The growth of the town, and the correspond-
ing increase of fires, now demanded another engine lo-
cated further up town. Accordingly, in 1 825, the people
in the neighborhood of Military garden met at the house
of John F. Duflon and organized a new company which
was called the Lafayette No. 5. The following were
its first enrolled members: John P. Duflon, foreman;
Ralph Malbonc, assistant; Thomas Taylor, secretary;
Jasper Duflon, assistant secretary; John B. Johnson,
treasurer; John Pease, steward; Charles Hunt, Henry
Heins, N. M. Hudson, John Montgomery, Warren
Crocker, James Dobbins, Lyman R. Bass and William
Bennett. They secured accommodations for their
engine in an addition to a house owned by Rev. E. M.
Johnson, and located near the corner of Fulton and
Washington streets. A somewhat amusing in-
stance is preserved illustrative of their zealous pride
in, and care of their machine. Shortly after
he had granted them the use of this building, Mr.
Johnson was notified by the tenants of the dwell-
ing house that they were about to leave the premises.
On being inquired of as to the reason, they complained
that the firemen visited them every day, got the engine
out upon the sidewalk, scrubbed, cleaned, and walked
around and looked at it as if they had never seen an
engine before; and furthermore declared ihat they
feared the firemen would set the house on fire for the
purpose of trying the new machine. It is needless to
say that Mr. J. succeeded in pacifying their fears, and
no further difiiculty ensued from the labors of love in
which the firemen so heartily indulged.
No. 5, being at a considerable distance from most of
the fires which occurred, soon found that it was pretty
severe labor to drag their engine down to the village.
They therefore petitioned the board of trustees to fur-
nish them with a reel, which although in general use by
the New York engines, had not as yet been introduced
in the Brooklyn Fire Department. This was granted
January 2d, 1827, and this improvement was speedily
adopted by the other companies.
The fourth of July, 1826, was the first departmental
parade. The Brooklyn Fire Insurance Company pre-
sented a banner to the Department on the occasion.
Clinton Hook and Ladder No. £ was organized as late
as 1840, and took 206 Pearl street for its location. Ft'o-
tector No. 6 in 1825. This company located on Con-
cord street, near Adams; thence, in 1838, it removed to
Pearl street. Constitution No. 7 was organized in
1828. This company presents a long record of politi-
cally distinguished members and officers, and of hospi-
table entertainments given to and received from the
firemen of othei cities. A.mong its annals is a story of
its members having played two hundred and eight feet
on Christmas day, 1859, with its double-decked hand
engine. This feat, however, was not performed in
Brooklyn. Columbia No. 7 dates from its reorganiza-
tion in 1854, and has done good service in mid-Brook-
lyn. Pacific No. 14 dates from 1846. This is consid-
ered by the others to have been the Trojan hose of
the Department. It bought its own engines; the first
for $1,000, and a better one for double the money, in
1851. This company's quarters have always been in
the fashionable vicinity of the Heights.
Brooklyn No. 17 was organized in 1848. In 1850, at
a fire at Thome's stores, Furman street, its apparatus
was blown into the river by an explosion of saltpetre.
This company could boast a strong exempt association,
as well as a full roll of active members; started in
Washington street, near Johnson, thence removed to
Lawrence street, thence to Jay street, near Willoughby;
and had the first steam engine in Brooklyn, an Amos-
keag, in 1861.
Hose Companies. — AtlanticNo. 1 was organized in
1835. An old painter's cart was the first apparatus of
the first hose company. They began life in a shed,
until they moved into Fireman's Hall. Hose No. 6 wa,s
organized in 1853. It was located first in a shed on
Adelphi street, and thence removed to Carlton
avenue.
The Fire Department of the City of Brook-
lyn, 1855. — On the 28th of March, 1855, was enacted
a law changing the name of the corporation to that of
The Fire Department of the City of Brooklyn, and
empowering a Board of Trustees of one from each com-
pany to manage its affairs and dispose of its funds. A
board of representatives of two members from each
company was constituted, with power to make and pre-
scribe such by-laws, ordinances and regulations touch-
ing the management and disposition of the funds, and
the general business and purposes for which the cor-
poration was instituted, as should not conflict with the
laws of the State and ordinances of the city. The fund,
after deducting necessary expenses, was to be appro-
priated for the relief of indigent or disabled firemen or
their families, as should be entitled to it under the rules
of the corporation, or wlio might be deemed worthy of
assistance.
On the 17th of February, 1857, was passed "An Act
for the better regulation of the Firemen of Brooklyn,"
providing for the election, by a convention of two del-
eo-ates from each fire company, and one delegate from
the Board of Engineers, of a commission of five, to be
denominated :
514
SIS TOBY OF KINGS QOUNTY.
Commissioners of the Fire Department of the
Western District of the City of Brooklyn.— This
conunission continued in force until 1869, when the
law was passed creating the Metropolitan Paid Fire
Department.
The force of the Western District Fire Department
at this time consisted of twenty-two engines (of whicli
nine were steamers), seventeen hose companies, and six
hook and ladder companies, under Chief Engineer
John Cunningham, and Assistant Fnyineers William
Down, James Gaffney, Charles B. Parley, Peter Pagan,
James O'Connor, Thomas Regan and James W. Dean.
EASTERN DISTRICT.
The records of the Williamsburg Fire Department,
previous to the consolidation of that city with Brook-
lyn in 1855, are so meagre and incomplete that it is
with diflBculty that anything like a connected history
of the same can be prepared. We have, therefore,
availed ourselves largely of a sketch by Me. Demas
Steong, well known for years as one of the most prom-
inent and eflficient members of the Williamsburg De-
partment. Previous to 1834, the necessity of some
efficient means of extinguishing fires was more exten-
sively canvassed among the more public spirited citi-
zens of the then growing village, and the result was
that, in January of that year, the Board of Trustees
were petitioned by John Luther and others to purchase
two engines, and organize companies to work them.
The petition received the favorable action of the
Board, and a committee was appointed to locate the
engines, one to be in North Second, and the other in
South Second street. The population of the village at
that time was mainly centered in, and around, the Grand
street ferry. The work of organizing the department
was now rapidly progressed with, and by the end of
January the engines had been ordered, the lots pur-
chased, and the erection of the houses authorized. In
March the firemen were appointed, and the two com-
panies fully organized ; and thus were constituted,
almost simultaneously, the first two fire companies of
Williamsburg. No. 1 adopted the name of Washing-
ton Company, and No. 2 that of Protection Company,
which they retain at the present time. No. 1 retains its
original location, as did No. 2, until a few years ago.
The records of this period do not show what was the
number of the men allowed to each company, the
duties required to be performed by them, or the man-
ner of their appointment. It is supposed, however,
that twenty-five was the number of men allowed, inas-
much as, some years after, a proposition was adopted
to increase the strength of the companies from that
number to forty. Doubtless the manner of appoint-
ment was very much the same as at present, though
there were instances where the individual himself ap-
plied directly to the Common Council, and where the
•Chief Engineer sent in names for confirmation, inde-
pendent of the action of the companies to whom they
were assigned by the trustees.
In December, 1835, John Luther was appointed
Chief Engineer, being the first time the office was
known in the department. In September, 1836, the
Trustees authorized the construction of a public cistern
in front of the Reformed Dutch Church, corner of
South Second and Fourth streets, at a cost of $500.
The necessity for a hook and ladder company was soon
made apparent, and in June, 1836, a company, known
as Mutual Truck Company JVo. 1 was organized and
located in the house adjoining Engine Company No. 1,
in North Second street. The total number of actual
members of the three companies then in existence was
sixty-three, twenty-five men being allotted to each en-
gine company, and thirteen to the truck company,
though in fact every citizen was supposed to constitute
himself a fireman in an emergency, and there were no
restrictions against any one assisting in going to or
working at a fire in any capacity one might choose, as
at the present time. The younger male villagers were
in reality divided off into two parties, termed North
aniSouth-siders; and, while the first named favored and
took part for Engine Company No. 1, the boys of the
South side were equally exercised for No. 2, and fights
between the two sections were of daily occurrence and
varied in result.
On the 12th of October, 1836, the office of Chief
Engineer was rendered vacant by the removal of Mr.
Luther from the village. A contest arose between the
department and the Board of Trustees as to who should
be appointed to fill the vacancy, which resulted in an
arrangement that the firemen should nominate, and the
Trustees confirm. Peter Powell, on the 26th of Octo-
ber, received the nomination on the part of the firemen,
and their action was unanimously confirmed by the
Trustees. This course was strictly pursued thereafter,
except ia a single case, when the firemen, from a lack
of interest in the candidates, failed to make a nomina-
tion.
In February, 1837, the office of Fire Warden was
first instituted, Henry Cook being appointed to dis-
charge the duties thereof. This is, however, the only
DEPARTMENT OF FIRE ANB BUILDINGS.
575
reference made to this office for four years, when the
Chief Engineer complained to the Trustees of the hose
being cut at fires, and recommended the appointment
of wardens, whose duty it should be to protect hose,
procure water for engines, and protect property at fires.
The Trustees authorized the fire companies to nominate
their own wardens, and under this provision several
wardens were from year to year apppointed.
In 1838, Mr. David Garritt was elected Chief, and
was re-elected in May, 1839 ; and,' declining to run for
office the year following, was succeeded by A. B.
Hodges, afterwards member of Assembly for the Eighth
District, who held the office five years.
In 1839, and for several years thereafter, the engines
were the property of Mr. Abraham Meserole, who pur-
chased them at a Sheriff's sale, where they were sold
under a judgment against the village,* and who hired
them out to the authorities at a rent of $150 per annum,
which arrangement continued six years.
In 1841, the department was organized as a charita-
ble association. A board of representatives was con-
stituted, a fund established, and trustees appointed to
take charge thereof. Its first meeting was held in the
old North American Hotel, on North Second street.
Subsequently the office of the Citizens' Fire Insurance
Company was placed at its service gratuitously, and the
meetings were held there for several years.
In 1842, the number of men attached to the Hook
and Ladder Company was authorized to be increased
from twelve and a captain to twenty-three. In May of
this year, the office of Assistant Engineer was first in-
stituted, Mr. Barnet B. Boerum being chosen to fill that
position. In March, an amendment to the laws relat-
ing to Williamsburg was prepared by the dej)artment
and presented to the authorities for their approval. The
Trustees approved of it, with the exception of a pro-
vision which reduced the term of service from ten to
seven years, and directed the draft of the act to be for-
warded to the Legislature, to be passed into a law. The
Legislature enacted it as agreed upon by the firemen,
and very soon afterwards the department began to feel
its effect in the increased number of men and organiza-
tion of new companies.
In June, 1843, the people in Town Meeting, on the
petition of the firemen, voted an appropriation for the
building of reservoirs for securing a supply of water for
the extinguishment of fires. In July of the same year,
the Trustees took the initiative in the matter of procur-
ing a large fire bell. These measures, however, were
not carried into effect without strenuous opposition.
There are many residents of the then village of Wil-
liamsburg who recollect how many, and how stormy
and boisterous, were the meetings held to consider mat-
To levy on the machines, the Sheriff found, was no easy task, the
flremea holding watch and ward over them day and night. The
officer was indefatigable, and at last, after a long and tedious watch,
the chance occurred. A fire broke out, and seizing the opportunity, he
levied upon the engines as they were being dragged to the fire.
ters pertaining to the fire department, what contention
there were over the appropriations for public cisterns,
and what an uproar the new bell created.
In 1843, at the election for Chief Engineer, it was
decided that three assistants should also be voted for at
the same time, and the engineers so elected were B. B.
Boerum, William H. Guischard and A. L. Remsen. The
firemen up to this time had relied for information of a
fire upon some person running at the top of his speed
to the house of the nearest apparatus, or going about
the street of the village in the character of a town crier,
yelling out "Fire," which would be caught up and repeat-
ed by any one who might be out and feel disposed to
assist in passing the word around.
Up to 1844, the department consisted but of three
companies. In that year Engine Company No. S was
organized, and others rapidly followed. The records
either before or since that period, furnish little of in-
terest ; in fact, there are no proper records in exist-
ence. So little care was taken to note matters, that
the authorities themselves were obliged to call on the
firemen, from time to time, to furnish full and complete
lists of their members. In those early days, among
other expenses of the fire department defrayed by
the authorities, was, in several instances, for refresh-
ment furnished to firemen at fires. The payment of
the last bill of this kind, was coupled with the ad-
monition that it was all illegal, and would be the last
time.
Williamsburg Fire Department, incorporated
1843-44. — An act of incorporation was passed by the
Legislature of 1843 and 1844, under the operation of
which Mr. Daniel D. Winant was elected President; Mr.
Demas Strong, Secretary; and Mr. George Joy, Treas-
urer. The Chief Engineers elected in town since that
time were William H. Guischard, Andrew Marshall,
Benjamin Dubois, R. H. Harding (served the unexpired
term of Mr. Dubois), Charles C. Talbot, Hamilton
Allen, F. W. Jennings, Thomas M. Doyle, and John
W. Smith. Up to the year 1840, and during the five
years preceding, six new companies were organized,
comprising Engines Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, and Hose
company No. 1 ; and at the time the act was amended
by the Legislature, January 15th, 1857, the gov-
ernment of the department passed into the hands of a
commission, a further increase of the force had been
made, and a total of twenty-two companies were in
existence. But little change took place until 1865,
when, in consequence of the fund allowed by law being
insufficient, and it being apparent that a less number
of companies were adequate to the duty required, about
one-third of the apparatus were dispensed with.
By the act of consolidation, the Williamsburg Fire
Department became the Fire Department of the East-
ern District of Brooklyn.
On the 7th of April, 1857, an act was passed, entitled
"An Act to incorporate the Fire Department of the
576
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Eastern District of the city of Brooklyn," constituting
all the legally-organized firemen in the present Eastern
District, a body corporate to be known as the Brook-
lyn Eastern District Fire Department. It provided a
board of representatives, composed of one or more del-
egates from each organized fire company, and one from
the board of engineers, with power to choose their own
officers and establish their own rules and regulations
for the transaction of their business. It provided, also,
for a board of trustees, to consist of one member from
each company, to be nominated by their respective
companies and confirmed by the board of representa-
tives, whose duty it was to care for, manage and direct
the investment and disbursement of the firemen's ben-
evolent fund. The business and purposes of the de-
partment, which the act incorporated, was declared to
be to raise, accumulate, invest, superintend, apply, dis-
pose of and expend a fund for the relief of firemen and
the widows and orphans of firemen. The act also con-
ferred upon the board of representatives the power
and duty of canvassing the votes cast at all elections
for chief and assistant engineers, and to return the
result thereof to the Common Council for confirmation,
and the exclusive right to issue certificates to firemen ;
as, also, to nominate the fire wardens of the Eastern
District, subject to the confirmation or rejection of the
Common Council.
It also provided for the election, by a convention of
two delegates from each company, and one from the
board of engineers, five commissioners, to be denomi-
nated The Commissioners of the Fire Department of the
Eastern District. These were duly chosen on the sec-
ond Tuesday of May, 1857, their duties being in every
respect similar to those of the commissioners of the
Western District. The first President of the Board
was Mr. R. H. Harding, who filled the position accept-
ably for a period of ten years, and on retiring from the
Board was succeeded by Mr. R. Van Valkenburgh for
the three ensuing years. This gentleman resigned
from the Board in the spring of 1868, since which time
Mr. Daniel Donevan has been the presiding officer.
The remaining members of the Board were Messrs.
Robert Murphy, George W. Williams, William John-
son and Patrick F. Morris.
In 1869, this department, together with that of the
Western District, was consolidated in the new paid
organization, at which time the force of the Eastern
District consisted of seventeen companies, divided into
four engine companies, ten hose and three truck com-
panies.
The personelle of the Brooklyn Volunteer Fire De-
partment when superseded in 1869, was as follows :
Board of Representatives : A. J. Michaels, President ;
P. Fitzpatrick, Vice-President ; R. Wingham, Secretary ; F.
• S. Massey, Treasurer. Trustees : D. H. Roche, President ;
S. Bowden, Secretary; W. D. Veeder, Counsel. Chief En-
GiKEEE : John Cunningham. Fire Commissioners : W. M.
Boerum, President ; A. B. Thorne, W. Barre, Jr.. R. G. Ber-
gen, E. A. KoUmeyer. Board of Appeals: J. Najlor, Presi-
dent ; C. F. ElweU, W. L. Boyd S. Kidder, F. Ward'. Ex-
empt Firemen's Association : J. T. Finn, President ; J. Mc-
Carthy, Vice-President ; J. McColgan, Recording Secretary ;
M. F. Connor, Financial Secretary; S. Avila, Treasurer.
The volunteer companies in 1869 were as follows :
Washington Engine Co., No. i, located at 5 Prospect
street, P. Lahey, foreman; 74 men. Neptune Engine Co.
No. 2, Hicks street, near Degraw, P. Murphy, foreman; 75
men. Franklin Engine Co., No. 3, Henry street, W. N.
Bell, /oreroan; 58 men. Goodwill Engine Co., No. 4, Under-
bill avenue, near Bergen, J. S. Dooley, foreman; 66 men.
Union Engine Co., No. 5, Canton street, near Bolivar, T.
Morris, foreman; — men. Protector Engine Co., No. 6, 217
Pearl street, J. Chadrick, foreman ; 80 men. Constitution
Engine Co., No. 7, 167 Front street, J. S. Shevelin, foreman;
78 men. Hope Engine Co., No. 8, J. McDermott, foreman;
75 men. Continental Engine Co., No. 9, 134 Carlton avenue,
54 men. Columbia Engine Co., No. 10, 87 Kent avenue, 72
men. Jackson Engine Co., No. 11, Fulton, near Schenec-
tady, A. Stewart, foreman ; — men. Phoenix Engine Co.,
No. 12, Graham avenue, near Myrtle, 66 men. Eagle En-
gine Co., No. 13, Fifth avenue, near Union street, 51 men.
Pacific Engine Co., No. 14, Pierrepont street, near Fulton,
S. C. Baylis, foreman; 75 men. Hibernia Engine Co., No.
16, 16 Cole street, J. Curran, /oreTOara ; 75 men. Brooklyn
Engine Co., No, 17, Jay street, near Willoughby, W. Bur-
rell, foreman ; 75 men. Empire Engine Co., No. 19, 188
Pacific street, 71 men. Putnam Engine Co., No. 21, Fourth
avenue, near 19th street, P. Wilson, Jr., foreman; 53 men.
Montauk Engine Co., No. 22, 293 Degraw street, C. E.
Swain, foreman ; 71 men. Atlantic Hose Co., No. i, 12
High street, T. F. Jones, foreman; 28 men. Mechanic Hose
No. 2, 202 Jay street, H. McCullough, foreman ; 27 men.
Alert Hose, No. 3, 9 Hoyt street, R. Harper, foreman; 27
men. Crystal Hose, No. 4, No. 1 Love lane, J. McMurray,
foreman; 28 men. Frontier Hose, No. 5, 83 Hudson avenue,
J. Kelley, foreman; 30 men. Americas Hose, No. 7, TiUary,
near Bridge street, 30 men. Water-witch Hose, No. 8, Ber-
gen street, near Court, 32 men. Mt. Vernon Hose, No. 10,
304 Carlton avenue, J. Wright, foreman ; 30 men. Bedford
Hose, No. 11, Bergen street, near Classon avenue, SO men.
Eureka Hose, No. 14, Ninth street, near Third avenue, 25
men. Myrtle Hose, No. 17, J. Kenny, foreman; 39 men.
Montross Hook and Ladder Co., No. i. Firemen's Hall,
Henry street, W. Day, foreman ; 31 men. Clinton Hook and
Ladder Co., No. 2, 196 Gold street, 34 men. Empire Hook
and Ladder Co., No. 3, Bedford avenue, near Myrtle, 32 men.
Degraw Hook and Ladder Co., No. 4, 19th street and Fourth
avenue, C. H. Foley, foreman; 25 men. Rescue Hook and
Ladder Co., No. 5, DeKalb avenue, near Fort Greene place,
46 men.
Commissioners of the Fire Department ap-
pointed by Act of 1869.— By the act of May 4,
1869, the Mayor, St)'eet Commissioner, the President
of the Board of Aldermen, the • City Treasurer, and
the Comptroller, were empowered and directed to
appoint four citizens to be Fire Commissioners, and
to form a Fire Department of the city of Brooklyn,
which should have control of all real estate, engines,
and property of all kinds, to employ officers, firemen,
engineers, and others. Under this act, the first com-
missioners appointed were Frederick S. Massey, Fresi-
DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND BUILDINGS.
511
^nt ; Hugh McLaughlin, William A. Brown, and A.
F. Campbell. The term of office was first fixed at
eight years, and afterwards at six. The Commis-
sioners have been as follows : Frederick S. Massey,
IS6Q-11, President; Hugh McLaughlin, 1869-77 ; Wil-
liam A. Brown, 1869-73 ; A. F. Campbell, 1869-73 ;
R. M. Phraner, 1873-75 ; E. A. Kollmeyer, 1873-75 ;
James Rodwell, 1875-77 ; David Williams, 1877-79 ;
Bernard Gallagher, 1878-80 ; James Ryan, 1879-80 ;
Moses J. Wafer, 1879-80 ; P. F. Brennan, 1879-80.
"Single-Head" Commissioners appointed
over the Department of Fire and Building, i88o.
—In an act of the Legislature, passed May 25, 1880,
are the following provisions:
"Within thirty days after the passage of this act, the
Mayor and Compti'oller shall appoint a pi'oper person, who
shall be the head of the Fire Department, and shall be desig-
nated as the Commissioner of said department ; they shall
also appoint a proper person who shall be the head of the
Department of Buildings, to be designated as the Commis-
sioner of said department, and upon the said appointment,
the term of office of the present head of departments re-
jectively shall cease and determine. All the powers and
duties of the present department of Fire and Buildings, in
relation to extinguishing fires, shall be vested in said Com-
missioner of the Fire Department; and all the powers and
duties of said department of Fire and Buildings, relating to
the erection or repair of buildings, shall vest exclusively in
the Commission of Buildings to be appointed, who shall or-
ganize and constitute a Department of Buildings. After
January 1, 1882, the Mayor shall have the sole power of ap-
pointing successors to the commissioners. No fireman shall
be removed without cause, and then only after publio trial
by the head of this department.''
Under this act, Jacob Worth was appointed Com-
missioner of the Fire Department, and served in 1880-1.
Henry Dawson, Jr., was Deputy for the same time.
John N. Partridge was appointed Commissioner in
1881, and is still in that position (1884); Richard H.
Poillon, Deputy, 1881-4 ; Thomas F. Nevins, Chief
Engineer, 1881-4; John W. Smith, Assistant.
After the disbanding of the volunteer force, the old
engine houses and property were turned over to the
new commissioners, and the new Fire Department was
organized. Frederick S. Massey was chosen President;
Hugh McLaughlin IVeasurer. The other Commis-
sioners were William A. Brown and A. F. Campbell.
In the re-organization of the department, some excel-
lent men were appointed, but generally they were not
selected on account of any special fitness for their work,
hut because of political affiliations. In looking over
the record of the first appointments, we find bar-keep-
ers, billiard-markers, clerks, watch-makers, and the like
—occupations which in no way fit a man to become a
good fireman, while engineers, machinists, carpenters
and horsemen were in the minority. Promotions
and dismissals were made mostly for political reasons,
and, while the Fire Department was no worse than
Other departments, it was by no means what it should
have been. Under the new era of civil service reform,
inaugurated by Mayor Low, Col. John N.Partridge was
appointed Fire Commissioner, and, under his energetic
management, the service has been greatly improved.
Col. J. N. Partridge.— Essentially military in his methods,
and, at the same time, a thorough man of business. Col.
Partridge is well adapted to the work of re-organizing a
large body of men, and maintaining the discipline neces-
sary for the prompt discharge of their duties. A native
of Worcester county, Mass., his early life was passed in
and near Boston. In 1861, he went to the war with the
famous Massachusetts 24th, as 1st Lieutenant ; he was soon
after made Captain, which office he held throughout his
service. He was wounded at Petersburgh, and came back
in the fall of 1864, greatly reduced in health. In the spring
of 1865, he came to Brooklyn and engaged in business. In
February, 1869, he joined Company H, of the 28d Regiment,
as 1st Lieutenant. Soon after. Companies H and K were
consolidated, and he was made Captain. A strict disciplina-
rian, Col. Partridge has always been one of the popular men
of the Regiment, and he was in the organization but a com-
paratively short time before he was promoted, first to the
rank of Major, and then of Lieut.-Colonel. During the
strike, in 1877, he went to Hornellsville with the first de-
tachment. When Col. Ward resigned, in 1880, Col. Part-
ridge was elected in his place. This position he held until
Mayor Low selected him for the head of the Fire Depart-
ment. He then resigned his Colonelcy and devoted himself
entirely to the re-organization of his department.
Col. Partridge introduced a system of competitive exami-
nations for promotions when vacancies were to be filled. The
candidate's experience in the department, his knowledge of
the engine, the care of the horses and hose, are considered; and
results show that the method works well. When he entered
his office, he found that many of the houses needed considera-
ble repairs; this work has all been done by members of the
force, who are mechanics, under the immediate supervision
of Fireman Charles Goodman, of Truck No. 3. The men
have all worked diligently and cheerfully. This plan has
effected a great saving to the city, and has enabled the Com-
missioner to accomplish much more than could have been
done had the work been performed by contract. These men
are always working within sound of the gong, and are, at
all times, ready to respond to alarms of fire. Proper time is
allowed for rest before they resume their mechanical labors.
In the practical workings of the force in extinguishing
fires, the main point aimed at is rapidity in getting to the
scene of a conflagration. And it would seem that hardly
any improvement could be made in that direction. An
alarm sent from an alarm-box, police station, telegraph
office, telephone call, or engine house, will at once be sent
to the head-quarters in Jay street.
Here the number of the district, or alarm box, is regis-
tered by an arrangement not unlike a hotel annunciator.
The operator in charge sees the number and sends out the
first alarm by means of a machine, which, to the outsider,
is a marvel cf ingenious mechanism. This signal reaches
the engine-houses, and, at the first stroke of the ponderous
gong, the fireman on duty springs to the head of the tongue.
He touches an electric knob, if the alarm comes at night,
which lights gas-jets in a sleeping-room up stairs, and in the
engine-room where he is. The same current of electricity
which rings the gong, sets the horses free, and they dash, as
if mad, to their places beside the tongue of the engine, and
between the shafts of the hose-cart. The swinging harness
drops on their backs, and is snapped in place ; and strangest
578
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
of all, a number of men drop through a hole in the ceiling,
sliding down on a light brass rod; for the ordinary method of
coming down stairs is far too slow for our modern firemen.
They spring to their places on the engine and truck. The
steam pipes, which come up from the boiler in the cellar,
and by means of which a head of about five pounds of steam
is always kept up in the boiler of the engine, are oast off by
means of an automatic coupling, and fall to the floor with a
clatter. The fire, consisting of light kindlings and cannel
FIREMAN'S MONUMENT IN GREENWOOD CEMETERY.
coal, is then lighted, the doors are flung open, and the horses
dash off as if pursued by a legion of demons, the whole op-
eration occupying less than twenty seconds. The engine
brings up at the nearest hydrant to the fire, the hose is
coupled and unreeled, the firemen dash into the building,
and work begins. On the first alarm, three or four engines
are dispatched, together with a hook and ladder truck ; on
the second, three more follow, and on the third, three or four
additional ones. When we remember that a fire-engine
usually weighs about 7,500 pounds, and the hook and ladder
truck the same, the rapidity with which the horses dash up
and down hills and around corners with them, seems mar-
velous.
But the horses appear to enjoy it ; for, the moment the
gong taps, they spring to their places and tremble with
eagerness while the few lines are being snapped on. One
would hardly recognize them on their return from a' fire,
ambling along at "staid, respectable gait.'" The horses be-
longing to the department seem to have more than an
average share of "horse sense," and they are made pets of
by the men, who take great pride in their teams and their
engines. The greater number of the engines are of the
most approved pattern, and are capable of throwing a stream
of water about 365 feet, at the rate of 340 gallons per min-
ute. Under the hook and ladder trucks are four cylinders,
in appearance not unlike the Babcock Fire Extinguishers.
These are calcium lights, which are used to illuminate the
scene of a conflagration after the actual fire has been extin-
guished. The hook and ladder company do the cleaning up
after a fire; test the walls, to be certain that they will not
topple over and do damage to adjacent property ; and ex-
amine the ruins to see that there are no smouldering embers
to again burst out into flames. To this end, they are pro-
vided with crow-bars, pick-axes, pitchforks, axes, an im-
mense beam of wood and iron, which is used for a battering-
ram, and the calcium lights, for use at night.*
There are now twenty steam fire-engines in service,
and three in reserve. There are also twenty hose-
tenders and five hook and ladder trucks in service,
with nine trucks in reserve. The numbers and looa-
cations of the companies, and names of the foremen,
are as follows, viz.:
NAME.
LOCATION.
FOREMAN.
Engine No. 1..
2..
" 3
M. Quinn.
J. Doyle.
S. Duff.
Van Brunt St., near Seabring
4..
5..
Degraw St., near Court
Pierrepont St., near JFulton
Jas. F. Murray.
S. G. Huestis.
P. Lahey.
W. Hogan.
J Walsh.
7..
'' 8
Pearl at., near Concord
" 9
C. MoDonough,
W. A. Beardall.
" 10
■ " 11
Jas. Maguire.
" 12
M. Kelly.
13..
14..
15..
16..
17..
Powers St., near Graham ave
Herkimer St., near Brooklyn ave...
India St., near Franklin
Scholes St., near Union ave
DeKalb ave., near Lewis ave
P. Van Cott.
D. MoGroarty.
J. J. FanniDg.
p. Nolan.
J. Connor.
T. Whitford.
19..
20..
Truck No. 1 —
" 2
Dean St., near Underbill ave
Eleventh St., bet. 7th and 8th aves ..
Van Brunt St., near Seabring
J. F. Dobson.
P. Larney.
D. J. Garrity.
D. KIrkpatrick.
p. Campbell.
H. Keighler.
3 ..
Concord at., near DuCBeld
6....
Greenpoint ave., near Franklin st. . .
W. H. Wilkeyson.
* For the above description, we are indebted to Mr. Allan Forman,
of the Brooklyn Advance.
For much, especially of the earlier history of the Western District Department, we are indebted to a manuscript sketch, by Mr. Willlam
E. Spbague, a portion of which was published in the Brooldyn Corporation Manual for 1863.— Editor.
BIOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM E. SPRAGUE.
579
WILLIAMJE. SPEAGTJE.
William E. Spbagtje is the son of the late Joseph Sprague,
once prominent in the business, manufactvwing and political
history of Brooklyn, who was president of the Village in 1828,
'29, '30 and '31, and mayor of the City in 1843 and 1844. He was
born at the corner of Fulton street and Sprague alley, April
2d, 1831, and, when old enough, became a student in pub-
lic school No. 1 ; and, later, attended the High School, on
Washington street, near Concord, kept by Putnam &
When of a suitable age, he learned the trade of a carder in
his father's cotton and wool card factory, at the corner of
Liberty street and Sprague alley; and, for some years, worked
inthe establishment. Later, he was, for a considerable per-
iod, a clerk in the ofla.ce of the Long Island Insurance Com-
pany, of which his father was at the time president, until he
resigned the position to accept another as shipping clerk in
Meeker & Herbert's wholesale boot and shoe store, at No. 92
Pearl street. New York.
In 1854, his father died, and Mr. Sprague took charge of his
estate, and has since lived retired, his residence at this time
being at No. 156 Adelphi btreet, next door to a house now
owned by him, but built by his father m 1848, at the time of
the lafcter's removal from Sprague alley. In 1835, Mr. Spra-
gue became a member of Water Witch Fire Engine Company
"0- S, located in Washington street, near Johnson, and con-
tinued his connection therewith until 1842, when he joined
Olinton Hook and Ladder Company No. S, with headquar-
ters in Pearl street, near Concord, from which he withdrew
"> 1856 ; and, in the following year, he was elected one of the
Fire Commissioners of the city of Brooklyn, and served as
such for five years. In 1869, he was appointed a member of
the Board of Education, by Mayor Kalbfleisch, and was re-
appointed and served during the administration of each suc-
cessive mayor, until 1881. In 1837, Mr. Spra.gue joined the
once famous Nassau Guards (now company B, 13th Eegi-
ment), then commanded by his brother, HoUis A. Sprague,
and at (his time is a member of the Veteran Corps of that
regiment. Though frequently solicited to do so, be has reso-
lutely refused any rank above that of private. The roll of
the Society of Old Brooklynites, shows that Mr. Sprague was
one of the constituent members of that organization. He
is also a member of Old Lexington Lodge, F. and A. M., and
of Nassau Chapter, R. A. M., having ''passed the chairs" of
both of these organizations.
Since attaining to manhood, Mr. Sprague has taken a
hvely interest in all questions touching the welfare and
prosperity of his city, county, State and country, and every
project looking to public enlightenment, and the education
of the masses has had his warm and liberal support. He is a
most genial gentleman, and no doubt enjoys a more exten-
sive local acquaintance than any other man in Brooklyn, with
whose advancement and prosperity his long residence with-
in its borders has thoroughly identified him. He was mar-
ried June 9th, 1863, to Phebe M., daughter of Samuel Stelle,
of Plainfield, New Jersey, and has a daughter, his only child
since the decease of an only son. Mr. Sprague and his family
are attendants at the North Reformed Dutch Church, located
in Clermont avenue.
580
HISl OR Y OF KINGS CO UJSTTT.
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS.
Fire Wardens and Fire Marshals. — At an
early day it was found necessary to exercise some con-
trol over the manner of building and the materials
used, in order to guard against danger from fire and
insecure buildings, as far as possible. In June, 181 7,
the trustees of the village of Brooklyn appointed John
Doughty, Isaac Moser, John Harmer, and John Moon,
as Fire Wardens, to inspect and supervise all buildings
in course of erection. In Williamsburg (now the
Eastern District), the office of Fire Warden was first
instituted in February, 1837, when Henry Cook was
appointed to discharge the duties of the position.
These officers first served without pay ; in after years
they received a small stipend from the insurance com-
panies.
They served a term of three years. It was their
duty to oversee buildings in process of erection, and
prevent violations of the building laws within the fire
limits, their functions being, in fact, similar to those
of the present Department of Buildings. The first
city charter conferred this power upon the Fire Depart-
ment, where it remained many years. Fire limits were
laid down, within which brick and stone were the only
building materials permitted. A proper thickness of
walls, sufficient foundations, safe chimneys, adequate
support for floors, suitable fire escapes, and other sim-
ilar requisites were prescribed; and it was made the
duty of the Fire Department to prevent infractions of
the law, by builders, to examine all buildings in course
of erection, alteration, or repair, at least once each
week. They were also authorized and ordered to in-
spect all buildings every six months, and report those
that were defective or unsafe. The names and dates of
election of these fire wardens, after the consolidation
of the two cities, are as follows : April 20, 1855, W.
S. Wright, A. F. Campbell, Robert Barr, S. Roof, S. A.
Mann ; July 9, 1856, A. F. Campbell, W. S. Wright ;
July 3, 1857, S. A. Mann, J. Acker ; July 2, 1858, W.
S. Wright, A. F. Campbell, A. Brown ; July 1, 1859,
Robert Barr, William Wallace ; July 6, 1860, A.
Brown, T. A. Kerrigan ; July 5, 1861, Robert Barr, S.
A. Avila, J. Campbell ; July 11, 1862, S. C. Phillips,
T. A. Kerrigan ; July 3, 1863, Robert Barr, Richard
A. Williams; July 1, 1864, E. L. Coor, Wm. Brown
J. Wright ; July 7, 1865, R. A. Williams, D. Slattery;
July 6, 1866, W. Brown, J. Wright ; July 5, 1867, R.
A. Williams, D. Slattery, J. O'Connor.
This was the system which obtained until 1868. An
act passed in that year created a separate department
for the survey and inspection of buildings. J. Pryor
Rorke was appointed Superintendent, and James
Wright, M. Kennedy, Jas. O'Connor, Patrick Burns
and John Mclntyre, Inspectors. The act of 187o abol-
ished the department, and vested their powers and
duties in the Fire Department again.
The Fire Marshals were, at first, self-appointed,
and were paid by the insurance companies to investi-
gate the causes of fires and protect the interests of the
insurers. Rufus R. Belknap was the first, serving
from 1857 for several years, when William G. Law-
rence succeeded, and served until 1869, when the paid
Fire Department ' came in. Under the State law cre-
ating the office, the Fire Marshals have been as follows:
Patrick Keady, 1869— August 7, 1873 ; A. B. Thorn
1873 — July 6, 1875; Patrick Keady, 1875— December
1, 1877; A. B. Thorn, 1877— Feb. 16, 1880; Benjamin
Lewis, 1880— August 3, 1880; A. B. Thorn, 1880-'4.
By the act of May 25, 1880, already mentioned, all
the powers and duties of the Department of Fire and
Buildings, relating to the erection, repair, or supervision
of buildings, were vested in the Commission of Buildings,
to be appointed by the Mayor and Comptroller within
thirty days after the passage of the act. Under this
amendment. Mayor Howell appointed William M.
Thomas, Commissioner of Buildings, June 17, 1880.
He was succeeded, February 7, 1882, by the present
Commissioner, William H. Gaylor. David Acker is
the Deputy. The Department is at present located in
the basement of the City Hall.
Wm. H. Gaylor, a prominent architect and builder, was
born at Stamford, Conn., March 8th, 1821. His parents were
well known and highly respectable residents of that town.
As soon as he was old enough, he commenced attending
the common school of the village, where he continued until
he attained his ninth year.
Being a favorite of a maternal uncle, John Schofield, an
intelligent farmer of Stamford, young Gaylor became a resi-
dent in his family, and lived with him until he was
fifteen years of age, working on the farm and gain-
ing a practical knowledge of agriculture. But, as farming
was not exactly to his taste, William began to turn his at-
tention to a calling more congenial to his nature and talents,
that of a carpenter and builder. To this end he entered the
service of Edwin Bishop, a successful carpenter and archi-
tect. He remained with Mr. Bishop about three years, per-
fecting himself in the knowledge of the business he had as-
sumed for his future occupation ; then he removed to Wil-
liamsburg, N. Y., where he entered the service of Messrs.
Golder and Folk, Master Builders. Mr. Gaylor remained
with these gentlemen until he attained the age of 31 years.
Having fully perfected himself in a practical knowledge of
his calling, he began business for himself.
His industry and skill, the honorable record of his past
life, probity and honor, formed a rich capital, and a valuable
basis with which to commence his career in life— a career
which has been eminently successful.
J^n^-'ly A HRiCc\'J! -
DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND BUILDINGS.
581
About the year 1863, Mr. Gaylor entered on the business
of Master Builder, in Brooklyn, which business, combined
with that of designing architect, he has conducted with great
success down to the present time.
The skill, industry and ability of Mr. Gaylor as an archi-
tect is exhibited in the many imposing public edifices, in
the many private dwellings that adorn and beautify the
city of Brooklyn; indeed, it may well be said that there are
monuments of his enterprise, taste, and skill as an architect
and builder, in very many parts of the city of Brooklyn.
Among these we may mention the elegant six-story iron-
front building of Messrs. Smith, Gray & Co., clothiers,
erected on the site of the old Washington Hall, corner of
Broadway and Fourth street, E. D.
To use the language of one of the Brooklyn dailies : " Mr.
Gaylor, the architect, is one of the most popular of the citi-
zens of the Eastern District. The plans for nearly every im-
portant building in the ISth, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 19th
Wards were prepared by him. Mr. Gaylor is a whole-souled
worker."
So highly has the ability of Mr. Gaylor in his calling, and
his standing as a citizen, been appreciated, that, in January,
1882, he was appointed by the Mayor of Brooklyn Com-
missioner of the Department of Buildings, for the city. This
appointment gave general satisfaction. Speaking of this ap-
pointment, a leading Democratic daily, of the city, used this
" We need hardly say that we are more than satisfied with
the appointment of Mr. Wm. H. Gaylor as Commissioner of
Buildings. He stands in tlie highest rank in his profession
—a gentleman of unblemished personal character and fine ex-
ecutive abilities. Our citizens may be well assured that his
Republicanism will never be permitted to intefere, in any
way, with the discharge of his duties in his new and import-
ant trust."
Thus it will be seen how fully and usefully Mr. Gaylor has
been, and still is, identified with the history, embellishment
and growth of the city of Brooklyn.
In the year 1849, Mr. Gaylor was united by marriage to
Miss Matilda Cocks, of Brooklyn, a lady in every sense quali-
fied to make his home happy; but, in the year 1861, he suffered
an almost irreparable loss in her death. In 1865, his second
maJrriage took place. The estimable lady, who became his
second wife, was Miss Lizzie Burr, of Brooklyn. A happy
union with this lady, of fourteen years, was, in 1879, termi-
nated by her death. Since then Mr. Gaylor has remained a
widower.
Mr. Gaylor is the father of seven children — three by his
first marriage and four by the last.
The oldest, a son, Mr. John W. Gaylor, is well and favorably
known in the business circles of Brooklyn, as an enterprising
and successful dealer in bricks, lime, and building materials
of all kinds. Another son, Edward F. Gaylor, Esq., adopted
the caUing of his father, and is now a well-established and
highly appreciated architect of Brooklyn.
Mr. Gaylor, in early life, allied himself to the old "Whig party ;
when that became a thing of the past, he became a Republi-
can, from principle, though he was never what might be
termed an active politican. Though he is firmly attached
to his political principles, he recognizes the rights of others
to exercise and enjoy whatever political sentiment they
desire, even though differing with his, as fully, as freely
and as fairly as they please.
Though so long identified with the Republican party,
sustaining its principles with unobtrusive firmness, he has
never been, in the least degree, an office-seeker ; and it may,
with truth, be said that the honorable position he now oc-
cupies in the city, sought him, instead of his seeking it; in
fact, the office was tendered him in recognition of his
superior claims to it by long experience and rare quali-
fications, and for his honorable and exemplary record as a
citizen.
Mr. Gaylor is a member of the Universalist Church ; his
connection with that organization having begun many years
ago. His religious views are the result of a candid, con-
scientious consideration and reflection, and are maintained
by that candid firmness and with those liberal views which
are among his prominent characteristics.
William M. Thomas.— It has been a subject of remark
that men of foreign birth, who come to this country in early
life, find here the fullest scope for the development of their
abilities, and attain an eminence which they could not reach
under the repressive conditions of older civilizations. Espe-
cially is this true of our English-speaking cousins, so many
of whom have transferred their allegiance and transplanted
their talents to our fertile soil, where they have taken root,
flourishing abundantly, both to our benefit and their own
advantage.
Among the good examples in this city is William M.
Thomas, a native of Swansea, Glamorganshire, South Wales,
where he was born December 12, 1812 He comes of good
family; his parents were John and Elizabeth Thomas, who
lived to rejoice in their son's success. His maternal grand-
father was an officer of prominence in the British army at
the Battle of Waterloo.
Our subject passed his boyhood in Swansea, receiving a
fair education, as schools went in those days.
Inclining to follow his father's occupation, who was a
builder, he served his apprenticeship at home. At the age of
nineteen he sailed for America, arriving in New York in
June, 1833, resolved to make the Republic his future home.
Ambitious to succeed, he at once sought opportunities to en-
gage in his calling. After a year spent in Jamaica, he lo-
cated in this city, in Bridge street, near Prospect. At that
time Brooklyn contained but eighteen thousand inhabitants,
and did not extend much above Sands street. Soon after, in
1834, he married Miss Rhoda Frazier, a niece of Rev. Dr.
Nott, who was for many years President of Union College.
In business matters Mr. Thomas developed . constructive
talents of high order, coupled with executive ability, inso-
much that he soon became a contractor and builder. Faith-
ful and conscientious in his work, he gained a reputation for
honesty, thoroughness and reliability ; in consequence his
services weire widely sought, particularly in connection with
first-class dwellings, of which he built many on the Heights
and other good localities. As occasion offered, he invested
in real estate, with good judgment. His superior qualifica-
tions enabled him to engage in large undertakings with such
success, that he acquired an ample fortune, and retired in
1860 upon his income.
But his activity by no means ceased ; it merely changed
direction; thenceforth he wrought with money instead of
materials. He was elected President of the State Street Glass
Works, and served for eighteen months, when the establish-
ment was sold. He beca;me a stockholder in the City Bank,
and is now its Vice-President ; he is also a trustee of the
Brooklyn Savings Bank ; he acquired an interest in the
Brooklyn City Railroad, of which he is the present Vice-
President ; he is a trustee of both the Phoenix and Montauk
Insurance Companies ; likewise trustee and treasurer of the
Kings County Home for Inebriates. For fourteen years he
was an influential member of the Brooklyn Board of Educa-
tion ; his practical knowledge and ability were sought in the
582
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
-l^
Department of Buildings, of which he was appointed Com-
missioner in 1881, which position he has since held. The^e
various ofBces of trust are proofs of the confidence and es-
teem with which Mr. Thomas is regarded by his fellow citi-
zens.
Though he has never made a business of politics, yet he
has always taken a deep interest in the affairs of the country,
and he has thrown the weight of his influence on the side
which he believed to be right.
In former years he voted with the Whigs ; when the Re-
publican party was formed, he joined it, and has since sup-
ported its principles. In 1861 he represented the Third
Brooklyn District in the Assembly; he proved himself there,
as elsewhere, worthy of the trust reposed in him, being noted
for his uncompromising opposition to all jobbery, corrup-
tion and venality.
He and his family are attendants upon Plymouth Church,
of which Rev. Henry Ward Beecher is pastor.
Fond of travel, Mr. Thomas has twice visited the Old
World,. the last time in 1869, when he remained a year, and,
with his family, visited the various points of interest. He
has a taste for art, which his abundant means have enabled
him to gratify ; he is a liberal patron of artists, and has
adorned his walls with many choice pictures.
Mr. Thomas is a man of robust physique, on which his ac-
tive life has made little impression ; he bids fair to live for
many years, to enjoy his home and friends, and to retain his
influence in business circles.
The Widows' and Orphans' Fund was a legacy
of the Old Volunteer Fire Department, and is con-
tinued under tiie management of two Boards of Trus-
tees, separate and distinct from the present paid Fire
Department ; under the laws of the State, passed in
1869 (Chap. 566, Sees. 8 and 10, &c.), and subsequent
acts amending the same. It was originally made up
of fines and penalties, the sale of certificates, the pro-
ceeds of an annual ball (the first having been given in
1838), and of theatrical benefits, and received an
annual appropriation from the city of $900 for the
Eastern District fund, and $1,100 for that in the
Western District.
The Act of May 4, 1869, consolidating the Eastern
and the Western District Fire Departments, expressly
excepted from such union the Widows' and Orphans'
DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND BUILDINGS.
583
Fund, whose Trustees were continued in each District
as a separate corporation, with regularly appointed
officers. The trustees of the respective funds were
given entire control and management of these trusts,
which now aggregate more than $100,000 in both Dis-
tricts.
The Annual Eeport of the Western District Fund,
January 9, 1884, gives the amount of the Fund as
$47,'732.13. There are on the pension list lYl widows
and 38 orphans, who receive pensions of from $5 to $20
per quarter each, making an aggregate of $5,172 for
1883 ; $840 were paid for firemen's funeral expenses.
The officers of the Widows' and Orphans' Fund for
1883-4 are John Courtney, President; S. Bowden,
Secretary ; W. Burrell, Treasurer; James Ridgway,
Counsel.
The present Board of Trustees" of the Eastern Dis-
trict consists of nine members and a treasurer, having
monthly meetings, and reporting annually to the Board
of Aldermen. Officers for 1882-3 : William E. Horwill,
President; Wm. Young, Secretary; Geo. W. Williams,
Treasurer.
The report for 1884 shows : Invested in bond and
mortgage, $12,300; real estate owned, $6,700; interest
due on bonds and mortgages, $163.50; cash on hand,
May 1, 1883, $45.99 ; total, $19,209.49. Fifty-seven
widows, and as many children under twelve years, are
on the pension rolls.
The Exempt Firemen's Association of the
City of Brooklyn ( Western District), organized on the
9th of Jan., 1852, incorporated June 19, 1874, was com-
posed only of members of the Brooklyn Fire Depart-
ment who had received an honorable discharge, having
served the full term (in that department), required by
law to entitle them to an exemption forever from fire,
military, and navy duty. It was established for the
purpose of promoting the interest and efficiency of, and
cherishing kindly feelings in the fire department gen-
erally, and whenever requisite, advancing their claims
as exempt firemen; it rendered pecuniary aid to indi-
gent and disabled members, and the families of de-
ceased members, when in need.
The officers for 1882-3 are John T. Finn, President ;
M. P. Connor, Vice-President ; T. A. Drake, Record-
ing Secretary; J. MeColgan, Financial Secretary ;
Wm. Burrell, Treasurer. Trustees : Wm. H. Kent,
W. Brown T. A. Drake, A. V. W. Tandy, W. H.
Noe.
A similar organization was formed in the Eastern
District, incorporated 1882, whose officers are as fol-
lows : J. T. Savage, Pres.; Jas. Potter, Vice-Pres.;
Chas. T. Dower, Sec; Alfred Wallet, Treas.
For information in regard to tlie W. and O. Fund and Exempt Firemen's Association, we are indebted to Messrs. A. B. Thorne,
William K. Hokwill, John T. Finn, and Samuel Bowden.— Editor,
584
SIS TOBY 01 KINGS COUNTY.
THE DEPARTMENT OF CITY WORKS,
WATER AND SEWERAGE.
Compiled bt VAN BRUNT BERGEN, C. E.
On March 24, 1834, tlie year in which the village of
Brooklyn was incorporated as a city, the Water
Committee of the City Council, consisting of Mr.
Gabriel Furman and James Walters, made a report
recommending the sinking of wells at the foot of the
hill on which Fort Greene was built, and the pumping
of the water by steam power into a reservoir to be con-
structed on the hill ; the cost of the work, including
eleven miles of ten and four inch pipe, was estimated at
$100,000, and the yearly expense of running the works,
$10,000. The report was not acted on. This was the
first movement, mentioned on the village records, on
the part of the city government for a supply of water.
The population of Brooklyn at this time was 23,000
souls.
Prior to this, the water question had been discussed,
as we find in the Star of February 1, 1882, a letter
from a Mr. G. B. White of 100 Fulton street, to Mayor
Sprague, in which he proposes the formation of a com-
pany, to be called the Brooklyn Water Company, with
a capital of $25,000 in 1000 shares of $25 each, for
which sum he agrees to unite a sufficient number of
springs on the East River shore and, by tide power,
raise the water to an elevation above the highest point
on Clover Hill, at the end of Cranberry street, and to
construct a reservoir of a capacity of 1,000,000 gallons.
During the period from 1834 to 1847, although the
water question was frequently discussed, no formal ac-
tion was taken by the Common Council till the latter
year, when Messrs. D. A. Bokee, John Stansbury and
J. W. Cochran were appointed a Special Committee,
and submitted, December 20, 1847, the plans of Major
D. B. Douglass as their report.
This distinguished engineer, who first projected the
Croton works for New York, after discussing the dif-
ferent methods of supply, proposed the sinking of wells
south of the hills and the raising of the water by steam
engines to a reservoir at an elevation of forty or fifty
feet above the highest houses on the heights along the
river. No surveys or estimates were made and the
water question was not again brought up till 1849.
In May of that year Mayor Copeland, in his address
to the Common Council, called attention to the necessity
of a water supply, and favored the well system. Messrs.
Geo. B. Fisk, Arthur W. Benson, Geo. Hall, William
McDonald, and J. W. Cochran, a Water Committee of
the Common Council, made a brief report, dated Jan-
uary 8, 1849, in which the well system was again rec-
ommended. The estimate of the cost of the works
was $830,000. The committee express obligations to
Messrs. William Burden, John Gracen, and others, for
plans, suggestions and information.
Mr. William Burden, prior to this, had prepared
plans for a supply of water to be obtained from Jamaica
Creek, the first stream east of the city of any import-
ance and included in the present supply. He proposed
to erect engines and stand-pipes at the streams, and
to send the water in iron pipes to Flatbush ; and, from
there, with another engine, to raise it to a distributing
reservoir on the hills. This is the first suggestion of
using the streams on the island for a water supply ; so
to William Burden is due the credit of first pointing
out what has proved to be "the true and unfailing
source of a water supply for Brooklyn."
On Dec. 20, 1851, another Water Committee, consist-
ing of Messrs. Charles R. Marvin, I. H. Smith, Edward
Pell, Henry A. Kent and E. B. Litchfield presented the
most detailed and important report so far prepared. By
means of an appropriation made to defray the expen-
ses of a preliminary survey, this committee was enabled
to employ the distinguished engineers, Wm. J. McAl-
pine and John B. Jervis, who had respectively had
charge of the construction of the Albany and New York
Water Works. Mr. Mc Alpine, after an examination of
the different proposed methods of supply, considered the
Island streams as the only one of permanent value. By
means of gaugings taken of twelve of the streams on
the south side of the Island (from Baiseley's stream near
Jamaica to J. Smart's at Merrick), in the fall of the
year when the water was unusually low, he determined
the minimum supply that could be depended upon.
He proposed to place dams on the four streams nearest
to the city, from which the gaugings showed he could
obtain a supply of 10,000,000 gallons a day; and, by
means of a conduit, collect their waters in Baiseley's
pond (now Jamaica reservoir), at an elevation of 11' 6"
above tide.
Thence the water was to flow in a conduit, nine miles
long, to a pump well, from which it was to be raised
by Cornish pumping engines to a reservoir on Mt. Pros-
pect, of a capacity of 60,000,000 gallons. This reser-
voir was to be at an elevation of 191' above tide.
He estimated that seventy-five miles of distributing
pipe would be required for. immediate use. The cost
DEPARTMENT OF CITY WORKS.
585
of the whole work he estimated at $3,500,000, and that
works supplying 6,000,000 gallons, with capacities for
15 000,000, could be built for |2,500,000.
Mr. John B. Jervis made a short report to the com-
mittee, recommending a supply from the streams, with
perhaps recourse to wells.
The Hon. Conklin Brush, who was Mayor of the
city in 1851, and deeply interested in the water question,
in his address to the Common Council, January 5, 1852,
advised a careful examination of the subject. The
committee, in its re])ort, recommended that an election
should be held, and in case a majority of the citizens
should be in favor of the plan of Mr. McAlpine, a law
should be obtained from the Legislature empowering
the city to build the works. In accordance with this
recommendation, it was determined to submit the
question to a popular vote on January gV, 1852; but,
on the 19th of that month, the Special Committee on
Water for that year asked for time for a more careful
consideration of the subject, and recommended that
the resolutions directing an election be rescinded. All
this was done, and more detailed surveys were made.
On April 15, 1852, Mr. McAlpine submitted to the
Water Committee — Messrs. Chas. R. Marvin, Abraham
B. Baylis, Montgomery Queen, Geo. W. Stillwell and
Lemuel B. Hawxhurst — a full report together with esti-
mates and detailed drawings. All the hitherto proposed
sources of supply were carefully considered, viz. : the
Croton or Bronx river of Westchester Co., the lakes on
Long Island, wells in the vicinity of the city, and the run-
ningstreamsonthesouthsldeof the Island. He recom-
mended the latter source as the most advantageovis to the
city; and a full description, together with estimates va-
rying from $2,600,000 to $7,800,000 for a supply from
5,000,000 to 30,000,000 gallons daily, was given.
This report of Mr. McAlpine was not published till
the close of the year 1852.
The standing Committee on Water for 1853 consisted
of Messrs. Chas. R. Marvin, A. B. Baylis, John A.
Dayton, Lemuel B. Hawxhurst and John Rice.
The mayor, Hon. Ed. A. Lambert, in his address of
Jan. 3, 1853, called the attention of the Common Council
to the subject of a water supply, and urged the adop-
tion of the plan submitted by the Committee of 1852.
On June 3, 1853, a bill was passed by the Legislature,
authorizing the Common Council to determine the
method of a water supply to the city, and directing the
holding of a special election, in order to submit the
plans last mentioned to the vote of the citizens.
By an Act of the Legislature of April 16, 1852, a
company, under the name of the Williamsburgh
Water Company, obtained a charter, empowering it to
expend a sum not exceeding $500,000 in constructing
works for the supply of Williamsburg alone. This
company at once- purchased several of the streams on
the south side of the Island; which action, as the re-
ports of the engineers had shown these streams to be
the only proper source of supply, greatly embarrassed
the city authorities. By an amended act, which passed
the Legislature June 8, 1853, it changed its name to the
Long Island Water Company, increased its capital to
$3,000,000, and was authorized to supply Brooklyn also
with water. This amended charter was obtained,
although the mayor and Common Council had sent to
the Assembly an earnest remonstrance against increas-
ing the stock and extending the privileges of the private
company.
This company employed as engineer, G-en. Ward B.
Burnett, who made a report in September, 1852, and a
fuller one with plans and estimates for a larger supply
in January, 1 853. His report recommended the construc-
tion of a distributing reservoir, where the Ridgewood
Reservoir is located, and a conduit and open canal
from the furthest stream to an engine house near East
New York.
The election authorized by the law of June 3, 1853,
was held on July 11. The population of the city at
this time was about 116,000, containing probably 17,000
voters. Only 7,693 votes were cast, of which 2,639 were
in favor of the proposal, and 5,054 adverse. This in-
difference of the citizens to the water question arrested
for the time all attempts, on the part of the city author-
ities, to obtain a water supply.
A nevr Water Committee was appointed in 1854, con-
sisting of Messrs. John A. Dayton, R. C. Brainard, D.
P. Barnard, F. G. Quevedo and Samuel Booth. Gen.
Ward B. Burnett, the Engineer of the Long Island
Water Company which had been created by the bill of
June 8, 1852, was employed, and made a report, dated
March 13, 1854, and published at the close of the year.
The plan presented was the samfe, except a few changes
in location of conduit, canal and distributing reservoir,
as the one submitted to the vote of the citizens on July
11, 1863, and was based on his previous surveys and
the reports of McAlpine to the Water Committees.
An act amending the act of 1853 was passed by
the Legislature April 7, 1854, under which, on June
1, this plan was submitted to the vote of the people.
Again the general indifference of the citizens, and the
strenuous opposition of a few interested ones, defeated
the efforts of the public authorities to procure the
much needed water supply. Of 9,105 votes cast, 6,402
were unfavorable to the plan.
About this time a pamphlet was published by Mr.
James Walters, one of the Water Committee of 1834,
advocating the well system.
In May, 1854, Mr. Dayton, Chairman of the Water
Committee, obtained from Mr. John S. Stoddard, a
graduate of West Point, and who had laid out the
streets of a large portion of the city of Brooklyn, in
1835 to 1839, a very able and carefully prepared report
adverse to the well system. This report showed clearly
the evils of this method of supply, and ended all dis-
cussion on the subject.
586
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
On March 16, 1854, Messrs. Henry S. Welles & Co.,
contractors, presented a proposal to the Water Com-
mittee, offering to build the works, according to the
plans of Gen. Burnett, including the furnishing of land
for the ponds, conduits, reservoirs, engine houses, &c.
and guaranteeing a daily supply of 20,000,000 galls.,
with works of a capacity of 40,000,000 galls., for
$4,175,000. This proposal was not entertained by the
Water Committee, as it included several ponds and also
land already purchased by the Long Island Water
Works Company.
Another proposal, presented by Messrs. Joseph Bat-
tin, Silas Ford, and Henry Rnggles, was to construct
water works on a plan embracing the main features of
the one designed by Mr. McAlpine. They agreed to
supply 10,000,000 gallons daily, to build an open canal
from Baiseley's pond, so arranged as to intercept all
the fresh water from the upland, and conduct it to a
pump well, and furnish all the necessary works, includ-
ing eight miles of distributing mains, for about $4,000,-
000. They proposed to form an association, with a
capital of $4,000,000, and obtain a charter, authorizing
the city to subscribe $1,000,000 of the stock, and ap-
point one-fourth of the directors. This proposal was
not favorably considered, but the associates obtained
a charter, April 12, 1855, under the name of the Nassau
Water Company, empowering them to construct works
for the city, and authorizing the city authorities to
subscribe for $1,300,000 of the stock.
The directors of the company, to hold their charter,
subscribed for a few shares of stock, and then proposed
that the city should subscribe for the full amount it
was authorized to take. This offer was not received
with favor by the Common Council, and no report was
made by the Water Committee on the subject till
September, 1855. The Water Committee of 1855, con-
sisted of Messrs. B. F. Wardwell, George L. Bennett,
J. V. Bergen, E. S. Blank and C. C. Fowler. The Hon.
Geo. Hall, Mayor of the city for the second time, referred
in his address of January 1, to the obstacles in the way
of adopting a suitable plan for a water supply, and
recommended that an entirely independent commission
be appointed to carry out this work of vital importance.
In 1854 the city had obtained a new charter, which
went into effect on January 1, 1855. The village of
Williamsburg and the town of Bushwick were incor-
porated as part of the city of Brooklyn, very much in-
creasing the population and adding to the taxable prop-
erty. The population of the extended city amounted
to about 200,000 souls, and its taxable property, in
1854, was valued at $88,923,000. The water from the
wells in the denser populated portions of the city was
becoming imjjure, and large fires could not be subdued
by the small supply contained in the public cisterns.
The memorial of the Nassau Water Company was
favorably reported on by the Water Committee in Sep-
tember, 1855, but nothing was done till November 15,
when the Common Council, at a special meeting, decided
to subscribe for $1,000,000 of the capital stock, under
the condition that amendments should be obtained to
the charter, giving the city a proper representation in
the Board of Directors, and $2,000,000 should be sub-
scribed and partly paid in by the stockholders. The
resolution was approved by the Mayor, but the Com-
pany did not comply with the requirements of the city.
In his annual message in January, 1856, His Honor
George Hall, the Mayor, again called attention to the
urgent need of a supply of water; but nothing could be
done by the Water Committee as long as the Nassau
Water Company held its charter. The committee con-
sisted of Messrs. George L. Bennett, E. T. Lowber
George M. Troutman, R. H. Huntley, and John V.
Bergen.
However, a number of public spirited citizens,
wearied with the technical diflSculties and unnecessary
delays which were continually brought in the way of
the city obtaining a water supply, having satisfied
themselves that the plans recommended by the previous
Committees were the only proper ones, sent to the Com-
mon Council on April 14, a communication asking for
a conference on the subject. The Water Committee,
anxious to settle the water question, held the proposed
conference with the citizens, among whom were the
following : Messrs. Fisher Howe, Conklin Brush, John
H. Baker, Abm. B. Baylis, John H. Prentice, Wm.
Wall, G. H. Howland, Roswell Graves, etc. The
question was thoroughly discussed and a report
agreed on, which was submitted to the Common
Council on the 5th of May. It recommended that
the Common Council immediately subscribe $1,300,-
000 to the stock of the Nassau Water Company ;
and stated that both the Water and Citizens' Com-
mittees were satisfied, after a careful examination
and consultation with eminent engineers, that the
plan for water works had been carefully matured by
the Nassau Water Company, and that a contract could
be entered into with H. S. Welles & Co. for the con-
struction of the work at a cost not to exceed $4,200,000.
For this sum the contractors stood ready to guarantee
a minimum supply of 10,000,000 gallons daily, within
two years, and an additional 10,000,000 gallons per day
within one year thereafter ; and to deliver the works
complete, in perfect order, discharged of all claims for
land, water, and other, damages; in short, to invest the
Company with the works unincumbered, and without
any cost or charge of any description beyond the sum
stipulated. The committees expressed their conviction
that the plan and contract proposed between the Nas-
sau Water Company and Welles & Co. were as advan-
tageous to the public as any likely to be proposed, and
more advantageous than any ever before submitted to
the Common Council and the citizens. As security for
the faithful expenditure of the money, in case the city
should subscribe the amount recommended, the direo-
DEPARTMENT OF CITY WORKS.
587
tors of the Nassau "Water Company, with commend-
able public spirit, expressed their willingness to retire
from the direction, and to have their places filled with
seven citizens of known character and probity, in whose
hands the citizens of Brooklyn would be willing to re-
pose so great a trust ; and in proof of their sincerity,
their resignation was made, and their places filled
by the election of the following gentlemen : John H.
Prentice, William Wall, Daniel Van Voorhis, J. Carson
Brevoort, Nicholas WyckofI, Thomas Sullivan, and
Nathaniel Briggs, whose names had been submitted to
and approved by the Joint Committee.
At a meeting of the Common Council, held on 4th of
June, the report of the Committee was adopted, and on
the 9th of the same month the resolutions were ap-
proved by His Honor, the Mayor, George Hall.
So at last, after a delay of some seven years — for in
1849 the question was first seriously examined — the ob-
stacles that had stood in the way of obtaining a water
supply for Brooklyn were removed.
The new Board of Directors of the Nassau Water
Company met on the 20th of May, and organized by
appointing John H. Prentice, President, and J. Carson
Brevoort, Secretary. On the 10th of June their chief
engineer, Samuel McElroy, resigned, and a committee
was appointed to select a chief engineer. James P.
Kirkwood, an eminent engineer of great experience,
was recommended by the committee and appointed on
the 24th. On the 27th the chief engineer was directed
to organize a staff of assistants, and commence the
necessary surveys. On July 3, the Water Committee
of the Common Council, in answer to a communication
of the Board of Directors, recommended that the con-
tractors be directed to commence the construction of
the works.
On July 31 an inaugural celebration of the work was
held on the site of the Ridgewood Reservoir. A large
gathering of citizens and strangers were present, and
addresses were made by His Honor, Mayor Hall, the
Rev. Dr. George W. Bethune, and others. The contrac-
tors, Welles & Co., actively proceeded with the work
during the remainder of the year 1856.
On February 11, 1857, a law.was passed by the Leg-
islature vesting the city absolutely in all the contracts,
property and rights of the Nassau Water Company.
Under this law the seven directors became a Board of
Commissioners to construct the works, and organized
as such Board on July 9th. The same officers and en-
gineers were chosen.
By the fall of 1858, the pump well at East New York
and the conduit to Baiseley's Pond had been completed,
and the Ridgewood Reservoir was ready to receive
water. A great part of the pipe distribution had been
laid in the city, and the contractors, by using a small
pumping engine, raised water into the reservoir. On
the 4th of December the water was let into the mains,
and first used on December 16, in extinguishing a, fire
at corner of Myrtle avenue and Schenck street. The
work east of Baiseley's Pond had been delayed, the chief
engineer recommending the building of a brick conduit
in place of the open canal provided for in the contract.
The Board, recommending this change, sent a commu-
nication to the Common Council, with estimates of the
additional cost, but no attention was paid to it. By a
law of April 16, 1859, the Water Commissioners were
empowered to expend $500,000 more on the work. This
was rendered necessary in order to extend the pipe dis-
tribution, and to build a brick conduit instead of the
open canal. On April 21, Daniel Van Voorhis resigned
his position in the Board, and was succeeded by the
Hon. Conklin Brush. On May 21, the Board accepted
a proposal of Welles & Co. to change the open canal
east of Baiseley's pond into a closed conduit at an addi-
tional expense of $450,000.
The law of April 16th also provided for the appoint-
ment of a Board of Permanent Water Commissioners
to take charge of the works after completion.
On July 1st the constructing Board appointed William
B. Lewis and Daniel L. Northrup as Permanent Water
Commissioners, and the Mayor, and Common Council,
shortly afterwards appointed Gamaliel King, and John
H. Funk, thus completing the new Board according to
the provisions of the law.
On November 10th, the transfer of all the works in
use, with reservation of the right of access to the same
for their completion under the contract, was made by
the Board of Construction to the Permanent Board. The
works were virtually completed by May 26, 1862, but the
Constructing Board remained in existence till the pass-
age of the act of May 11, 1865, one portion of the work
— the extension of distribution — remaining under their
control till that time. The work on distribution was
performed by the engineers of the new Board, though
it was necessary to have the extensions authorized by
the old one. Mr. Kirkwood, the chief engineer, closed
his connection with the Constructing Board on January
2, 1862. To his great energy, ability and integrity,
the success of the Brooklyn Water Works is, to. a
great extent, due. To the Cionstructing Board the city
of Brooklyn owes a debt which can never be paid.
Without pay they devoted their time and energies, for
several years of their lives, to the successful carrying
out ofthis great undertaking. At times they worked un-
der conditions of great embarrassment and perplexity.
The Common Councils of 1858 and 1859 did not seem
to be disposed to favor the completion of the works.
That of 1859 ordered an investigation, causing much
annoyance to the chief engineer, buf resulting in satis-
fying the public, if not itself, that the work was being
carried on in a proper manner.
The total expenditures by the Board of Water Com-
missioners for Construction was 15,284,626.71.
The Permanent Board of Water Commissioners or-
ganized with Gamaliel King, President, and D. L.
588
HISTOBT OF KINGS COUNTY.
Northrup, Secretary, and appointed John S. Stoddard
chief engineer. He held the position till 1862, and
was succeeded by Moses Lane, who was first assistant
engineer on construction, under J. P. Kirkwood.
Mr. W. B. Lewis was succeeded in 1862 by Peter G.
Taylor, as Commissioner; and John H. Funk in 1864 by
W. A. Fowler.
The Common Council, at its last meeting in 1865,
authorized the Water Board to lay a new distributing
main. As far back as July, 1862, James P. Kirkwood,
chief engineer of the Constructing Board, sent a com-
munication recommending the laying of this main, in
order to insure a full head in the city, with the increas-
ing consumption of water. A communication was sent
by the Board to the Common Council, but no action
was taken. The necessity of laying this main was
urged by the Permanent Board in its annual reports to
the Common Council, but the work was not commenced
till 1866, and completed in 1869. It is 48 inches in
diameter, and extends from the Ridgewood Reservoir
to Court street, a distance of a little more than 6^
miles. The cost was about $1,000,000.
From 1864 to the passage of the act of April 2, 1869,
reorganizing the Board of Water and Sewerage Com-
missioners, and placing under their charge the repay-
ing, repairing and cleaning of streets, the Board con-
sisted of Gamaliel King, President ; D. L. Northrup,
Secretary ; Peter G. Taylor, and William A. Fowler.
Under the new law, Messrs. W. A. Fowler, D. L.
Northrup, Thomas Kinsella, and A. M. Bliss, were
appointed Commissioners. On resignation of Thomas
Kinsella, E. G. Lowber became Commissioner. In
1869, Moses Lane resigned the position of chief engineer,
and was succeeded by Col. J. W. Adams.
The act of April 2, 1869, was amended in 1870, pro-
viding for three, instead of four. Commissioners, and
Messrs. Fowler, Lowber and Bliss held over till the
passage of the act of April 28, 1872, creating the Board
of City Works.
In December, 1867, authority was given to the
Water Commissioners to contract for, and erect, a new
pumping engine at the Ridgewood Engine House.
The contract was given to Messrs. Hubbard & Whit-
taker, of the Burden Iron Works, April 13th, 1867, for
the sum of $129,750. The engine to be furnished with
5 boilers, and to have the same capacity (15,000,000
gallons in 24 hours), as the engines Nos. 1 and 2, at
the engine house. The engine was completed, and in
operation in the fall of 1869, and has given perfect
satisfaction.
In May, 1869, a communication was sent to the Com-
missioners by Col. J. W. Adams, Chief Engineer,
calling attention to the increasing consumption of
water, and the necessity of immediate action to obtain
a larger supply by extending the works. James P.
Kirkwood was employed as consulting engineer, and
surveys were made in the fall of 1869. The engineers
reported, January 1st, 1870, recommending the con-
struction of a storage reservoir in the valley of the
Hempstead Stream, of an area of 231 acres, and a cap-
acity of 1,055,000,000 gallons.
The plans were sent to the Common Council, and
approved by resolution of December 12th, 1870. On
February 18th, 1871, an act was passed by the Legis-
lature, directing the I'ermanent Board of Water and
Sewerage Commissioners, to construct the storage res-
ervoir, at an expense not to exceed $1,400,000. The con-
tract was given to the firm of Kingsley & Keeney,
work was commenced in 1872, and the reservoir suffi-
ciently near completion to furnish water to the city
in 1874.
From its inception, great opposition was shown on
the part of many citizens to the building of the storage
reservoir. Charges of fraud were freely made against
the commissioners, engineers, and contractors. Public
meetings were held, investigating committees of the
Common Council appointed, consulting engineers em-
ployed, and charges preferred against W. A. Fowler,
President of the Water Board, who was suspended,
tried by the Common Council, and reinstated in his
position.
Final payment for work done was refused the con-
tractors, who commenced an action against the city, and
by the decision of the referees, Hon. John A. Lott, Thos.
H. Rodinan, and George H. Fisher, August 4th, 1877,
recovered the full amount due under their contract.
Some $168,000 of the sum awarded could not be paid
the contractors, except by an act of the Legislature, as
the fund, $1,400,000, authorized to be expended by the
city, had been exhausted. This amount has not been
paid to Kingsley & Keeney to the present day.
Under the act of April 28th, 1872 — already men-
tioned— creating the Board of City Works and the
amended charter of 1873, by which the name of this
branch of the city government was changed to the
Department of City Works, Messrs. Lorin Palmer,
R. M. Whiting and W. A. Fowler became Com-
missioners. Lorin Palmer remained commissioner till
July 2d, 1875, and was succeeded by Gen. J. B.
Woodward. R. M. Whiting was succeeded by Thomas
W. Adams, May 12th, 1875; and W. A. Fowler by
John W. Flaherty, -May, 1877. Gen. Woodward
resigned December 3rd, 1875, and Gen. H. W.
Slocum was appointed in January, 1876. Thomas W.
Adams held the position till November 3rd, 1877, when
George C. Bennett was appointed. Gen. Slocum re-
signed January 30th, 1878, and was succeeded by F.
S. Massey.
Messrs. Flaherty and Bennett were charged with
malfeasance in ofiice, tried, found guilty and removed
May 16th, 1878, and succeeded by W. H. Hazzard and
Jacob Worth. The decision under which Messrs.
Flaherty and Bennett were removed from office was
afterwards reversed by the Supreme Court.
DEPABTMENl OF CITY WORKS.
589
On June 16th, 1880, an act was passed, creating
" single heads " to most of the departments of the City
Government, under which John French was appointed
commissioner, and was succeeded, Feb. 8, 1882, by Rip-
ley Ropes, who holds the position at the present time. ,
Col. J. W. Adams, who succeeded Moses Lane as
Chief Engineer in 1869, held the position till 1877, when
he resigned, and Robert Van Buren was appointed
in his place. Robert Van Bui-en resigned in 1879, and
Col. J. W. Adams was re-appointed, holding the posi-
tion till 1880, when Mr. Van Buren again succeeded
him. This important office, with its manifold and
arduous duties, is ably filled by Mr. Van Buren at the
present date.
In 1880, it was found that, owing to the extreme
drought, great danger of a scarcity of water was to be
apprehended. To protect the city, it was determined
to sink wells, 50 feet in diameter, with a depth of water
of about 20 feet, at Springfield and Watts ponds, and
to remove the muck and vegetation from these ponds.
Watts pond is situated near the village of Valley
Stream; and Springfield pond, a short distance from the
village of Springfield. The ponds were purchased and
thoroughly cleaned, wells sunk, and engine houses, en-
gines, boilers, &c., erected in the Fall of the year. The
water was pumped through a force-main into the con-
duit, increasing the daily supply to the city some 5,000,-
000 gallons. These works, deriving their water from a
drainage area never before utilized by the city, have
proved of very great value. The cost of this addition
was about $100,000.
In 1872, pumping machinery was erected at Smith's
pond, near the village of Rookville Centre, for the pur-
pose of saving to the city a portion of the water which
was necessarily allowed to run to waste on account of
the construction of the storage reservoir. Early in
1878, Smith's pond was thoroughly cleaned, a very
large amount of muck and vegetable matter being re-
moved. In 1881, a well, 50 feet in diameter, was sunk
at this place. A minimum daily supply of about
' 4,000,000 gallons is now obtained from this pond.
On August 2d, 1882, a contract was entered into with
the Davidson Steam Pump Company of Brooklyn, for
two pairs of compound condensing engines, to be in
operation at the Ridgewood Engine House by August
1, 1883, and to deliver 15,000,000 gallons of water into
the Ridgewood Reservoir each 24 hours. The erection
of these engines had been rendered necessary by the
greatly increased consumption of water. During the
months of maximum consumption (the winter and sum-
mer), it has become necessary to run the three engines
at the Ridgewood Engine House almost continually.
This can only be done with great danger to the city ;
for a serious accident to one of the engines would ne-
cessitate a short supply of water. The contract also
includes a new engine-house, chimney, and eight
boilers. The work is far advanced.
Between the Ridgewood Engine House and Baise-
ley's pond, a distance of about 4^^ miles, is located a
large extent of drainage area, from which the city, in the
past, has obtained no water. In 1882, proposals of plans
were advertised for, to furnish water from this section.
Several parties presented plans, and a contract was
entered into with Andrews & Co. to erect works of a
capacity of 5,000,000 gallons per day, which amount of
water they have guaranteed to furnish the city daily
for one year.
The works are now completed and in successful opera-
tion, but have not been accepted by the city, as the
time of probation has not passed. They have located
two stations north of, and close to, the main conduit, one
at Spring Creek, about one mile north of the Ridgewood
Engine House, and the other at a point about half a
mile west of Jamaica Creek. They have erected at
each of these stations an engine house, two engines,
each of a capacity of 2,500,000 gallons pumped into
the conduit in 24 hours, boilers, chimney, &c. They
have driven at each station a gang of " driven wells,"
consisting of 100 2-inch iron tubes, from 40 to 100 feet
into the ground, through the water-bearing strata.
These tubes are in two parallel rows, about 15 feet
apart; and each tube is connected at its top, by a cross
pipe, with a 12-inch pipe, which runs between and par-
allel with the rows. Midway between the ends of the
rows of wells the engines are connected by a suction
pipe with the 12-inch pipe, and when in operation draw
water from all the wells at once. This novel and in-
genious way of obtaining water from the earth must
prove of very great value in furnishing a water supply
to cities and towns, in many . sections of the country,
where the geological formation is of a proper character.
For a number of years, great difficulty has been
found in furnishing a sufficient supply of water to the
Eastern District of the city. This has been owing to
the main pipe not being large enough to carry the
needed quantity of water. This year, pipe has been
purchased and a contract entered into with Mr. J. P.
Cranford, to lay a 36-inch main. The work will be
completed this fall, or possibly next spring.
The minimum daily supply of water furnished the
city by the works, as built by the Constructing Board,
was 20,000,000 gallons; the additions which have since
been made, including the contract of Andrews & Co.,
have increased the supply to 38,000,000 gallons ; still
the great growth of the city in population and manu-
factures, demands that much more water shall be ob-
tained. On several occasions, during the past four
years, the City has been on the verge of a water-famine ;
and it has only been by collecting the water on such
portions of the drainage area, within the lines of the
original works, as had not already been utilized, that
such a calamity has been avoided. To obtain the in-
creased supply which the city requires, necessitates the
extension of the conduit to the eastward and the taking
590
HISTORY OF KINGS GOUN'TT.
in of more streams. For this extension, a party is now
in the field making surveys and preparing plans.
Summary of Statistics of Brooklyn's Water
Supply. — The total cost of the Brooklyn Water Works
up to May 30, 1883, has been $11,743,393 22.
The original works, as built by the Constructing
Board, were as follows:
Supply Pohds.
Water Area.
Capacity of delivery
per day at the lowest
stage of tlieir waters.
Baiseley's Pond
Acres.
40
8.75
1.07
7.78
8
23.52
Gallons.
3,275.898
2,000,762
Clear Stream Pond
Valley Stream Pond
784,750
2,541,335
2,760,847
8,239,947
Pine's Pond
Hempstead Pond
19,603.539
The Main Conduit. — Length, 12.39 miles ; capacity
with 5 feet depth of water near Jamaica Creek, 47,000,-
000 gallons in 24 hours.
TTie Branch Conduits. — Length, 2.23 miles.
The, Ridgewood Engine House, and two pumping en-
gines (Nos. 1 and 2) and 36-inoh force mains; capacity
of each engine, 15,000,000 gallons into the Ridgewood
Reservoir every 24 hours.
The Ridgewood Reservoir. — Water area, 25.58 acres;
capacity, 161,000,000 gallons.
The Prospect Hill Engine House. — 1 engine ; ca-
pacity of engine, 3,750,000 gallons into the Prospect
Hill Reservoir every 24 hours.
The Prospect Hill Reservoir. — Water area, 8 acres ;
capacity, 20,000,000 gallons.
The SB-inch Pipe Main, and Distribution Pipe in the
C%.— Total length, 126.916 miles, with 800 fire hy-
drants. The works that have since been added are:
T}ie Storage Reservoir. — Water area, 258 acres ; ca-
pacity, 1,000,000,000 gallons (constructed to supply the
city with 10,000,000 gallons per diem for 100 days.
Smith's Pond, Pumping Station and Well. — Area of
pond, 24 acres; capacity of two engines, 6,000,000 gal-
lons into conduit in 24 hours; diameter of well, 50 feet;
supply, 4,000,000 galloQS in 24 hours.
Watts' Pond, Pumping Station and Well. — Area of
pond, 8 acres; capacity of two engines, 4,000,000 gal-
lons into conduit in 24 hours; diameter of well, 50 feet-
supply, 2,000,000 gallons in 24 hours.
Springfield Pond, Pumping Station and Well. — Area
of pond, 12 acres ; capacity of two engines, 7,000,000
gallons into Reservoir in 24 hours ; diameter of well
50 feet ; supply, 3,000,000 gallons in 24 hours.
Baiseley's Pumping Station. — 100 driven wells ; ca-
pacity of two engines, 5,000,000 gallons into conduit in
24 hours; supply, 2,500,000 gallons in 24 hours.
Spring Creek Ptimping Station. — :100 driven wells;
capacity of two engines, 5,000,000 gallons into conduit
in 24 hours; supply, 2,500,000 gallons in 24 hours.
Two Pumping Engines (Nos. 3 and 4), with 36-inch
Force Mains at the Ridgewood Engine House; capacity
of each engine, 15,000,000 gallons into the Ridgewood
Reservoir every 24 hours.
The JiS-inch Pipe Main and Distributing Pipe in
the City. — Total length, 231.106 miles, with 2,170 hy-
drants.
1859.
1860.
1861.
1863.
1863.
1864.
1865.
1866.
1867,
1868
1869.
1870.
1871.
1872.
1873.
1874.
1875.
1876.
1877.
1878.
1879.
1880.
1881.
1882.
Axerage daily con-
sumption of water
. In gallons.
3,
4,
5,
6,
7
9,
10.
12,
15,
17.
la
19,
22,
24
24,
2
28,
30,
30,
32,
3o:
32,
34,.
292,890
064,123
021,250
,490,750
933,850
233,350
,905,450
348,100
710,700
630,400
682,219
353,689
,711,751
895,955
,772,467
170,949
104,514
,342,912
,500,871
,91s;,149
744,591
731,499
•616,831
Total No. of
Average No.
jiiles of water-
of Taps in
pipe laid.
use.
123.916
136,598
9,302
145.552
12,856
157.482
15,105
165.622
17,145
171.742
18,935
176.794
■0,382
183.798
22,244
199.583
24,888
213.929
38,183
237.729
32,097
258.489
35,930
377.854
39,760
290.765
43.906
308.764
45,876
322.800
49,791
327.535
51,102
332.035
53,083
338.324
54,879
343.391
56,685
347.735
58,293
351.723
59,880
354.960
60,568
358.022
62,286
Annual Re-
ceipts from
Water Rates.
$133,733.33
256,400.49
239,355,52
303,295.93
362,749.80
386,416.08
419,106.32
462,619.04
528,537.83
617,986.32
582,656.05
642,769.36
884,580.14
971,414.98
931,831.56
910,884,07
895,202.71
887,333,43
900,967.31
995,205.37
940,631.09
977,703.30
814,256.56
951,189.30
Van Brunt Bbbqen, C. E. , (compiler of the preceding His-
tory of the Water and Sewerage System of Brooklyn), son of
the late Hon. Tunis G. Bergen; born at Bay Ridge, L. I., in
1841 ; graduated at the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic
Institute in 1859 ; in 1860, entered the Renesslaer Polytechnic
Institute at Troy, N. Y. , graduating in 1863, with the degree
of Civil Engineer ; in 1864, was appointed rodman on the
Brooklyn Water Works; in 1865, was made Assistant En-
gineer in charge of constructing a district of sewers; in 1866,
'67 and '68, Assistant Engineer in charge of laying the 48-
inch water main from the Ridgewood Reservoir to the coi-ner
of Clinton and Atlantic streets ; also in 1868, made surveys
and estimate* for the enlargement of the Ridgewood Re-
servoir; in the early part of 1869, Assistant Engineer in charge
of laying 36-inoh force main from Ridgewood Engine House
to Ridgewood Reservoir; in the latter part of 1869, and in
1870, in charge of surveys for increasing the daily supply of
water to the city from 30 to 30,000,000 gallons, (made surveys
and estimates for the Storage Reservoir in the valley of the
Hempstead stream, and for an extension of the conduit from
Rockville Center to East Meadow Brook, near Freeport); in
1871 and '72, in charge of the Water Pui-veyor's Department
of the City of Brooklyn ; from 1873 to the latter part of 1883,
First Assistant Engineer in charge of the construction and
maintainance of all works connected with the supply of
water to the city, and also of the repavement of streets ; and
at present, First Assistant Engineer in charge of all work
in the Engineers' Bureau of the Department of City Works.
Mr. Bergen is a member of the American Society of Civil
Engineers.
/yM
0!-<^i>
BEPARTMENl OB GITY WORKS.
591
William H. Hazzard. — It is interesting to study the life
of a man who has become prominent in any honorable call-
ing and to trace the growth of his natural bent, from its first
appearance, on through the varying phases of his career,
until it has surmounted all obstacles and brought him to
success.
William H. Hazzard was, by nature, an artificer, mani-
festing a taste for building in his early years, though sur-
rounded by circumstances unfavorable to his favorite pur-
suit. Born April 8, 1823, the son of Stephen H. and Mary,
on a farm six miles from Lewis, in Sussex county, Delaware,
he was one of a large family, and orphaned when eight years
of age by the death of his father. He continued to live on a
farm until he was thirteen, acquiring a stock of health and
strength which has been of greatest service in his later life ;
while his observation and judgment broadened under his
boyhood's experiences. He then removed to Philadelphia,
where there was opportunity to gratify his taste for a mechan-
ical calling; he, therefore, apprenticed himself to learn the
builder's trade. A proficient at twenty-one, he sought the
larger opportunities that New York afforded; and in Febru-
ary, 1847, he became a resident of Brooklyn. In those days
the city limits on the east did not extend much beyond the
old City Hall, whose foundations were then rising, and Holy
Trinity Church was in course of erection. Mr. Hazzard soon
entered upon his career as builder, which proved to be long,
busy, and prosperous. He early obtained a reputation for
unflinching integrity, energy, enterprise, and fair dealing,
that made him a favorite and successful contractor. He
built many of the large stores along the East River, among
them the Fulton, Watson and Harbeck's, Columbia, Ward's,
the New York Warehousing Company's, the German Ameri-
. can, and others. His greatest achievement in this line,
which alone would place him in the front, rank of builders,
was the erection, in 1880, of Dow's Stores, the largest grain
stores in this country or the world, having a capacity of two
and a half million bushels. The buildings cover a space of
one hundred feet front by twelve hundred in depth, with a
height of eighty-flve feet, and are surmounted by three great
towers as much higher. This immense work presented a
number of difdcult problems in its construction, which the
buUder's skill wrought out satisfactorily. But Mr. Hazzard's
reputation does not rest upon these large works alone. His
sei'vices have been in demand for the erection of some of the
finest dwellings'in the city, notably that of Mr. H. B. Claflin,
in Pierrepont street, besides others on the Heights and on the
Hill ; also an elegant house in New York at Fifth avenue
and Sixty-ninth street. Another of his large works was
the erection of the Brighton Beach Hotel in 1878, in the
space of eighty-eight days, and the large addition subse-
quently made in sixty-six days.
With the lapse of years, the increase of his business de-
manded the assistance of his son, whom he associated as his
partner, and the firm of William Hazzard & Son is one of
the heaviest in their line. His last work in the way of build-
ing was in connection with the New York Produce Ex-
change ; the building committee invited him to superintend
the laying of the foundations for that immense edifice, which
he placed, after his own plans, with excellent results and
entire satisfaction.
In his busy life he has found no time for the pursuit of
politics, even had his liking been in that direction; but, in
1862, was prevailed on to accept the nomination for Super-
visor by those who knew his ability, worth, and integrity ;
was elected and held the office two terms. In 1879, without
his knowledge, he was nominated to the Board of Public
Works, and confirmed ; his appointment gave to that body a
well qualified, efficient, trustworthy member. Soon after,
the Board was legislated out of existence, with pay for the
unexpired term ; which Mr. Hazzard, with characteristic
honesty and sense of justice as rare as praiseworthy, turned
over to the city sinking fund. In 1882 he was elected Presi-
dent of the Brooklyn City Railroad Company, taking the
position July 1st, since which time he has continued to dis-
charge the exacting duties that devolve upon the executive
head of Brooklyn's largest railroad corporation.
In domestic relations Mr. Hazzard has been greatly blessed.
In 1849, he married Rhoda T., daughter of John L. Ward,
formerly a resident of Brooklyn. Of their family, five chil-
dren only are living ; six lie buried in Greenwood.
Although Mr. Hazzard lacked a father's guiding hand in
his youth, his mother was spared to him longer; to her ex
cellent precepts and examples, he freely acknowledges that
he owes his success in life.
SEWERAGE SYSTEM OF BROOKLYN.
By van brunt BERGEN, C. E.
By an Act of the Legislature, passed April 15, 1857,
the Constructing Board of Commissioners of the Brook-
lyn "Water Works, was directed to prepare plans for a
system of sewerage for the city, and proceed to con-
struct the sewers wherever needed.
The building of the water works, insuring a liberal
supply of water to the city, made apparent to the au-
thorities the necessity of at once providing a system of
sewerage to carry off the waste water.
As long as the inhabitants of a city obtain water
from wells, with all the labor of pumping or raising it
in buckets from a considerable depth, a very small sup
ply is considered sufficient for domestic purposes and
cleanliness ; this, after use, is generally discharged into
the cesspool in the back yard, and passes off into
the soil.
The percolation of waste water from cesspools, and
especially from privy vaults, spreading over a greater
area each year, and eventually finding its way to the
water-bearing strata beneath, from which the wells de-
rive their supply, poisons the drinking water of the
locality, and sows the germs of many deadly diseases,
592
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
long before the contamination becomes perceptible or
ofEensive to the taste.
Such has been the case in Brooklyn, where, from a
mistaken policy, caused by the fear that in some way the
supply furnished by the water works might fail, the old
wells, in many instances have been allowed to remain,
and have been kept in repair. From year to year, the
analysis of the Board of Health has proved the danger-
ous character of the water, and the city authorities have
been called upon to close the wells; but the inhabitants,
who, from daily use, have become accustomed to the
changed character of the water, which is cool and spark-
ling, protest, and, sometimes, successfully. (On Janu-
ary 1, 1883, there were remaining in use in the city
of Brooklyn, 275 wells. Most of them have been de-
clared dangerous to health by the Board of Health,
and will be filled in before January 1, 1884).
The Constructing Board appointed James P. Kirk-
wood, the chief engineer of the water works, their en-
gineer to prepare plans for a system of sewerage, in
accordance with the provisions of the Act; but, as Mr.
Kirkwood's duties in connection with the construction
of the water works fully occupied his time, he was
authorized by the Board to employ Julius W. Adams,
Civil Engineer, to prepare the necessary plans. Shortly
after, Mr. Kirkwood resigned the position of Engineer
of Sewerage, and Mr. Adams was appointed in his
stead.
On September 10, 1857, plans for the drainage of the
First, Third, and Sixth Wards of the city, were pre-
sented by Mr. Adams, and on March 19, 1859, a report
on the general drainage of the city was sent to, and
adopted by the Commissioners.
The total length of sewers built in Brooklyn, previous
to 1857, was 5 -f-§^ miles. Most of them were large
enough to permit men to enter, and clean out any accu-
mulations that caused stoppages or became offensive.
They had been built, not for house drainage, which at
that time passed into the cesspools, or was thrown out
into the gutters, but for the purpose of draining ponds
which accumulated with heavy rains in certain low-
lying sections of the city. In the plan proposed by
Mr. Adams, these drains, where possible, were utilized
as main sewers. In determining upon a sewerage sys-
tem for Brooklyn, the practice and experience of Eng-
lish cities were closely studied. Sewers, as first built,
were intended to carry off the rainfall and sewage
of the streets, not the house drainage, or the contents
of water-closets and privies. Previous to 1850, or
thereabouts, this system had been changed in many
English cities, and sewers had been constructed to
take all house sewage as well as the rainfall. At
this time the water supply of these cities was not suffi-
cient to carry off the heavy matter, so accumulations
of the most offensive character resulted. These were
sometimes removed by manual labor, sometimes by
heavy rains, but frequently remained till they became
putrescent, and exceedingly dangerous to the health of
the community. All of these sewers were built suifi-
ciently large for men to enter and remove the deposits.
It was not till an increased supply of water for domes-
tic purposes had been obtained — the water, after use
forming a " water carriage " of sufficient force to remove
the dangerous matter — that the cities got rid of these
poisonous, "elongated cesspools," which in some cases
had caused terrible pestilences. Many of the engineers
of that day, discovering the fallacy of the large sewers
introduced the smaller ones, calculating the sizes sim-
ply from the amount of sewage and rainfall to be car-
ried off. Experience has proved the correctness of
this system; but, at the time Mr. Adams presented
his plan for the sewers of Brooklyn, the contro-
versy was at its height, many English engineers advo-
cating the old methods, and insisting upon the neces-
sity of the sewers being sufficiently large for entrance
by men and wheelbarrows, and the cleaning out of
accumulations by manual labor.
The plan, as adopted by the Commissioners, divided
the city into four large divisions, the northern, com-
prising all that drains into the East River north
of Wallabout Bay ; the middle, or eastern, com-
prising all that drains into the Wallabout Bay ; the
southern, comprising all that drains into Growanus
Creek, or bay ; and the western, comprising all that
drains into the East River between the Wallabout Bay
and Red Hook. These divisions have been divided up
into some eighteen districts, distinguished by the letters
from "A" to "R," and designated as Map "A," etc.
Each of these districts, except a few of the smaller near
the river front, has its one m.ain sewer discharging into
the river, largest at its outlet, and gradually diminish-
.ng as it extends within the city, branching through the
different streets, until at last it ends in 12-inch pipe
Sewers, these being the smallest used, and comprising
by far the greatest length.
In 1858, when the Sewerage plans for the city were
prepared, very little was known in this country of
the question of city drainage; no data could be ob-
tained from the experience of our larger cities, for
no system had been adopted, and the size and character
of the sewers built depended principally upon the peti-
tions of property owners to the city authorities, and the
amount of money they were willing to expend. Under
these circumstances, it became necessary to look abroad
for the requisite data, which was obtained from English
engineers and reports, especially the Metropolitan
Drainage Reports. The advantage of removing the
house sewage from the vicinity of the dwellings on the
day of its production; and the fact which had been
established in certain English cities, that the waste
water from domestic use was sufficient for such pur-
pose, providing the sectional area of the sewers was
small enough to concentrate the volume of water, led
at once to the adoption of the small sewers and the
DEPARTMENT OF CITY WORKS.
693
water-carriage system. But it was necessary that the
sewers should also carry the surface drainage, for the
(jity was not prepared to go to the expense of an extra
system for storm water, so they had to be enlarged for
this purpose. The record of the rainfall had been kept
in several places in the vicinity of the city for many
years, hut in very few cases had the volume and
duration of individual storms been taken. In no case
, did these observations show a rainfall of one inch in an
hour. The annual rainfall was of little value in deter-
mining the size of the sewers. The heavy storms of
short duration were to be considered, and although it
was supposed that, at long intervals, rainfalls of short
duration, at the rate of two or more inches an hour, did
occur, the great expense of constructing sewers of sufS-
cient capacity to carry off such rainfall was not consid-
ered advisable; besides, it was believed such an increase
in size would materially interfere with their usefulness
under the conditions of the ordinary flow of sewage.
It was, therefore, decided to make the sewers suffi-
ciently large to carry off a rainfall of one inch per
hour. Accordingly, the dimensions have been calcula-
ted and the sewers built to do this amount of work,
for which experience has proved they have ample ca-
pacity. With the introduction of self-registering rain
guages, giving the volume and duration of storms, it
has been found that rainfalls of short duration, at the
rate of two inches, or even three or four inches per
hour, are not so infrequent as had been formerly sup-
posed. In fact, they seem to occur every year, and some-
times more than once during the year. With such
storms in some portions of the city, and especially the
low lying sections near tide water, the sewers become
surcharged, the water backing up through the connec-
tions, flooding cellars, and sometimes forcing its way
through the manholes into the streets. There are, how-
ever, but few places where such floods occur, and to
relieve them a system of di-ains to take storm water
has been devised, and in some cases built.
In the plan proposed by Col. Adams, the main sewers
we in all cases discharged into tide water. If the
location permits, they are carried out either by wooden
trunks or iron pipe to the end of the piers, where the
current is sufiiciently strong to carry away the sewage
and prevent deposits. Nevertheless, the heavy mat-
ter must sink in the waters of the bay, and with the large
and constantly increasing population of New York,
Jji'ooklyn and neighboring cities, the immense amount of
Mily deposit must eventually seriously effect the char-
acter of the harbor. The time will probably come
TOen it will be found necessary to build intercepting
sewers, as has been done within a few years for the city
Jjondon, and discharge the sewage into the waters
of the ocean.
The elevation of the bottom of the sewers at their out-
lets has been established at about one foot above low
ifater, As the average tide is nearly five feet, at high
tide, the water of the bay has a depth in the mouth
of the larger sewers of about four feet.
Some of the larger mains, passing through the low-
lying sections of the city, to reach their points of dis-
charge, have necessarily a very small fall ; in some
cases not more than one-half or three-fourths of an
inch to the 100 feet. In these sewers the tide water
backs up for a considerable distance, and retards the
velocity of the discharge ; deposits form, and the accu-
mulations of earth and sewage matter have to be re-
moved by manual labor.
The greater portion of Brooklyn, sloping from the
hills which pass near its southern boundary, to the wa-
ters of the bay and the East river, has been not difficult
to sewer ; but other sections, bordering upon the creeks,
and filled over the salt marsh and mill-ponds, have pre-
sented problems not so easy of solution. The Red
Hook district of the city presents an instance of the
kind. There the land is made mostly by filling in the
salt marsh and mill ponds, and generally raised but a
few feet above the waters of the bay. The bottom of
the cellars is at, or below, the elevation of high ^\■ater,
and the streets have but slight inclination. The cellars
cannot be drained, and the sewers must necessarily be
laid but little below the surface of the streets, and with
such small fall as to be always in danger of stoppages
from accumulation of sewage matter.
No plan has as yet .been proposed to sewer the small
portion of the city which slopes from the hills toward
the towns of Flatbush and New Utrecht. Here either
long and expensive mains will have to be built, empty-
ing into Jamaica and Gravesend bays, or the sewage
utilized to enrich the agricultural lands of Kings county.
By the Act of April 15th, 1857, and the amendatory
Act of 1859, the method of sewering the city and pay-
ing the cost of the same was determined. As already
stated, the city was divided into separate drainage dis-
tricts or maps, each having its own main discharging
into tide water, and its system of laterals. Each of
these districts was liable only for the cost of the sew-
ers draining its own area. The amount of the expen-
ses of constructing main sewers, as in the judgment of
the Commissioners, exceeded the cost of constructing a
proper lateral sewer in the street where the main was
laid, was assessed upon all the property in the district
to be benefitted. The cost of building the lateral sew-
ers was assessed upon the property fronting on the
street where the lateral was laid. To meet the neces-
sary cost of the work, the city issued bonds, and, after
the completion of the sewers, collected the assessments.
The intent of these laws has been to equalize, as near
as possible, the cost of the construction of the sewers
on all the property in a drainage district.
The total cost of the construction of sewers by the
city (exclusive of sewers built prior to the organization
of the departments), to January 1st, 1883, aggregates
$7,136,997.27.
594
HISTORY OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
Number of Miles of Sewers completed from Jan-
uary 10, 1858, to January 1, 1883.
Size.
Miles.
Size.
Miles.
12-iiich pipe
161.16
66-inch brick
1.10
15 "
53.32
73
4.15
18 "
32.80
78
1.64
24 "
0.52
84
0.77
24-inch brick
10.73
90
0.99
30 "
13.42
94
0.19
36 "
9.79
96
0.16
42 "
3.07
103
0.69
48 " ....
5.95
108
0.34
54 "
1.07
130 "
0.03
60 "
1 91
1.91 1
Total
301.26
Bailt under Private Contract.
12-inch pipe
4.81
15 "
0.56
18 "
0.06
30-inch brick
0.04
Bail
t by Department.
0.20
Total
306 79
Number of Connections made with Sewers from
1859 TO 1883.
Yb.
No.
Ye.
No.
18.59
Con'ections ni'de
422
1872
Con'ections m'de
2,845
1860
'
1,695
1873
"
5,376
181)1
'
4,896
1874
"
3,648
1862
'
3,168
1875
"
8,786
1863
1,984
1876
'•
2,337
1864
'
1,301
1877
"
2,110
1865
'
1,519
1878
"
1,999
1866
*
3,605
1879
"'
1,908
1867
3,923
1880
*'
1,664
1868
'
3,286
1881
*'
1,872
1869
'
3,501
1882
''
2,061
1870
3,972
1871
3,861
Total
63,538
Robert Van Buren, 0. E.— The subject of this sketch is
Chief Engineer of the Department of City Works of Brook-
lyn. In the marvelous marches of material progress for
which our times have no parallels in the history of the past,
the civil engineer, or managing superintendent, somewhat
resembles the Lieutenant-General. He plans each campaign,
and marshals eaoli division, regiment and company of skill-
ed or unskilled workers, on whose labor victory or defeat
depend. His only superiors are the money kings or corpora-
tions who indicate the desired courses and results, and fur-
nish the sinews of war. Of the details and consecutive ap-
proaches by which the proposed ends are to be attained, his
employers can not furnish any suggestions. The modus ope-
randi is the science of which he must be a master. Unlike
the Military General, his successes are never the result of ac-
cident or chance.
Originating, perfecting and executive abilities are indis-
pensable. The fact that a man holds such a position in this
city is significant. It has come to be regarded as a certainty,
that no man stands at the head of a Department under the
administration of the young Corsican Mayor of Brooklyn
who has not been measured by the Napoleonic test of fitness.
The Chief Engineer, of the Department of City Works, is a
native of New York City, where he was born in 1848. His
father, Hon. John A. Van Buren, is a worthy descendant
of this old historic family. After a liberal range of prelimi-
nary study, he entered the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
of Troy, from which he graduated in 1864, with the degree of
Civil Engineer. After a few months, he accepted a position
as Mining Engineer ; and proceeded, in 1865, to the copper
regions of Lake Superior. In less than a year, he returned,
and secured employment as assistant engineer in the Brook-
lyn Water Works, where he has remained to the present
time. After successive promotions, he received, in 1877, the
appointment he now holds. Few persons know the difficult,
responsible, and arduous duties of the Chief Engineer. Be-
sides the construction and maintainance of the vast and intri-
cate system of water works and of sewers ; the repaving
and repairs of streets, the construction and maintainance of
docks, bridges and piers, are all under his supervision. There
are few engineering positions that include so much detail
and so many branches of work. To the demands of all these
diversified and exacting duties he has been found prompt
and competent. His success in securing, at different times,
additional water supply has been marked. During the year
1881, the city received from two immense wells, 50 feet in
diameter, 5,000,000 gallons daily. In 1888, he estabhshed a
system of di-iven-wells under contract with Messrs. Andrews
& Co., from which 8,000,000 gallons daily are realized.
This last plan was a new resort for water that no other
city ever attempted; a bold experiment, the large success of
which has brought Mr. Van Buren's engineering resources
largely into public notice. He has also completed import-
ant plans for an extension of the Brooklyn water works, that
will cost between three and four million of dollars. His
work upon the sewerage has been signally important and
successful. The system of intercepting sewers, for the pur-
pose of relieving surcharged sewers during heavy storms,
has been perfected under his directions, including enlarged
plans, to complete which will cost, probably, $1,500,000. Mr.
Van Buren served under James P. Kirkwood, Moses Lane,
and Col. Julius W. Adams, receiving the confidence of all
these distinguished engineers. During all these years he has
given himself wholly to his official duties, refusing to as-
sociate himself with any other engineering work, content
that Brooklyn should receive the entire powers of his body
and brain. By this devotion, Mr. Van Buren has won a re-
putation for honor, ability and integrity, forming a character
against which no word of reproach or question has ever been
raised. Ripe in experience and wise in action, he is yet, in
years and in buoyant spirits, comparatively a young man,
with the best years of life still before him. If constant over-
work does not destroy his physical and mental endurance,
the public may expect greater benefits from his labors in
the future than in the past.
DEPARTMENT 01 PABKS.
595
THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS
BY THE EDITOR.
Sanctioned by John Y. Culyer, Chief Engineer of the Department.
Few cities in the Union were more highly favored
by nature, with superior sites and advantages for
the creation of fine public parks and squares, than
Brooklyn. When_ it was merely a suburban vil-
lage, its cedar-crowned and wave-kissed Clover Hill,
the "Iphetonga" of the aborigines, and the "Heights"
of the present day, was the favored resorts of the
beaux and belles ; while its magnificent capabilities,
as a public promenade, had attracted the attention
of Brooklyn's far-sighted citizens. Its owners liber-
ally offered to dedicate a promenade, one hundred
and fifty feet wide, on the edge of the hill, for a noble
public walk ; the trustees of the village approved the
project, and the chairman of the Street Committee,
Mr. H. B. Pierrepont, in 1825, caused a plan and map
to be made by Mr. Silas Ludlam, of the proposed im-
provement. The opposition of one (otherwise excel-
lent) man, through whose small premises the promenade
would have passed, caused the defeat of this beneficent
enterprise, and left Mr. Pierrepont to pay the expenses
incurred, and to lay away the map in hope that the pro-
ject would be carried out at a later day. In 1834, the
village of Brooklyn, which was then bounded by Dis-
trict (now Atlantic) street, was incorporated as a city,
and its limits extended to the bounds of Williamsburg,
Flatbush and New Utrecht. A commission having
been authorized by the legislature, on the 23rd of April,
1835, the governor appointed three commissioners, with
large discretionary powers, "to lay out streets, avenues
and squares in the city of Brooklyn," who designated
on their map the avenues and streets, which a Citizens'
Committee had proposed, including the plot for Green-
wood Cemetry, and stopped all streets at its boundary,
except Hammond avenue, which crossed it diagonally
in the direction of New Utrecht.
After the cemetery was. opened, this avenue was
closed by act of legislature. The other diagonal
avenue, suggested in the citizens' plan, extending from
the corner of Fulton and Sands street, to Bedford, was
not adopted by the Commissioners. They designated
in their plan eleven squares, as follows : City park,
Washington park, Johnson square, Lafayette green,
Bedford green, Marcy square. Prospect square, Beicl
square, Tompkins square, Fulton sqiiare and Mount
Prospect square ; of these but three are now in exist-
ence. The Commissioners' map was filed in the County
Clerk's office, January 1st, 1839.
Washington Park,as originally locatedby the com-
missioners, lay between Atlantic street, Flatbush
avenue, Raymond street, Fulton avenue, and Canton
street, but by act of the legislature, passed April 25th,
1845, this site reverted to its original owners, and the
name was given to a park, to be laid out on Fort
Green, between Canton and Cumberland streets, and
Myrtle and De Kalb avenues. This commanding and
attractive locality, was consecrated by the thrilling
scenes of the Revolution, and at a later period (1812),
by the patriotic labors of Columbia's sons and daugh-
ters (for women assisted in throwing up the fortifica-
tions), when threatened by foreign invasion, but it
was barely saved from the leveling pick and shovel.
Difiiculties had arisen in reference to fixing the district
to be assessed for the proposed improvement, and con-
flicting interests had well nigh defeated it entirely, but
the legislature listened favorably to the petition of five
thousand tax paying citizens of Brooklyn, and passed
a law April 27th, 1847, authorizing the Common Coun-
cil to acquire title to the ground, and fence " Washing-
ton park, on Fort Greene, in the city of Brooklyn."
From that period, the work of improvement progressed,
and at a cost of less than 1200,000, the park was made
one of the most central, delightful and healthful places
for recreation, of which any city can boast. Brooklyn
is indebted to the following gentlemen for this beau-
tiful park, viz. : Hon. Henry C. Murphy, Seth Low, Esq.,
John Greenwood, Esq., A. G. Hammond, William Rock-
well, N. B. Morse, Henry E. Pierrepont, J. C. Taylor,
Jonathan Trotter, S. E. Johnson and C. R. Smith.
In 1868, it, with the other parks, was placed under
the control and management of the Prospect Park
Commissioners. It now covers thirty acres ; a large
plaza between Myrtle avenue and Canton street is paved
with concrete ; beyond this, rise three grassy terraces
to the summit of the hill, with two broad flights of
stone steps leading up the slope. On the second ter-
race, between these steps, is the vault which contains
the remains of the prison ship martyrs. The level
pleateau on the high ground is laid out in greensward,
with broad walks, and a covered trellis, while the east-
ern slope is devoted to the childrens' play grounds,
and grass plots with trees and shrubs. The entire park
is surrounded by a heavy rubble masonry wall, with
granite coping, and its area is thirty and one-sixth
acres.
596
EISTOJRT OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
The City Park, an area of seven acres, in the
Seventh Ward (bounded by Park and Flushing ave-
nues, and Navy and Park streets), cost, inclusive of
fencing, grading, etc., about $65,000, and possesses no
extraordinary beauty, either natural or artistic, to dis-
tinguish it from other similar public squares. This
is remembered by many of the older residents of Brook-
lyn as a great spread of two hundred or three hundred
acres of black mud ooze, water and strong smelling
creeks, where school boys were wont to fish for hilly-
fish, with bent pins and pieces of twine. It has always
been a desolate, unattractive spot, and its repute as a
resort of abandoned characters, etc., was, a few years
since, still more darkened by the Otero murder. By
legislative enactment of May 9, 1868, it was placed un-
der the control of the Commissioners of Prospect Park,
who pronounced it unsuitable for a public park; and, in
view of its capacious and convenient sewerage, its near-
ness to the East River, and its consequent easy commu-
nication with all parts of the surrounding country, rec-
ommended that its site be used for that great desidera-
tum of Brooklyn, a public market.
Considerable sums of money have been expended by
the Commissioners in grading and surfacing, resoiling
and seeding, repairing walks, replacing old and dead
trees with young, thrifty stock, and maintaining the
enclosing fence ; but, beyond affording convenience as
a thoroughfare, to and fro, for the workmen of the
vicinity, its best use is limited to providing for the chil-
dren of the neighboring schools an ample play-ground.
Parks on Columbia Heights. — After the fore-
ground of Brooklyn Heights had been covered by
dwellings, leaving, as open spaces for air and the view
of the Bay, and the city of New York, only the open-
ings opposite the streets, the public, who had long en-
joyed it, feared that the owners of the dwellings ad-
joining would build upon these spaces, as they had the
right to do, and petitioned the Legislature to lay out
as parks the openings opposite Clark, Pineapple, Cran-
berry and Middagh streets, the cost to be assessed on
the city.
These four little parks were accordingly laid out and
put in charge of commissioners, with authority to fence
them and lease them to such adjoining owners who
would improve them at their own expense. The city
was to raise annually |500 to enable the Commission-
ers to improve and maintain these parks, but has never
done so. They have been maintained by rents received
for some buildings on Furman street on the property.
The private owner adjoining Pineapple street built
up stores to support the hill, and improved that park at
large expense, under a long lease from the Commission-
ers. The stores, at the end of the lease, are to become
the property of the city.
The opening at the foot of Pierrepont street was de-
clined to be included, as the private owner had improved
it and left it open, giving the public an unobstructed
view, so that the cost of its purchase for that purpose
was unnecessary.
The surface of these parks was below the grade of
Columbia Heights, and high warehouses on the west
side of Furman street cut off all view. As their occu-
pation by the public would destroy the grass, plants
and flowers which embellish them, and such occupation
would be a nuisance to the neighborhood, the Com-
missioners were authorized to fence them in and ex-
clude the public.
Carroll Park is the small public square, containing
one and four-fifths acres, bounded by Court, Carroll,
Smith and President streets, which the .Park Commis-
sioners, in 1867, laid out tastefully in lawn and concrete
walks, and planted with trees and shrubs ; its drainage
was entirely revised, and a play-ground appropriated
to the children's use.
Tompkins Park occupies the two blocks between
Greene, Lafayette, Tompkins and Marcy avenues, with
an area of seven and three-quarters acres. Though
laid out in 1839, it was not improved until 1870. The
surface, originally below the surrounding streets, was
raised to grade and devoted to lawn and walks, and
ornamented with trees and shrubbery, although the
grounds are too small to admit of extended treatment.
City Hall Park. — The plot of one and a half acres
between Fulton, Court and Joralemon streets, where
the City Hall stands, was a part of the old Remsen
estate, and purchased by the city in 1837. For many
years it was surrounded by a fence, turfed and planted
with trees ; but, under the directions of the Common
Council, these were all removed and the entire surface
fiagged.
Of the eleven public squares and greens projected on
the Commissioners' map of 1839, only three (Washing-
ton Park, City Park and Tompkins Park) now exist.
But, with improved public taste, which years have
brought, a new era has dawned upon the city in regard
to its parks and places of public recreation. The success
of New York's Central Park suggested a similar under-
taking to Brooklyn; and, the matter being earnestly
agitated by several of our foremost citizens, the first
step was taken, April 18, 1859, by the passage of an
act by the Legislature, appointing Messrs. John Green-
wood, J. Carson Brevoort, William Wall, James Hum-
phrey, John A. Cross, Nathaniel Burgs, Abraham
J. Berry, Samuel S. Powell, Thomas H. Rodman,
Nathan B. Morse, Thomas G. Talmadge, Jesse C.
Smith, Daniel Maujery William H. Peck, and Luther
B. Wyman, as Commissioners to select ground suitable
for the purpose of a great public park and parade
ground. The Commissioners, ten months after the pas-
sage of the act, reported a plan for eight considerable
public grounds. Three of these were to be of large
size, and were intended for the benefit, respectively,
of the Eastern, Central, and Southern Districts of the
city, while five others, more nearly of the class of Fort
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS.
597
Greene, were designed for still more limited local re-
sort. Of the larger grounds, one was to be connected
with each of the great city reservoirs ; the third was to
be at Bay Ridge. Although the city acquired some
of the land, the " eight park scheme " soon came to be
considered unwieldy and impracticable, and was aban-
doned. The Legislature, April IV, 1860, passed an
" Act to lay out a public park and a parade ground for
the city of Brooklyn, and to alter the Commissioner's
map of the said city." This act provided for the lay-
ing out of Prospect Park, at the expense of the first
twelve wards of the city ; the project for a park in
the Eastern District not being pressed. The parade
ground was located at East New York. The Board of
Commissioners appointed were Messrs. J. S. T. Strana-
han (from the outset the leading advocate, and most
earnest, for this improvement), Thomas H. Rodman, .
E. W. Fiske, R. H. Thompson, Thomas G. Talmadge),
Stephen Haynes, and Cornelius J. Sprague. On the
passage of this law the Common Council of the city
passed a resolution endorsing the action of the Legisla-
ture as being in accordance with the generally expressed
wishes of the citizens, and the Commissioners promptly
entered upon their duties, selecting Mr. Egbert L. Viele
as chief engineer of the proposed work.
Prospect Park. — Its site, as originally laid down in
1860, embraced all the land between Ninth avenue,
Douglass street, Washington avenue and the Coney
Island road. By the acts of 1861, '65, '66 and '68, its
outlines were changed and its bounds enlarged, on the
south and west, to their present location. In 1861,
four new Commissioners, Messrs. Thomas McElrath,
Joseph A. Perry, Abraham B. JBaylis and Conhlin
Brush, were added to the seven previously appointed;
whUe, in 1864, the number was again supplemented by
appointment of Walter S. Griffith, Seymour L. JBusted
and Tunis A. Bergen. From 1861 to 1865, during
the war, little was done by the Commissioners beyond
perfecting the city's title to the land required. In the
latter year, a general plan was adopted for laying out
and improving the grounds, according to the designs
of Messrs. Olmstead & Vaux, which has since been ad-
hered to, with slight modifications. The park now
comprises the extensive tract bounded by Ninth, Flat-
bush, Ocean and Franklin avenues, Coney Island road
and Fifteenth street, which contains about 550 acres of
land. The proposed parade ground at East New York
was abandoned for a tract of forty acres adjoining the
park on the south, and admirably adapted for military
displays. In regard to the boundaries of the park, Mr.
James S. T. Stranahan, President of the Commission,
"The boundaries established by the Legislature differ from
those recommended by the Commission of 1859; it was in
part owing to my advice that the change was made, and I
advocated it because we could and did obtain, at the same
expense, more than twice as much land in Flatbush as the
Commission had proposed to take in South Brooklyn, where
the lots were more valuable. An area of 228 acres was taken
from the town of Flatbush at a cost of $543,000; the upper
portion, taken from Brooklyn, contains 350 acres and cost
$2,710,000. That is to say, for each dollar spent the city has
obtained between three and four times as much land on the
Flatbush side as on the Brooklyn side. It was, therefore,
true economy to elongate and narrow the park toward the
city, and to spread it out on the cheaper land on the Flatbush
side. Then, of the 128 acres on the east side of Flatbush
avenue, we propose to reserve the Reservoir, with lands ad-
jacent, and about 28 acres for public use, and to seU the re-
mainder for strictly first-class dwelling houses. Under an
act of the Legislature of 1865, the city obtained the fee of
these lands by paying the residuary interests of the owners,
as valued by Commissioners of the Supreme Court."
Prospect hill is the finest site that could have been
chosen for a public park. It is a portion of the ele-
vated range selected by General Washington, in 1776,
for the erection of earthworks to defend New York
against the attacks of the British ; from its height is
obtained a commanding view of Brooklyn and New
York, the Jersey shore, the upper and lower bay. Long
Island and the Atlantic stretching away ia the dis-
tance. A succession of beautiful wooded hills and
broad, green meadows, interspersed with natural ponds
of water, offer the greatest facilities to the landscape
architect, and, in fact, require small aid from art.
In addition to the park's interesting topographical
features, the grounds are consecrated by historic asso-
ciations. In the very heart of the park there is a quiet
dell that was once the scene of a desperate and bloody
conflict, and of the display of valor by the American
army during the struggle for independence. Four
hundred men of the Maryland and Delaware battal-
ions, under General Sullivan, forming the center of the
little army which had been stationed on the heights to
prevent the passage of the British upon New York,
defended this pass, under a galling fire of artillery,
from sunrise till 12 o'clock on the memorable 27th
of August, 1776, when they were surrounded and at-
tacked in the rear and forced to retire. The little blufi:
on the east, commanding the Flatbush and old Post
roads at their junction in the Valley Grove, was the
site of a small two-gun battery which enfiladed the
former road, up which the Hessians marched to assault
Sullivan's lines on that day.
A few rods in front of this battery, and almost in
the center of the Flatbush road, stood the Dongan oak,
a famous landmark, which was felled that morning to
obstruct the passage of the enemy between the hills.
The battle-pass, with the site of the redoubt, are pre-
served and marked for the veneration of future genera-
tions.
Under the judicious management of the Commission,
the park has developed resources of beauty and enjoy-
ment which minister to the wants and pleasures of the
citizens of Brooklyn and vicinity. The entrances to
the park are placed at such points as to best accommo-
598
nisTOR y
OF KINGS \^C0 UNTT.
date every section of the city, the principal one being
at the corner of Vanderbilt and Flatbush avenues, and
known as the Grand Plaza, in the center of which is a
handsome fountain and a colossal bronze statue of
Abraham Lincoln, executed by H. K. Brown, and pre-
sented to the city by the War Fund Committee of
Kings County. From the entrance, the carriage road
to the right leads to the place formerly well known as
the Hicks Post tavern, and passes through the woods,
with the " Long Meadow " on the left, to the "lake dis-
trict" on the Flatbush side.
Here is a chain of three lakes, a mile in length, the
largest of which covers an area of more than fifty acres.
Midway, between the lake region and the " Long Mea-
dow," is a series of hills of various sizes, adorned by
terraces and arcades, with drives and walks leading to
the plateau at the summit. On the Fatbush avenue
side is the "Deer Paddock," and just beyond, the
" Battle Pass." These are the main features of the
plan, but pages might be written of the details which
comprise every species of adornment known to modern
landscape architects, such as gardens with rare flowers
and exotics, shady dells, labyrinthine mazes and wind-
ing walks. The Commissioners have treated the park
in a broad and judicious manner, with large meadows,
stretches of woodland and water, concealing art in the
improved natural appearance. The beautiful turf and
wooded areas, as well as the walks and roadways, have
been thrown open to the public, with the least restric-
tion. The people at large make the freest use of the
grounds, and the lovers of boating, base-ball, cricket,
lacrosse, croquet, archery or skating, throng the park
on all occasions, when the weather is propitious for
these respective pleasures. Excellent music is also
.provided every Saturday afternoon during the Summer.
The Park Commissioners were selected from all parts
of the city, as a non-partisan board, and have dis-
charged their responsibilities gratuitously, and in such
a manner as to deserve and receive the gratitude of the
citizens of Brooklyn. Their names and years of ser-
vice are as follows :
James S. T. Stranahan, 1861-'82 ; Thomas H. Rod.
man, 1861-'2 ; Edwards W. Fiske, 1861-^'72 ; Richard
H. Thompson, 1861-'2 ; Thomas G. Talmage, 1861-'2 ;
Stephen Haynes, 1861-'79 ; Cornelius J. Sprague,
1861-'8 ; Thomas McElrath, 1862-'8 ; Conklm Brush,
1862-'7 ; Abraham B. Baylis, 1862-'82 ; Joseph A.
Perry, 1862 ; Abiel A. Low, 1865-'72 ; Seymour L.
Husted, 1865-'72 ; Tunis G. Bergen, 1865-'8 ; John H.
Prentice, 1865-'79 ; Walter S. GriiEth, 1865-'70 ;
William Marshall, 1869-'82 ; Isaac Van Anden, 1869-
'72; Darwin R. James, 1879-'82 ; Alfred S. Barnes,
1880-'2 ; Isaac S. Catlin, 1879 ; Christian C. Christien-
sent, 1880-'2 ; Stephen V. White, 1880-'2 ; Raphael C.
Stearns, 1880-'2 ; Samuel S. Powell, 1879 ; and the
following mayors, ex-officio : Hon. Martin Kalbfleisch,
Hon. Samuel 8. Powell, Hon. John W. Hunter, Hon.
Frederick H. Schroeder, Hon. James Howell and Hon.
Seth Low.
The officers of the Board have been as follows: Pres-
ident, James S. T. Stranahan, 1861-82 ; William "B.
Kendall, 1882-'4. Secretary/, Richard H. Thompson,
1861-'2 ; W. S. Griffith, 1865-'9 ; John H. Prentice^
1870-'2 ; Francis G. Quevedo, 1879-'82 ; George W.
Chauncy, 1882-'4. Chief Engineer, C. C. Martin,
1867-'70 ; John Bogart, 1871 ; John Y. Culyer, 1872-
'84. Assistant Engineer, John Bogart, 1866-70; John
Y. Culyer, 1866-'7l.
The expense of creating and maintaining the park
has been large — about nine millions; but a glance at the
work done, and the good results therefrom, will show
that the money was well used. " The park has proved
itself a vast, healthful, vitalizing force to the people of
this city, and its worth can not be estimated pecuniarily;
its uses stimulate the energies, and quicken the pulses
of thousands ; its pervasive influence elevates the moral
tone of the community, and its great mission is only
just begun.'' Its necessity is proved by the tables
which show that the number of visitors in 1879 reached
4,090,271, and this has been largely exceeded in the
subsequent years.
Hon. J. S. T. Stranahan. — The early American col-
onies, which subsequently crystallized into the United
States, never received a greater accession of strength
than from the emigration which, commencing about 1684,
from the north of Ireland, had, by the middle of the
last century, increased at the rate of twelve thousand
per year — all Protestants, and generally Presbyterians.
The New England colonies, and Pennsylvania, New
York, New Jersey, Maryland and the Carolinas espe-
cially profited by this influx. The new-comers were
the descendants of Scotchmen who were first induced
by King James I. to repeople the northern counties of
Ireland. Their numbers were largely increased by the
religious persecutions of the Stuart dynasty, and by the
rebellions of 1715 and 1745. But, by their thrift,
enterprise and success in manufactures, they attracted
the cupidity of an avaricious government, whose exac-
tions and rigorous regulations compelled them to seek
beyond the sea a freer verge for their religious and in-
d ustrial life. To these Scotch-L-ish emigrants and their
descendants, as the student of American history well
knows, the United States owe much of their glory,
wealth and enterprise. One of these emigrants was
James Stranahan (Strachan, or Strahan, derived from
the parish of Strahan, Kincardineshire, Scotland), born
1699, who, in 1725, settled at Scituate, R. L He was
a prosperous and intelligent farmer, and died at Plam-
field, Conn., in 1792, aged 93 years. James, the eldest
of his three sons, a thrifty farmer and Revolutionary
soldier, also lived and died at Plainfield, and his fifth
son, Samuel, born 1772, married Lynda Josselyn, and
became one of the first settlers ot Peterboro, Madison
^.Lzz^X^
BIOGBAPSY OF HON. J. S. T. STRANAHAJST.
599
County, N. Y. His son, James S* T. Stranahan, tte
subject of this sketch, was born at Peterboro, K Y.,
April 25, 1808. Amid the hills of central New York,
on the farm, and among his father's mills, he passed
most happily the precious season of boyhood, until that
father's death, in 1816, awoke him to the responsi-
bilities and the sterner outlook of approaching man-
hood.
His widowed mother soon married again, and, alter-
nating his winters and summers in attending school and
aiding his stepfather in the operations of farming and
Btock-raising, he passed his time until, at the age of
seyenteen, he assumed the responsibility of his own
support. Further education in the academies of the
country, to which he added the discipline of one season
of teaching, fitted him for the duties of civil engineer;
but abandoning this in a larger view of opening trade
with the Indians, he visited, in 182'7-'8, the region of
the upper lakes. But, after several interviews with
General Lewis Cass (then Governor of the Territory of
Michigan), and several journeys of exploration in the
then Western wilderness, he abandoned the project and
formed a partnership with some gentlemen of Albany
for dealing in wool. In 1832, however, Gerrit Smith,
a prominent capitalist, as well as philanthropist, who
had known him from his earliest years, induced him to
found a manufacturing village in a township owned by
him in Oneida County. To huild a town was a work
that gave full scope to Mr. Stranahan's powers, which
had as yet, however, the development of only
twenty-four years' experience. But he made it a suc-
cess, so that the town (Florence) increased from a pop-
ulation of a few hundred to that of two or three thous-
ands. From Florence he was sent to the Assembly in
1838, elected on the Whig ticket from a Democratic
county; and, though comparatively young, he was
judged a fitting compeer for men of ability, an unusual
number of whom were gathered in that Assembly,
owing to the political struggle connected with the sus-
pension of specie payments, and the agitation of the
Sub-Treasury act urged upon Congress by the then
President, Martin Van Buren. In 1840, he removed to
Newark, New Jersey, and became largely interested in
the construction of railroads. He was among the first
who, by taking stock in payment for construction, be-
came owners and hence controllers of the roads they
built. In 1848, Mr. Stranahan was elected Alderman
of Brooklyn, to which city he had removed in 1844;
was nominated, but defeated in the election for Mayor
in 1850. In' 1854, during the tremendous excitement
growing out of the repeal of the Missouri compromise,
and when the North was aflame over the anti-slavery
agitation, Mr. Stranahan was nominated for Congress;
and, although he ran in a strong Democratic district,
he was triumphantly elected after a vigorous contest.
In the House of Representatives his course was marked
liy a rigid attention to his duties, and he served his
constituents with the utmost fidelity during the stormy
period which he passed in Washington.
In 1857, when the first Metropolitan Police Commis-
sion was organized, Mr. Stranahan was appointed a
member, and was active in that board during the strug-
gle between the new force and the old New York muni-
cipal police, who revolted under the leadership of Fer-
nando Wood, then Mayor. During this time Mr.
Stranahan was an earnest Republican, although never
allowing his party animosities to influence his personal
relations. In 1864 he was made one of the Presiden-
tial electors on the Lincoln and Johnson ticket; a fitting
consummation of his previous action as a delegate from
the State of New York to the Republican National
Conventions of 1860 and 1864, in both of which he
voted for the nomination of Lincoln for the Presi-
dency.
During the war, Mr. Stranahan was President of the
War Fund Committee, an organization of over one
hundred leading men of Brooklyn, and whose gener-
ous patriotism originated, in the sessions of this organ-
ization, the Brooklyn Union, that there might be one
journal of that city in full accord with the Government.
Its purpose was to encourage enlistments, raise money
for the soldiers, and further the efforts of Government
in the prosecution of the war by every means. Mr.
Stranahan's vigorous qualities, his great executive abil-
ity and his confident view of the future were of untold
service in promoting the efficiency of the Committee, so
that it did not flag in its efforts till the country's need
ceased in the subduing of the rebellion. In the sani-
tary aid it rendered it was allied with the Woman's
Belief Association, of whidi Mrs. Stranahan was Pres-
ident, and through the combined efforts of the two or-
ganizations culminating in the great sanitary fair, four
hundred thousand dollars in money was paid into the
sanitary fund at one time. Since the war, Mr. Strana-
han, though true to the principles of the Republican
party, has not participated in politics.
For many years he has been closely identified with
many of the most important Brooklyn enterprises. His
extended services at the head of the Park Commission
have written his name imperishably upon the pages of
Brooklyn's history. Becoming President of the Com-
mission under the legislative act of 1860, he remained
in office until 1882. Under his direction, the plans for
Prospect Park were matured and carried into execu-
tion, and this magnificent city pleasure ground will ever
remain a monument to the ability and intelligence with
which he gratuitously served the community. He was
also the father of the splendid system of boulevards,
the Ocean parkway and Eastern parkway, which give
to Brooklyn a system of drives unsurpassed by any in
the world. The Concourse at Coney Island also grew
out of his instrumentality, and but for the niggardly
appropriations by the county authorities, would have
been even a greater boon to the public than it is.
600
HISTOEY OJB KINGS COUNTY.
The Brooklyn Eagle, a paper opposed to Mr. Strana-
han in politics, althougli generally just in its criticisms of
even political opponents, in commenting upon his retiring
from a service in which he had been so long engaged,
said:
" Prospect Park is pre-eminently his work. But for his
foresight and perseverance we should not now be in posses-
sion of that noble resort; or, if possessed of it, the purchase
money would have been double the amount paid under Mr.
Stranahan. Coney Island may also be pointed to as bearing
the mark of his wise activity. Before any railroad or hotel
man thought of discounting its future, the Park Commis-
sioner saw the possibilities of the place. To his mind the
natural boundary of Brooklyn on the southwestern side was
the Atlantic Ocean, and he took steps to secure to the city
the advantage of an attractive path from the beach to the
center of population. By projecting the boulevard and the
concourse, he may be said to have called the Coney Island
of to-day into existence, an existence which has already been
worth a great deal more to Brooklyn than the cost of all the
public works in which he has had a hand, and which must
go on increasing in value. The truth is, that Mr. Stranahan
is one of the very few men who have creative genius. In
the not remote future, the question will be asked by intelli-
gent writers, who were the real architects of Brooklyn ? who
were the men who lifted her out of the cow-paths of village
advance and put her on the broad track of Metropolitan im-
portance ? When that question is answered, the name named
with greatest honor will be that of James S. T. Stranahan."
Criticism that would be adverse to him, testifies un-
wittingly to his merit. Said a daily paper opposing
him : " Mr. Stranahan is the Baron Haussman of Brook-
lyn." And again, speaking of that renovator of the
old-time city: "Baron Haussman is the Stranahan of
Paris." Said Mayor Kalbfleisch, in an opposing speech :
" This increased taxation, etc., I attribute to the Park
Commission, and by the Park Commission I mean
James S. T. Stranahan, for he is the Park Commission."
The TJnion Ferry Company for more than thirty
years has had the advantage of his counsel and associa-
tion; and under his direction was developed the great
Atlantic Dock improvement, of which full mention will
be found in our Chapter on Commerce.
Mr. Stranahan has been- connected with the great
East River Bridge from the outset. He was one of the
first subscribers to the stock ; was a member of the
Board of Directors of the New York Bridge Company,
and has served continuously as a trustee since the work
came under the control of the two cities. In the Board
Mr. Stranahan has exerted a deep and far-reaching in-
fluence. He has served continuously as a member of
the Executive Committee, and upon nearly all the im-
portant special committees appointed during the con-
struction. His audacity and originality often led him
to inaugurate many progressive movements. By those
familiar with Bridge affairs, he is accredited with the
responsibility for the change made in the plans for the
superstructure, by which the four middle trusses in the
main span were raised so as to permit the passage
across the railway of a Pullman car of the ordinary
height. This change, which involved an additional
weight of about 200 tons, excited much adverse criti-
cism at the time, but future experience will, no doubt
justify the wisdom of the step taken.
Next, perhaps, to Mr. Stranahan's foresight, his
most remarkable quality is his patient waiting
for results, after once adopting his best judg-
ment. He understands and is patient with the
views of those of less experience, knowing that further
opportunities of observation on their part will en-
lighten them as to the truth. His management of the
Park employees, during the twenty-two years of his
control of the Department, was a practical exemplifica-
tion of the civil service reform.
In their ignorance of his methods in this matter, the
public sadly misjudged him, and clamored for changes,
whereas actual knowledge would have led them to ap-
prove his course. The practical proof that he carried
out in these affairs the principles of civil service reform,
is the fact that at the time th^t he left the Park Com-
mission, the foreman and clerks had been in the De-
partment for the whole of Mr. Stranahan's term, and
even the laborers averaged five years' service each. In
his private business, also (the Atlantic Docks), the
terms of service of his employees range from ten to
thirty years. Quoting the Brooklyn Eagle :
" Like all other men who are active in the community in
which they live, and who do more than their share toward
developing and enlarging its material interests, Mr. Strana-
han has always challenged the enmity and opposition of a
class of men who do their share of the world's work by con-
tributing to its inertia; by retarding a progress which might
otherwise be dangerous."
A perception of the course of progress, as well as his
public spirit, always leads him to acquiesce in it, even
when in opposition to his own interests. Although one
of the most active of the promoters of the Brooklyn
Bridge, its completion was directly opposed to his in-
terests as an owner in the ferries and proprietor of the
Atlantic Docks. Yet he never faltered in his earnest
support of this measure, so necessary to the prosperity
of the city. Mr. Stranahan has never abused the con-
fidence placed in him in any of the numerous trusts he
has enjoyed, nor has his integrity ever for a moment
been questioned. Whatever complaints have been
made apply to his judgment, and in no degree to his
good faith. No better instance could be given of his
uprightness in the management of public funds, of his
incisive methods of business, or of his anxiety to pro-
tect the interests confided to him, than his action in
turning over the affairs of the Park Commission to his
successors in the Board. Said the Eagle :
"With the displacement of Mr. Stranahan and his associ-
ates, and the incoming of the new Board of Park Commis-
sioners, expert accountants were employed by the city to
examine the books and vouchers of the Park Department,
running over a period of two and twenty years. The ac-
BIOGRAPHY OF HOW. J. S. T. STRANAHAN.
601
countants found that' nearly eight millions and a half of dol-
lars had been expended by the Park Commission, and that
the books failed to balance, there being an apparent dis-
crepancy of $10,604. The Controller notified Mr. Stranahan
on the 12th inst. of the result of the labors of the expert ac-
countants. On the same day, and on the mere statement of the
facts, Mr. Stranahan drew his individual check for the full
amount of the apparent deficit, and balanced the books.
The letter accompanying the check is characteristic. In it
no attempt is made to place the blame on anybody, to evade
responsibility, or to divide it with others. Mr. Stranahan
was i/ie Park Commission, and he accepts the same responsi-
bility for the conducb of his Department as if, in its direc-
tion, nobody except himself ever had any part. How the
deficit was brought about is not known. That it runs
through many years seems certain. No attempt was made
to carry it over by false book-keeping from year to year, and
no effort was made to cover it up. That there has been an
actual loss to the city is not even clear. The books, the ac-
countants say, were carelessly kept. That this is so is made
apparent by the fact that fourteen checks are found to have
been drawn by the Department, which have never been
presented for payment. These checks enter into the deficit,
and their payment is provided for in the money paid over by
Mr. Stranahan. If these checks be deducted, the actual de-
ficit is but little in excess of eight thousand dollars."
Mr. Stranahan has, in daily life, a genial appreciation
of others, a sympathetic manner, and a keen sense of
humor. He has a wit, based in his clear picturing of
thought, which enables him easily to shift some feature
of it and turn the whole into comedy ; or, when not
humorous, to make his conversation striking and pictur-
esque. It has been said of him by a previous writer :
" Looking at his face, you see that he is a man having
a far-reaching intellect, and viewing his work, you be-
come aware that he has not less resources of energy.
A wise legislator, a promoter of great public works, a
comprehensive man of business, a philanthropist, and a
Christian, he has in each of these stations done an able
part, which will adorn coming history, as well as the
record of his own times." In appearance, Mr. Strana-
han has the bearing of a dignified gentleman, wearing
his years with courtly grace, and showing no diminu-
tion of his wonderful intellectual powers. Personally,
he is one of the most agreeable men to be met with in
Brooklyn, and is well liked by all who come in contact
with him.
Mr. Stranahan has been twice married. His first
wife, Mariamne Fitch, was a native of Westmoreland,
Oneida county, N. Y., and was a daughter of Ebenezer
R. Fitch. They were married in 1837, and resided for
three years at Florence, in the above county, when they
removed to Newark, N. J., where their two children
were born ; and, in 1845, came to Brooklyn. She was
a most excellent wife and mother, and a conscientious
Christian woman, and was admirably fitted to adorn
the high social position which she filled. Active in
every good work, and of rare executive ability, she was
unanimously chosen to preside over the " Woman's
Relief Association," organized in Brooklyn in 1862, as
an auxiliary to the United States Sanitary Commission.
Her exertions in the organization and conduct of the
great Brooklyn Fair (which raised half a million dol-
lars for the benefit of the Union soldiers) were so assid-
uous that her health became undermined, and, though
she lived some three years afterward, this was, no doubt,
the cause of her death, which occurred in August, 1866,
at Manchester, Vermont.
His second wife. Miss Clara C. Harrison, is a native
of Massachusetts. Before her marriage, she was well
known in the best educational circles in Brooklyn,
where, for several years, she and another lady were
associated as principals of a private seminary for the
higher education of young ladies, which numbered in
its catalogue two hundred pupils and fourteen teachers
and professors of the various departments. She
is a lady of marked literary ability and attainment, her
education having had the directing influence of both
those great educators, Mary Lyon and Emma Willard.
She was graduated from Mrs. Willard's far-famed Fe-
male Seminary at Troy; the school where mathematics,
as high as mathematical astronomy, and trigonometry,
as the introduction thereto, were pursued by young
ladies, and where Mrs. Willard maintained, in the face
of much opposition, the study, on the part of her gradu-
ates, of the five volumes of Dugald Stuart's Mental
Philosophy. She also took an active part in the great
Sanitary Fair as a member of both the Committee on
Art and the Committee on the Post Oflice and Drum
Seat, a paper issued daily during the continuance of
the Fair, and of which Dr. Storrs was editor-in-chief.
From the Post Office many hundred letters were dis-
pensed of greatly varied character. A volume of
autograph letters, chiefly from statesmen conspicuous
at the time, collected and bound by her agency,
brought some hundreds of dollars into the treasury of
the Fair. Since her marriage, she has thrown her
influence into the charities of the city, and has been
for ten years president of the Kings County Visiting
Committee of the State Charities Aid Society; and, for
eleven, corresponding secretary of the Society for the
Aid of Friendless Women and Children.
602
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
THE CEMETERIES OF BROOKLYN,
BY THE EDITOR.
NORTHBKN ENTRANCE ^TO GREENWOOD (FIIOM WITHIN).
Greenwood Cemetery. — In 1831, Mount Auburn
Cemetery, near Boston, was established; and, probably,
its success inspired the idea of a similar enterprise for
New York and Brooklyn.
The bills of mortality showed an annual interment
of nearly ten thousand; with the prospect that, in fifty
years, the aggregate would amount to millions. New
York presented no eligible spot for a cemetery, and at-
tention was turned to the large unoccupied tracts near
Gowanus bay. These wooded heights attracted the
attention of Mr. Henry E. Pierrepont as a favorable
site, as early as 1832, in which year he visited Mount
Auburn; and his favorable impression was strengthened
by his visits to the most celebrated European ceme-
teries during the following years.
» Although cemeteries do not properly form a department of the
municipal government, they are for convenience, and, by a certain
law of association, presented here in connection with parks. — Editor.
The matter was first presented to the public in the
autumn of 1835, by Major David B. Douglass, in a
public lecture, at the suggestion of Mr. Pierrepont. In
1837, steps were taken toward the establishment of a
cemetery. The commercial and financial disasters of
that year, and the change that had come over the pros-
pects of dealers in real estate, favored the project; and
large owners of real estate, who had become interested
in the cemetery, were found willing to negotiate. In-
formal preliminary steps were taken by Mr. Pierre-
pont and by Major Douglass, and a petition to the
Legislature, in the winter of 1838, was followed by an
act of incorporation, passed on the 18th of April, m
that year. It created a joint stock corporation, under
the name of The Greenwood Cemetery, with a capital
of $300,000, and the right to hold two hundred acres
of land. The gentlemen named in this act were Sam-
uel Ward, John P. Stagg, Charles King, David B.
THE CEMETERIES OF BROOKLYN.
603
ENTRANCE TO GREENWOOD CEMETERY, 18i5.
QABDENBR'd LODGE (BATTLE HILL), GREENWOOD CEMETERy.
604
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Douglass, Russell Stebbins, Joseph A. Perry, Henry E.
Pierrepont and Pliny Freeman. The ground finally
selected by Messrs. Pierrepont and Douglass, with the
approval of their associates, comprised one hundred
and seventy-eight acres, situated a little back of Gow-
anus bay, and extending, as marked on the city map,
from Twenty -first street to Thirty-fourth street, and
from Pifth avenue to the Brooklyn city line. The
owners of this property, valued at $134,675.50, agreed
to receive their pay in cemetery bonds. The land thus
purchased had belonged for several generations to the
Bennet, Bergen, Wyckoff and Schermerhorn families,
and had stood in their names from the first settlement
of the country by their Dutch progenitors. The pur-
chase was not effected without considerable difficulty;
for, while most of the owners were found willing to
enter into some reasonable arrangement, there were
others among the old Dutch farmers of Gowanus who
could neither understand, or be made to understand,
why Mr. Pierrepont and his associates should need two
hundred acres for a graveyard. An acre or two, at
the most, had been the extent of all burial places which
they had ever seen; and, wheiTthey found these gentle-
men anxious to secure the collect, or pond, which now
forms the beautiful Sylvan Water, they seriously sus-
pected them of having discovered the whereabouts of
hidden treasure.
The Common Council of the city recognized and con-
firmed the powers and privileges conferred on the as-
sociation, and, by proper action, secured it against in-
vasion and disturbance by stopping all streets at its
boundary.
The subscription books were opened on November
3d, 1838; the first meeting of the stockholders was held
on the 24th of the same month, and the Board of Di-
rectors, appointed thereat, held its first regular meeting
on the 15th of December.
On the 11th of April, 1839, the charter was amended
so as to convert the cemetery from a joint stock com-
pany to a public institution, unconnected with any pur-
poses of profit or gain to any individual whatever. Its
"whole surplus income is forever to be devoted to the
embellishment and preservation of the cemetery.
The professional work of surveying and laying out
the ground was begun in the winter of 1838; that
of construction dates from May, 1839. In October of
this year lots were first advertised for sale.
On the 5th of September, 1840, John Hanna was
buried near the base of Ocean Hill, being the first per-
son interred in Greenwood Cemetery.
Many embarrassments were experienced during the
year 1841, and fears were even entertained of the ex-
tinction of the institution ; but, in 1842, Mr. Joseph A.
Perry accepted the management, and, thereafter aban-
doning his private business, devoted the rest of his
life to the establishment and completion of this most
beautiful cemetery. Mr. Perry died 26th August,
1881. The Trustees of Greenwood, in acknowledg-
ment of his services and taste in the management and
success of the cemetery, erected a memorial monument
to his memory near the Northern entrance gate. All
impediments were finally surmounted, and the grounds
opened for interments; and, at the close of the year,
twenty tombs had been constructed, and there had
been, including removals, one hundred and sixty-two
interments.
One hundred and seventy-five acres were enclosed;
but it soon became evident that the two hundred acres
originally intended would be insufficient for the grow-
ing wants of two large cities. Measures were taken to
improve and beautify the ground; and, in 1847, another
tract of about sixty-five acres, on the southwestern side
of the cemetery, and reaching from the Fifth avenue to
the Brooklyn city line, was purchased from the heirs of
Garret Bergen. In 1852, Greenwood was extended
into the town of Flatbush, by the annexation of eighty-
five acres of the fine forest ground to the eastern side;
and in 1859, a piece of land, which cut into the south-east-
ern angle of the grounds, and which contained about twen-
ty-three acres, was brought into the cemetery, by which
addition, its outline in that part is made square and com-
plete. In addition to these larger accessions, many
small parcels of ground, deemed essential to the con-
venience and symmetry of Greenwood, have been pur-
chased from time to time, until the cemetery now em-
braces four hundred and fifty acres of available ground,
lying in one compact body, and having a well-defined,
and, for the most part, regular boundary. The entire
cost of this land, exclusive of interest and assessments
on property without the cemetery, and cost of opening
and grading the Fifth avenue, has been $281,684.82,
being $682.04 the acre.
Much labor and expense were required to redeem
these grounds from a state of nature to the uses of af-
fection and taste. To this labor the Trustees addressed
themselves with an energy and discretion most admira-
ble, and a taste most faultless.
A receiving tomb was also constructed, in 1 853, as a
place of temporary reception for bodies, and particular
attention was directed to the improvement of several
little ponds or lakes, with which the cemetery was
dotted. They were cleared out and deepened, their,
borders graded, shaped, covered with verdure, and ap-
propriately shaded. And when it was found that they
were liable to changes which marred their beauty, or
even made them offensive, such as being rendered tur-
bid by heavy rains, or dried up by summer heats, the
trustees wisely determined to construct an artificial
current, worked by steam pump force, by which the
hitherto stagnant waters became a healthy circulating
stream, furnishing a sure supply for all the ponds
within the grounds.
An indexed register of interments was commenced
in September, 1840, forming a vast catalogue of names,
^^-q. ^-^^yJLHfi'SCJ^L-
C^ CX/.jL
THE CEMETERIES OF BROOKLYN,
605
WESTERN ENTRANCE TO GBEEN-WOOD CEMETERY.
/>.i <,',;>
^m \'
Ki^
\
|4JlV^y'rv FVy^ .^, ''if'Tt%
MONUMENT TO MISS CHARLOTTE CANDA (GEBEN-WOOD CEMETERY).
606
SISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
any one of which can be found almost instantly, and
the place of burial shown at once, a matter of great
convenience when the immense number of interments
is considered.
The clearing up, and subsequent grading of the
grounds ; the construction of roads and paths, the labor
on ponds and water works, excavation for tombs, and
the digging of graves, the culture, manuring and sod-
ding of large tracts, the frequent mowing and raking
of more than three hundred acres of grass, and the con-
stant care and toil required to keep so large a domain
in complete order and repair, forms an immense aggre-
gate of labor and expense.
The numerous, tasteful, and splendid monuments of
this cemetery, its wealth of memorial marble and exquis-
ite sculpture, cannot be described within the scope of
this volume.
Thus briefly have we endeavored to trace the history
of this noble enterprise, whose name and whose fame is
so intimately associated with that of Brooklyn. The idea
of this cemetery originated with men only one of whom
(its President) now survives, 1883. To their wise,
able and liberal-minded supervision, the cemetery owes
no small portion of its unexampled growth and success.
Amid indifference and discouragement, by private ad-
vances of money and credit, by untiring personal exer-
tions, with diligence and devotion, skill and efiiciency,
with unremitting care and nursing, they have watched
over its gradual but harmonious development, and
" their works do praise them."
The latest statistics of the cemetery will be found on
page 520.
The history of Brooklyn would be incomplete with-
out mention of one who for more than forty years
was closely connected with its enterprise and progress.
Mb. Joseph A. Perry was the worthy descendant of
a family whose character from the first has been marked
by rare integrity and honor. Prom the records of
Woodbury, Conn., for the past two hundred years, we
find its representatives recognized leaders in every
movement for the public good. They were professional
men, and in the records of the clergymen, law-
yers and physicians of the early times, no names are
more honorably mentioned. "Among these leading
spirits was Dr. Joseph Perry, who for nearly half a cen-
tury adorned the profession of medicine. He was con-
spicuous in aiding the soldiers in the Revolutionary
struggle, and in curbing the impetuosity of the rampant
Tories in our town. He died an honored citizen, at a
good old age, leaving his son. Dr. ISTathaniel Perry, fit
representative of his father's virtues, to follow with
reverence in his footsteps in every great and good
work. Well did he bear up his father's reputation, as
the kind and skillful physician, the firm, considerate
and effective friend, the Mason's champion, the friend
of charity and all good works, and that noblest of God's
works, an honest man." (Centennial Address). It is
interesting to note how this family likeness has marked
each succeeding generation, father passing on to son
that best of all legacies, a pure character and an
honored name.
Joseph Alfred Peeet was born in Delhi, N. Y.
May 19, 1807. His father, the Rev. Joseph Perry, was a
clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church, as were
several of his ancestors, and a man of broad sympathies
and no ordinary piety. At the age of eleven Mr.
Perry left home and entered a store in New Haven
after which he went to Albany, where he was for seve-
ral years a clerk in his uncle's store. About the year
1824, he came to New York and entered the ofiice of
his uncle, J. D. Beers. The house of J. D. Beers &
Co. was then, perhaps, the largest banking establish-
ment in the city, and it was here that Mr. Perry ac-
quired those business qualities that made him so
successful in after life.
Some years later, he began business for himself, and
subsequently entered into partnership with Mr. Jacob R.
LeRoy, as brokers in Wall street. His marriage, in 1834,
with a daughter of Mr. H. B. Pierrepont, brought him
into a family connection largely identified with all the
growing interests of Brooklyn. It was about this time
that the Green- Wood Cemetery was proposed. Mr. Perry
was, from the first, one of its most interested friends and
supporters. He is spoken of in its history as " one of the
pioneers of the enterprise, and one of those men who,
amid indifference and discouragement, by private ad-
vances of money and credit, and by untiring personal
exertions, had come to the relief of the embarrassed
institution and helped to place it on a solid basis."
In 1842, a combination of circumstances occurred
which resulted in the closing of his former business rela-
tions, and his accepting a proposition from the Trustees
to assume the management of Green- Wood Cemetery.
From this time till the day of his death, Mr. Perry
gave himself to this great work with all the earnestness
and enthusiasm of his nature. Relinquishing all thought
of private business, he cheerfully devoted the forty re-
maining years of his life to making Green- Wood what
it is to-day.
We find two names given special prominence in the
History of Green- Wood Cemetery. " Henry E. Pierre-
pont, to whose suggestion the Cemetery owes its origin,
and from whom it received its first impluse, and Joseph
A. Perry, to whose judicious oversight, cultivated taste,
constant vigilance and unremitting care, it is mainly
indebted for its completed beauty."
Mr. Perry's connection with the Brooklyn Ferry Com-
pany is well known. He was one of the original incor-
porators and directors of the South Ferry, in 1835,
which was afterwards united to Fulton and other fer-
ries under the title of the Union Ferry Company.
With regard to his course in this connection, we cannot
THE CEMETERIES OF BROOKLYN.
607
do better than to give the action of the Board after his
death :
Resolved, That the Directors of the Union Ferry Company
desire to record on their minutes an expression of their pro-
found sorrow for the death of their cherished friend and as-
sociate, Joseph A. Perry, Esq., who departed this life on the
26th of August, 1881.
Mr. Perry has given his invaluable services in the manage-
ment of the ferries between New York and Brooklyn for
more than forty years, and during all that long period has
been a Director of the Union Ferry Company under its difEf r-
ent organizations. For thirty years he has been its Treasurer
and Secretary, and for the last four years one of its two Man-
aging Directors. He has been ever faithful, constant, indefat-
igable and most efficient in the performance of the various
and onerous duties which have devolved on him. He com-
bined very rare qualities, and in very rare degree. He had
great executive ability, practical good sense and excellent
judgment. The accounts and statistics of the company, of
its business and affairs, were prepared and regularly kept by
him with masterly system, fullness, skill and accuracy, and
in the various proceedings respecting the ferries which at
different times have been had before committees of the Leg-
islature and other pubUc bodies, his exhibits have been al-
ways ready, full, exact and unanswerable.
In the conduct of the great trust which has been so long
administered by this Board, Mr. Perry has been at all times
a wise, firm and upright counsellor and actor. While judi-
cious and cautious, he was also bold and straightforward,
because he was absolutely honest.
He had large intellectual culture; his personal bearing was
invariably courteous, modest, cordial and refined. He was
a warm and faithful friend, was generous in private chari-
ties, and earnest in promoting the religious and benevolent
institutions with which he was connected. The members of
this Board deplore his death and honor his memory.
It was not only in connection with these two enter-
prises of Brooklyn that Mr. Perry was known. His
active interest and strong personality made him influ-
ential, also, in the religious interests of the city. He
was at first associated with St. Ann's Church. Later,
he identified himself with the establishment of Christ
Church, South Brooklyn, of which church, while he re-
mained in Brooklyn, he was an active and liberal mem-
ber.
On his removal to Bay Ridge, in 1851, he imme-
diately took measures for the establishment of the
parish of Christ Church in that neighborhood. The
record of the thirty years of his connection is well
summed up in the following extract from the resolu-
tions of the vestry after his death:
" Identified with this church from its commencement in
1853, being the original mover in the effort for its erection, a
large contributor, and the principal person in superintending
its construction and organization, he continued his work and
labors as its Senior Warden until called away. To him, also,
is due the establishment and care of the Sunday School, be-
ing for seventeen years its Superintendent and having, of
his own bounty, erected the first building used for that pur-
pose. Untiring in his devotion to the interests of the Church,
Sunday School, Missions, both foreign and domestic; self-sacri-
ficing in matters connected with the improvement and pro-
gress of the community, he embodied in the highest degree
the character of the model citizen and true Christian."
Mr. Perry continued his active labors in all the va-
ried relations of life till within a few days of his death,
which occurred at his residence in Bay Ridge, August
26, 1881. He was buried on Lawn-Girt Hill, Green-
Wood Cemetery. A public monument has been erected
to his memory, directly in front of the Northern En-
trance, which bears the following inscription:
" The Trustees of the Green- Wood Cemetery have erected
this monument in recognition of the eminent services of Jo-
seph Alfred Perry, who, for more than forty years, and until
his death, was its faithful and efficient Comptroller. To Mr.
Perry's untiring energy, sound judgment, and personal care,
the proprietors of Green- Wood Cemetery are chiefly indebted
for the development of this sacred City of the Dead."
" Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from hence-
forth; yea, saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labors,
and their works do follow them." Rev. 14: 13.
Cypress Hills Cemetery was organized under the
law of 1847. One hundred and twenty-five acres of
land, on an elevated ridge east of Brooklyn, between
the Jamaica Plank road and Ridgewood reservoir,
partly in Kings County and partly in Queens, was pur-
chased for $25,000, and dedicated to the burial of the
dead, November 21st, 1848. The boundaries have since
been extended to include 500 acres, yet the cemetery
retains its rural and secluded characteristics unimpair-
ed. Though situated one mile east of the city line, it
is easy of access by the Jamaica turnpike. " Cypress
Hills has an historic fame. At the battle of Long Island,
it was selected as a place admirably adapted for de-
fense, and strategetical movements ; and was under
command of Gen. Woodhull. In digging up the ground
several British cannon balls were exhumed." Much of
the cemetery occupies high ground, the highest point
being two hundred and nineteen feet above tide
water. The grounds have been greatly beautified by
large expenditures, directed by refined taste. Several
churches have purchased a large number of lots for the
burial of their members. Some fourteen thousand
bodies were removed from the grave -yard at the corner
of First and Second avenues. New York. The Associ-
atior(, with praiseworthy generosity, donated a commo-
dious tract of land for the reception of the remains that
had been buried from the Forsyth, Allen, Willett,
Seventh and Second street Methodist Churches,and had
become a detriment to the living. A handsome marble
monument, erected by the five churches, appropriately
commemorates the spot. Four thousand soldiers lie
in the Soldiers^ Plot, shoulder to shoulder, as once they
stood in the ranks. A large number of veterans of the
war of 1812 are buried here. In the plot owned by the
American Dramatic Fund Association, are the graves
of Lysander Thompson, Charles D. S. Howard, George
Skeritt, and others. Francis Courtney Weymiss, the
founder of the Dramatic Fund Association, is buried in
608
SISTOBT OF KIN-GS COUNTY.
an adjoining lot. Nearly one hundred thousand per-
sons have been buried amid the pleasant scenes of
Cypress Hills.
John T. Runcie. — Among the few survivors of the earlier
citizens of Williamsburg who contributed substantially to
the development of its material interests, John T. Runcie de-
serves honorable mention. He came to Williamsburg in
1834, at the age of twenty-two years, with the spirit of enter-
prise characterising many of the youth of that day, wrought
by the hard discipline of New England life.
As a clerk to a druggist and tobacconist, he became famil-
iar with the manufacture of tobacco, in all its branches, but
more particularly in the line of segars. He started this busi-
ness in Williamsburg, and continued it for about a year ; the
chief market for segars being then found in the city of New
York, he removed his business to 07 Pearl street, in that city.
He had scarcely got his business well started, when the great
fire of 1835 occurred. Though the building was not burned,
his place was thrown open to the depredations of the mob,
who appropriated and destroyed almost his entire stock.
With business depressed, he continued in New York till the
panic of 1837, about which time he returned to Williams-
burg, and has resided here ever since. He continued in the
segar business up to 1849.
He then commenced dealing in real estate for himself, and
as a broker. In this business he continued with marked suc-
cess till 1860, realizing a reasonable competence for the rest
of his life.
In competition with the Congressional slate that deter-
mined most of the Federal appointments of that day, he was
appointed postmaster of Williamsburg in 1853, which ofBce
he had previously held in 1847, for a brief time. He con-
tinued under this last appointment to hold the ofiSce for
about a year, when President Pierce gave the naming of the
postmaster at Williamsburg to William M. Tweed, then
member of Congress, in consideration, it is said, of Tweed's
support of the Kansas and Nebraska Bill. It is alleged that
J. W. Forney, then a democrat, negotiated the bargain.
In 1859, the Grand street and Newtown Railroad charter
became a subject of public interest. During that year, Mr.
Euncie, with a few associates, applied to the Legislature for
a charter for this road, but was unsuccessful. In 1860, Mr.
Runcie, in association with Hon. Ira Buckman, renewed this
application for the charter of a horse railroad, from the East
river to the vUlage of Newtown. A competing organization,
promoted by Martin Kalbfleisch, Daniel Maujer, James M.
Waterbury and others, was brought forward at the same
time. The Common Council opposed Runcie and Buokman's
application, and granted the franchise to the New York and
Flushing Railroad Company. The Board of Aldermen were
then enjoined from carrying out their resolution. But before
a hearing was had on the injunction, the Legislative grant
of the charter to Messrs. Runcie and Buckman was carried
and the bill approved by the Governor. They then entered
on the construction of the road, and completed it in a short
time to Calvary Cemetery.
Upon the organization of the company, Mr. Runcie was
chosen its president, and continued to manage the road tiU
1868, when, in consequence of ill health, he resigned, and sold
out his interest in the road then, or shortly after.
Some ten years ago, the lease of the Grand street ferry ex-
pired, and was not renewed in consequence of a dispute be-
tween the Dock Commissioners and the Comptroller of the
City of New York, as to what fund the rent should belong
to; and hence that ferry ceased to run for over two years, to
the great injury of property in Williamsburg. In the in-
terest of the people, Mr. Runcie again tried his hand with the
Legislature. He drafted a bill to compel the Comptroller to
sell the franchise at public auction for the term of ten years.
By the aid of Hon. Charles L. Lyon, a member of Assembly
for Brooklyn, this bill became a law. The franchise was
sold, and the ferry is still run under the lease so obtained.
In 1875, Mr. Runcie was elected a trustee of Cypress HiUs
Cemetery, and shortly after became managing trustee, and
then its comptroller.
His strict order in business, at first, created some dissatis-
faction ; but in the course of experience it has come to be com-
mended by those who at first complained. He has brought
order out of confusion; and solvency and the payment of
ready cash, out of a seeming bankruptcy ; a large floating
debt has been largely reduced, and the future prosperity of
the institution has been assured.
His capacity in the management of men had been well as-
sured while he was president of the Grand street raUroad
and this prestige has not forsaken him in his present position.
Mr. Runcie is a widower, having lost his wife many years
ago. He has one son, William J. Runcie, Esq., who is set-
tled in a prosperous business in the city of Buffalo, New York.
The " Evergreens " Cemetery was incorporated
October 3d, 1849, and was opened for burial purposes
in 1851. It lies partly in the eastern portion of Kings
County and partly in Queens. Originally containing
112 acres, its area has since been increased to 270 acres.
In 1872 it passed into the control of a new company,
whose Trustees have expended over $50,000 since 1877,
in grading and improving the grounds, under the su-
pervision of Supt. W. T. Bullard, and O. C. Bullard
landscape architect. The natural features of the JEker-
greens have been enhanced by art, and trees and shrubs
and flowers have been planted out in profusion. From
the main entrance on Bushwick avenue the ground
rises gradually to the southeast, until it culminates in
Beacon Hill, whence is obtained a magnificent view of
the surrounding cities, country and ocean. On this
height the United States Government has erected a
monument to the sailors of every nationality who have
died in its service, while a section is reserved for their
burial places.
The cemetery contains a beautiful office of stone, and
other buildings. It has also many examples of fine
mortuary sculpture and design. Two receiving vaults
are already constructed, and numerous private vaults.
The association is strictly unsectarian, and inters those
of every nationality and belief.
The Citizens' Union Cemetery Association, or-
ganized November 8, 1851, more particularly as a burial
place for the colored people, who were at that time de-
barred from most of the other cemeteries. The Asso-
ciation secured twenty-nine and one-half acres, of which
twelve were to be devoted to burial purposes. It was
located between Butler and Sackett streets, and Roch-
ester and Ralph avenues, in the Ninth Ward. After
the opening of Prospect Park, the avenues leading to
it were laid out through the cemetery grounds, and
the land was sold for building purposes.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
609
Union Cemetery is. located between Irving and
Knickerbocker avenues, and Palmetto and Jacob streets,
near Myrtle avenue, and was opened in June, 1851.
The grounds are some ten acres in extent, and are the
property of the Grand Street First Protestant Method-
ist Church. There are no restrictions of race or religion
against burials, and the number of interments is nearly
seven thousand. The grounds are pleasantly diversified
with small elevations, and shade trees are abundant.
Cemetery of the Holy Cross, in the town of
Flatbush, is intended for the interment of those who
die in the Roman Catholic faith. It was established
in 1849, when Father McDonough, of St. James'
Church, in Jay street, purchased seventeen acres for a
burial ground, to which twenty acres have since been
added. Instead of the undulating succession of hills
and valleys, which make Greenwood so picturesque,
Flatbush Cemetery presents a surface as level as a
prairie. From the main entrance a broad carriage-
way leads to the mortuary chapel, where funeral ser-
vices are held. The chapel is surrounded by monu-
ments of the most beautiful and costly character.
Close by is the grave of Rev. Father McDonough, the
founder of the cemetery, who died in 1853 ; it is marked
by a plain marble slab. Two similar slabs cover the
last resting places of Father Schueller, of St. Paul's
Church, and Father Curran, of the church in Astoria.
(See, also. History of Flatbush, in this volume, p. 248.)
At Flatbush, also, is the Potter^s Field, connected
.with the County institutions.
Washington Cemetery, Gravesend (see also page
183), comprises 100 acres of level land, beautifully
located, about two miles from the Prospect Park, or
about half way between the said park and Coney
Island. It is regularly incorporated by law, and is
free from all incumbrance. It is governed by a board
of trustees of six members. At present more than half
of the improved portion of the Cemetery is owned by
societies, lodges, congregations and individuals. A
large majority of the interments are Hebrews, but
the Cemetery is not denominational in character or
management. Officers: Isaac Marx, President; Sam-
uel B. Hamburger, Secretary; Adolphus E. Karelsen,
Treasurer.
The Friends' Cemetery. The extension of Pros-
pect Park to the south surrounded a retired cemetery
of about 20 acres, which had been purchased, many
years before, and set apart for the use of the Society
of Friends. It occupies a beautiful location on a gentle
slope, which is thinly covered with forest trees ; but,
in accordance with the principles of the sect, no orna-
mental monuments are allowed to be erected. The act
which extended the boundaries of Prospect Park re-
served the cemetery to the use of its owners, and a
roadway leading thereto from 15 th street and 10th
THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
President of the Board of Education.
The city of Brooklyn vies with her sister city of
New York in claiming the honor of having established
the first free public schools within the limits of the
United States of America.
The Dutch colonists of Breucklyn and New Amster-
dam brought with them from the Fatherland the two
great ideas which became the mainspring and support
of the American Republic — the ideas of religious lib-
erty and free public schools. Although they were not
fugitives from their own land, but were inspired by the
genius of commerce and enterprise, the Dutch landed
a schoolmaster for a free public school on these shores,
as naturally as they unloaded their ships. Free tuition
to every child in the Dutch colonies was regarded as such
an axiom that its introduction was unheralded and long
remained unknown to the other colonies in America.
The little settlement of Breucklyn proper did not con-
tain enough homes to bear a separate school tax, until
the time of the administration of Governor Stuyvesant.
Then the sum of one hundred and fifty guilders was
levied as a school tax upon the little hamlet. The gov-
ernment deemed this amount insufficient and added
fifty guilders out of its own treasury. The names of
the earliest settlers of Breucklyn who were assessed to
establish public education are still to be found in the
archives of the city.
As though to lend additional importance in Ameri-
can annals to the Fourth of July, it was on that day,
in the year 1661, that the first schoolmaster for the
settlement of Breucklyn, as distinct from the adjacent
settlements of earlier origin, was appointed. His name
was Gael Debevoise. His salary was fixed at the
whole amount levied for school purposes, and he was
furnished with a dwelling-house.
610
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
The first school was organized in a little church edi-
fice of octagon form, which stood on the highway, not
far from the present junction of Fulton and Bridge
streets, and not more than a hundred yards from the an-
cient structure on Red Hook lane, which serves as the
hall and depot of the Board of Education.
The second public school, established within the lim-
its of the present city, was organized in the church edi-
fice at Bushwick, which stood on the same site now
occupied by its successor of the same name, near the
junction of North Second street and Bushwick lane.
This was in the year 1662, but a few months only after
the colony of Bushwick was founded, and when it
scarcely contained twenty homes.
It is an interesting, and, perhaps, to most of the peo-
ple of Brooklyn, an astonishing fact, that when, about
two centuries later, the Board of Education assumed
jurisdiction of the public schools of Bushwick, at the
time -of the consolidation of that town with the city of
Brooklyn, in the year 1855, it found the district school
still kept on the same site on which it was founded in
1662, and surrounded by the same walls of houses
which had guarded it for two centuries.
The schoolmaster of this school was Boud-^tn
Manout. He took charge on December 28th, 1662,
and received as salary four hundred guilders per an-
num, payable in Indian wampum, with house-rent and
firewood free of cost.
This primitive school, soon after the consolidation of
Brooklyn with Bushwick, under the energy and ability
of James Hall, Esq., subsequently and for many years
a useful member of the Board of Education, developed
into Public School No. 23.
The third public school was organized in Bedford
Village, at the junction of the Clove, Cripplebush and Ja-
maica lanes, in the year 1663. This afterward became
the present Public School No. 3. This school is mem-
orable for many incidents connected with the history of
Brooklyn. Here JohnVandervoort taught for sixty years.
In front of the school-house was a triangular green,
whereon the scholars of that day were allowed to play
during the recess ; while in the rear were the house and
grounds of Mr. Rem Lefferts. The mother of the late
Gen. Jeremiah Johnson, who was born in 1845, was
educated here, and often spoke of one Kabbelier as
teacher there. This old school-house is set down on
Ratzer's accurate map of Brooklyn, in l766-'67. On
the green in front, the mother of the late Nicholas
Wyckoff, Esq., of the City Bank, Williamsburg, re-
membered to have seen Hessian soldiers whipped, as a
military punishment, during the Revolutionary War.
During the whole of the British occupation of the
town, from 1776 to 1783, this neighborhood was the
scene of much martial display; the Lefferts house, on
the corner of the Jamaica turnpike and the Clove road,
being occupied as the headquarters of the English
General Gray, and a large Hessian encampment was
located on grounds now crossed by Franklin and Clas-
son avenues, and Bergen, Wyckoff, Warren, Baltic,
and Butler streets. John Vandervoort took charge of
this school about 1748 or '50, and is supposed to have
been its second teacher. His long service of sixty
years was uninterrupted, except for a while during the
Revolution, when he was imprisoned by the British.
The old school-house had two rooms, with a large
chimney between; one room being the school room
proper, the other used as a residence for the teacher ;
and, about 1775, an addition was made, some fourteen
feet square, which the- teacher was permitted to use as
a grocery store, by means of which he eked out his
slender salary. About 1783 a garden was made and
inclosed at the west end of the building. Some time
between 1810 and '15 a new school-house was erected,
Herman Kellogg being teacher; and, in 1815, Abraham
Remsen, Cornelius Van Brunt and Abraham De
Bevoise were school commissioners. The building had
also been used, from time immemorial, for Sabbath
school purposes. About the year 1830, a new building
was erected, on the north corner of Fulton and Bed-
ford avenues, by a neighborhood subscription — small,
one story, having two rooms, one for older and one for
younger scholars. This, in 1846, was enlarged, and in
1851 was leased for other purposes, being occupied for
several years as the police station of the 49th precinct.
During 1852 a building was erected on the corner of
Bedford avenue and Jefferson street, and was extended
in 1854, and again in 1859; and an additional school
building was erected in 1882.
Some time previous to the Revolution, a school had
been organized in the Gowanus District, on one of the
Bergen farms, and was chiefly supported by the family
of that name. At first the school was conducted in the
different dwelling houses. About the time of the Rev-
olution, a school-house was erected, and is mentioned
in old documents as standing, in about 1790, on the
Bergen Farm lane, near the present Third avenue and
Fortieth street. In the year 1797, the old structure, of
log-cabin style of architecture, was replaced by a frame
building. In the year 1810, the district elected trus-
tees under the State law of 1805, and thus made the
school the first one organized in Brooklyn, but it was
named Public School No. 2, under the present system
of laws. Its first trustees were Garret Bergen, Stephen
Hendrickson and Cornelius Van Brunt.
Its teacher was Michael Hogan, an Irishman, who
served for |200 per annum; and who, finally, cut his
throat in consequence of the refusal of one of his fe-
male scholars, for whom he had conceived a violent
passion, to accede to his proposals of marriage.
In 1820 the old school-house became insuflicient and
dilapidated, and a new one was erected on land leased
from Simon Bergen (for the term of twenty -five years,
at $112 per annum), near the junction of Thirty-sixth
street and Tenth avenue, and on Martense's lane, as it
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION'.
611
was called, which led from Gowanus to Flatbush along
the southern border of the present Greenwood Ceme-
tery. Upon the expiration of the lease, in 1846, the
building was sold and removed, and is now used as
a grocery store. Previous to 1842 this district com-
prised the present Eighth Ward, but in that year it
was divided, all south of Twenty-seventh street retain-
ing the designation of District No. 2, while all north of
that line became No. 10. In 1846, a building was
erected on Forty-seventh street, near Third avenue.
In the year 1875 a handsome new structure, with
every modern improvement, and capable of accommo-
dating nearly 1,500 scholars, replaced the old building.
Since the organization of this school, the Bergen
family has never been without a representative of its
name in the Board of Education. One of the family
is now President of the Board. Mr. Jacob Sand has
been in charge of this school for about thirty years.
Some time previous to the year 17 7 5, a. fourth school
was organized on the north side of the Wallabout
creek on land belonging to General Johnson, the free
use of which was given by him for twenty-one years.
A number of years after, it was removed on the land
of Mr. Garret Nostrand (intersection of Bedford and
Flushing avenues), on the same terms as those given
by General Johnson ; and there it remained until the
opening of Bedford avenue, when it was taken down
and made into a hen-coop by Mr. Nostrand, thus be-
coming a training-school for youthful feathered bipeds.
Previously to the erection of this school, in 17V5, the
children of this district were divided between the Bed-
ford and Bushwick schools. This became the present
Public School No. 4. Some of the oldest citizens re-
ceived their early education at this Wallabout school,
such as Barnet Johnson, John and Jacob Ryerson, John
and Jeremiah Spader, Peter V. and Abraham Remsen,
Charles, Tunis, Joseph, John, and Jeremiah Rapelye,
John and Cornelius Nostrand, and John Skillman.
James Roach was teacher for a few years, about 1802;
then Patrick Gannon, Alvin Fox, and M. Menomy,
taught about a year each, followed by Messrs. Whit-
tlesey, Foster, Miller, Thomas Potter, and, in 1834,
Samuel E. Barnes. The building, at this time, was a
small, one-story affair, painted red, a school-room
twenty-five feet square, heated by a Franklin wood
stove in the centre of the room, with its pipe thrust
through the roof. Its trustees were B. Johnson, Jere-
miah Y. Spader, and Charles Lott. The school had
run down, and the new teacher, Mr. Barnes, on the
first day of his charge, made a tour of the neighbor-
hood, accompanied by Messrs. Spader and Johnson,
and collected ten girls and six boys for his school.
From that small beginning, at the end of the first year
the school was full to overflowing. Among his first
scholars he numbered Jeremiah Johnson, Jr., J. V.
Spader, John Ryerson, Philip Hart, James Lott, PVank
Lott, F, O. Vandervoort, R. Boerum, and others, who
subsequently became well-known and useful citizens.
In 1838, the building occupied by No. 4, on Classon,
near Flushing avenue, was erected, and was enlarged
in 1842, and again in 1846; and a branch school-house
was added subsequently.
In all the schools mentioned above, the Dutch lan-
guage was at first the only one used. But, from about
the year 1758 to the year 1800, both the Dutch and
English languages were taught. In the Bushwick and
Gowanus schools, the use of the Dutch tongue was
continued much later, and even down to the Revolu-
tion. In the Bushwick school studies in Dutch were
not abandoned until about fifty years ago.
After the close of the Revolutionary war, the sub-
ject of public instruction was much agitated in the
pulpit and the public prints. In 1789, an Act was
passed providing for the sale and disposition of public
lands for the support in part of schools for each town-
ship, and about 40,000 acres were reserved for the
benefit of schools. At this time there was still no
public school system for the State, and Brooklyn con-
tinued the use of the schools she had herself estab-
lished. In 1795, an Act was passed "for the encourage-
ment of schools," and appropriations made from the
State Treasury. In 1805, a law was enacted "to raise
a fund for the encouragement of common schools," and
distribution directed. It was under this law that
Public School No. 2 was re-organized, and trustees ap-
pointed, as the first established public school in Brook-
lyn.
In the year 1816, the sum of $2,000 was levied upon
the property of District No. 1, then including the vil-
lage of Brooklyn, to establish a school. On May 6th,
of that year, the Public School No. 1 was duly opened
on the lower floor of Kirk's printing office, in Adams
street, near Sands. Within the limit of the village of
Brooklyn, at that time, were found 552 children who
were not in attendance upon the private schools. The
first principal of this school was Judge John Dikeman.
Mr. White was principal from September, 1834, to
October, 1869, and subsequently acted as one of the
clerks of the Board of Education, up to the time of
his death, in the year 1881. Mr. John W. Hunter,
subsequently Mayor of the city, was one of the dis-
trict trustees long before the organization of the
Board, of which, for many years, he was an honored
member.
The late Mr. E. S. Whitlock also served as member
of the' committee of this school, until his election as
President, in the year 1870, which office he continued
to fill up to the time of his death, in the year 1881.
Schools of the Town of Bushwick and Village
of Williamsburg.— [By the Editor.]— The educa-
tional advantages of Bushwick in the olden time were,
from its peculiarly isolated position and the smaller
admixture of the Yankee element in its population,
even more limited than those of Brooklyn and Flat-
612
HISTORY OF KIN-GS COUNTY.
bush. There was, indeed, the old school, at Bushwick
Corners, already referred to, and the Wallabout school;
and some of the children in the Wallabout district
availed themselves of the tuition furnished at the Bed-
ford school, in Brooklyn. But Bushwick, although
farther removed from New York city, was not altogether
overlooked by the traveling Yankee pedagogues, who
went roaming around in Dutchland, and who manifested
a wonderfully keen appreciation of the home comforts
of the quiet old Dutch farm-houses, an appreciation
which not infrequently took the shape of a permanent
attachment to the daughter of the household, and a
consequent retirement from the ranks of instructors
into the more pleasant walks of domestic life. Of such,
perhaps, was Peter Witherspoon, who "notifies the
public," through the columns of Rivingtoti's Gazette,
in 17'78, "that he intends to teach a small number of
Greek and Latin scholars, not exceeding six or eight,
at Bushwick, with due attention to education and
morals." From Gaine's newspaper, in ITTO, we learn
that an equally adventurous teacher, the "Rev. Mr.
Foley, has opened an academy at Aram, in Bushwick,
for the reception of young gentlemen, to be instructed
in Greek, Latin and the English tongue, grammatically.
Would be willing to accommodate a few young gentle-
men with board."
Coming down to a more recent period, we find that,
in 1826, Mr. David Dunham, a gentleman of foresight
and liberality, and largely interested in the advance-
ment of all the material interests of the place, donated
a plot of ground, 30 by 100 feet, near the present
North First street, as a site for a district school-house.
The building erected on the plot (the same which was
afterward occupied by the colored school) was then
known as District School No. 3, of the town of Bush-
wick. The district then included all that portion of
the city south of Fourteenth street and west of Union
avenue, and the whole number of children within its
limits did not exceed forty. By act • of Legislature,
April 14, 1827, the village of Williamsburg was incor-
porated, and as its population increased, public atten-
tion was more strongly called to the subject of educa-
tion, and several unsuccessful attempts were made by
private individuals to obtain assistance from the State,
by which the schools might be placed upon an equal
pecuniary footing with those of New York city. Owing,
however, to the prejudice then existing against public
schools, this one dragged out a miserable existence,
doing and receiving but very little good. In 1835
another legislative act extended the village to Bush-
wick avenue, taking in part of another school district;
and, in 1838, Messrs. Edwin Ferry, David Garret and
James Ainslie, newly elected trustees of the school dis-
trict, set themselves vigorously at work to improve the
character and promote the efficiency of the school.
Discharging the teacher previously employed, they
engaged IVIi-. William H. Butler (afterwards city clerk
of the 'Burgh after it became a municipality), who
found, upon commencing his duties, an attendance of
only 30 children. This increased within a vear to 150
being nearly one-half of all the children in the district
(306), and three-fourths of all fit to attend school. The
school-house, a small one-story edifice, 19 by 25 feet
on Grand street, between Third and Fourth, was quite
insufficient for the accommodation of the scholars, and
in 1839, a meeting was called for the purpose of raising
funds wherewith to enlarge it. Six gentlemen attended
the meeting, and voted for this specific purpose the
sum of $125, which was appropriated to the addition
of a second story. Mr. Butler gradually made head-
way against the obstacles which beset him, such as the
lack of accommodations, books, and of the proper
sympathy and encouragement from those whose duty
it was to promote the cause. In a few months the
school increased to 236 scholars, 156 of whom were
boys, another teacher was engaged, and its course
thenceforth was onward. By an act of Legislature, in
1840, the village of Williamsburg was separated from
the town of Bushwick, and incorporated as a town.
The census of that year gave the population of the
village as 5,094, of whom 1,018 were children, and for
allthese only the one small school-house already men-
tioned. In all previous legislative acts relative to
Williamsburg no reference was made to school districts,
the General School Act having left them untouched until
changed by the commissioners of schools of one or
both towns; and, for several years, the annual election
of trustees took place in School District No. 3, without
reference to the village extension of 1835. Apparently,
no one imagined that the acts of 1835 and 1840 had
changed the status of the school districts, until a pro-
posal having been made to erect a new school-house in
District No. 3, the opponents of the plan argued that
the school districts having been changed by these afore-
said acts, there were no boundaries, and therefore no
base upon which the commissioners could act. The
plan first suggested for meeting the wants of the dis-
trict was the erection, in some central and convenient
place, of a high school for advanced scholars, and
primary school-houses in different parts of the village.
This would have admirably suited the wants of the
village, bitt no provision having been made by the
school act for schools of different grades, it was con-
cluded to erect a building that might eventually be-
come a high school for the village. At a meeting of
the citizens, convened by the trustees (James D. Spark-
man and Samuel Cox), December 3d, 1841, for the pur-
pose of raising money, by tax on the district, to pur-
chase lots and erect a school-house, a motion to raise
1800 for the lots and $4,500 for building was unani-
mously carried, by 37 ayes. The project met with
much opposition, even from the board of village trustees;
but the trustees of the school, sustained, in spite of
several appeals, by the decision of the State Superin-
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
613
tendent of Public Instruction, went bravely on with
their work. Their attempt to collect the tax was
strenuously resisted by some, prominent among whom
was the president of the village, who sued the trustees
for seizure of his goods, and obtained a jury verdict
reversing the decision of the State Superintendent.
The trustees appealed to the higher courts, and during
the temporary suspension of the collection of the tax,
the population of Williamsburg increased rapidly, and
in less than a year, the necessities of education had be-
come more pressing, there being now more advocates
for three new school-houses than there were for a less
number. In June, 1843, the trustees of District No. 3,
availing themselves of an amendment to the school act,
by which a town superintendent took the place of com-
missioners, agreed to omit the annual election; and the
people, in district school meeting assembled, voted to
divide the village into three districts. Mr. Richard
Berry was elected Superintendent of Schools, and
shortly after the three school districts were thus appor-
tioned: No. 1 comprised all that portion of the town
Bouth of Grand street and west of Union avenue; No.
2 the upper village, and No. 3 the village west of
Grand street.
The first Board of Trustees, under this arrangement,
were: (District 1) Thomas J. Fenwick, James Noble,
Timothy CoflBn; (District 2) Lemuel Richardson,
Charles S. Booth, Jacob Zimmer; and (District 3)
Graham PoUey, William Lake and James Ainslie. The
suit which had been commenced was amicably adjusted,
the expenses of the school trustees being assumed by
the village; and all remaining opposition was soon ter-
minated by a decision of the State Superintendent
(rendered August 7, 1843), as to the legal validity of
the action of the Trustees and Tpwn Superintendent.
A new brick building, adequate to the wants of the
increasing population, was erected in each district; and,
about 1850, a large and elegant building was added to
the First District, while in the Second District the old
building was exchanged for a larger and more suitable
one. In 1851 Bush wick was united to Williamsburg,
and the city of Williamsburg was created, the number
of its public school scholars in 1852 being 6,700. At
the time of the consolidation of Bushwick and Williams-
burg and Brooklyn, District No. 1 became the present
Public School No. 23.
Primary Schools. — The honor of first establish-
ing separate primary schools in Brooklyn is due to the
late Graham H. Polley. To his liberality and gener-
osity (for he paid the rents out of his own pocket), the
organization of old Primary Schools Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, in
various rented apartments, was indebted. Mr. Polley,
while a member of the Board of Education of Wil-
liamsburg, was constantly urging the establishment of
primary schools ; and through his aid, and that of the
Rev. Mr. Demorest, the Intermediate schools Nos. 20
and 21, were erected in the year 1852. It was the con-
solidation of Brooklyn with Williamsburg that started
the organization of separate primary schools in the
former city.
It is not until the year 1827 that we find documen-
tary evidence of the existence of another school, at the
junction of Red Hook and Cornell's lanes, near the
present corner of Court and Degraw streets. This was
taught by Nathan Jackson. He was followed by Ben-
jamin Brown, and he, about 1830, by Mr. L. E. White,
who left the school after a service of over four years.
The school, which was situated in a very sparsely set-
tled neighborhood, had then about sixty scholars, and
Mr. White was followed by one Clark, who remained
but a short time. About 1831, Mr. McKinley, a tal-
ented Irishman, took charge, and under him the school
increased, until, in 1835, a new brick building, of some
considerable architectural pretensions, was erected on
Baltic, near Court street, and was subsequently occu-
pied by the Catholics as a seminary. Under a succes-
sion of good teachers the school prospered, and, in
1853, was removed to a fine new building in Warren,
near Smith street, and which was much improved in
1862. It is now known as No. 6.
Up to 1827, out of the five schools, the beginnings of
which have been narrated above, only one (that is. No.
1), was located in the village of Brooklyn. And the
subject being agitated about this time (1827) of start-
ing another district school for the accommodation of
the present Second and Fifth wards, Messrs. Dr. J. S.
Thorne, James H. Clark, and Alexander Newman were
chosen trustees of the new district. These gentlemen
rented, for the purpose, a two-story framed building
on the northwest corner of Adams and Prospect streets,
which had been used by the Methodists as a sabbath
school, and employed as its principal a Methodist
preacher, named Latimer, who taught on the Lancas-
terian plan for a period of seven years. This school,
then No. 2 of the milage, is now No. 7 of the present
public schools of the city, having been moved, in 1838,
to Bridge street near Plymouth, and from thence, in
1840, to York street, near Bridge.
On this site has just been completed one of the best
buildings ever erected for school purposes in this coun-
try— a structure to which the City can point with
justifiable pride.
Dr. J. Sullivan Thorne continued in charge of this
school, as member or chairman of its local committees
until his death a few years ago. For more than foity
years he devoted much of his fortune and leisure to the
promotion of public education in Brooklyn, and was
President of the Board of Education for two years.
Mr. Henry Dean became Principal of No. 7 in 1836,
and continued in charge until 1849, and thereafter acted
as one of the clerks of the Board of Education until his
death.
During the next year, 1830, the present public school
No. 8 was established, the district having been laid out
614
HISTORY 01 KINGS COUNTY.
some time before. It was the legitimate successor of a
select academy which had been kept, under the auspices
of the Reformed Dutch Church of the village, from
about 1812. This select school was first taught by-
John Mann, then (from 1814 to 1816) by William Clare,
then by a Scotchman named Laird, then, 1818 to 1823,
by the excellent John Laidlaw. About 1830, the
trustees leased the building, which belonged to the
Dutch church and stood on the Middaglj estate, on
nearly the site of the present edifice of No. 8, on Mid-
dagh between Henry and Hicks streets. It was a two-
story wooden affair, with a portico over the main en-
trance, and a small bell tower and bell on top, the whole
painted of a dingy yellow color. Adrian Hegeman was
the first teacher of this school, which was accommodated
with a new building in 1846, which was enlarged again
in 1860.
From an early period of its organization, until his re-
tirement from the Board of Education, Mr. Cyrus P.
Smith was associated with the direction of this school.
Mr. Smith had seen the city, of which he was afterward
chief magistrate, attain its great population and wealth,
from the germ of a country village. During his ofiicial
relationship to the city, every structure occupied by a
public school had been "erected or reconstructed. No
other citizen of Brooklyn, probably, exercised a more
potent influence in promoting its various educational
enterprises. For a period of more than the average age
of man he was an active member of the Board of Edu-
cation, over which for twenty years he presided. It
would be difficnlt to name any enterprise connected with
the material or intellectual progress of Brooklyn with
whose origin and progress he was not associated. But,
amid all the honors and successes with which his life
was crowned, there is nothing for which his memory
deserves to be held in more grateful remembrance than
his services in the cause of popular education. Mr. J.
Reeves, an esteemed teacher, became principal of this
school in 1848, where he remained until his death in
1862.
The next school established in Brooklyn was that now
known as No. 9. The first building was erected on the
ground now occupied by the eastern section of Pros-
pect Park. Its period of organization is so uncertain
that we can only state it to be subsequently to 1830,
and prior to 1836.
The new building, on the plaza of Prospect Park, was
erected in 1868, at a cost, including the land, of
$99,920.64, which at the time was the largest amount
which had been expended by the Board for a public
school.
This school was organized on September 18th, 1868,
by the appointment of Mrs. Jane Dunkley, as Princi-
pal. She was the first woman appointed in Brooklyn
to preside over a large grammar school. This pre-
cedent was followed in two or three instances more
recently. Mr. Edward Rowe, one of the most honored
members of the present Board of Education, has been
for many years at the head of the Committee of this
school.
A school had been in existence, prior to 1835, near
the junction of the Gowanus and Port roads, in the
neighborhood of the present Fourth avenue and Ma-
comb street. In about the year 1847, it was organized
as Public School No. 10, on 15th street, between Third
and Fourth avenues, under the trusteeship of members
of the Bergen family. In 1870, a large building of
three stories was erected on Seventh avenue, at a cost
for building and land of $103,000, and called No. 10,
The old building was used as a Primary and Interme-
diate school, and is now known as No. 40. A large
additional structure, with every modern improvement,
has just been completed on part of the old site, to ac-
commodate the increasing population. Mr. Peter
Rouget was appointed Principal of No. 10, on Septem-
ber 29, 1847, and still remains in charge. The late
Peter G. Bergen was for nearly thirty years a member
of the local committee, and was succeeded by his son,
Garret Bergen, and thereafter by his nephew, Tunis G.
Bergen.
Organization of the Board of Education. — In
1835, the first special law was enacted for public educa-
tion in the City of Brooklyn. Under this law the
Trustees were to report to the Common Council. In
the year 1843, an Act was passed creating a Board of
Education, which, together with the Mayor and the
Superintendent, should consist of twenty-eight members.
But, in 1850, another special law was passed, which
made the Board of Education to consist of thirty-three
members, to be nominated and elected by the Commoft
Council alone. This law may be regarded as the foun-
dation of our local law relative to the public schools.
Although it has been subjected to many modifications
and amendments, this law has never been repealed in
terms.
In the year 1854, under the act which consolidated
the cities of Brooklyn and Williamsburg and the
town of Bush wick, a further change was made in the
structure of the Board. The Common Council was
authorized to increase the number of members of the
Board in proportion to the increase of population. The
number of members was for that year fixed at forty-
five, of whom thirteen should reside in the new terri-
tory, called the Eastern District. By the Act of 1862,
the number of members was definitely fixed at forty-
five, who were to be nominated by the Mayor and
confirmed by the Aldermen. This number, in spite of
the extraordinary growth of the city in population, and
of many public discussions as to the propriety of an in-
crease or of a decrease, has remained ever since the
same. Since 1881, the members have been appointed
solely by the Mayor.
Mr. Cyrus P. Smith was President of the Board for
twenty-one successive years ; Dr. J. Sullivan Thorne
DEPARTMEN'T OF PUBLIC EDUCATION'.
615
for two years, and Mr. E. S. Whitlock from 1 870, up
to the time of his death, in 1881. Mr. Daniel Maujer
was President from July, 1881, to the 1st of January,
1882, when he retired from the Board, full of years and
honors, and died that same year. In January, 1882,
the Board was reorganized, and Tunis G. Bergen, the
present incumhent, was elected President.
From the year 1867 to July, 1881, the Secretary of
the Board was George A. W. Stuart. Repeatedly re-
elected to that office, and enjoying the confidence of
the Board, the discovery, in June, 1881, of a most in-
genious and far-reaching system of embezzlements on
his part of some of the funds of the Board, extending
over a period of ten or a dozen years, followed by his
flight and complete disappearance, fell like a thunder-
clap upon the community, and dumb-founded the old
members of the Board, who had placed implicit faith
in him for so many years.
In July, 1881, Mr. D. W. Tallmadge was elected
Secretary, and still fulfills the duties of the office with
great energy of mind and honesty of purpose.
- On the first organization of the Board, in 1855, Mr.
J. W. BulMey was elected Superintendent of Public
Instruction, or, as he was then called. City Superin-
tendent, and held the office for a score of years. Al-
though succeeded by others, he still remains Associate
Superintendent. Mr. Bulkley was succeeded as Super-
intendent by the late Mr. Thomas W. Field, formerly a
member of the Board, and well known in historical
and literary circles. Soon after Mr. Field's death, in
1881, Mr. Calvin Patterson, Principal of P. S. No. 13,
\vas elected Superintendent, and still holds that posi-
tion. In 1882, Mr. W. H. Maxwell was elected as
Second Associate Superintendent.
Board of Education Hall. — As late as 1830, Ful-
ton street and Red Hook lane remained the principal
thoroughfares of the village of Brooklyn. The corpo-
rate limits of the village on the east was the lane, and
upon it, just outside of the embryo city, James E. Un-
derhill, a successful builder, erected the pretentious
and, what was then considered, splendid structure now
occupied by the Board of Education. Red Hook lane
was then a thronged and busy thoroughfare, affording,
the only means of access to the numerous mills and farms
of South Brooklyn and the Hook. The farm of Tunis
Johnson, covering nearly one hundred acres, was bounded
by the lane, and was the nearest estate to the little cor-
poration of the village of Brooklyn. On this prominent
corner Mr. Underhill built his residence, and only a
few of the citizens of Brooklyn remember that this nar-
row, secluded lane was, not many years ago, one of
the busiest of her streets. It was not until 1850 that
the Board of Education occupied it, having for several
years next subsequent to its organization held its ses-
sions in the Common Council chamber; and, later still,
for a number of years in Public School No. 1. The
building has been much enlarged within recent years.
but its capacity is too small to furnish sufficient room
for the proper transaction of the vast and intricate busi-
ness of administering to the public education of a city
of seven hundred thousand people.
Since the organization of the present Board and the
consolidation of the city with Williamsburg and Bush-
wick, Brooklyn has increased in population to such an
enormous extent, that the number of grammar school
districts has been continually increased, until thirty-five
grammar school buildings have been erected, seven in-
termediate schools, twelve jormary schools, and three
schools for colored children. In addition to these, a
building is used for the Central Grammar School,
which was intended to unite in one building the vari-
ous so-called academic classes in the grammar schools;
and two buildings are used for the Attendance Schools.
This makes a total of sixty-three buildings at the pres-
ent time used for public school purposes in the city.
A new feature of the present system was the estab-
lishment, about five years ago, of the so-called "At-
tendance Schools," for the accommodation of truant
and delinquent boys, where they might still receive in-
struction or bear the alternative of confinement in the
Truant Home, an institution belonging to the city, but
the management of which, happily, is not under the
control of the Board. The enforcement of the Com-
pulsory School Act is in the hands of a special commit-
tee of the Board, with a Superintendent of Attendance
and seven agents, who watch over the entire city, ex-
amine the various manufactories and stores where boys
are employed, and report such boys, under fourteen
years of age, who do not attend school, as fit subjects
for the Attendance Schools, or, as a last resort, of
the Truant Home. The Brooklyn system has been
adopted, in its main features, by the city of New York
and many other cities of the Union.
A Public High School has not yet been established in
Brooklyn. The extraordinary increase of population
has called for so much additional outlay for primary
pupils, that funds have not been furnished for a school
of the higher branches of education.
Scholarships in Colleges.— But the Board is able,
by the munificence of some of our greater institutions
of learning, to offer to the pupils of the public schools
still larger privileges of study.
More than eight years since, the venerable Chancel-
lor of the New York University, Dr. Ferris, placed at
the disposal of the Board fifty free scholarships in that
college; in which the fees for tuition are nearly $100 per
annum. In Columbia College, the Board has for many
years possessed the privilege of sending six students
free of cost. In Cornell University, the public schools
can claim nine free scholarships, and in the State Nor-
mal Schools, eleven.
For the privileges granted so liberally by the first
University, only one scholarship has been demanded in
eight years. To Columbia College, the public schools
616
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
have sent but one student in fifteen years, and to
Cornell University, but six.
The trustees of Packer Institute have, with equal
liberality, permitted the Board to offer one free scholar-
ship in that institution as the prize for excellence in
each grammar school. Of the thirty-four free scholar-
ships thus offered to the public, only eighteen had been
filled, a short time ago, and the omission is caused solely
by the indifference of the public to the privilege.
The number of free scholarships in colleges and semi-
naries at the disposal of the Board, for the acceptance
of public school pupils, is ninety-nine, of which only
twenty- six at present are filled.
The average value of these scholarships is not less
than $100 per annum.
Yet the people of the city are apparently oblivious
of these facts.
Sources of Income for the Support of Public
Schools in Brooklyn. — l. Pro rata share of State
tax of one-eighth of one per cent, on assessed valua-
tion of the real and personal property in the city.
2. Pro rata share of interest of United States De-
posit fund.
3. Pro rata share of interest of common school fund.
4. Amount annually directed to be raised by Board
of Aldermen after the approval of the Board of Esti-
mate.
1. State tax. — -In each year the taxes levied on the
city include one item of one-eighth of one per cent.
This is paid into the State treasury to the credit of the
common school fund. It is then re-distributed to the
several counties. In 1882, the amount received from
the State was $288,666.90, based on the census of 1880.
2. From the United States deposit fund.— in 1832,
so large a surplus of money had accumulated in the
treasury of the Federal Government, that it was de-
termined by a law of Congress to distribute it to the
several States in proportion to their population. The
State of New York appropriated the income of her
quota to the support of public schools, and district
libraries.
3. The income of the common school fund, which
consists of moneys which have, from time to time, been
appropriated by the State, to be invested so that the
income shall be used for the support of common
schools.
The money arising from these six sources is dis-
tributed as follows:
1. The city is entitled to five hundred dollars for
each member of Assembly.
2. To its proportionate share of one-third of the re-
mainder (after some stipulated deductions for State ex-
penses and Indian schools), according to the number of
qualified teachers who have taught during a term of
not less than six months.
3. To its proportionate share of the remaining two-
thirds, according to population,
From all these sources, however, the Board of Edu-
cation receives only about one-fourth of the amount
paid for salaries to teachers. The balance is raised by
special tax on the city.
In 1882, the Board received:
From the City $885,816.44
From the State 288,666.90
From sale of books, &c. 54,890.10
From all other sources 12,068.27
Total $1,241,441.71
In August, 1881, the method of keeping the records
and accounts, and the general management of the finan-
cial affairs of the Board, were entirely re-organized.
Monthly financial reports are now made by the Pi-
nance Committee in detail, covering every item of .ex-
penditure, and showing the balance to the credit of
each account, the aggregate of which must balance
with the money remaining to the credit of the Board
in the hands of the City Treasurer. These reports are
printed and laid upon the desks of the members for
examination before being presented for adoption, and
they also appear in the printed minutes.
The City Treasurer, as ex-offioio Treasurer of this
Board, also keeps the accounts of the Board in detail,
and it is pleasant to be able to say that since the adop-
tion of the present system, the monthly balances have
been exact, never differing from the Treasurer's re-
ports.
The monthly financial reports as made by the Fi-
nance Committee, are simple, comprehensive, and com-
plete, and any person, at all familiar with accounts,
may inform himself from them, without asking a ques-
tion, of the entire financial transactions of the year,
and of the condition of the funds at any time during
the year.
The following table will show the appropriations, by
the city of Brooklyn alone, for school purposes for the
several years respectively named:
Yeau.
For School Purposes.
New Buildings.
1876
$805,196.95
881,792.45
711,000.00
793.565.35
825,383.87
885,816.44
977,925.10
1,248,137.09
1877
$200,500.00
64,400.00
1878
1879
1880
56,873.30
1881
1882
110,000.00
150,000.00
1883
280,000.00
There are now sixty-three school buildings under the
charge of the Board. In 1882, the schools were in
session forty weeks and one day.
The whole number of different pupils instructed in
that year was 100,079. The average attendance for the
year was 54,184.
The total number of pupils on register on the 31st
of October, 1882, was 65,490.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
61V
The entire number of regular sittings in all our
school buildings is but 64,232. (1882).
The increase population of Brooklyn probably equals
20,000 yearly ; more than 12 per cent, of such increase
clamor at the doors of our public schools for admis-
sion, and there is no room for them.
Our present population requires additional and im-
proved school accommodation equal to eight or ten
large new buildings in excess of those now being
erected orordered, and we must keep in mind the fact
that the annual increase of school population is a steady
and continued demand for accommodation equal to
three new school buildings each year.
Many of the schools were crowded three years ago ;
during the past three years additional accommodation,
as shown by the reports, has been provided to the ex-
tent of 1,550 sittings.
In the same time the natural increase of school
children who would attend public schools, if they
could be accommodated, is about 7,000.
Difficulties are multiplied in every direction, involv-
ing the questions of health, comfort and study, when
the accommodation is so out of proportion with present
and growing necessities ; and if the small increase of
the past few years should, from any cause, be con-
tinued for a few years more, it would be impossible to
estimate the confusion that would ensue, and the
just complaints that would follow from every part of
the city.
Teachers. — The number now employed by the
Board is 1,334. Of this number 55 are men, and the
remainder women.
At present a woman is at the head of schools Nos. 8,
21, 28, 29, 39, 40, 41 and 42 respectively. The other
schools are presided over by men, with the exception of
primary school buildings, which are connected in dis-
cipUne with grammar schools.
There are 9 music teachers, of whom 8 are men.
There are 8 drawing teachers, of whom one is a man.
The two Attendance Schools are managed by men.
Evening Schools have been, established and con-
ducted during the autumn and winter of each year,
almost ever since the organization of the Board. Since
the autumn of 1882, they have been permanently or-
ganized, with fixed rules for their government, and a
permanent corps of teachers.
The schools are better conducted, the classes more
fully attended, with better results than heretofore.
The rules adopted call for a term of sixteen weeks,
but the duration of the term is dependent upon the ap-
propriation allowed for their support.
The expense is about $2,250 each week, or |36,000
for a full term.
In 1882 there were 13 evening schools, two of which
were high schools, with a total number of pupils on
register of 4,948, which included 2 colored schools. The
number of teachers was 200. The present year finds a
large increase in the number of pupils in evening
schools.
For the past two years the work of the Board of
Education has been more thoroughly systematized than
ever before. Stricter rules have been adopted for the
licensing of teachers. Only those applicants for teach-
ers' positions who have received either a certificate
" A " or " B " from the Superintendent, after an exam-
ination, can now be appointed as teachers.
Special certificates of qualification are also required
from applicants for heads of departments, and also for
principals.
The course of study is now under revision, and the
tendency seems to be to lighten the work required of
the pupils, and to remedy the evils of the so-called
" cramming system."
In 1882, examinations in etymology, astronomy and
philosophy were dispensed with before graduation in
the public grammar schools.
In 1882, special committees of the Board were en-
gaged in re-arranging the school districts, and many
changes were made. Nos. 8, 28 and 29 were made
branch schools of grammar schools, and six other
schools, viz., Nos. 7, 36, 38, 40, 41 and 42, were re-
duced or confined to primary and intermediate pupils.
"Within the present year seven new school buildings
have been erected, and wings added to another. This
was by far the greatest number of buildings for school
purposes ever erected in the city of Brooklyn in a
single year.
One of these was for colored pupils, and took the
place of an old building. Plans are now being made
for the erection oi four more school buildings, and_;?-ye
wings or additions to the present buildings.
The salaries of teachers for the primary classes range
from $300 (for first year), to $482 per annum ; teach-
ers of the grammar classes receive from $487 to $900
per annum ; heads of departments, $930 per annum ;
principals of branch schools, $1,500 per annum ; prin-
cipals of full grammar schools, $2,700 per annum.
The cost of the public schools of Brooklyn was but
$16.07 for each pupil for the year 1882. This amount
is based upon the average attendance, and is much
lower than that of any other large city in the United
States.
Free School-Book System. — On the first of Janu-
ary, 1884, the new free booh system for the public
schools of this city went into effect. Its operations
will be watched with interest, not only by the residents
of Brooklyn, but by the advocates of education gene-
rally throughout the Union. The Board of Estimate
appropriatid for the purpose $75,000, the full amount
asked for by the Board of Education. It is hoped that
there will be eventually a great saving to the parents of
scholars, which of course will be an advantage to the
community at large. The majority of the books, it is
calculated, will be returned after the scholars have got
HISTORY OF KIWG8 COUNTY.
through with them, to the schools from which they
were received. They can then be utilized by other
scholars without any additional expense either to
parents or schools.
Asylums and Industrial Schools. — By the pro-
visions of an act relative to the orphan asylums in the
city, the Board takes under its care, for the purpose
mentioned in the act, the following : Brooklyn Orphan
Asylum School, Atlantic, near Brooklyn avenue ; R.
G. Orphan Asylum School for Boys, St. Marks, near
Albany avenue; B. G. Orphan Asylum School for
6r2V&,Willoughby, near Yates avenue; Ghurch Charity
Foundation Orphanage School, Herkimer street, near
Albany avenue ; Hoioard Colored Orphan Asylum
School, Troy avenue, corner of Dean street; E. D. In-
dustrial School, South Third, near Fifth street; School
of the Home for Destitute Children, Batler street, near
Flatbush avenue ; School for the German Orphan
Home, Graham, corner of Montrose avenue, and the
Industrial School of Sisters of Mercy, Willoughby,
corner of Classon avenue. These sustain the same
relation to the Board of Education as the public schools
of the city. Their pupils are taught the same number
of hours, use the same kinds of books, are taught by ap-
proved teachers, receive a distributive share of the
school money on the same basis, and are subject to simi-
lar supervision. It is with reference to the educational
features of the asylums that the courts have decided
that they are entitled to a share of the General School
Fund of the State. In view of these decisions, and by
complying with school law, and the rules and regula-
tions of the Board for the government, instruction and
support of the public schools of the city, the asylums
receive a distributive share of the General School
Fund.
The children connected with these institutions, re-
ceive instruction in the elements of reading, spelling,
writing, arithmetic, and geography. Out of the school
hours they are instructed in various arts by which
habits of order and industry are promoted, and they
are thus made to be helpful in the asylum. They also
receive careful and regular moral religious instruction
daily.
The present members and officers of the Board of
Education and the standing and local committees, to-
gether with the numbers and locations of the schools
and the principals in charge respectively, are given in
the following list : —
Officers of the Board of Education, 1883-4. — Tunis G.
Bergen, Pres.; Charles R. Doane, Vice-Pres.; Daniel W.
Talmadge, Sec; Thos. H. Wilson, Ass't Sec; Calvin Patter-
son. Supt. of Public Instruction ; John W. Bulkley, William
H. Maxwell, Associate Supts.; Frederick D. Clark, lies E.
Byrnes, Ephraim J. Wliitlook, Henry O. Dyer, Clerics; Jas.
W. Naughton, Supt. of Buildings; Wm. 'it\ Cunningham,
Engineer; Joseph B. Jones, M. D., Supt. of Attendance; De-
hart Bergen, John Thomson, Henry Schultz, John J. Glynn,
William Fischer, Robt. J. Reynolds, Attendance Agents; Al-
bert S. Caswell, Director of Music; David P. Horton, Francis
K. Mitchell, Ellsworth 0. Phelps, Carl Wagner, Linden L.
Parr, Alia M. Russell, James J. MoCabe, Alice M. Judge, Ed-
ward E. Hand, Music Teachers; Peter Winter, Z. B. Sweeny,
Julia A. Reid, Susan B. Orr, Catharine B. Snyder, Carrie w!
Conklin, Mary A. Wood, Emma Jones, Drawing Teachers.
Members of the Board. — Tunis G, Bergen, Eugene D.
Berri, Henry Bristow, Charles A. Buttrick, E. Dwight
Church, John J. Clancy, Francis Dallon, Francis E. Dana
Charles E. Doane, Horace E. Dresser, Ernest W. Fischer'
John Flynn, Robert B. Gardner, Horace Graves, John Griffln'
Edgar E. GriiSths, Abijali Haviland, William Harkness'
Robt. Henderson, Jr., Jos. C. Hendrix, Fred. W. Hinrichs'
John Hope, Thos. F. Houghton, Charles A. Hull, Joseph
Liebmann, Geo. W. Logan, J. Henry Martin, Geo. W. Mead,
Eben Miller, John McNamee, George E. Moulton, William A.'
Nash, Louis E. Nicot, Robert Payne, Jas. L. Robinson, Edward
Rowe, Wm. Cary Sanger, H. B. Scharmann, J. A. S. Simon-
son, Charles E. Teale, Robert Thomas, Hayden W. Wheeler
P. A. White, Chris. W. Wilson, Chas. F. Wreaks
Primary Schools.— No. 3 (branch of No. 17), North 1st,
near 4th st. ; Branch Principal, Evelina L. Petty. No. 4, 10th,
near N. 2d st. ; Principal, Sarah S. Hunt. Branch of No. 4,
Classon , near Flushing ave. ; Branch Principal , Alzina C. Rich-
ardson. Branch No. 13, Union, near Henry St.; Branch Prin-
cipal, Caledonia V. Dix. Branch of No. 15, Schermerhorn St.,
near 3d ave. ; Principal, the Principal of P. S. No. 1.5. Branch
of No. 19, 8. 4th, near 7th st. ; Branch Principal, Elizabeth R.
Duyckinck. Branch of No. 25, Walworth St., near Myrtle
ave. ; Branch Principal, Emily Henderson. Branch of No. 26,
Bush wick ave., corner Ivy St.; Branch Principal, Minnie H.
Ellis. Branch of No. 34, Leouard St., near Nassau ave.;
Principal, Tliomas D. Murphy.
Colored Schools.— No. 1, N. Elliott Place, near Park ave.;
Principal, C. A. Dorsey. No. 3, Troy ave., near Bergen St.;
Principal, J. Q. Allen. No. 3, Union ave. , near S. 3d st. ; Prin-
cipal, Catharine T. Clow.
Attendance Schools. — No. 1, 93 WyckofC st. ; Principal,
Martin J. Fitzgerald. No. 3, corner of 5th and S. 3d Sts. ;
Principal, Richard B. McKenna.
Grammar Schools. — Central Grammar School, Court, cor-
ner of Livingston st. ; Principal, Robert F. Leighton. No. 1,
Adams, corner of Concord st. ; Principal, C. R. Abbott. No.
2, 46th street, near 3d ave. ; Principal, J. Sands. No. 3, Bed-
ford ave., corner of Jefferson st. ; Principal, B. Y. Conklin.
No. 4 Ryerson st., near Myrtle ave. ; Principal, W. M. Jelliffe.
No. 5, DufHeld, corner of Johnson st. ; Principal, John Gal-
lagher. No. 6, Warren, near Smith st. ; Principal, A. B. Ives,
Jr. No. 7, York, near Bridge st. ; Principal, C. P. Cunning-
ham. No. 8, Middagh, near Henry st.; Principal, Esther A.
Brooks. No. 9, Butler st. , corner of Vanderbilt ave. ; Principal,
A. S. Higgins. No. 10, 7th ave., near ITth St.; Principal, P.
Rouget. No. 11, Washington, near Greene ave. ; Principal,
L. F. Lewis. No. 12 Adelphist., near Myrtle ave.; Principal,
J. Cruikshank. No. 13, Degraw, near Hicks st.; Principal,
SethT. Stewart. No. 14, Navy, corner of Concord st.; Prin-
cipal, B. EdsoD. No. 15, 8d ave., corner of State St.; Prin-
cipal, T. Jacobson. No. 16, Wilson st., near Bedford ave.;
Principal, L. Dunkley. No. 17, N. 5th, corner of 5th St.;
Priucipal, Charles A. O'Reilly. No. 18, Maujer, near Ewen
St.; Principal, E. Bush. No. 19, S. 2d, corner of 19th St.;
Principal, E. G. Ward. No. 21, McKibben, near Ewen st.;
Principal, Kate E. McWilliam.=>. No. 23, Java St., near Union
ave.; Principal, L. B. Hannaford. No. 23, Conselyea, near
Smith St. ; Principal, S. S. Martin. No. 84, corner of Wall
and Beaver sts.; Principal, A. G. Merwin. No. 25, Lafayette,
near Throop ave. ; Principal, C. E Tuthill. No. 26, Gates,
near Ralph ave. ; Principal, J. E. Ryan. No. 37, Nelson, near
Hicks St.; Principal, M. A. Weed. No. 28, Herkimer st.,
near Ralph ave. ; Principal, Ella Folger. No. 39, corner of
Columbia and Amity sts. ; Principal, Kate J. McCloskey. No.
30, Walcott, near Yan Brunt street. ; Principal, Charles Mc-
Laughlin. No. 31, Dupont St., near Union ave.; Principal,
M. F. Yallette. No. 32, Hoyt, corner of President st.; Prin-
cipal, S. M. Sprole. No. 33, Hey ward st., near Broadway;
Principal, J. Priddy. No. 34, Norman ave., nearEckford st.;
Principal, Frank R. Moore. No. 85, Lewis ave., corner of
Decatur St.; Principal, W. A. Welsh. No. 36, Stagg St., near
Bushwick ave. ; Principal, Jacob S. Woodworth. No. 37, S.
4th, near 3d st. ; Principal, Geo. L. A. Martin. No. 38, N. 7th,
near 3d St.: Principal, N. Uphara. No. 39, 6th ave., corner
of 8th St.; Principal. Harriet N. Morris. No. 40. 16th st.,
near 4th ave. ; Principal, Eliza Ford. No. 41, New York ave.,
corner of Dean st. ; Principal, Mary C. Lawrence. No. 42, St,
Mark's, near Classon ave, ; Principal, Ellen M. Warren.
BANKING AND INSURANCE.
BSNKS OF DEPOSIT, SAVINGS BINKS. UND TRUST COMPANIES,
INSURSNCE SND SAFE DEPOSIT COMPSNIES.
BANKS AND TRUST COMPANIES,
BY THE EDITOR
ON the blst of January, 1824, William Purman,
Esq., member of Assembly from Kings County,
presented to the Legislature a petition for a
charter for the Long Island Bank, to be located
in the village of Brooklyn. On the 5th of February
foUowiag, the standing committee on Banks and Insur-
ance Companies, reported on the petition that, "having
duly examined the merits of the application, and hav-
ing learned from different sources that the incorporated
part of the town of Brooklyn contains rising of 7,000
inhabitants; that the extensive commercial, manufac-
turing and mechanical business transacted there, render
it fully capable of sustaining a bank, and being the
third town in point of population in this State, and be-
ing destitute of an incorporation, either for banking or
insurance," they had prepared and begged leave to in-
troduce a bill for the incorporation of said bank. "At
a large and respectable meeting of the citizens of the
town of Brooklyn," continues the report, " it was de-
clared, without a dissenting voice, that they need a
bank. Such is the expression of the county, and it is
presumed no one will doubt their ability to sustain it.
Brooklyn is situated opposite New York, separated by a
river nearly a mile in width. By far the largest number
of the business men of Brooklyn, meriting and requiring
temporary loans and a place of deposit, are wholly un-
known to the banks of New York. To become so, re-
quires an account with some bank, and frequent de-
posits, and an endorser in New York, which, in most
cases, is impracticable and wholly inconvenient. Brook-
lyn is now the third town in the State, and the sixteenth
in the United States, and it is fair to conclude that in less '
than five years it will be the second^
This able presentation of the claims of Brooklyn was
not thrown away upon the Assembly, who passed the
required act of incorporation on the 23d of March by a
vote of ninety-one to twenty-two, it being the largest
vote, considering the state of the House, that had been
given to any bank incorporation bill during the season.
The successful passage of the bill was largely due to the
energetic and persistent effort of Joseph Sprague, Esq.,
of Brooklyn, who spent some time in Albany, exerting
his influence in behalf of legislation beneficial to his
town. On the 1st of April following, the bill passed
the Senate by a vote of twenty-six to four, and the
same day received the Governor's sanction. The capi-
tal of the bank was to be $300,000 in shares of $50
each, and the institution was not to go into operation
until twelve and a half per cent, of the capital was
paid. Of the thirteen Directors, two-thirds were to be
residents of Brooklyn. Should they refuse, at any time
during regular bank hours, to redeem their notes in
specie, the charter was to be forfeited. The following
persons were named in the bill as Directors, viz. : Lef-
fert Lefferts, Jehiel Jagger, John C. Freecke, John C.
Yanderveer, Jordan Coles, Silas Butler, Fanning C.
Tucker, Jacob Hicks, Henry Waring, Nehemiah Den-
ton, Elkanah Doolittle, Thomas Everit, Jr., and George
Little. At the first meeting of this board, April 6,
1824, Leffert Lefferts, Esq., was unanimously elected
President of the bank, and a committee was appointed
to attend to its concerns. Subscription books were
opened on the 3d of May at the banking house. No. 5
Front street, and a surplus of about one million and a
half was subscribed for. The capital stock, $300,000; $10
required to be paid on each share taken at the time of
subscribing. On the 3d of August following, the notes
of the bank were first put into circulation.
Gabriel Furman, Esq., subsequently speaking of the
Long Island Bank, says : "An error will not be com-
mitted in saying that the growth and prosperity of
Brooklyn have been largely promoted by this bank. It
has been in fact, as its name imports, a Long Island
bank, and has always been an institution prized and
cherished by the inhabitants of the island counties. It
has been invariably conducted with liberality, impar-
tiality and integrity. It is well known that, during the
various periods of financial pressure and embarrass-
ments, its aid has always been uniformly and amply
extended to the mechanics, manufacturers and trades-
620
SISTORY OF KIN^GS COXTNTY.
men who compose the business population of Brooklyn,
and it is the depository, to a large extent, of the funds
of the farmers and others of the island. The petition-
ers for the renewal of its charter in January, 1839,
earnestly request the same, and state that they would
regard an omission to do so, and the consequent with-
drawal of its means from the industry of the place,
as a serious calamity to the city of Brooklyn, and
as injurious to the business of the island generally. It
is further noticeable that on the Queens County peti-
tion for its renewal were fifty-two names, viz.: Mer-
chants, fourteen; farmers, thirteen; mechanics, twenty;
Justices of the Peace, Town Clerks and attorneys,
five."
Brooklyn Savings Bank. — Chapter I'/Y of the
laws of 1827, passed April V, enacts that Robert Snow,
Andrew Mercein, Robert Nichols and their associates
shall constitute a body corporate known as the Brook-
lyn Savings Bank, with perpetual succession, to "re-
ceive as deposits from tradesmen, mechanics, laborers,
minors, servants and others, all sums of money offered
for investment." The act further names the following
managers: David Anderson, Robert Bache, James B.
Clark, Andrew Demarest, Charles I. Doughty, Thomas
Everitt, Jr., James Engle, Augustus Graham, Andrew
Mercein, Hezekiah B. Pierrepont, Peter W. Radcliff,
Eliakim Raymond, Robert Snow, Joshua Sands, Clar-
ence D. Saokett, Jeffrey Smith, Alden Spooner,' Fan-
ning C. Tucker, Adam Tredwell, Peter Turner, Abra-
ham Vanderveer, Losee Van Nostrand, Adrian Van
Sinderin, Henry Waring and Richard Wells.
The first ofiicers were: Adrian Van Sinderin, Presi-
dent; Hezekiah B. Pierrepont and Adam Tredwell, Vice-
Presidents; Abraham Vanderveer, Treasurer; James
S. Clark, Secretary; Robert Nichols, Accountant, all
of whom served without compensation. The first place
of business was in the basement of the Apprentices'
Library, where the books were opened.
The first depositor in this, the oldest savings bank in
Brooklyn, was John Bigelow, a bookbinder, who in-
trusted the institution with five dollars.
The business transacted by the bank in the early
years was large in proportion to the volume of trade
in those days; the conservative policy of the managers
inspired confidence, and the number of depositors has
steadily increased, until at present it reaches 50,000.
In 1847, the corporation erected a fine brown-stone
building, fifty by one hundred and ten feet, on the
corner of Fulton and Concord streets. Its exterior, in
the Grecian style of architecture, is chaste and elegant,
while the interior decorations and fittings are equally
handsome. Mr. Van Sinderin was succeeded in the
presidency by Mr. David Stanford, and he in 1847 by
Mr. Hosea Webster, who occupied the position until
his death, June 1, 1883, aged 93 years. When he as-
sumed the management of the bank, the deposits
amounted to 1191,000, with a surplus of $8,000. At
his death, the deposits were over $20,000,000, and a
surplus of nearly $4,000,000. After Mr. Webster's
death, Mr. Henry P. Morgan, who had been acting
President for a number of years, was elected to the
Presidency, which office he still retains. The Vice-
Presidents are Edward D. White and Edmund W.
Corlies; Cashier, John A. Latimer; Comptroller, Felix
E. Flandreau.
The Atlantic State Bank is the successor of the
Atlantic Bank, which last-named institution was char-
tered May 10, 1836, to continue thirty years, with a
capital stock of $500,000 in $50 sha;res. John Law-
rence, Stephen Haynes, William Hunter, Jr., Richard
Cornwell and Nathan B. Morse, of Kings County,
Henry T. Haynes of Queens, and Gilbert Carll of Suf-
folk, were named in the act of incorporation as Com-
missioners to receive subscriptions and distribute stock.
Hon. Jonathan Trotter was the first President and
John S. Doughty, Cashier. A brick building, with -
granite basement and trimmings, was erected in 1836,
at 49 Fulton street, which the Atlantic State Bank
now occupies. Mr. Trotter was succeeded as Presi-
dent by John Schenck, and he by Daniel Embury.
The Atlantic Bank was changed September 15, 1865,
to the Atlantic National Bank, and continued as such
until Dejember, 1872, when its affairs were closed up,
and it was succeeded by the Atlantic State Bank, with
a capital of $200,000 newly subscribed. The articles
of association named the first directors as follows, viz. :
Seymour L. Husted, P. C. Cornell, H. K. Sheldon,
Wm. Hunter, Jr., George I. Seney, W. B. Leonard,
Henry C. Murphy, John A. Lott, Cyrus P. Smith,
George S. Puffer, John French, George W. Bergen and
John C. Whitney. Its officers for 1883-4 are Mr. Geo.
S. Puffer, President, and O. M. Denton, Cashier.
The Bank of Williamsburgh, organized February
9th, 1839, soon existed only in the records of its or-
ganization, though its charter was to continue until
1940. " This bank charter," says a legal friend, "was
a curiosity in its way. The capital stock was to be
$100,000, with power to increase it to $500,000. All
its powers were irrevocably vested in its Board of Di-
rectors, the first beilig named as follows, viz. : Nicholas
Haight, William Powers, John S. McKibbin, John
Morrell and Lemuel Richardson. The Directors were
each to hold twenty or more shares, to have authority
to determine what number shall be a quorum to transact
business, to make by-laws, etc. The stock was to be
invested one half in ))onds and mortgages, and the
other in the public debt of the United States, or in the
stock of any incorporated bank or insurance company
in New York State. No director or shareholder was to
be liable, in his individual capacity, for any contract,
debt or engagement of the said association."
" It will readily be seen how a few speculators could
manipulate such a concern, without a cash basis, and
without liability. Real estate mortgages could be as-
BANKING- AND INSURANCE.
621
signed at their face when really worth much less, and
the stock of weak or bogus banks or insurance compa-
nies would answer the charter's requirements. The
bank went begging for some months for a monied
president with ready cash to start the machinery.
Lemuel Richardson, worthiest among the second found-
ers of Williamsburgh, and the only person among them
who (by reason of his modesty in his aspiration for
public honors) had escaped bankruptcy, also escaped
the snare of this presidency; and, in consequence, en-
joyed a worldly competence for the remainder of his
days. Whether the bank ever found a president or
not we are not informed ; but its banking house was
established at the corner of First and Grand streets,
and a large gilt sign, lettered ' Bank of Williams-
burgh' was displayed for a few days, and then disap-
peared. Plates for bills were engraved, a few notes
were printed, and it is even said that one was signed, but
guien sahe? It is one of the mysteries of our history."
The South Brooklyn Savings Bank.— In the
early part of 1850, a circular was sent to prominent cit-
izens in the southern part of the city, inviting them to
a conference for the purpose of forming a bank for
savings in South Brooklyn. An organization was per-
fected, a charter obtained from the Legislature April
10, 1850, naming the following gentlemen, and their
successors, a body corporate, viz. : David B. Bay lis, Ira
Smith, Gassaway B. Lamar, Nicholas Lu queer, Edward
Dunham, Isaac H. Storms, William Spencer, John D.
Cocks, James W. Pinckney, George A. Jarvis, Edmund
Fish, Peter R. Anderson, John C. Riker, Francis B.
Stryker, Tunis G. Bergen, George Fletcher, Richard
Whipple, Edward A. Lambert, Jno. W. Taylor, Arthur
W. Benson, J. S. T. Stranahan, Rollin Sanford, William
Powers, John Skillman, John C. Smith, Anthony F.
Ostrom. The first board of officers chosen was as fol-
lows: Ira Smith, President; David B. Baylis, First
Vice-President; William Spencer, Second Vice-Presi-
dent; George W. Ward, Secretary; James Robinson,
Tetter; John M. Taylor, Counsel.
The institution opened for business June 1st, 1850,
at 186 Atlantic street. About four years later it was
removed to the Athenaeum building; and, soon after, the
ground on the opposite corner of Clinton and Atlantic
streets was purchased, and an imposing marble building
erected, 40 by 90 feet, the finest in the city.
The first depositors with the bank were the Misses
JuUa, Anna and Catherine Taylor, daughters of John
M. Taylor, of 71 State street, who left $50 each as soon
as the doors were opened for business, June 1st, 1850.
The oldest account now standing open on the books is
No. 9, that of Amasa Wright Sanford.
The board of officers for 1883-4 is as follows: Joseph
W. Greene, President; Geo. A. Jarvis, First Vice-
President; J. S. T. Stranahan, Second Vice-President;
Czar Dunning, Secretary; David B. Baylis, Comp-
troller; F. H. Trowbridge, Assistant Secretary.
National City Bank. — This financial institution
was organized November 16th, 1850, as the City Bank
of Brooklyn. It began operations at No. 126 Atlantic
Avenue, with a capital stock of $300,000, and with the
following officers and directors: John Skillman, Presi-
dent; Isaac Otis, Vice-President; R. P. Perrin, Cashier.
Directors. — John Skillman, James Van Nostrand,
Gassaway B. Lamar, John D. Cocks, John Greenwood,
William Spencer, Dennis Perkins, Isaac Otis, Charles
Stanton, James S. T. Stranahan, John N. Taylor, Wil-
liam B. Kitching, Charles Christmas, Henry Boerum,
Czar Dunning. In 1862 the bank was removed to 357
Fulton street, where it has since been located. In 1864,
when the National Banking Act went into effect, this
institution was one of the first to comply with its regu-
lations and issue the national currency. Its present
officers are as follows: John J. Studwell, President;
William M. Thomas, Vice-President; A. A. Rowe,
Cashier.
Williamsburgh Savings Bank. — The need of an
institution to receive deposits for investment led to the
formation of the Williamsburgh Savings Bank, which
was incorporated April 9, 1851. The original Board of
Trustees comprised the following named gentlemen,
viz. : Timothy Coffin, George Ricard, William Wall,
Edmund Driggs, John B. Wells, Jonathan I. Burr,
WILLIAMSBURGH SAVINGS BANK.
Henry P. Freeman, Nathaniel Briggs, John S. Trott,
Jr., Richard Lake, Henry Oltmans, Gerhardus L. Dem-
ore'st, Richard Ten Eyck, Cha?. W. Houghton, Isaac
Henderson, Samuel M. Meeker, Downing W. Graves
and William McCutchen.
The first Board of Officers elected April 27th, 1851,
was: Wm. Wall, President; George Ricard, First
622
SISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
Vice-President; Nathaniel Briggs, Second Vice-Presi-
dent; Isaac Henderson, Secretary.
The bank opened for business in the basement of the
Universalist Church, corner of Fourth and South Third
streets, on the ninth of June, 1851. The first depositor
was Richard C. De Mott, who gave his age as 33, and
his business that of clerk. He entrusted twenty dollars,
all in silver, to the institution. There were forty-two
deposits made on the first day, amounting to $1,882.
The bank prospered, and soon was enabled to remove
to a fine building on the opposite side of the street. In
years the surplus warranted the erection of a still finer
building on Broadway, at Fifth street, which is prob-
ably the handsomest banking house in the United States.
Its granite exterior is massive and imposing, and is sur-
mounted by a great dome. Within, the materials and
workmanship are of the very best. The cost of the
structure was $540,000. The first depositor, when the
new bank was opened for business, June 1, 1875, was
Henry H. Hall, aged one year, son of Henry Hall, Esq.,
and the amount was $25. The trustees and oflicers for
1883-4 are as follows:
Trustees. — Jonathan S. Burr, Edmund Driggs, Henry
Oltmans, Samuel M. Meeker, Franklin Whiting, Joseph
H. Adams, Horace M. Warren, William E. Horwill,
Lucius N. Palmer, C. William Cooper, Ezra B. Tuttle,
William Lamb, Jeremiah V. Meserole, Mitchell N.
Packard, Abram Cooke.
Officers. — Samuel M. Meeker, President; Jonathan
S. Burr, Franklin Whiting, Vice-Presidents; William
E. Horwill, Secretary; John Broach, Cashier; Oliver
P. Miller, Assistant Cashier; S. M. & D. E. Meeker,
Counsel.
The Farmers' and Citizens' Bank of Long
Island, now extinct, had an eventful history. Origin-
ally started some six months after the Williamsburg
City Bank, and, as a rival to the latter, its charter bore
date June 21, 1852, and its capital was $200,000. It
was located on the northwest corner of Broadway and
First street. Charles W. Houghton was the first Pres-
ident, followed successively by S. W. Lowere and
GriflSn W. Griffith. The cashier was O. M. Beach, a
man of some experience in banking. The bank loaned
some $90,000 to the Long Island Navigation Company,
and lost it. In the embarrassment that followed, the
corporation undertook to liquidate by assignment to
the Williamsburg City Bank, but the proceedings were
set aside, and O. M. Beach was elected President. An
assignment was then made to Fred. A. Piatt ; an at-
tempt was made to retain the charter; but, through ex-
pensive mismanagement and litigation, the effort was
vain, and its affairs were wound up in 1868, even then
depositors receiving 95 per cent, of their deposits.
Under the Piatt receivership, the question arose
whether a person owing to the Bank notes not yet ma-
tured could set ofE deposits to his credit in the Bank at
the time of its failure, in liquidation of the notes. The
Special Term decided in the negative, but the General
Term reversed the decision. Compromise and settle-
ment prevented further litigation on this point.
The Manufacturers' National Bank of New
York was organized Feb. 4, 1853, by some of the busi-
ness men of the Fourteenth Ward, for their accommo-
dation; and opened for business April 19, 1853, at No.
18 Grand street, under the name of the Mechanics'
Bank of Brooklyn, with a capital stock of $250,000.
Ex-Mayor Martin Kalbfleisch was its first President,
and was afterwards succeeded by Grahams Polley,
James D. Sparkman, Charles H. Fellows, George
Mahon and John M. Furman. The original board of
directors contained Andrew B. Hodges, Aaron C. Un-
derbill, Martin Kalbfleisch, John Debevoise, Edwin A.
Johnson, Mills P. Baker, Grahams Polley and Minor
H. Keith. In 1865, by act of Legislature, the bank was
removed to New York, at the instance of Mr. Spark-
man, who was then president; and was reorganized as
a National Bank, under its present title, the Manufac-
turers' National Bank of New York. It was first lo-
cated at the corner of Front and Pine streets, and
afterwards in Brown Bros', building, on Wall street.
Business failures in 1867 caused the bank to pay off its
depositors, and return to its former location at 64
Broadway, Brooklyn, having procured an act of Con-
gress for its removal. Its present capital is $252,000.
The present ofiioers are John M. Furman, President;
John Loughran, Vice-President; T. C. Disbrow, Cash-
ier; James T. Fountain, Assistant Cashier.
The Brooklyn Bank was reorganized in 1859, with
a capital stock of $300,000, and the following directors :
John Blunt, Sidney Cornell, R. B. Duyckinok, John
Laidlaw, John Sneden, E. D. White, P. S. Henderson,
Thomas Messenger, H. P. Morgan, Daniel A. Robbius,
James How, G. A. Tborn, and Thomas Clark. The first
President was Thomas Messenger, with E. D. White,
Vice-President, and Henry E. Henderson, Cashier. It
occupies a two-story, iron-front building, at the corner
of Fulton and Front streets, in the oldest business cen-
tre in the city. Its oflicers for 1883-4 are as follows:
Elias Lewis, Jr., President, and H. E. Hutchinson,
Cashier.
Nassau National Bank.— The charter of the Nas-
sau Bank bears date February 1st, 1859. Its capital
stock was $300,000; its location at No. 8 Court street,
in the building owned by A. A. Low. I. H. Froth-
ingham was the first il^resident, and Crawford C. Smith
the first Cashier. The board of directors was as fol-
lows: Wm. H. Cary, E. H. R. Lyman, John T. Mar-
tin, John Dimon, A. M. White, I. H. Frothingham,
Moses F. Odell. The institution was made a National
Bank, December 1, 1864. The oflicers for 1883-84 are
as follows: Crawford C. Smith, President; Edgar T.
Jones, Cashier.
The Kings County Savings- Institution was
chartered April 10, 1860. The act recites that William
BAISTKINO AND mSUBANCE.
623
Marstall, William A. Cobb, John Loughran, John M.
Furman, Jonathan H. Stanton, Andrew B. Hodges,
Fred. Scholes, Henry E. Ripley, Thomas 0. Moore,
Thomas W. Field, Charles H. Fellows, George C. Ben-
nett, Jacob Zimmer, John Schneider, George B.
Magrath, Jeremiah Johnson, Jr., and their successors,
shall be a body corporate under the above title. Busi-
ness was carried on for the first seven years in the east
part of Washington Hall, when a lot was bought on
the corner of Broadway and Fourth street, and a fine
building, of freestone, 45 feet front, and 82 in depth,
was erected at a cost of $100,000. The first board
KINGS COUNTY SAVINGS INSTITUTION.
of directors was composed as follows, viz.: Thomas
C. Moore, James Hall, Jacob Zimmer, James S.
Beams, Andrew B. Hodges, Wm. A. Cobb, John
Loughran, George B. Magrath, George C. Bennett,
Peter Murray, Henry M. Beams, Henry E. Ripley,
Fred. Scholes, Charles Schneider, Wm. Christal, and
John T. Williams. The first ofScers were Thomas C.
Moore, President; James S. Beams, Secretary. The
oiBcers for 1883-4 are as follows: James S. Beams,
President; George L. Fox, First Vice-President; Geo.
C. Bennett, Second Vice-President ; Richard G. God-
man, Secretary; Jacob Hentz, Cashier.
The Dime Savings Bank of Williamsburg.—
This institution began operations June 1st, 1864, in the
basement of the First National Bank Building, at the
foot of Broadway. A few years later it removed to the
north side of Broadway, at Nos. 3 and 5, where it re-
mained until April 29, 1873, when it removed to its
own building, of handsome stone, at Broadway and
Second street. Its first trustees were Messrs. Geo. B.
Smith, Jas. Boughton, Wm. Marshall, Silas W. Brain-
ard, Peter M. Dingee, Wm. M. Raymond, Jos. R.
Thomas, Geo. Nichols, Jas. Forster, Edward Burcham,
Isaac Bamber, Fred. Nishwitz, Adam Craig, John R.
Jurgens, Solomon L. Hull, Adolphus E. Jacobson,
Henry Hannon, Robert Butcher, Sigismund Kauf-
mann. The first officers were Wm. W. Armfield, Pres-
ident; Geo. W. Kelsey and C. E. Bertrand, Vice-
Presidents; Wm. Grandy, Secretary. The officers for
1884 are Geo. W. Kelsey, President; Gilson I. Totten,
James Boughton, Vice-Presidents ; William Grandy,
Secretary.
The German Savings Bank was chartered April
20, 1866, and organized on the 30th of the following
June. It was intended more especially for the accom-
modation of the Germans, who as a class are noted for
thrifty habits. Its first place of business was at 92
Montrose avenue. The original officers were Jacob
Rosengarden, President; John Raber and F. W.
Kalbfleisch, Vice-Presidents, and Geo. S. Bishop,
Cashier; the first board of trustees comprised the fol-
lowing: Joseph Wilde, Geo. H. Fisher, Thomas Cotrell,
Wm. Broistedt, John Wills, John Raber, J. A. G.
Comstock, Francis Swift, Geo. Distler, Carl Wittmann,
Frederick Fries, Edward Roehr, L. Zechiel, Jacob
Fint, F. W. Kalbfleisch, Edward H. Jones, J. Rosen-
garden, Herman Thieme, J. Wygand, J. J. Hallenbeck.
The bank soon outgrew its old quarters, and a fine
brick building, with free-stone trimmings, was erected
on the comer of Broadway andBoerum street ; the main
room is large, handsomely finished, and lighted by
seven immense plate glass windows. The new build-
ing was occupied (5n Sept. 17, 1875. The bank's suc-
cessive presidents since Jacob Rosengarden have been
John Raber, William Dick, and the present incumbent,
Charles Naeher. For 1883-4, John Wills and Wil-
liam Dick are Vice-Presidents, George S. Bishop,
Cashier, and Geo. H. Fisher, Counsel. The deposits
are $1,500,000, securely invested, in accordance with
the stringent laws of New York State.
The Germania Savings Bank.— An act of incor- "
poration, passed April 19, 1867, begins thus :
Section 1. Eduard Unkart, Hermann Ackermann, John
G. A. Vagt, Theodore Happel, Richard Forstmann, Oscar
Strasburger, Carl C. Recknagel, W. G. Taaks, F. A. Schroe-
der, D. Westfall, U. Palmedo, August Siburg, Friedr. Hitzel-
berger, John Ruck, Wm. D. Veeder, Aug. Kurth, Richard
Barthelmess, Geo. Tiemann, J. Von Auw, F. A. Stohlmann,
J. E. Stohlmann, J. K. Limburger, Emil Magnus, S. Zol-
linger, P. W. Weitzel, Henry Sohiltte, Theodore Junke, S.
W. Boden, C. G. Giebel, Martin von Hagen, Francis Kayser,
and associates, and their successors, shall be and they are
hereby constituted a body corporate and politic, by the name
of "Germania Savings Bank, Kings County," and by that
name shall have perpetual succession, and may sue and be
sued in any courts of this State.
Frederick A. Schroeder was the first President, and
has continued to fill the position since. The bank
opened for business at 375 and 377 Fulton street, on
City Hall Square. The Board of officers for 1883-4 is
here given, viz.: Frederick A. Schroeder, President;
Charles Garlichs, First Vice-President; Ludwig Sem-
ler, Second Vice-President; Julius Lehrenkrauss,
Treasurer; Herman Gelling, Secretary ; F. Koch,
624
BISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
Cashier: Counsel, William D. Veeder: Trustees, E. W.
Fischer, Charles Garlichs, Augustus Kurtli, R. Lauer,
Julius Lehrenkraires, Herman Lins, H. C. Mangels, Dr.
H. J. Menninger, E. Muldener, J. W. Rasch, P. H. Rep-
penhagen, H. E. Sackmann, Fred'k A. Schroeder, Lud-
wig Semler, William D. Yeeder, Otto Witte, G. A.
Jahn.
The Greenpoint Savings Bank. — This institution,
the oldest in Greenpoint, was incoporated in 1868,
largely through the efforts of Messrs. A. K. Meserole,
T. F. Rowland, T. C. Smith, and T. D. Jones; it com-
menced business January 11, 1869, at number 94 Frank-
lin street. Its first Board of Ofiicers was as follows :
A. K. Meserole, President; W. M. Meserole, IST. P.
Bailey, Vice-Presidents ; Robert J. Whittemore, Secre-
tary. The trustees were : A. K. Meserole, Neziah Bliss,
W. M. Meserole, A. M. Bliss, D. D. Boyce, Geo. S.
Barton, C. Von Bergen, N. S. Bailey, S. S. Free, Carl
Feitzinger, A. J. Hennion, T. D. Jones, P. C. Ingersoll,
C. H. Koch, J. Moore, A. Metz, C. Olandt, W. H. Peer,
T. F. Rowland, F. S. Street, G. H. Stone, T. C. Smith,
E. F. Williams, 6. W. Watts, J. W. Valentine. The
first depositor was the President, A. K. Meserole, who
placed $100 in care of the bank. The line of deposits
has steadily increased, until, at the close of 1883, the
aggregate is ^1,250,000, left by 5,500 depositors. The
first President was succeeded, in 1870, by Wm. M.
Meserole, who died in ISYS; E. F. Williams was elected
in his place, but resigned in 1880, and was followed
by Timothy Perry, the present incumbent. The
other ofiicers for 1883-4 are: H. E. Talmage and E A.
Walker, Vice-Presidents, and Robert J. Whittemore,
S£cretary.
Commercial Bank. — In 1868, the business men of
the eastern part of Brooklyn felt the need of a bank in
that locality. Prominent among the movers to estab-
lish such an institution were: Thomas D. Hudson,
James Binns, Job Johnson, Hermon Phillips, Alexan-
der Underbill, Rufus Resseguie, George Wilson,
George Kelsey, Giles P. Glass, William Boger, Joseph
Butler, E. B. Cooper, John Ward. An organization
was perfected, and a charter obtained July 13, 1868,
for a bank to be known as the Commercial, and the
above-named gentlemen were chosen to be the first
directors, with Thomas D. Hudson, President, Giles P.
Glass, Vice-President, and John J. Vail, Cashier.
The capital stock was §180,000 ; the banking house
was located at the corner of Bedford and Myrtle Ave-
nues. After a few years, owing to business changes,
the bank was removed. May 20, 1874, to 16 and 18
Court Street, and again May 11, 1876, to its present
location. No. 363 Fulton. Its K^apital is now $108,000,
and its directors and oflicers for 1883, as follows :
Directors : Thomas D. Hudson, D. W. Binns, Job
Johnson, Rufus Resseguie, James Lock, George
Wilson, Seth L. Keeney, William Boger, Hermon
Phillips, Robinson Gill, George Malcom, Elb?rt Sne-
deker, Benjamin Linikin. Thomas D. Hudson, Presi-
dent; J. J. Vail, Cashier.
The East Brooklyn Savings Bank is largely
due to the efforts of Samuel C. Barnes, Esq., an old
resident of the Wallabout; he was a public school
teacher from 1835 till 1869. He interested others in
providing a place of deposit where the working classes
might invest their earnings, and be encouraged in
thrift and economy. Accordingly, the East Brooklyn
Bank was incorporated Aprill7th, 1860, andopenedfor
business the following year, on Myrtle avenue, near
Franklin. The first President, Stephen Crowell, served
from 1861 to 1879, when Hon. Darwin R. James suc-
ceeded, and still retains the ofiice. Samuel C. Barnes
was the first treasurer, serving from 1861 till his death
in 1873, at which time his son Eugene F. Barnes, Esq.,
was elected to the position, which he still retains. The
first directors were as follows: William A, Brush, John
Clark, James W. Hutchens, Hosea O. Pearce, Edward
T. Backhouse, Joseph Oliver, James E. Phelps,
John M. Phelps, James M. Green, James Lock, Stephen
Crowell, Richard Olmstead, Edwin H. Mead, Elisha S.
Young, Samuel- C. Barnes, Henry Tinken, Thomas D.
Hudson. The first depositor was Samuel C. Barnes,
who showed his faith by his works, and left $500 with
the new institution.
The bank has a fine brick building at the corner
of Myrtle and Franklin avenues. The officers and
trustees for 1883-4 are as follows : Darwin R. James,
President; Thomas D. Hudson and Hosea O. Pearce,
Vice-Presidents ; Alexander Hutchins, Secretary ;
Eugene F. Barnes, Treasurer. Trustees: Darwin R.
James, Hosea O. Pearce, James Lock, Robert Porter-
field, P. F. O'Brien, Jno N. Loughi, E. J. Jennings,
Thomas D. Hudson, Daniel A. Eldridge, Wm. Charters,
Alexander Hutchins, Charles A. Peck, Thomas J.
Atkins, George J. Collins, Lester W. Beasley, and . R.
J. Owens.
The Fulton Bank of Brooklyn.— This bank
started January 1st, 1870, at the corner of Fulton and
Oxford streets, with a capital stock of $200,000, but
within a year, moved down to its present location at
361 Fulton street. The first officers were Alexander G.
Johns, President ; and John A. Nexsen, Cashier ; the
Directors were Julian Allen, James Carey, John E.
Eitel, Edward Hawey, Alexander G. Johns, Thomas
Kinsella, Daniel McCabe, Jos. J. O'Donohue, Stephen
M. Reeve, John Wilson, and Stewart L. Woodford.
In December 1876, John Williams was chosen
President; Wm. H. Hazzard, Vice-President, and John
A. Nexsen was continued at the cashier's desk.
These officers and the following directors have been
reelected annually since 1876. Directors: John Wil-
liams, Wm. H. Hazzard, John N. Eitel, Thomas Me-
Cann, William Mumford, William Howard, William I.
Preston, Foster Pettit, Abner C. Keeny, David S.
Arnott, William H. H. Childs.
BANKING AND INSURANCE.
la^b
John Williams, President of the Fulton Bank of Brook-
lyn, was born in North Hempstead, Queens County, New
York, September 29th, 1818. His ancestry on his father's
side were of Quaker stock. His father, grandfather, and
great-grandfather were all born in Queens County, N. Y.,
and all were farmers.
Mr. Williams remained on his father's farm until he was
seventeen years of age, and received a common district school
education. He then went to Brooklyn, and engaged as a
clerk in the grocery store of Allen Lippincott, where he re-
mained four years, during which he saved a few hundred
dollars, and, by his honesty, enterprise and patient industry,
established a credit which enabled him to embark in trade on
his own account in the same line. His venture was a success
from the start; and, with an interruption of only two years,
he continued in business until 1862.
In 1863, he was appointed United States Assessor for the
Second Congressional District of Brooklyn and Kings County
by President Lincoln, and enjoys the distinction of having
been the first United States Assessor appointed. He held
the office to the great satisfaction of all classes for six years
and ten months; during which period, with the aid of fifteen
assistant assessors and four clerks, he assessed in his district
115,000,000 in taxes, which was collected.
In 1851, Mr. Williams was elected Alderman of the Tenth
Ward of the city of Brooklyn for two years. He has filled
several other public positions, among them that of Supervisor
of the Tenth Ward for two years, and wasfor twelve years
a member of the Brooklyn Board of Education. As a Re-
publican, he has long been prominent and influential.
By his connection with various prominent enterprises, Mr.
WilUams has long been one of the best known men in Brook-
lyn in financial and commercial circles. From 1869 to 1881,
he was a Director of the National City Bank of Brooklyn,
and for the past seven years he has been President of the
Fulton Bank of Brooklyn. He is now a Director of the Mon-
tauk and Lafayette Fire Insurance Companies, and of the
Coney Island and Brooklyn Horse Railroad Company, a
Trustee of the Brooklyn Athenaeum and Reading Room, and
for the past ten years has been President of the Metropolitan
Gas Light Company.
Mr. Williams is one of the most conspicuous examples of
the self-made men of our times, and a detailed account of
his career from a poor boy to his present high position, so-
cially and commercially, would be reading both entertaining
and instructive to the rising generation. His sympathy is
ever with those who, as he did, are struggling manfully
against many difficulties along the road to fortune. He is
liberal in his contributions to all worthy objects, and is uni-
versally regarded as one of the most useful men of the Brook-
lyn of to-day. He owned a pew in the South Brooklyn Pres-
byterian Church, and for twenty-eight years sat under the
ministry of Rev. Dr. Samuel T. Spear, its honored pastor.
He now attends the Second Presbyterian Church of Brook-
lyn, of which Rev. Dr. Van Dyke is pastor, and of the Board
of Trustees of which Mr. Williams is President.
The Bushwick Savings Bank.— This institution,
now located at 466 Grand street, was organized June
16, IBYS, and opened for business at 823 Broadway,
where it remained until 1878.
The business of the bank has kept increasing until its
resources amount to more than $200,000. The oflBcers
and trustees for 1883 and 84 are as follows : Joseph
Liebmann, President ; Peter Wyckoff, 1st Vice-Presi-
dent; Moses May, 2d Vice-President; G. D. Burrows,
Jr., Secretary; John Davies, Cashier; "W. A. Schmit-
thenner, AssH Cashier; Rufus L.' Scott, Counsel.
Trustees: Joseph Liebmann, A. M. Suydam, Fred'k
Herr, John L. Nostrand, Rufus L. Scott, E. E. Bunce,
W. A. Schmitthenner, Henry Loewenstein, M. D., Moses
May, Peter Wickoff, John G. Jenkins, Geo. H. Smith,
M.D., R. G. Phelps, Otto Huber, Chester D. Burrows,
Jr., Charles H. Reynolds, Daniel Canty, Luman Ray,
John Davies, A. C. Hallam, M.D.
The Mechanics' Bank was chartered August 5th,
1852, and opened for business five days later, at No. 9
Court street. The first Board of Directors was as fol-
lows : Wm. P. Bulkley, Conklin Brush, John J. Sted-
well, Daniel Chauncey, S. W. Slocum, Abraham B.
Baylis, Loomis Ballard, G. B. Lamar, Stephen Haynes,
Jos. C. Johnson, Samuel Sloan, Isaac Carhart, George
W. Bergen. The first President was Hon. Conklin
Brush ; he was succeeded June 1st, 1869, by Daniel
Chauncey, and he by the present incumbent, Geo. W.
White, February 1st, 1883. The first Cashier was
Alvah S. Mulford, who held the position until May 1st,
1857, when Geo. W. White was chosen, and remained
until his election to the. presidency, when George
McMillan w£ s chosen Cashier.
Daniel Chauncey was the second of three brothers, who
came to Brooklyn about forty years ago, and who were
always regarded, and justly so, as being among the most
active and useful of the representative citizens of Brooklyn.
They all began life in their father's calling, that of a builder,
and in it they added much to the material wealth of the city.
Nearly a quarter of a century ago Daniel Chauncey was one
of the founders of the Mercantile Insurance Company, of
which he was elected President; and, shortly afterward, he
succeeded ex-Mayor Brush as President of the Mechanics'
Bank, serving it as such for nearly a quarter of a century.
As President of the Bank, Mr. Chauncey was always willing
to lend a helping hand to any of its customers whom he
deemed trustworthy, and many of the business men of
Brooklyn who are in good circumstances to-day can trace
their prosperity to the accommodation extended to them in
the hour of their need by Daniel Chauncey. In politics a
Democrat, through good report and evil report, in the storm
and in the sunshine, he stood by his party, giving to it the
aid of his influence, and also liberal pecuniary assistance.
He, however, never sought, and would not accept office. In
every relation of life he was one of that class of men to whom
their fellows instinctively turn in an emergency. He could
always be relied on. Of his strict honor and his dislike of
anything that bore even the appearance of indirectness, his
action in regard to the aft'airs of the Trust Company furnishes
a good example. When that institution got into trouble, a
full investigation was demanded by Mr. Chauncey, and so
persistent was he on that point that he threatened, in case of
refusal, to apply to the courts for an order that would have
compelled an investigation. Upon the death of the President
of the Trust Company, Mr. Chauncey was made receiver, and
devoted his whole time to unraveling its affairs. As receiver
he was entitled to receive nearly $30,000 in fees; he refused
to take any compensation for his labor, but turned that large
626
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
sum over for the benefit of the stockholders. He died sud-
denly, at the Bank, January 28th, 1883; he left a grown up
family of two daughters and three sons, who are already
numbered among the active and influential citizens of
Brooklyn.
The First National Bank was organized in the
Winter of 1851-2, and commenced business AprillSth,
1852, at the Williamsburg City Bank. Its original in-
corporators were Noah Waterbury, James M. Water-
bury, Nathaniel Briggs, Levi W. TJfford, Abraham
Vandervoort, Minor H. Keith, Samuel Sneden, Jabez
Williams, William Wall, Richard Bury, Daniel Mau-
jer, John J. Van Alst, James D. Sparkman and S. M.
Meeker. The capital, originally $200,000, was in-
creased to $500,000, and in 1857, reduced to $300,000,
at which figure it remains. Noah Waterbury was the
first President, and resigned in January, 1861. He
was succeeded by Nicholas Wyckoff, who held the
oflBlce until his death in June, 1883, when the present
incumbent, John G. Jenkins was appointed. George
Field was Cashier from 1852 until 1866. George D.
Betts now holds the position. July 1st, 1865, the bank
was changed to the First National Bank of Brooklyn,
under the Banking Act. It has for a number of years
been located at the foot of Broadway in a handsome
brick building, that has recently been enlarged and im-
proved.
Its present Board of Directors is as follows : John
W. Furman, Wm. Marshall, Eckford Webb, Edwin
Beers, George F. Kitching, Moses May, J. M. Water-
bury, E. Frank Coe and John G. Jenkins.
The Mechanics' and Traders' Bank at Green-
point avenue and Franklin street, was organized in
1867, with a capital of $100,000. It has been of ser-
vice to the I7th Ward of Brooklyn, as a matter of
convenience to the people in supplying the demands of
business, and increasing the trade of that part of the
city. Archibald K. Meserole has been its President
since 1870 ; Timothy Perry, Vice-President, and H. J.
Olding, jr., Cashier since 1871.
The Dime Savings Bank was chartered April
12th, 1859, and commenced business June 1st, 1859, in
a small room on Montague street, and soon moved to
Hamilton Buildings, and thence to the Halsey Build-
ing in 1865, and expect to remove to the new building,
during the Summer of 1884. The first Board of Direc-
tors was as follows : C. P. Smith, D. Embury, PI. Doll-
ner, J. O. Low, M. S. Beach, I. H. Frothingham, E.
Walter, M. F. Odell, Geo. Hall, W. W. Edwards, T.
H. Sandford, H. Rowland, A. Trask, J. A. Cross, D.
Farley, W. Ellsworth, S. S. Powell, P. O'Hara, R.
Field, E. W. Fiske, J. Halsey, S. H. Stirling, A.
Koop, C. J. Lowrey, C. Brush, I. Carhart, J. H. Baker,
J. H. Sackman, D. Chauncey, S. Haynes, and A. H.
Osborn.
The following were the first ofiicers : John A. Cross,
President, W. W. Edwards, Secretary. After a few
years the bank was removed to the Halsey Building,
367-9 Fulton street. For some time the directors had
been looking for an eligible site for a new building,
and in 1882 purchased the Hooley Opera House, on the
corner of Court and Remsen streets, which was torn
down, and October, 13th, 1883, the corner stone of the
new building was laid. The structure occupies two
lots, 26 by 100 feet each ; is 76 feet high, and fireproof
in every respect. The material is richly ornamented
free-stone, and the facade shows two stories surmounted
by a massive cornice. ^ The banking room on the first
floor is 30 feet high, with tiled floor, paneled ceiling,
and mahogany woodwork and furniture. The cost of
site and building was $250,000. , M. Thomas was the
architect. The batik has about 40,000 depositors, with
about 12 millions of deposits, and a large surplus.
Present officers : Seymour L. Husted, President';
Harold Dollner and A. J. Beekman, Vice-Presidents;
John W. Hunter, Treasurer; B. H. Huntington Secre-
tary. Trustees; Seymour L. Husted, Harold Dollner,
Henry Rowland, Alanson Trask, Edward Merritt, John
W. Hunter, A. J. Beekman, Alfred S. Barnes, Walter
T. Hatch, George W. Bergen, Crawford C. Smith, J.
Pierpont Lord, Edwin Beers, A. H. W. Van Siclen,
John L. Marcellus, Benj. S. Huntington, Charles Pratt^
James Hall, Charles M. Field, Jeremiah P. Robinson,
James E. Dean, James H. Armington, Gardiner S.
Hutchinson.
Abraham J. Beekman, son of John A. and Joanna (Nevins)
Beekman, was born at Griggstown, Somerset County, New-
Jersey, September 8th, 1810. He received a common school
education in his native place.
At the age of twelve years he removed to New York with
his father, and was placed as a clerk in the dry goods busi-
ness, which he followed, as clerk and proprietor, for thirty
years, the last twelve years of his clerkship having been
passed in the service of the well-known firm of Halstead,
Haines & Co. , after which he was for seven years a member
of the firm of Vincent, Beekman & Titus. In the winter of
1851 and 1853 his health failed, and he was compelled to re-
tire in the country.
In August, 1853, he was chosen Secretary of the Nassau
Fire Insurance Company, of Brooklyn, which oflSce he filled
until February, 1866, when he was elected Cashier of the
Long Island Bank. In 1877 he was compelled to resign this
position in consequence of failing health. He is at present
one of the Vice-Presidents of the Dime Savings Bank, and a
Director of the Long Island Bank, of the Nassau Fire Insur-
ance Company, and of the Long Island Safe Deposit Com-
pany.
Mr. Beekman has been connected with the First Reformed
Dutch Church of Brooklyn since 1828; has been often a rul-
ing elder, and has been a Director of most of the benevolent
institutions of that denomination.
He is of the sixth generation in a direct line from Wil-
helmus Beekman, who came from Holland as one of the
early settlers of New Amsterdam.
a^^V^^^'^^i^a^^t^
BARKING AND IN8UEANCE.
627
The Long Island Savings Bank, of Brooklyn,
was incorporated by Act of Legislature, April 15, 1865.
It was not organized till the Spring of 1866, when
James M. Seabury was elected President ; Philip S.
Crooke and Samuel B. Stewart, Vice-Presidents; John
S. Mackay, Treasurer and Secretary ; and John C.
Perry, Attorney and Counsel, with a board of twenty
trustees. Its place of business was in the Jones
Buildmg, on Fulton street, till the completion of its
banking-house, corner of Pulton street and Boerum
place, in 1870. This building was begun in 1869, and
cost, with the lot, $214,000, and was placed in its list
of assets at $230,000. During the general decline of
real estate values that followed the reverses of 1873,
the Bank Department unfairly rated its value as low as
$100,000, and reported the Bank as insolvent.
A depositor at once brought suit, and asked to have
a receiver appointed. The Court, Judge Pratt pre-
siding, appointed M. C. Ogden, receiver, September
14, 1877, who was immediately enjoined from acting
by the Bank Department, which wished to select a re-
ceiver in its own interests. Mr. Ogden, in connection
with the trustees, made a thorough inspection of the
bank's affairs, and submitted to the depositors two
propositions, either to accept 80 per cent, of their de-
posits in cash, or the full amount in six, twelve,
eighteen and twenty-four months. The total amount
of deposits was $857,478. Depositors representing
$489,000 elected to take 80 per cent ; others having
claims for $385,000, elected to be paid in full, in four
installments; and those holding the balance of $34,000,
made no terms or choice. These acceptances were
taken to the Judge who granted the injunction, who,
in consideration of so large a proportion of those inter-
ested accepting the proposed basis of settlement,
dissolved the injunction, and directed the trustees
under their bond, to proceed to settlement according
to the plan sijbmitted. Mr. Ogden then turned the
property back to the hands of the trustees, who made
him Vice-President of the Bank, and Chairman of the
Executive Committee, with power to realize from the
assets, pay the depositors, and close the institution.
All parties concerned have been greatly indebted to
the discretion, ability and prompt action of Mr. Ogden
and John C. Perry, the attorney ; as the Bank Depart-
ment opposed each movement with obstacles, that, in
one or two instances, were only a few hours too late to
have caused serious losses and delays.
At this date, December 31, 1883, those depositors
who did not settle at 80 per cent., have received 93|
per cent., and the remainder will be paid promptly
next November.
This record is without a single parallel in the history
of the settlement of disabled savings banks. No
other has ever paid anywhere near 100 cents on the
dollar. It shows that its affairs were in the hands of
able, wise, and honest men, who, if their management
had not been interrupted by a bank department, that,
at that time, was corrupt and designing, would have
made the Long Island Savings Bank a safe, permanent,
and honored institution.
The Brooklyn Trust Company was incorporated
April 14, 1866. The incorporators were Henry E.
Pierrepont, Jasper W. Gilbert, James Weaver^ Alfred
M. Wood, John T. Kuncie, William Wall, Alexander
McCue, William B. Lewis, Daniel Chauncey, Daniel
F. Fernald, J. Carson Brevoort, Cornelius J. Sprague,
John H. Prentice, Henry J. CuUen, and William M.
Harris.
They are authorized by the charter to receive moneys
in trust; to accept and execute trusts committed to
them by any person or persons whatsoever; to act as
agents for real estate, for married women in respect to
their separate property; and may be appointed guar-
dians to any infant. Their capital was $125,000, to be
invested in bonds and mortages on real estate.
The Board of Trustees, fifteen in number, shall ex-
ercise the corporate powers of the company, and the
first Board of Trustees consisted of those whose names
are given above.
Their first location was at the corner of Court and
Joralemon streets. In 1874 they removed to their
present quarters, at 177 Montague street. The first
officers were Ethelbert S. Mills, President, and M. T.
Rodman, Secretary (succeeded by Ripley Ropes), and
William E. Bunker, Vice-President, who each served
ten years. Henry M. Brush was comptroller for
four years. Mr. Bunker was succeeded by Charles R.
Marvin, and he in turn by the present incumbent, Ed-
mund W. Corlies. William H. Male is Secretary, and J.
R. Curran, Assistant. The capital has been increased
to $600,000, which is invested in U. S. 4 per cents.
The accumulated reserve is fully $300,000.
The Sprague National Bank. — In the- Spring of
1883, Hon. Nathan T. Sprague proposed to a few cap-
italists of this city to establish a National Bank at a
new business center, viz., at the junction of Atlantic,
Flatbush and Fourth avenues, near the railway termi-
nus. His proposition was favorably received. A
charter was obtained June 13th, 1883, and capital stock
subscribed to the amount of $200,000. The bank was
located in the elegant brown stone block at Atlantic
and Fourth avenues. Its Board of Directors is com-
posed as follows : N. T. Sprague, Geo. F. Baker, Ste-
wart L. Woodford, William Harkness, D. A. Boody,
T. C. Christenson, James Matthews, Zacheus Bergen,
William Spenee, John S. Loomis, Jacob Berg, John
Condon, H. C. Copeland, James Sharkey, Edwin Gates.
The officers are as follows : Hon. N. T. Sprague, Pres-
ident; William Harkness, Vice-President; H. C.
Copeland, Cashier.
The Long Island Loan and Trust Company
was chartered May 29, 1883, with the following cor-
porators, viz.: William Marshall, Henry W. Slocum,
628
HI8T0BT OF KINGS COUNTY.
Nicholas WyokofE, Edwin Beers, C. Delano Wood,
Theodore A. Havemeyer, William M. Ingraham, Mark
Hoyt, Robert Early, S. D. Hallowell, John A. King,
John G. Jenkins, Samuel M. Meeker, Watson B. Dick-
erman, William H. Husted, William Dick, Charles M.
Field, and Lowell M. Palmer.
The capital stock was $500,000. The affairs of the
company are managed by a Board of Trustees, the
above-named gentlemen constituting the first. They
began business January 2, 1884, at 38 Court street,
which is a branch of the main oifice, at the corner of
Third street and Broadway. The Company receives
deposits of money, acts as fiscal or transfer agent, ac-
cepts and executes legal trusts, is authorized by charter
to act as administrator, guardian or executor, and as • a
depository of money paid into court. Its ofiicers are
Seymour L. Husted, President; Charles M. Field, Yice-
President; Samuel F. Phelps, Jr., Secretary.
INSURANCE AND SAFE DEPOSIT COMPANIES.
Bt C. H. DUTCHER, Esq.
Among the institutions which have contributed most
effectively and beneficently to the material prosperity
of Brooklyn must be classed incorporations for indem-
nifying its citizens against loss and damage by fire.
The security furnished by fire insurance companies
is made so readily available, and is so universally en-
joyed, that the preservation of the individual estates
and of the social order which they afford, is perhaps as
little appreciated by society at large as are the common
blessings of life.
When we consider the extent of its territory, and the
vastness of its population, Brooklyn has experienced
remarkable freedom from those widely devastating
conflagrations which have befallen other cities less ex-
posed than itself.
The great fire of 1848 — in which many buildings
(occupying eight blocks in that section near the Fulton
Ferry) were consumed, and which threatened the des-
truction of the larger part of the then existing city — is
the only one of such vast proportions that has occurred
in its history. The value of the property consumed by
that fire is estimated at nearly one million dollars, a sum
sufficient to render it conspicuous among the events
which mark the city's history.
Of that sum the larger part was re-imbursed to our
citizens by the insurance companies involved in the
loss.
It will probably appear an astounding statement —
though true — that the sum of the inconspicuous losses
which have occurred since that event — and which has
been made good to property owners by the institutions
under consideration — exceeds that of "the great fire"
by $14,000,000.
The destruction of a dwelling, with its household
goods, or of a store, with its merchandise; a great ware-
house, with its wealth of property from the four quar-
ters of the earth, valued at hundreds of thousands of
dollars; or a manufactory, , with its machinery and
stock, is an occurrence which (though by no means in-
frequent) is rendered so comparatively harmless by the
interposition of insurance indemnity, that the ruin to
individual capitalists, and the paralysis to useful indus;
try — which would otherwise be its inevitable effects —
are almost completely obviated.
However interesting to our readers might be an
elaborate presentation of the facts and arguments which
go to prove the correctness and propriety of our initial
proposition, that fire insurance companies justly rank
among the most beneficent and indispensable institu-
tions of our city — our space does not admit of more
than this brief reference to them; a reference, however,
which is full of salutary suggestion to all who feel
proud of our rapidly increasing wealth, and who find
satisfaction in the stability of that prosperity which
enterprising employment of our wealth ensures.
FiEB Insurance Companies.
The Brooklyn Fire Insurance Company. — On
the 20th of March, 1824, a petition was presented to
the State Senate, from Henry Stanton and others, for
" an act to incorporate a Fire Insurance Company with
a capital of $150,000, in shares of $25 each, to be
located in the village of Brooklyn." The act was
passed, and a company was incorporated April 3d as
The Brooklyn Fire Insurance Company, and com-
menced business May 21st, 1824, in an office on the
north-west corner of Front and Dock streets, with
William Furman, President; and Freeman Hopkins,
Secretary. The Board of Directors was composed of
many of the best known and respected men of the com-
munity.
In 1848, in consequence of the great fire of that year,
the company suspended operations, after paying its
JBAJSTKUSTG AND INSURANCE.
629
liabilities in full. In the following year it was reor-
ganized by prominent business men, with William Ells-
worth as President, who held that position until his
retirement in 1862. Francis P. Furnald was then elected
to the vacancy, and served for ten years. In 1872
Tunis G. Bergen was chosen President, and continued
to fill that office until his death. The present officers
of the company are: Francis P. Furnald, President;
George K. Brand, Secretary.
Long Island Insurance Company. — This Com-
pany enjoys the distinction of being the oldest living
Fire Insurance Company, continuously in business from
date of its organization, in Kings County, having been
organized April 26th, 1833, with a capital of $200,000.
This sum has since been increased to $300,000. Its
first officers were Henry Waring, President, and Joseph
Sprague, Secretary. Benjamin W. Delamater after-
ward held the presidency thirty-five consecutive years.
The Company commenced business in its own building,
, corner of Fulton and Front streets, which it sold in
1867 tp the Long Island Safe Deposit Company, and
removed its offices to Montague street. Its present
officers are: Jonathan Ogden, President, and Henry
Blatchford, Secretary. Its reputation has been that of
a conservative institution as regards the character of
its business. It has also an office in New York, and
agencies in the principal cities of the country.
The Williamsburgh City Fire Insurance Com-
pany.—The rapid growth of the city of Williams-
burgh— now known as the Eastern District of the city
of Brooklyn— led a number of her prominent citizens
to organize a home insurance company, in December,
1852; but its incorporation was not effected until
March, 1853. At that time, with a capital of $150,000
in shares of $20 each, the company commenced busi-
ness over the rooms now occupied by the First
National Bank, on the corner of Broadway and First
street.
The first officers were Edmund Driggs, President ;
and J. D. Burtnett, Secretary. The Board of Direc-
tors was composed of prominent men of the city.
Though it suffered severely in the great fires which,
from time to time, have visited the country, its pros-
perity has been continuous. It has increased its capi-
tal to $250,000, has erected the handsome building it
now occupies on the northeast corner of Broadway and
First streets, and has accumulated a net surplus of over
half a million dollars. Its agencies are established
throughout a large portion of the country.
Edmund Driggs is still its President; N. W. Meser-
ole. Secretary; and' W. H. Brown and F. H. Way, As-
sistant Secretaries. Of the first Board of Directors,
five are still active members, viz.: Edmund Driggs,
Richard Berry, Daniel Maujer, William Marshall and
Nicholas Wyckoff.
Nassau Fire Insurance Company.— This com-
pany was incorporated February 3d, 1852, with a cap-
ital of $150,000 in shares of $50 each. Since that time
the capital stock has been increased to $200,000.
Its list of the first Board of Directors was composed
of many names of men who have had much to do in
shaping the character of our city, and in aiding to es-
tablish and maintain the good name of Brooklyn insti-
tutions. Among them are Mayors S. S. Powell, Samuel
Smith and H. C. Murphy.
Its first officers were : William M. Harris, Presi-
dent; and A. J. Beekman, Secretary. In 1869
Mr. Harris died, and Thomas B. Jones was elected
President, and William T. Lane chosen as Secretary.
The Nassau has been conservative in its methods,
choosing to confine its business chiefly to local risks.
This policy has placed it on a solid footing. Its char-
ter, which expired by limitation February 3d, 1883,
has been extended by the State Insurance Department
for another term of thirty years. Its present offices are
located at the corner of Court and Remsen streets.
The Phenix Insurance Company.— In February,
1853, it was decided to organize a fire insurance com-
pany with the above name, with a capital of $200,000,
in shares of $50 each. The organization was completed
September 10th, 1853.
Stephen Crowell was elected the first President, and
he has since been re-elected to that position every year.
Philander Shaw was the first Secretary, and has since
continued to hold that office. In 1875 he was chosen
Vice-President.
The first certificate of stock was issued to Henry
Holt for 10 shares. The first policy was issued to Rev.
Evan M. Johnson for " $2,000— on each of the two four-
story, brick, tin roof, coped dwelling-houses situate on
the east side of Adams street, commencing 120 feet
south of Johnson street, Brooklyn."
The company began business at 345 Fulton street.
In May, 1862, it removed to the corner of Court and
Montague streets. In October, 1867, it purchased and
removed to Montague Hall, on Court street. The old
building was removed, and the present large and impos-
ing " Phenix " building erected on its site.
Its capital is now $1,000,000.
Its officers are: Stephen Crowell, President; Philan-
der Shaw, Vice-President and Secretary; William
Charters, Assistant Secretary; and Edward Hazel-
hurst, Secretary of Brooklyn Department.
The company has a large agency business throughout
the country.
Lafayette Fire Insurance Company.— This com-
pany was organized in 1856, and was named in honor
of the Marquis de Lafayette. Its capital was placed at
$150,000, in shares of $50 each. Its Board of Directors
comprised many of the best known business men of that
time. The first officers were: Alden S. Crowell, Pres-
ident; and Anson S. Palmer, Secretary.
The company's place of business has been on Fulton
street, opposite the City Hall; except temporarily, dur-
630
HISTORY OF KIITOS COUNTY.
ing the erection of the Phenix building, in which it
now has elegant offices.
Its business has always been conducted with caution^
its managers preferring security and solidity to a widely
extended business with increased hazard.
The company, for a time had only a local office, but
has since established agencies in some of the larger
cities. Its present officers are: Herbert Giroux, Presi-
dent; George W. Hunt, Secretary; E. S. Terhune, As-
sistant Secretary.
Montauk Fire Insurance Company. — This com.
pany was incorporated in 1857, with a capital of $150,-
000, in shares of $50 each, which was, in 1874, increased
to $200,000. Its office was originally in the building
on Court street, where the " Garfield " now stands.
John J. Studwell was the first President, and Edwin
Beers the first Secretary.
The Montauk has consistently followed the plan of
its original founders in confining its business almost
entirely to the locality of its birth; and has, under pru-
dent management, been successful.
Its present officers are: Daniel F. Pernald, President;
William Ellsworth, Vice-President; George F. Malby,
Secretary; George Gill, Assistant Secretary.
Mechanics' Fire Insurance Company. — The
organization of this company was perfected May 7th,
1857, with Daniel Chauncey, President; Walter Nichols,
Secretary; and Walter K. Page, Assistant Secretary.
Its first Board of Directors, which was large, was
composed of the leading mechanics, builders, merchants
and business men of Brooklyn.
It is worthy of note that of the original forty-one
directors twelve are now living, and seven of these are
still members of the Board.
The company commenced with a cash capital of
$150,000, but in 1881 its capital was increased to
$250,000, its field of operations extended, and agencies
established in the large cities, and to a considerable
extent in the Middle and New England States.
At first its office was temporarily located where the
building of the Continental Insurance Company now
stands, until its rooms in the Mechanics' Bank building
were ready for occupancy, when it removed to its pres-
ent quarters on Montague street. In April, 1866, Dan-
iel Chauncey resigned the presidency, and John H.
Baker was elected to that office, Mr. Chauncey con-
senting to remain as Vice-President, which position he
held until his death in January, 1883. In December,
1881, John K. Oakley was elected President, in place
of Mr. Baker, deceased. The present officers of the
company are: John K. Oakley, President; Henry N.
Brush, Vice-President; Walter Nichols, Secretary;
Merrit Tuttle, Assistant Secretary.
Kings County Fire Insurance Company. — Oct.
18, 1858, was the date of the organization of this Com-
pany, with a capital of $150,000 — in shares of $20 each.
Its first officers were A. S. Crovvell, President, and O.
R. Ingersoll, Secretary. Its business is mostly local
having agencies in a few of the larger cities only. Its
first offices were under the Mariners' and Citizens'
Bank, until, in 1870, it erected the fine building now
occupied for its offices at No. 87 Broadway, E. D., at a
cost of $90,000.
No better proof of the ability of the Company's
management is needed than the statement^ showing a
net surplus considerably larger than its capital. Its
present officers are E. T. Backhouse, President; Henry
Pope, Secretary; William E. Horwill, Assistant Sec-
retary.
Fireman's Trust Insurance Company. — This
Company was organized March 15, 1859, with a capital
of $150,000— in shares of $10 each.
Its first President was George Hall, and its first Sec-
retary, William Burrell. The Company commenced
business at No. 9 Court street, whence it removed some
years later to No. 201 Montague street. It confines its
business to this locality strictly, with offices in New
York and Brooklyn.
The present officers are D wight Johnson, President;
E. B. Wood, Secretary; B. F. Van Voorhis, Assistant
Secretary.
It is evident, when we take into consideration the
immense and constantly increasing insurable wealth of
Brooklyn, that the resources of the local companies are
entirely inadequate for the proper protection of the
city against loss and damage by fire, as is seen by the
following figures: Of dwellings and furniture there
are over two hundred millions of dollars in value ; of
CONTINENTAL. BROOKLYN BUILDINGt
manufacturing interests, having in value of plant, and
machinery, more than two hundred million dollars, and
in amount of annual product, over two hundred and
fifty million dollars; and to these must be added
BANKING AND INSUEANCE.
631
churches, halls, theatres and public buildings of immense
cost, aggregating several millions dollars in value.
A city of such wealth has naturally proved an at-
tractive and profitable field for the operation of fire in-
surance corporations, other than those to which special
attention has been directed.
Among the earliest to establish departmental offices
here were the Gbrmania, Home, and Continental
Companies 'of New York. In 1868, the Continental
established itself in Montague street; and a few years
later, in response to the encouragement given by the
large and constantly increasing business coming to it,
erected for its own use the elegant building on the cor-
ner of Court and Montague streets. Other companies
soon followed, so that at the present time there are
represented here, either by offices or agencies, more
than fifty in number, having over 1100,000,000 of
Life Insurance Companies.
These institutions are justly ranked as among the
most useful of civilized society, as the benefits there-
from are available for all classes of the community.
But two life insurance companies have their home in
Brooklyn. A brief sketch of each is given below.
The Brooklyn Life Insurance Company was or-
ganized in 1864, and commenced business in July of
that year. Its organization was due principally to the
efforts of Mr. Christian W. Bouok, who was elected as
President, and served in that capacity up to 1877, when
he was succeeded by the present incumbent, Mr. Wil-
liam M. Cole, of this city.
The original board of officers comprised Mr. Chris-
tian W. Bouck, President; Mr. Abram D. Polhemus,
Vice-President; Mr. Richard H. Harding, Secretary;
Daniel Ayres, M. D., LL. D., Medical Director; and
Augustus Ford, Counsel, all residents of this city.
In 1867, the Secretary, Mr. Harding, died, and in the
same year was succeeded by Mr. Wm. M. Cole, who re-
mained as Secretary until he succeeded Mr. C. W.
Bouck as President in 1877; and Mr. Cole, in turn,
was succeeded as Secretary, upon his elevation to the
.Presidency, by William Butcher, who had been with
the company almost from its organization in various
clerical capacities.
The first Vice-President, Mr. Abram D. Polemus,
resigned in 1870, and was succeeded by Mr. William H.
Wallace, the present official. These have been all the
changes in the board of officers during the history of
the Company.
The board of directors has, from time to time, com-
prised, and now comprises, gentlemen whose business
undertakings and social standing have been largely in-
terwoven with the history of Brooklyn; whose names
are known throughout the breadth of the city; and
whose efforts have ever been in the direction of the
welfare and good repute of Brooklyn. Isaac Van An-
den, Hosea Birdsall, Amos F. Hatfield, Augustus E.
Masters, Christian W. Bouck, Curtis Noble, Abram
D. Polhemus, Samuel S. Powell, David M. Chauncey,
Daniel Maujer, Harry Messenger and Edward Anthony,
are names which every resident of Brooklyn remem-
bers with respect and interest. The Company has al-
ways beep essentially a Brooklyn institution.
This Company was originally organized with $125,-
000 capital, but now has over one million and a half
of dollars of assets, and is distinguished as one of the
most conservative and carefully managed institutions
in the country. At the official examination of the
Company it was specially and officially noted that the
"investments couldn't be improved. No better class
of securities could be found anywhere. They are uni-
formly first-class, and could not be reduced a dollar,
because of the prudence displayed in making them."
The Company has always had an excellent reputation
for those points of careful and prudent management
which commend such institutions to intelligent public
favor.
Its offices are located at 20 Nassau street. New York
City.
The Home Life Insurance Company. — In
I860, a movement was made for the establishment of a
Life Insurance Company, which was successfully car-
ried out, and an organization effected April 28, 1860.
The company was named the Home. Its capital was
1125,000, in $100 shares. The following were chosen
Directors : P. C. Cornell, John Sueden, E. A. Lambert,
T. Messenger, James How, J. W. Greene, G. S.
Stephenson, J. S. T. Stranahan, J. E. Southworth, C.
A. Townsend, C. J. Sprague, H. E. Pierrepont, J. P.
Martin, S. E. Howard, L. B. Wyman, W. S. Griffith,
G. A. Jarvis, J. G. Bergen, John Halsey, T. Polhemus,
Jr., A. P. Cap well, H. B. Claflin, A. B. Baylis, John
D. Cocks, H. Dollner, S. B. Chittenden, A. A. Low,
Czar Dunning, Wm. H. Gary, Samuel Smith, T. Carl-
ton, M. P. Odell, L. Roberts, Nehemiah Knight, J.
Milton Smith, Isaac H. Frothingham.
The first PresidetU was Walter S. Griffith; Secretary,
Geo. C. Ripley ; Treasurer, Isaac H. Frothingham ;
Counsel, Albert B. Capwell.
William J. Coffin, who entered the Company's em-
ploy at its organization, and afterwards became its
Secretary and Actuary, died suddenly in its New York
office Sept. 10, 1877, leaving a record of "singular
ability and faithfulness." The Company commenced
business on the corner of Court and Joralemon
streets, and subsequently removed to its present
location, 179 Montague street. It has an office at 254
Broadway, New York.
Its officers for 1882-'83 are George C. Ripley, Presi-
dent; Chas. A. Townsend, Vice-President; I. H. Froth-
ingham, Treasurer ; Joseph P. Holbrook, Secretary ;
Wm. G. Low, Counsel.
632
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Safe Deposit Companies.
The Long Island Safe Deposit Company.—
Of late years a demand has grown up for institutions
established expressly for the safe keeping of valuables.
The first was chartered in New York city, in 1861. In
1869, the Long Island Safe Deposit Company was in-
corporated, and erected a fire-proof building on the
northwest corner of Fulton and Front streets, in the
THE LONG ISLAND SAB'S DEPOSIT :COMP ANT.
city of Brooklyn. The safes are very large and thick,
built entirely above the first floor, on a granite founda-
tion, and fitted with the most approved burglar-proof
combination and time locks. Within the vault are
placed the private safes, several hundred in number,
fitted with combination locks, not one of which can be
opened without the use of two keys, one kept by the
individual, and one by the Company. Storage is also
provided for pictures, statuary, silverware, and other
valuables of bulk. Private rooms are provided where
depositors, at any time, may examiue papers and se-
curities in seclusion. Directors : John Lefferts, Presi-
dent ; Edward D. "White, Vice-Pres.; Charles E. Bill ;
Abraham J. Beekman ; Peter C. Cornell ; Sidney
Cornell ; Abraham Lott ; Henry E. Pierrepont ; Wil-
liam Sinclair ; James L. Moore ; George A. Thorne ;
James How ; Henry P. Morgan ; Garret Bergen ;
Edward Whitehouse ; John French ; John D. Prince ;
Daniel D. Whitney ; Ezra L. Bushnell ; George W.
Bergen; John B. Woodward ; Stephen Taber ; TTiomas
H. Messenger ; Henry K. Sheldon; William M. Van
Anden ; John Ditmas, Jr. ; Thomas H. Messenger,
Treasurer ; Abraham I. Ditmas, Secretary.
The Brooklyn City Safe Deposit Company
was incorporated, in 18*72, with the following Direc-
tors : Abraham B. Baylis, George E". Curtis, Jacob
Cole, John P. Rolfe, William Marshall, Daniel Chaun-
cey, William P. Libby, Samuel Sloan, Jacob I. Bergen,
John Halsey, James S. Rockwell.
A large and convenient building was erected on the'
corner of Clinton and Montague streets, in June, 1873,
and the company commenced business. The vaults
are constructed in the most thorough and massive
manner, are fire and burglar-proof, and the safes are
provided with the double key escutcheon ; constant
communication with police headquarters, and continual
watching day and night make deposits absolutely safe.
The present officers are: H. N. Brush, President ; Si
H. Herriman, Y ice- President ; Leffert L. Bergen, Sec-
retary. Directors : Daniel Chauncey, John P. Rolfe,
William Marshall, Jacob I. Bergen, Wm. P. Libby,
Jacob Cole, Daniel Ayres, M.D., Isaac Carhart.
Heney D. Polhemus, the youngest son of Theo-
dorus and Rebecca Polhemus, was born at the old Pol-
hemus homestead, on Gowanus Lane (now Fifth
avenue and Carroll street), Brooklyn. In early life, he
entered the store of Fox & Polhemus, in ISTew York,
in which his brother was a partner, and which has
been continued to the present time, and is known as
the firm of Brinkerhoff, Turner & Co., in which Mr.
Polhemus is interested.
Mr. Polhemus is the last of the male descendants of
the Rev. Johannes Theodoras Polhemus, the first
preacher in Kings county, who settled in Flatbush, 1654.
(See ohsi^teT on Ecclesiastical Sistory of ICings County,
pages 327 and 328). He is now connected with several
prominent financial interests of Brooklyn, being a
director of the Long Island Bank, the Nassau Fire
Insurance Company, the American District Telegraph
Company, and other institutions.
^ng'hyAHBUxhie -
Live Music
Archive
Librivox
Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland
Museum of Art
Internet
Arcade
Console Living Room
Open Library
American
Libraries
TV News
Understanding
9/11